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First Time Mission Team Leader Online Cohorts

First Time Mission Team Leader Online Cohorts

First-Time Mission Team Leader Online Cohorts

March 10, 2025

First-time mission team leaders can join either a Wednesday night or Saturday morning cohort. This is a 4-week cohort for first-time mission team leaders who are leading short-term volunteer mission teams.

  • Wednesday Cohort Will Meet The Following Dates:

    March 19, 26, April 2, 9, at 6pm Central/7pm Est 

  • Sunday Cohort Will Meet The Following Dates:

    April 12, 19, 26, And May 3, 2025 at 9:30am Central Time/10:30am Est

Statement from SCJ Mission Council after the lawsuit

Statement from SCJ Mission Council after the lawsuit

Statement from SCJ Mission Council

January 16, 2025 

 

Austin, TX – Today, the Texas Supreme Court held oral argument concerning the 2019 lawsuit filed by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference (SCJ) against Southern Methodist University (SMU). The underlying lawsuit involved claims brought by the SCJ concerning SMU’s amendment to its articles of incorporation that were made without the required approval of the SCJ. SMU requested review by the Texas Supreme Court following an unfavorable opinion by the Dallas Court of Appeals.

“One of the significant issues in this lawsuit is a breach of contract claim because, as the SCJ claims, SMU ignored its governing documents and a century-long course of performance by amending its articles of incorporation without the SCJ’s approval,” said Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, chairperson of the SCJ Mission Council.

 

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SMU, located in Dallas, is the home to Perkins School of Theology, one of the thirteen United Methodist seminaries approved by the denomination, which receives Ministerial Education Funds from apportionments paid by local churches throughout the SCJ.
In addition, the Bridwell Library at SMU now houses the entire collection of the World Methodist Museum, formerly located at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina.

“As you can see, maintaining the historical relationship between SCJ and SMU is important because of SMU’s Methodist heritage while integrating its educational mission with the church’s teachings and fostering a unique environment that nurtures academic excellence and moral development,” said Belase.

The desire of SCJ’s Mission Council and the College of Bishops is to maintain a strong, healthy relationship with SMU.
“Our hope is that we can be partners in ministry, just as we have since SMU was founded by our foremothers and forefathers in faith in 1911,” said Bishop Delores Williamston, resident bishop of the Louisiana Conference and president of the SCJ College of Bishops.
A ruling by the Supreme Court is not expected for several months.

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Please direct media inquiries to Dr. Derrek Belase – ; 405-714-1554

David Lee Severe Leaves Lasting Impact

David Lee Severe Leaves Lasting Impact

David Lee Severe

Leaves Lasting Impact

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former Executive Director, Rev. Dr. David Severe. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment significantly shaped the South Central Jurisdiction and inspired countless individuals. We are grateful for his contributions and the lasting impact he made through our Connection. As we mourn this profound loss, we celebrate his legacy and the positive change he brought to The United Methodist Church. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

OBITUARY

Bishop Schnase’s Retirement Announcement

Bishop Schnase’s Retirement Announcement

Bishop Schnase’s Retirement Announcement

Jul 01, 2024 | Alli Newsom | New Mexico Annual Conference

 

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the New Mexico and Rio Texas Annual Conferences has decided to request retirement at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference next week. He shared, “The 2024 General Conference made important and responsible decisions, including the adoption of a lower budget and a corresponding reduction in the number of US bishops. As a result, the South Central Jurisdiction will assign six bishops rather than the seven that had been expected. It has taken some time to work out the implications for our Jurisdiction and I have only come to this decision this past week—after our annual conference session. This is the solution that best serves the whole.” 

Bishop Schnase Retirement from New Mexico Conference on Vimeo.

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the New Mexico and Rio Texas Annual Conferences has decided to request retirement at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference next week. He shared, “The 2024 General Conference made important and responsible decisions, including the adoption of a lower budget and a corresponding reduction in the number of US bishops. As a result, the South Central Jurisdiction will assign six bishops rather than the seven that had been expected. It has taken some time to work out the implications for our Jurisdiction and I have only come to this decision this past week—after our annual conference session. This is the solution that best serves the whole.”

The South Central Jurisdiction Conference is scheduled for July 10-12th in Rogers, Arkansas. At this meeting, the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee will announce episcopal assignments. The NM Conference Jurisdictional Conference Delegates will be in attendance to represent the NM Conference. Others will be in attendance to witness the occasion and to report on what transpires.

We are grateful for the short but fruitful time we had under the leadership of Bishop Schnase. We pray for him and Esther – that their next ministry is as full of grace as this one has been.

To read Bishop’s retirement letter and FAQ’s, click here.

Republished July 3, 2024 from https://www.nmconfum.com/news/bishop-schnase-announces-retirement/