Local Church Happenings

Bethany Gardens was instrumental in supporting scholarships for several Heart of Texas Association Members in Discernment through their Tessmann Scholarship Fund. The Hilmar and Edith Rittimann Tessmann Trust was established in the late 1980s to provide scholarships for those college graduates who seek an advanced degree in teaching, Christian ministry, public service, or environmental science. Thank you Bethany for your continued support.

Recently, COTS was finally able to celebrate Rev. Dr. Mary Wilson's retirement. To honor her years of service at COTS, their interfaith center was named after her.

CCA has been continuing their transitional work, under the leadership of Rev. Amelia Fullbright, by engaging in a series of discussions on topics such as ONA, education, worship, and more. Additionally, as a Reproductive Freedom congregation, they are exploring ways to live into that covenant more fully especially given recent decisions by SCOTUS and the state of Texas.

Faith UCC Bryan continues to prayerfully consider their presence in the Bryan area and the growing need to meet the youth of their congregation and surrounding community. New neighborhoods continue to pop up all around them so the potential for ministry is great!

24 choir members, 20 clergy from 17 faith communities, over 140 attendees, and an indescribable evening...the response to New Braunfels first Interfaith Pride Worship Service, hosted by Faith Church UCC NB has been overwhelming.

Faith Church Woodsboro is hosting their Sweet Summer Time Market on Saturday, July 2nd with lots of vendors!! Come shop!

Friedens UCC Geronimo is having a wonderful Vacation Bible School experience this summer! Their FB page has lots of pictures of kids learning about God's love! So many kids!!!

Thank you Friedens UCC Washington for the 150 Hygiene Kits donated to Back Bay Mission at the South Central Conference's Annual Meeting!

On June 25, Friends Congregational Church, in College Station, celebrated 26 years as being an Open and Affirming Congregation! Friends continues to live into the this commitment as Pastor Dan shares in this video "Let your light shine!" in supporting justice for trans and nonbinary people.

This summer Hope United has taken in deep dive into understand what it really means to be Open & Affirming. Although founded as an ONA congregation, Pastor Rene Slataper and MID Kyle Rylie are leading discussions that provide both education and wondering opportunities as Hope considers how to live out their ONA stance in the Georgetown community.

After two years of being completely online, OC has restarted meeting in-person at a new location in Cedar Park/Leander. June was busy with participating in Pride Events and getting their youth group back up and running which included participating at Color Splash (a LBGTQ+ and allies camp for middle/high schoolers).

Rolling Hills has adopted a new vision of Gather-Grow-Serve as they continue to embrace ways of being the church in the their local community of Lago Vista. Continued prayers for this community as they are in the midst of a pastoral search.

St. John's UCC is looking forward to hosting Big Fish Bay: Hooked on God's Mercy Vacation Bible School Sunday, July 24th - Wednesday, July 27th. If you live near the Burton area, come and check it out!

St. Paul in Corpus Christi had a busy July. First, St. Paul held their 2nd Annual Pride Pet Pawrad! Then they dedicated new rainbow doors bolding letting EVERYONE know that they are welcome at St. Paul's.

St. Peter's in Coupland (or Coupland Church as one member calls it) continues in their interim period with Rev. Charles Stark. Their Search and Call committee is actively working to secure the right-fit Settled Minister.

Touchstone UCC participated in the 5th annual Boerne Pride walk as a show of solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community of people.

Trinity celebrates a year of interim ministry with Rev. Christine Tata which is coming to a close on June 30, 2022. Rev. Tata has done amazing work to set Trinity on good footing. A short period of pastoral supply will be happening between July - Oct as a search and call process for the next Interim Minister begins.

Trinity's Leadership Council Secretary, Mieke Lippstreu, put together a great artistic, entertaining, and informative look at the phases of transition that lie ahead for Trinity (and really for all of us!).

A lot of Pride, VBS, and Youth Mission Trip going on at United along with their devotion to justice and caring for their neighbors! If you love Disney movies, check out their Disney sermon series coming in July.

Weimar UCC is excited to install their new Settled Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jimmy Watson on Sunday, July 24th. We are so excited to celebrate with Weimer! Look for more information soon.

If you have specific Church Happenings that you would like to share with the Wider Association, please send to Rev. Nikki Stahl so she can include in the next newsletter. Or she can continue to stalk you websites, newsletters and social media sites. P.S. Take more pictures!!