The Bridge-Odessa - One Matters Award Recipient
Reaching a Younger Demographic  

	The Bridge's Champion Softball Team.

*We are targeting a younger demographic and they are very active.  One of the things we did was sponsor softball and volleyball

 teams as well as have some tournaments of our own.  We did a summer tennis league and tournament.  It was a great way for our young families to reach out and invite their friends.  This is not a new idea, but it really worked well for us.

*We hosted some Mystery Dinner evenings in the Fall.  It was another way to invite friends and have them come and check out The Bridge in an informal setting.

*We hosted Tables of 8 several times a year.  People would sign up to either participate or host a meal.  We would then assign people randomly to groups.  The meal was a potluck.  It was a great way to get to know others at The Bridge and also be able to invite friends to a meal.  It was just about a meal and fellowship.  Everyone loved being a part.

*We sponsored food packing nights at our local food bank.  We helped with Food2Kids which fit our demographic.  Families and their kids would come and pack food for our local schools.  It was also a great way to invite friends to participate. Submitted by Donnie Williams

Review your Safe Sanctuaries Policies

 

Click here for the Safe Sanctuaries Conference Website 

NM Conference Disaster Response Trainings 

Submitted by Hap Escue, ABQ District ERT Co-Coordinator
 

UMCOR relies on Early Response Teams (ERT) as part of their disaster response approach.  There are a few important facts about ERT: 

• ERT are called out starting just after the emergency (fire, flood, storm, etc.) has been made safe.  The ERT mission is to help the survivors of such emergencies to stabilize their situation and know the presence of Christ's love in their lives.

• ERT are composed of you and me.  Local persons who are willing to give up 3 to 5 days, normally 3, to help their neighbors in need.

• In New Mexico, we are just getting started in growing our disaster response capability. We have an equipment trailer (pretty well equipped) and 15 persons trained to be members of an ERT.  To be able to respond to a disaster and provide rotating teams of people anywhere in New Mexico, we need a lot more than the 15 persons we have trained so far.

That's where YOU come in.  We are starting to train more people so we can respond when needed.  We  hope to hold 2 more basic ERT training courses this year, one in Las Cruces on September 23rd at University UMC and another in Farmington (location tba) on November 18th.  Another course will be held in Albuquerque just after the first of the year. Registration will be $40 and will include all course materials and food.  Please send your name, address, and phone number to Dru Kuntz at the Conference Office, dru@nmconfum.com, or call her at 505-255-8786, ext. 102.

 

Contact your Conference Coaching Cadre?

    The lazy days of summer are fast coming to an end.  Soon we will be planning Christmas Eve services, if we haven't started already. You may feel a sense of being stuck and need someone to talk through some options.  Perhaps you know what you need to do to move your ministry forward but you don't have a clear idea of how to achieve your aim.  A certified coach can help you get from here to there more effectively. This is a great time to look ahead and identify goals and processes to get where you want to go. 
     Our Conference is fortunate in the number, quality and geographic diversity of the coaches whose services are available.  A list of our coaches is available: Click here.  If you have any questions about coaching in general, please contact Cheri Lyon at cherilealyon@gmail.com. 

NM Conference Summer Memory Book

Trinity-First UMC-El Paso

Click here to view the Online Memory Book

from rethinkchurch.org
 

     Rev. Will Willimon boldly exposits that   race is fiction, but racism is fact. The recent actions by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, attest to the reality of racism. Humanity is diverse in appearance and action on the outside. While we acknowledge (and even celebrate) diversity, we also await the day when we will unanimously recognize the Divine Spirit and human worth that exists within each of us. To bring about that day, we need to talk about and confront the reality of racism. It's not too late for us... nor is it too early to talk about it with our children.

     While racism is not a topic we're likely eager to address with children, it's a necessary topic - for they will learn of it through others or through hard experience. Use these helpful cues to address racism with young ones.

Click for the full article on addressing racism with children 

Back to School Photos

Charge Conference Season is almost upon us!

AFLAC Enrollment News

     The NM Conference has an agreement on behalf of all its member churches with AFLAC, offering supplemental insurance to all clergy and lay employees working 19 hours per week or more.  The open enrollment period is September 1 - 30, 2017. 
     A representative will be calling each church to set up a time to discuss options with your employees.  There is no cost to the church.  You do not need to set up an appointment BUT each employee will need to sign a waiver form acknowledging that they are aware of the opportunities.  Each church will be receiving information to this effect from our Conference Benefits Officer, Dru Ann Kuntz. 
     Questions:  Dru Ann Kuntz, CBO at 505-255-8786, ext. 102 or dru@nmconfum.com.

Upcoming Events Click here for the Conference Calendar