Farewell for the Welch Family
Sunday, August 31, 2008
St. Luke's UMC, 3471 Westheimer, Houston, Texas
Central South District Superintendent Rev. Jim Welch has been appointed to Kingwood United Methodist Church, effective September 1. You are invited to a reception honoring Jim and Debbie, and expressing our gratitude for their ministry in our district for the last seven years. This event will be in the Hines Baker room at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, on August 31 from 3-5 pm. The reception is “come and go,” with a gift presentation and response around 4:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring laity from your congregation to express their gratitude to Jim as well.
You are also invited to bring a card expressing your gratitude or thoughts to be placed in a card basket at the event. In addition, the District Office is receiving contributions toward a gift for Jim and Debbie. Please send those to Central South District, 1410 Lee Street, Level 2, Houston, TX 77009.
Rev. Lawrence Young appointed Central South DS
Bishop Janice Riggle-Huie has appointed Rev. Lawrence Young to be the new Superintendent of the Central South District, effective September 1, 2008.
Rev. Lawrence Young was founding Pastor of Abundant Life United Methodist Church in Lufkin, Texas where he served for 12 years. In June of 2003, Pastor Young was appointed Senior Pastor of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church. He presently serves on the Southwest District Committee of Ordained Ministry, President of Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR) for the Houston Chapter, Southwest District Youth Camp Coordinator, and is a mentor for new candidates for ministry in the Texas Conference. He has also established the Sunnyside Community Development Corporation, the church’s 501C (3), where he serves on The Board of Directors. He was also featured in the Book of Alzheimer’s for African-American Churches as one of the first African American Pastors to help address issues and create awareness on Alzheimer’s in the African American church. Jones Memorial has now established an Alzheimer’s support group for their members.
Pastor Young is a graduate of Dillard University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science. He then attended Gammon Theological Seminary, at the Interdemoninational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree. He has also completed extensive study and practice of Pastoral Care and Counseling through the Doctoral Program at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Ill. He was ordained as a Deacon of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1990 and as an elder in 1992.
Under God’s guidance Pastor Young and his congregation have successfully completed the first phase of their new building project the Jones Memorial “Higher Way Church” multi- purpose center. Pastor Young is an humble servant of God’s people. His vision was for “The Higher Way Church” to be a place that would serve and impact the entire community seven days a week. Pastor Young teaches as well as models to his flock a giving, loving and Christian life style that will draw others to Christ. He encourages the mission of “Preparing to go and make Disciples of All People.”
Rev. Young is happily married to Karen L. Young and has two sons Blair and Jeremy. Rev. Young is a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana. His proud parents are Climel and Dorothy Young.
Rev. Jim Welch has been appointed the senior pastor at Kingwood UMC in the Central North District. He and Rev. Young will work together through August to insure a smooth transition.
New appointments in the Central South District
Welcome to these folks as they move into and within the Central South District:
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James E. Flagg, Jr., Bellaire Sr. Pastor
Johnny Y'barro, Beneke Lay Supply
Greg Taylor, Chapelwood Associate
Charles Ruehl, Houston First Associate
Ann Spears, Houston First Associate
Ann Worrell, Houston First Associate
Howard Bruce, Houston Genoa, Pastor
Roger Dunlop, Houston Hillcrest, Pastor
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Joe Cortinas, Houston Trinity/Jacinto City, Pastor
Jacqueline Collins, Houston Love, Associate
Keith Somerville, Houston St. John's Associate
Valerie Waller, Houston St. John's Associate
Gregory Johnson, Houston St. Mark's-Patterson, Pastor
Emily Chapman, Houston St. Paul's, Associate
Bryan Dalco, Houston Trinity East, Pastor
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Congratulations to Extension Ministers who are beginning new appointments:
Rebecca Martin, Duke Assistant Director of Field Education
Matthew H. Russell, Texas Tech Student
Prayers for those who are taking leave:
Stacy Pever Anzick, Family Leave
Rick Hume, Incapacity Leave
