Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

2015 Journal            

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SECTION J

REPORTS TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Assistant to the Bishop Rev. B.T. Williamson

There have been several developments in ministries within the annual conference, which have involved

the office of the Assistant to the Bishop. Most of these have grown from collaborative efforts that have enhanced programs related to the three foci for the quadrennial. Working with the Center for Congregational Excellence a new design for the platform of Youth and Young Adult Ministries was forged through collaboration with Kenda C. Dean. Additionally our office assisted the Vibrant Church Initiative in the formation of a change management strategy, which will be incorporated into the prescription phase of the VCI process. Working alongside the Center for Connectional Resources we have helped give more a more specific definition of Legacy congregations. As new opportunities in missions unfolded, particularly through the new Mission Depot, this office played a consulting role in re-conceptualizing the sending/advocacy function of this center. In our work with the Core Leadership Team the return visit of Sue Nilson Kibby was well-received at the annual CLT/DLT conclave. All districts were represented and strategies and spiritual emphasis for ministry were forged. The on-going ministry of supporting the Cabinet, coordinating communication, planning and executing the annual conference event, representation on institutional boards, and serving at the discretion of the Bishop mark the recurring patterns of this office.

Communications Committee Mrs. Jill Krone, Chair

Lay leaders and clergy representatives on the Communications Committee have been instrumental in

providing input to the staff on several key initiatives including: • A follow-up review of the Conference website: This was done a year after the complete revamp and

streamlining of the site. In addition to the committee, Conference staff also provided input to determine how the new format is working and what other content might be helpful.

• The development of a mobile app: Committee and staff members helped test this idea and provide ideas on input and functionality.

• Sponsoring a Best Idea Contest: To promote and reward good communications – and to share new ideas, the committee sponsored a contest through the newsletter, soliciting ideas from the local church that have worked well for them in recent months.

Communications produced multiple videos for Annual Conference, has been active in District trainings, and producing 24 issues of Cross Connection which is digitally emailed to almost 16,000 recipients with an average open rate of 47%. In addition, efforts are always underway to widen interaction and content on social media and creating numerous videos to support conference centers. The department also facilitated several videos of Bishop Huie for local church requests and seasonal devotions for conference-wide audiences. Conference Communications has provided strategic support for the Vibrant Church Initiative communication and ADKAR change management campaign and training materials as well as graphic design services for Conference Centers.

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Nominations Committee Rev. B.T. Williamson, Chair

TAC 2015 Slate of Nominations

UNDER TAC REPORTS

Report of the Nominating Committee Submitted by Rev. B.T. Williamson

Conference Secretary Russell Hall

Core Leadership Team

John Warren SE Repr Taylor Fuerst At-Large

Board of Laity

Richard Hyde SW Repr Anna Rohde Director Lay Servant Ministries

Archives & History

Bruce Hay McMahan Chapel Repr

Hispanic Ministries Jose Pena (Chair) Emigdio Rosales Cesar Martinez Nataly Negrete Luisa Kenny Luis Palomo

TAC Missions Committee Carol Parker

Marty Vaughan Kim Mabry Pat Brown

LyAnna Johnson

Social Principles Implementation Ministries Jose Pena (Ex-Officio) Hannah Terry (Chair)

Institutional Board Confirmations Lakeview Board of Directors Stacy Yates (Class of 2018) Matt Stone (Class of 2018) Jacob Smith (Class of 2018) Anita Snider (Class of 2018) Charlotte Newton (Class of 2018) Jon Heidtke (Class of 2018)

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Reggie Clemons (Class of 2018) Jeff McDonald (Class of 2018) Methodist Hospital Board of Directors Group B - (Class of 2016) Group C - (Class of 2018) Juliet Ellis Martha Smith DeBusk Gary W. Edwards Ron Gentry Kenneth Levingston Vidal G. Martinez Tom Pace, III Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter Southwestern University Trustees Chris Cragg (Class of 2019) Sylvia Kerrigan (Class of 2019)

Conference Lay Leader’s Report Mrs. Stephanie Griffin, Conference Lay Leader

The laity emphasis for 2014 has been on forming transforming Lay Leadership. Across the Texas

Conference it was highlighted and celebrated by Bishop Huie in her annual District visits. Sue Nelson Kibbey’s book, Ultimately Responsible, was given to laity as a resource of effective leadership practices. The Conference brought the CORE Leadership Team and all 9 District Leadership Teams together to learn even more techniques of leading in a day long workshop with Sue Nelson Kibbey. We learned about ways to open flood-gates that may hold back the Holy Spirit and slow or block a congregation’s ability to reach others for Christ. When one reads the Cross Connection you learn of gifted lay leadership and the many ways the Texas Conference is making a difference in local churches and the world. We are shifting our focus from attractional to missional by moving out into the communities that are in our churches backyards.

Traveling around this conference I have met many talented faithful disciples who listen to the call that Christ has on their life and then take that next step of obedience. There are congregations in every district that look at the community as part of their parish. Courageous leadership that is stepping out to love and nurture, to open doors and make room, to be inclusive and compassionate. Bishop Huie focused on four attributes of transforming leadership: 1) Courageous Leading, 2) Faith Talking, 3) Compassion Sharing, and 4) Bridge Building. Forming Transforming Lay Leadership is not a one year focus but an intricate component of being effective disciples for Jesus Christ and must be a never ending goal for all of us to raise up the next generation of servant leaders.

When we are faced with the injustices of this world Christ calls us to take a stand for our brothers and sisters. When there is pain He calls us to bear that burden and stand in the gap. He calls us to love God and love others. Servant leaders share their faith by sharing their story. When we are vulnerable enough to share who we are and whose we are we open a door of hope to others. The Texas Conference is a model for developing leaders who exhibit their faith by their acts of compassion sharing. There are outreach missions across this conference that provide prison ministry, food pantries, clothes closets, homeless shelters, latch-key programs, backpack feeding ministries, community gardens, and the list goes on and on. But now is the time to go to the next level of bridge building. Bridges must be built to connect people we serve to the God we love by growing personal relationships that create more interesting facets to our faith, our community, and congregations.

The Laity of the Texas Conference are embracing our goals of: Investing in the Young, Cultivating Fruitful, Growing Congregations, and the on-going process of Forming Transforming Leaders. There are bridges to be built and a new generation of leaders to mentor and encourage. The work of forming transforming leaders will continue to be an on-going process for the laity in the Texas Conference.

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Core Leadership Team

The Core Leadership Team has engaged in a year of development. We began the year with a presentation by Episcopal Bishop Andy Doyle, who addressed the changing face of ministry through judicatory structures. Mid-year conversations focused upon assessments of Center ministries. These conversations included topics around the role of Missional Excellence in advocacy and sending ministries. They also included discussions related to an analysis by Kenda C. Dean on the future of conference Youth and young adult ministries. The year ended with Sue Kibby Nilson returning to lead a workshop with combined District Leadership Teams as a follow-up from annual conference presentations regarding congregations development. Core Leadership Team support the development of the Vibrant Church Initiative focus on change management, They also considered and affirmed the directions in New Church Starts that will emphasize partnerships, mother-church and second campus strategies. In reviewing the Quadrennial emphasis of our “three Foci:” 1) investing in the young; 2) growing vibrant congregations; 3) developing lay and clergy leadership, the Core Leadership Team noted that continued ministries in these areas need additional development. This review and potential recommendations will be brought to annual conference in the 2016 session.

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CENTERS FOR EXCELLENCE REPORTS

CENTER FOR CLERGY EXCELLENCE

Center for Clergy Excellence Rev. Gail Ford Smith, Director

Rev. Michelle Hall, Associate Director

Since its formation in 2006, the Center for Clergy Excellence has led the recruitment, development, accountability, and support of the clergy of the Texas Annual Conference. During this quadrennium, we have worked to concentrate our efforts in the three focus areas for the Annual Conference: Cultivating Growing, Fruitful Congregations; Forming Transforming Lay and Clergy Leaders; and Investing in the Young.

We rejoice in this year’s emphasis on forming transforming lay and clergy leaders since that is the mission of this center. From the successful launch of Laity Unleashed to the second class of Refresh, lay and clergy are finding new ways to affirm the gifts already given to them by God’s spirit. Those gifts are now ‘being fanned into flame’ as folk discover for the first time or again how God can use them to do Kingdom work.

As you will see in the reports that follow, all of our work is driven by our mission to serve the clergy and clergy families of the Texas Annual Conference. We strongly believe that passionate, educated, thriving clergy provide growing, fruitful congregations and communities with leadership that transforms. We thank you for your support, and we ask that you continue to pray for the staff and many volunteers who make it happen.

Clergy Accountability

Rev. Cheryl Smith, Chair

Clergy Accountability seeks to better the quality of pastoral experience through maximum support, continued education and covenantal accountability to the end that our Texas Annual Conference clergy may be transformed. Holistically healthy pastors, young and old, make for strong leaders among lay and clergy.

The energies of the committee have been directed this past year toward interpreting the results of a survey among all active clergy persons in order to measure morale in the Texas Annual Conference. Unfortunately, unforeseen complications slowed our process but the resulting data will help guide the TAC to best assist the clergy, their families and the congregations they serve.

The Sexual Ethics and Birkman sub-committees have been quite active in the past year as is evidenced by their separate reports. The members of the Clergy Accountability Committee and its sub-committees consider it a privilege to serve in the ways in which we have been called.

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Sexual Ethics Committee Rev. Preston Greenwaldt, Chair

The Texas Annual Conference Sexual Ethics Committee is charged with the task to train and help clergy and lay leaders achieve the highest ideals of Christian integrity in all aspects of their ministry. We are especially committed to providing safe, respectful and nurturing environments in keeping with God’s sacred trust. The Sexual Ethics Policy is the catalyst to assure that our Clergy and Lay Leaders can be transformed & grow without the fear of abuse or reprimand. Educating all persons in leadership roles will assure that our churches will be in the position to grow spiritually without barriers.

A new Sexual Ethics Policy was adopted by the Texas Annual Conference in May 2013 and a new policy for Response Teams was adopted in May 2014. The policies are now being implemented throughout the Annual Conference. Ongoing training, online and in-person, is expected to maintain the highest levels of Christian integrity.

The Texas Annual Conference takes the issue of Sexual Ethics seriously so that children, youth and adults may safely gather and worship in our churches.

Birkman Personality and Leadership Style Assessment Task Force

Rev. Peter Cammarano, Chair The Birkman Personality and Leadership Assessment Task force provides conference clergy and

lay leadership with the opportunity to experience the Birkman personality and leadership assessment to help them better understand themselves and the people with which they work. The taskforce helps to equip clergy and leaders in the development of their own leadership skills so that they might be the most effective and fruitful leaders in equipping their congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Birkman assessment does not measure skills, and therefore is not a tool for annual assessment. Personality traits do not generally change over time, and are neither positive nor negative. However, becoming aware of professional strengths, needs, and preferred work styles can help clergypersons understand how they might react under stress and learn how to order their lives such that their needs are met in healthy ways. Acknowledging others’ differing strengths, needs, and preferred work styles can help clergypersons collaborate with colleagues to equip congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Task force believes that healthy leaders are a vital ingredient to vibrant, growing congregations changing lives and re-shaping futures for Jesus Christ. The Taskforce does this through faith forming relationships and connectional ministry.

In specifics, the Task force places a priority on providing the Birkman Assessments to the Residency Program of the Board of Ordained Ministry first and all costs for these groups are covered by the Center for Clergy Excellence funds. In 2014-15, we worked with 28 residents through the Board of Ordained Ministry and 27 clergy through the Refresh Retreat program of the Center for Clergy Excellence. All members of the cabinet are given individual coaching based upon their Birkman profile. And 64 persons in total have experienced initial Birkman sessions in 2013-2014.

The Birkman is available to church staffs and ministry teams as an opportunity to maximize their effectiveness, build focus in goal setting and team dynamics, and to be good stewards of time, talent, and gifts.

Our goals and objectives for 2015 are to continue the implementation and roll out of Birkman services to clergy and lay leaders in the annual conference. We will maintain our coaching team, and provide Birkman coaching to all Residency groups at their retreat and orientation. We are exploring ways to make the Birkman more accessible to clergy and to integrate their Birkman profile into their day to day ministry.

Birkman has also become a keynote of the Refresh program. The Center for Clergy Excellence sees the Birkman as a great way to facilitate coaching, and personal development conversations in a relaxing, laid back environment of the Refresh program.

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Birkman assessments are available to Texas Annual Conference clergypersons, church staffs, and District and Conference staffs for $75.00. However, assessments are not offered without orientation (30 minutes or less, by phone or in person) prior to taking the assessment and coaching (2 hours minimum for individuals, in person; or 4 hours minimum for groups, in person) following the assessment. Coaching is offered free of charge by pairs of trained volunteer lay and clergy coaches for clergy peer groups with a minimum of five and a maximum of 15 members. Coaching may be available for individual clergy, church staffs, and District and Conference staffs. However, in these cases, coaching fees will be negotiated on a coach by coach basis.

Clergy Development & Spiritual Formation Rev. Guy Williams, Chair

The Center for Clergy Excellence was created in 2006 to foster an environment of support and

accountability that promotes clergy excellence. The purpose of the Clergy Development & Spiritual Formation Ministries Team is to continue developing and improving systems that help clergy grow in their theological understanding and effective leadership, as well as their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. In an effort to advance the Texas Annual Conference Model for Ministry, our work relates to the quadrennial focus on forming Transforming Clergy Leaders who will lead congregations in fruitful ministry.

In particular, we have begun to address the directive to “provide educational opportunities for clergy throughout their career.” In the second year of the quadrennium, our team is working to further develop a program that will provide clergy with leadership and spiritual formation opportunities from a wide variety of sources. In doing so, we hope to create continuous opportunities for single day and/or year-long experiences.

Four people, two clergy and two laity from our annual conference applied and were accepted to engage in a two year Academy for Spiritual Formation offered through General Board of Discipleship. Ongoing areas of work for this ministry area include the following: Clergy Gathering

The Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation Team continues to host The Clergy Gathering in September. In 2014, Rev. David McNitzky, Sr. Pastor of Alamo Heights UMC in San Antonio shared with us about the challenges that pastoral leadership can present to our soul by contrasting leadership the “Herod Way” and the “Jesus Way.” Itinerancy and Relocation

The Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation Itinerancy and Relocation Events for 2015: ● April 25, 2015 -- FUMC Conroe ● May 2, 2015 -- Greggton UMC Longview

The following topics are covered in each event: Leaving Well, Parsonage Guidelines/Standards,

Moving Guidelines, Compensation and Benefit Changes, and Starting Well. Additionally, Rev. Michelle Hall will continue to coordinate with the Board of Ordained

Ministry residency program and licensing school to facilitate a smooth transition for clergy who are new to the TAC, as well as the Refresh event, a series of retreats offered for renewal and refocus as an investment in clergy development and flourishing.

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Clergy Recruitment Rev. Elizabeth Duffin, Chair

In response to the Quadrennial foci set forth in 2012, Clergy Recruitment continues to grow the

many significant initiatives that have launched over the past nine years. We continue to purse innovative ways to invest in the young and transform lay and clergy leaders for fruitful ministry in the Texas Annual Conference. This year’s theme of Annual Conference is transforming clergy and lay leaders, and we see our work as helping to identify, raise up and support young adults in our Conference. Recruiting the next generation of extraordinary young clergy to lead the church is an ongoing objective

The goals that we continue to focus on are identifying young adults who are discerning God’s call on their life and provide them with opportunities to further explore their call. We continue to explore the various ways by which diversity and culture can be further realized in the various programs and initiatives. We have seen great fruit from these labors, and continue to work on bringing the most talented and diverse pool of clergy possible to lead churches throughout our Conference. We continue to create ways and means of communicating and building relationships with young people who have participated in one or more Clergy Recruitment programs. Our hope is that participants will stay connected with the TAC as they continue discerning a call to ministry, participating in programs at later stages of development, and serving as leaders for programs in which they have already participated.

Following are more details about the individual programs overseen by the Clergy Recruitment Team: Local Congregations

mycalltx.com – This website and its social networking component (Facebook) allow us to communicate and connect with a broad audience of young people who are actively researching what steps are required to become clergy. We are excited at the number of people who are engaging the website.

Youth Camp and UM ARMY Coordination— We remain partners in collaborating with UM ARMY

and Lakeview’s TAP program to connect with youth during these powerful and often pivotal experiences, in order to expose them to opportunities for service and discernment.

Imagine What’s NEXT – This event, hosted by GBHEM, was held in Denver, Colorado in November. We sponsored 10 students from the TAC through our Wesley Foundations, and also supported the 30 students Tyler Junior College Wesley sent.

College Pastoral Intern Project – In 2014, 10 college students spent their summer catching a

glimpse of the life and work of a pastor. They also got to test their own gifts and passions for ministry while preaching, teaching, offering pastoral care and leadership in congregations throughout the TAC. Two of the ten were already certified candidates, two were going to

Candidacy Summit immediately after the Internship, and three of the remaining five who were not United Methodist joined the United Methodist Church. Of the three that joined the United

Methodist Church, two of the five have plans to seminary.

Candidacy Candidacy Summit – We continue to support the BOM by hosting the annual Candidacy Summit

event. We had 53 participants in 2014. The summit for 2015 will be held at Camp Allen July 30-August 1st. We are excited to implement ideas that we learned during the BOM Quadrennial gathering in Denver in August, 2014. We will continue to be intentional and inclusive in meeting the needs of both English and Spanish speaking participants.

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Seminary Seminary Ambassadors –District Superintendents and young clergy visited several seminaries in

2014 and spring 2015 to meet with students from the TAC and to recruit other students without a firm conference affiliation. Our goal is to have at least one student on each campus that will serve as a representative of the TAC.

Provisional Elders Ambassador Endowment – In 2014 eight commissioned elders were granted a combined total of

$124,197.69 for non-reimbursed seminary tuition, books, and fees. Funds for grants continue to be provided by individual donors and foundation grants.

Clergy Support

Board of Ordained Ministry

Rev. Carol Bruse, Chair It is my privilege to continue serving along with an extraordinary Conference Board of Ordained

Ministry, nine excellent District Committees on Ministry; in coordination with the Center for Clergy Excellence and its staff and committee leaders, and with our Bishop and Cabinet. If you have questions about candidacy or Board of Ordained Ministry work, I encourage you to reach out to our new Candidacy Manager Deann Saxton at BOM@txcumc.org or at our Texas Annual Conference offices 713.521.9383. Along with my wonderful faithful colleagues on the Board of Ordained Ministry, this year we have continued to strive to oversee the enlistment, recruitment, candidacy, mentoring, theological education, examination, and recommendation of clergy leaders on behalf of the Texas Annual Conference. In addition to these constant on-going activities, during the 2014-2015 year we have worked to improve our processes in order to serve Jesus Christ and his church more faithfully. Thanks for allowing us this opportunity to report on an abbreviated list of our current on-going projects! Tools for Discernment

In order to help Pastors, District Superintendents, and Pastor-Staff Parish Relations Committees guide candidates called by God into the types of ministry for which they are gifted and into types of ministries in which they are needed by the church, Discernment Tools for Pastors, District Superintendents, and Pastor-Staff Parish Relations Committees were created last year and presented at Clergy Session 2014. We encourage you to review the tools on the Conference Website (www.txcumc.org, Board of Ordained Ministry, Tools for Discernment) and offer feedback prior to Annual Conference 2015 through the survey link on the Tools for Discernment page. Again during the Clergy Session at Annual Conference 2015, we look forward to sharing these Discernment Tools with you. District Superintendents and District Committees on Ministry will expect these tools to be completed for all candidates entering candidacy after June 1, 2015. It is our hope and prayer these new tools will help all of us help candidates understand their gifts and the various ministry options available to them in the Texas Annual Conference. Then, we can help candidates make informed decisions about where they might be best suited to serve. Spanish Language Candidates

In cooperation with other Conference and national efforts, we are working to encourage candidates for ministry who are capable and willing to serve Spanish language faith communities. Psychological Assessments

In late 2014, we streamlined and updated our psychological assessment processes for certified and commissioning candidates; began offering more geographically accessible options for assessments and interviews for candidates outside the greater Houston area; and eliminated psychological assessments for most commissioned candidates at the ordination level.

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Reduced Residency Requirements In addition to eliminating the requirement for psychological assessments at the ordination level,

we are working to reduce the total number of requirements during the two year residency period between commissioning and ordination. Emotional Intelligence

In concert with our Bishop, Cabinet, and Center for Clergy Excellence, we are exploring the relatively new field of Emotional Intelligence to consider how we might better use emotional clues to guide us into wise behaviors and decisions concerning potential candidates for ministry. Training for District Committees on Ministry

Beginning fall 2015, we are committed to continuously educate dCOMs with annual geographically accessible trainings. Clergy Vacation

As I write this report in early spring 2015, we are working to clarify and update the Conference Clergy Vacation Policy last updated and published in the Conference Journal in 2005. Education for CLMs and Local Pastors

In cooperation with our District Superintendents, we are exploring new ways to fund the education of congregational leaders considering licensed local pastor ministry and certified lay ministry.

Your hard-working faithful Board of Ordained Ministry volunteers devote a minimum of 12 days each year to this holy work. Please take a moment to thank them personally. This work is time consuming and difficult, but we are dedicated to complete it because we understand that the future of our Conference will largely depend upon which clergy leaders we recruit, nurture, and recommend.

Thank you in advance for your support, encouragement, and prayers as we begin another year of service!

Extension Ministries Dr. Gerald DeSobe, Chair

The impact of the clergy of the Texas Annual Conference who are appointed to Extension ministries is ever present in our local communities and worldwide. Over 100 clergy of the conference serve in Extension ministry appointments throughout the United States and abroad. Though their positions of college presidents, hospital chaplains, district superintendents, campus ministers, seminary faculty, missionaries, armed forces chaplains, pastoral counselors, foundation directors and in many other important ministries, allow them to help churches, clergy and lay leaders and the youth in the communities where they serve.

Each year Bishop Huie hosts an annual meeting for those clergy who are appointed as Extension ministers. The theme this year was “Emotional Intelligence in Our Setting”. We examined the importance of relational wisdom to effective leaders. This gathering was a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with one another and be renewed through study and worship.

I know I speak for all those appointed to Extension Ministries that it is a privilege to be clergy members of the Texas Annual Conference and to represent the ministry of the conference in ways that best utilize the gifts and graces we have been given for ministry. We are most grateful for the support the Conference gives us in the work we perform as we seek to continue to do our part to “create transforming Lay and Clergy Leaders”.

Intentional Interim Ministry Dr, Suzan Carter, Program Director

Intentional Interim Ministry is advancing the Texas Annual Conference Vision and Mission by creating transformative opportunities for lay and clergy leaders. Continuing education offered by IIM equips pastors to meet the special needs of their congregations and lay leaders learn new skills for leading the congregation to self-assess and set goals.

The 92-hour Intentional Interim Ministry Training Seminar (IIMTS) prepares experienced, effective clergy for specialized ministry. The training seminar includes classes on systems theory,

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conflict management, self-care, preaching, and conducting ¶213 assessments as well as the IIM process and the congregation’s Formative Tasks. The training seminar is open to retired and active clergy -- elders, deacons and local pastors – with their District Superintendent’s recommendation. Commitment to serve as an intentional interim minister is not required. Participants find the training is valuable in any ministry setting and many participants comment “I wish I had this training twenty years ago.”

The Intentional Interim Ministry program sponsors continuing education events which are open to all clergy. At this year’s IIM/Response Team training, Dr. Mary Reed led a discussion and presented helpful approaches to Mastering Constructive Conflict. Dr. Peter Steinke was the guest speaker at the 2014 TIIMSA (Transition/Intentional Interim Ministry Specialists Association) Gathering. His topic, “New World + Old Church = ?” encouraged participants to rethink their approaches to mission and ministry, and make them more relevant to church’s future, rather than its past. Workshops led by TIIMS from across the country covered various topics including conflict management, behavioral covenants and grief support.

The goal of Intentional Interim Ministry is to create transforming clergy and grow fruitful congregations. Intentional Interim Ministers empower congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by leading congregations through several formative tasks. Congregations are encouraged to analyze their history and reconnect with their unique identity – their gifts and grace for ministry. Their unique context for ministry is explored and a missional direction is chosen by the church. IIMs help the church to identify and train the congregational leaders who will take the body into their preferred future, all the while strengthening their connection to district and conference resources. Like the apostle Paul, the purpose and focus of the Intentional Interim Ministry is that Christ be formed in the Body, the Church and we labor toward that end.

The next year will be one of transition for this ministry as Dr. Suzan Carter retires and Rev. Bonnie Osteen assumes leadership of this vital ministry. We covet your prayers through at this time. It is our sincere desire that the Texas Conference will continue to lead the denomination in the training and deployment of Intentional interim ministers.

Equitable Compensation

Rev. Lorraine Brown, Chair The Commission on Equitable Compensation (COEC) is charged by the 2012 Book of Discipline

(¶ 625) to: support full-time clergy serving as pastors in the charges of the annual conference by: a. recommending conference standards for pastoral support; b. administering funds to be used in base compensation supplementation; and c. providing counsel and advisory material on pastoral support to District Superintendents and committees on pastor-parish relations.

The elimination of exceptions to COEC guidelines, stricter enforcement of the 5-year rule for

equitable support, adjustments of pastoral appointments, and realignment of charges should continue to reduce the financial burden of our Conference to ensure equitable compensation for all of our pastors.

However, the anticipated rising costs of relocations, the inability of many charges to make significant progress in being self-sufficient in their clergy support, and the necessity to reduce apportionment loads on local congregations require that the COEC continues to take necessary steps to work with the Cabinet, the Conference Centers, the District Offices, and the Local Church Charges to reduce equitable support costs and bring greater fiscal responsibility to our support of clergy throughout the Annual Conference. Our goal is vibrant growing fruitful congregations served by transforming clergy leaders. COEC funds should be used to help churches fill a short-term need to a healthier more vibrant place, so God may be glorified.

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The Notes Are Important COEC wants this report to be user-friendly. Thus, we’ve attempted to give you the information

you need in an easily to read format. The Notes in the body of the report and at the end of the report are important and could pertain to you! Please read them. What Makes Up Your Salary

“Salary” means all compensation paid by a charge as lined out on the Total Compensation Worksheet (completed at Charge Conference) PLUS any other compensation/assistance from denominational sources:

SALARY = Total Compensation + Other Denominational Compensation Minimum Salary (MS) Equitable Compensation (EC) is based on what is known as “minimum salary” (MS). Minimum salary only applies to full-time appointments. There is no minimum salary requirements for part-time appointments. Minimum Salary consists of the following:

1. Total cash salary 2. Housing-related allowances and utilities (includes utilities paid FOR the pastor) 3. Accountable reimbursements (does not include utilities paid FOR the pastor)

The Equitable Compensation and Texas Annual Conference Minimum Salaries for 2016 –

2019 as voted on by the Texas Annual Conference in 2015 are as follows:

Conference Relationship

Minimum Salary by Year for Full-time Appointments

Prior Designation* Designations

2016

2017

2018

2019

($)

($)

($)

($)

FT

FE, FD, AM, PE, PD, OE, OD, OA, OF, OPD, OPE 37,000 38,000 39,000 40,000

FLP FL

31,000

32,000

33,000

34,000

SLP FL-SS

28,000

29,000

30,000

31,000 USP

FL-US

25,000

26,000

27,000

28,000

*Prior Designations – abbreviations will not be used after 2015 AC

All churches / charges receiving equitable compensation are required to provide an annual salary increase of 2.5% with the understanding that the above mentioned salaries are the starting point for equitable compensation and minimum Conference salaries for the respective years. EC Is Available For a Maximum of Five Years

EC is designed to help charges grow through the benefit of having the appropriate pastoral staffing even though they might not initially be able to afford it. The goal is to enable charges to grow in ministry and mission so that they can, after a maximum of five years, afford to pay the full MS for their clergyperson without any assistance.

Although an exception to this five-year rule may be granted by a unanimous vote of COEC and the Cabinet, in the past few years, these exceptions have become so many that they are depleting COEC funds for the assistance of charges/churches who meet all requirements. In order to properly steward its resources, COEC will hold more steadily to the five-year maximum. WHEN to Request EC for a Charge

For clergypersons to receive EC in a timely fashion, the pastor should submit the request to the DS and the DS should deliver the request to COEC as soon as possible.

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HOW to Send EC Requests COEC will accept only District Endorsed EC requests; the EC request must be processed through

the electronic compensation administration system. The district endorsed requests may be forwarded by mail, email or fax to the Chair of the COEC or duly designated alternate.

Unfortunately, the trend of faxing and emailing information not using the prescribed EC Request Form has led to requests that are inconsistent in format and lacking needed information, requiring them to be sent back and thus further delaying the disbursement of EC funds to those who need them. Therefore, COEC will work solely from an approved EC Request Form approved by the appropriate District Superintendent. HOW to Request an Exception to COEC Standards

Because of the need to properly steward EC funds, COEC is committed to closely follow its standards for qualifying charges to receive EC. However, a charge may request special consideration by delivering to COEC the following items (in addition to your standard required EC request materials) no later than January 15th:

1. A written request by the DS and pastor that describes why a waiver of COEC standards is justified. 2. A letter written by the pastor of the charge and co-signed by the Administrative Board/Council

chairperson, that details the reasons the charge needs special consideration, specifically addressing the areas of deficiency, such as non-payment of required apportionments, salary under the minimum required, and so on.

3. An annual financial statement that clearly reports the offerings of the church(es) and all the assets of the charge, including all money held in any financial institution for any purpose.

4. A copy of the church(es)’ year-end statistical report/audit. EC Grant for Pastor’s Portion of the Conference Health Insurance Program

Clergypersons who serve EC charges can apply, through their DS, for a grant from EC that pays the clergyperson portion of the Conference Health Insurance Program. The DS must forward the application to the Chair of COEC (by no later than January 15th), with detailed reasons for the request. All applications must be approved by COEC before any grants can be awarded.

Note: Requests for Health Insurance grants MUST be made separately from EC requests. In other words, being granted EC funds do not automatically guarantee a Health Insurance grant. Additional EC Assistance for Full-time Clergy (100% appointment) Serving More than Two Churches in a Charge.

These clergy whose charges consist of more than two churches may receive an additional $400 per church per year up to a maximum of $800. The DS must forward to the COEC (by no later than January 15th), information about the number of churches in the charge beyond the two.

Note: Requests for this additional assistance MUST be made separately from standard EC requests. In other words, being granted EC funds does not automatically guarantee additional assistance for charges consisting of more than two churches. One Round-Trip-Per-Week Commuter Allowances for Student, Retired, Part-time Local, and Lay Appointments

Those listed are eligible to receive a commuter allowance for ONE round trip per week (equal to 20 cents per mile) from their school or residence to the parsonage or the logical center of the parish, up to a maximum of 300 miles per week. Full-time appointments are NOT eligible for a commuter allowance.

Note: To be considered for a Commuter Allowance, you must fill in the commuter mileage on the “Other Items” page of the electronic Salary Sheet System and apply through your DS.

The DS must forward the application to the Chair of COEC (by no later than January 15th), with exact information about the mileage and locations driven between. All applications must be approved by COEC before any allowances can be awarded.

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Note: Requests for Commuter Allowances MUST be input into the electronic Compensation Administration System and will be considered along with EC requests. In other words, being granted EC funds does not automatically guarantee a Commuter Allowance. Clergy Move Policy

Procedures and Guidelines may be found on the Conference Website – www.txcumc.org under Clergy > Relocation Information. Housing and Parsonage Standards for the Texas Annual Conference.

The church today demands the clergy to be not only a preacher, as was the early circuit rider, but a resident pastor and responsible citizen in the community. In order to meet these felt needs, and to call men and women to a dedicated ministry, the church must provide living conditions that will establish an adequate base from which to operate.

It is the privilege and responsibility of the members of each congregation to provide a physical setting which will give the parsonage family the comfort and convenience so that the energies of the pastor may be more concentrated on his or her task and willing service in the Church of God. It is the responsibility of the parsonage family to provide cleaning and care of the parsonage, which will protect the interior facilities and amenities such as paint and floor coverings.

Because the parsonage, like the church building, reflects upon the congregation and pastor, it should be in such condition that all concerned can be justifiably proud of it. In view of this, we make the following recommendations regarding parsonage Standards for this Annual Conference.

1. Size of Building and Living Areas. The new or remodeled parsonage should be large enough to accommodate the pastor’s family. It should provide adequate space for the entertainment of guests. It should be remembered in selecting a parsonage that the present parsonage family is not the only one who will live in that parsonage and that the house should be adaptable for a variety of family sizes and situations. We recommend the following minimum standards:

a. 1800 square feet of living space b. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms c. Adequate major appliances (stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer) d. Hot and cold running water in bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry e. Adequate heating and air conditioning f. Adequate closet and storage space g. Adequate garage or carport space with outdoor storage area

2. Health and Safety a. Proper sewer disposal according to the standards of local and/or State Department of Health b. Fire extinguisher in kitchen with yearly inspection c. Provide smoke detectors for kitchen, living, and bedroom area

3. Furnishings a. Window covering, drapes, curtains, and blinds should be provided to insure adequate privacy. b. If the parsonage family is expected to maintain the lawn, the church should provide a mower, lawn tools, and hoses.

4. Miscellaneous a. Discovering Needs: The Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Committee, the Pastor and the Chairperson of the Trustees or Parsonage Committee should inspect the parsonage at least once a year using the standards identified in Paragraph 262.2ff of the 1996 Discipline to discover needed repairs, improvements, and decorations. The Committee or Trustees should assume the initiative since it is their responsibility to maintain the parsonage in good condition, and since prompt attention lessens total cost of maintenance. An evaluation form will be provided by the Conference Commission on

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Equitable Compensation to the District Superintendents and be included in the Charge Conference packets. It needs to be remembered that the parsonage is the PASTOR’S HOME and inspection should be scheduled in plenty of time to meet the convenience of the parsonage family. b. Insurance: The Trustees should be certain that the church owned house and contents are insured for at least 80% of replacement cost against fire, wind, and other hazards. Public liability insurance should be carried on parsonage property. Tenant homeowners insurance is available for all ministers who desire to cover personal possessions and liability.

IT IS THE SOLE REPONSIBILITY OF THE PASTOR TO INSURE PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE PASTOR AND FAMILY.

Parsonage Record Book: It is recommended that each church establish a Parsonage Record Book containing an inventory of parsonage furnishings owned by the church, any warranties on items purchased for the parsonage, a service and repair record with dates of repair or service copies of the annual inspection and moving day checklist, and any other receipts, printed materials, or pertinent information.

A copy of these standards shall be distributed at Charge Conference by the District Superintendent to each church with a copy of the Evaluation forms. The PPR Committee, Trustees or Parsonage Committee shall conduct a review of the parsonage and how it related to these standards (below average, average, meet standards, needs immediate attention) and submits their findings at each Charge Conference. Action should be taken as soon as possible to bring each parsonage within an acceptable range based on these minimal standards.

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Churches having exhausted Equitable Compensation under the 5 year rule

District GCFA Church EQ Count

North 774642 AVINGER 5

South 768231 BAYTOWN, SAN MARCOS 5

East 772095 BETHEL 5

East 772803 BETHLEHEM 5

North 772632 BETTIE 5

Northwest 775681 BIG SANDY 5

West 767384 BREMOND, GRACE 5

West 980865 BRENHAM CT, MT ZION 5

West 981142 BRENHAM CT, PLEASANT GROVE 5

West 980364 BRENHAM CT, RICHARDS GROVE 5

East 772860 BURKE 5

East 772882 BURKEVILLE 5

East 773352 CALEDONIA 5

West 767522 CALVERT SNEED, MEMORIAL 5

East 771774 CARTHAGE, ST ANDREWS 5

North 774722 CASON - Closed 01/03/2010 5

Central North 979582 CONROE, METROPOLITAN 5

East 773044 CUSHING CT, CUSHING 5

East 771821 DEADWOOD 5

North 772381 DIANA 5

Southeast 766391 First Korean United Methodist Church 5

West 767602 FRIENDSHIP 5

East 771854 GALLOWAY 5

East 773146 GARRISON 5

Northwest 775943 GOLDEN 5

East 771923 GOODSPRINGS 5

North 774972 HARRIS CHAPEL 5

Northwest 980411 HAWKINS, BETHLEHEM 5

Northwest 980661 HAWKINS, CENTER 5

Central South 770121 HOUSTON, BENEKE 5

Central South 769304 HOUSTON, CHRIST 5

Central South 770677 HOUSTON, DISCIPLES 5

Central South 770096 HOUSTON, DONG SAN 5

Central South 770690 HOUSTON, FIRST KOREAN 5

Central South 980034 HOUSTON, MALLALIEU 5

South West 769372 HOUSTON, TRINITY UMC 5

West 979605 HUNTSVILLE, ST JAMES 5

West 770952 IOLA, ZION 5

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District GCFA Church EQ Count

North 980444 JEFFERSON, ST PAUL 5

North 771876 KILGORE, CROSS ROADS 5

Northwest 774221 LA RUE, LA RUE 5

North 775043 LONE STAR 5

East 773226 LUFKIN, HOMER 5

North 772288 MARSHALL: GRANGE HALL 5

Southwest 768685 MATAGORDA 5

Northwest 980728 MINEOLA, JOHNSONS CHAPEL 5

Northwest 775761 MOORE 5

North 775134 MT PLEASANT: RENACER (Formerly Faro de Luz) 5

Northwest 775726 MT SYLVAN 5

Northwest 776060 MURCHISON, FIRST 5

East 772415 MURVAUL 5

North 775145 NASH: CHAPELWOOD 5

Northwest 980546 OAKWOOD UNION 5

Northwest 980568 PALESTINE: ST PAULS 5

West 767533 PLEASANT RETREAT 5

North 775260 QUEEN CITY, FIRST 5

North 980251 QUEEN CITY: BETHEL 5

Central North 770291 SPLENDORA: COUNTRYSIDE 5

Central North 981448 SPRING: ST PAUL 5

South 768880 TEXAS CITY: GRACE 5

East 773660 TIMPSON 5

Northwest 774505 TRINIDAD: FIRST 5

Northwest 775772 UNION CHAPEL 5

Southwest 768925 VAN VLECK 5

Northwest 775737 WALLACE 5

North 772701 WASKOM, FIRST 5

Central North 979935 WILLIS: THOMAS CHAPEL 5

Northwest 776504 WINONA 5

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Churches having received EC more than 5 years

District GCFA Church EQ Count

East 772027 HENDERSON, ST PAULS 6

Central South 980012 HOUSTON, GRACE (Lockwood Dr) 6

Northwest 774243 CARROLL SPRINGS 7

Northwest 774117 NEW COMMUNITY 7

Central South 980045 LAPORTE: ST MARKS 9 2015 Budget for Commission on Equitable Compensation

Meeting Expense $700 Total COEC Administrative Expenses for 2015 $700

Appointment Abbreviations: AM – Associate member CLM - Certified Lay Minister FD – Deacon in full connection FE - Elder in full connection FL – Full Local Pastor – local pastor under appointment to a local church serving full-time FL-SS - Local Pastor Seminary Student - seminary student under appointment to a local church serving full-time FL-US - Local Pastor Undergraduate Student - undergraduate student under appointment to a local church serving full-time LS - Lay Supply - lay person under appointment to a local church OA (OA-R) - Associate member of other Annual Conference (Retired) OD (OD-R) – Deacon member of other Annual Conference (Retired) OE (OE-R) – Elder member of other Annual Conference (Retired) OF (OF-R) – Full member of another Denomination (Retired) OPD - Provisional Deacon of another Annual Conference OPE – Provisional Elder of another Annual Conference PD – Provisional Deacon PE - Provisional Elder PE-SS – Provisional Elder Seminary Student PL - Part-Time Local Pastor - local pastor under appointment to a local church serving less than full-time PL-SS – Part time Local Pastor Seminary Student – seminary student under appointment to a local church serving less than full-time PL-US - Part time Local Pastor Undergraduate Student – undergraduate student under appointment to a local church serving less than full-time RA – Retired Associate Pastor RD – Retired Deacon in full connection RE - Retired Elder RL – Retired Local Pastor (must have completed Course of Study)

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Other Abbreviations BOM - Conference Board of Ordained Ministry COEC - Commission on Equitable Compensation DCOM - District Committee on Ordained Ministry DS - District Superintendent EC - Equitable Compensation MS - Minimum Salary Note: FL-SSs and FL-USs will be paid in the amount needed to increase total income to EC plus the appropriate commuter allowance. Thus, the commuter allowance will be adjusted to the extent that the FL-SS’s/FL-US’s income exceeds EC. The following section of the report is currently under review by the EEOC Task force.

Qualification to receive Equitable Compensation

The following conditions must be met before a Church/Charge qualifies for Equitable Compensation support:

1) The Church/Charge has a minimum of 75 in attendance at principal weekly service(s). 2) The Church/Charge has a minimum of 1 adult profession of faith annually. 3) The Church/Charge has a minimum operating budget of $75,000 annually. 4) The Church/Charge has a minimum of 50% apportionment payout the previous year. 5) The Church/Charge submits to the Commission on Equitable Compensation complete financial reports

for the 5 previous years. 6) The Church/Charge must maintain clergy pension and insurance requirements. Arrearages will constitute

a breach of the covenant with the clergyperson appointed and will cause the Church/Charge to no longer be eligible to receive equitable compensation support.

7) The Church/Charge submits a comprehensive plan to the Commission on Equitable Compensation detailing how they will use the EQ support to be at a salary level above minimum support in the 60 months of EQ support.

8) The Church/Charge shall inform the Commission on Equitable Compensation in writing when they become aware that their level of salary support is not sufficient to meet their ongoing obligation to the appointed clergy.

9) The Church/Charge shall become disqualified from receiving Equitable Compensation support should any of the above not be met.

10) Clergy appointed to Church/Charge receiving equitable compensation support MUST report in writing to the Commission on Equitable Compensation failure of the Church/Charge to provide salary support within 30 days of arrearage.

Nothing shall prevent or interfere with Clergy being appointed to positions requiring equitable support should

extraordinary need arise and no church/charge meets these requirements. Nothing shall prevent or interfere with qualified clergy receiving Disciplinary mandated equitable support. (This policy was adopted @TAC 2012)

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Group Health Benefits Rev. Sharon Sabom, Chair

This report is divided into the following sections;

1. Review of 2014 results A. Financial results B. Investment results C. CMS Cost Recovery Challenges through December 31, 2014 D. Termination of policy 107 – Medicare Primary at Incorporated Churches

2. Changes for 2015 A. Changes to Wellness Program B. Day of Wellness dates for 2015 C. Health Care Reform reporting D. Retiree Medicare eligible over 65 update E. Post-employment health care liability recalculated F. Retiree Medical to continue to be paid out of Pension Unrestricted Reserve (PUR) in 2015 G. Uses of 2014 surplus H. Health care Reform Changes (included in open enrollment materials) I. 50% subsidy for Voluntary Transition Program J. Revisions to Policies 111, 129 & 130

3. 2016 recommendations A. Benefit changes effective 1/1/2016 B. Change in out of net-work expense C. High deductible plan rate changes D. $800,000 reduction in apportionment

4. Health Care Reform update 5. Explanation of Group Health Benefit reserves 6. Endowment Fund report (Mr. Jerry Massey, Chairman) 7. Forecast for 2015 and 2016

1. Review of 2014 results

A. Financial Results

Following are the savings from the various PPOs and cost savings strategies pursued by the Group Health Benefits Committee. These results include claims by the self-insured plan only.

Gross PPO medical/Drug expenses during 2014

$17,608,074

Medicare savings* $63,670 PPO Savings $6,500,663 Stop loss recoveries (through 12/31/2014) $22,153 Methodist Hospital Contract Savings Total Savings

$3,382,570 ($9,969,057)

Actual (net) PPO claim costs paid by Group Health Benefits $7,639,017

*Medicare savings no longer reported for retirees due to their being covered by fully insured contracts

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In other words, if it was not for the cost savings strategies pursued by the Group Health Benefits Committee, the 2014 medical plan cost would be over $17,000,000 instead of $7,639,017 ( a savings of more than $9,000,000).

In addition, The Houston Methodist Hospital wrote off an additional $274,382 in PPO deductibles and out of pocket expenses during 2014 for members of the Group Health Benefits PPO plan; ETMC wrote off $35,871. Both write offs save Clergy money by eliminating a bill that clergy would otherwise have to pay. B. Investment results

Following are the ending account balances as of December 31, 2014 for the various Group Health Benefit reserves and investments. Overall Group Health investments earned 4.85% in 2014.

%

Stocks December 31, 2014

Balance Group Health Reserve 50% $16,519,215 Rate Stabilization Reserve 50% 875,862 Post Retirement Liability 100% 1,276,530

Total $18,671,607

The investment committee maintains an asset allocation of 50% equities and 50% bonds for both Pension and GHB reserves. The anticipated return for this asset allocation for budget purposes is 4%. The Post-Retirement Medical Reserve is 100% invested in equities due to the long time horizon of the liability.

The Endowment Fund balance is reported in the Endowment Fund report. C. CMS Cost Recovery Challenges

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has challenged whether the TAC Group Health Plan or Medicare is primary for medical claims for participants on Disability or those enrolled in Medicare under the provisions of Policy 107 – Medicare Primary at Incorporated Churches. Following is a summary of the demands made by CMS and the responses provided by the Benefits Office staff as of December 31, 2014.

CMS Medicare Primary Reimbursement Demand Summary as of 12-31-14

Date of Demand Letter Paid Defended Total May 9, 2014 $0 $18,570.77 * $18,570.77

June 20, 2014 $87,058.70 $79,906.58 ** $166,965.28 August 14, 2014 #1 $0 $23,194.72 * $23,194.72 August 14, 2014 #2 $66,396.92 $57,128.10 * $123,525.02

October 2, 2014 $8,888.23 $14,485.51 ** $23,373.74 Total $162,343.85 $193,285.68 $355,629.53

*Successfully Defended **Defense Submitted Attorney Fees: June - Dec. 2014 - $9,980.00

D. Termination of Policy 107 – Medicare Primary at Incorporated Churches

Due to the time and cost of defending the Medicare Primary status of active clergy at Incorporated Churches under Policy 107, the Group Health Benefits Committee voted to terminate Policy 107 as of October 16, 2014. Participants who are currently enrolled as Medicare Primary under Policy 107 will be grandfathered, but no new participants may enroll.

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2. Changes for 2015

A. Changes to Wellness program The following changes to the Wellness program have been approved by the Group Health Benefit committee

for 2015. 1. Continue to offer the à la carte incentive with a $300 maximum paid at 50% for health related expenses

available to all group health benefit participants (historically the A La Carte program was only available to those enrolled in the walking program or who had attended the Day of Wellness). The period during which expenses can be accumulated is January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015.

2. Increase walking incentives a. Increase the current $50 quarterly incentive to $75 per quarter b. Replace the annual bonus with a new Yearly Bonus Plan to encourage participants to continue to

participate in the program and earn more Bonuses by providing a bonus even if they do not qualify in all 4 quarters. Bonuses to be paid out in January 2016 for 2015 activity. $150 bonus - meet goals in all 4 quarters in 2015 $100 bonus - meet goals in 3 quarters in 2015 $ 50 bonus - meet goals in 2 quarters in 2015

3. Increase the current BMI maintenance benefit from $400 to $750 per year effective January 1, 2015. The maintenance benefit for those attending the day of wellness and having a BMI of 25 or less when they attended the Day of Wellness remains at $400. In addition, the benefit is available only once per calendar year (incentive form needs to be submitted by 12/31 of the year) and there must be a period of at least six months since the last incentive payment.

4. Lenten Weight Loss Jump Start 2015 incentive - a $150 incentive to anyone enrolled in the GHB program (regardless of whether they have earned prior incentives or not) for losing 5 pounds. A book titled “Christ Walk” has been identified as a support for this process.

5. Provide a diabetic glucometer and test strips through ActiveCare free of charge to diabetics. This glucometer would allow the diabetic to access their test results from a smart phone and also allow their physicians and the disease management nurse to access their test results.

6. Develop a Day of Wellness phase 2 which would focus primarily on nutritious eating. The anticipated cost would be approximately $175 per attendee. It is estimated that one half of the Day of Wellness offerings for 2015 will be phase 1 and half would be phase 2.

In addition, the Center for Clergy Excellence has developed a periodic publication regarding wellness which is being distributed to all participants of the group health benefit plan. B. Day of wellness - 2015 Dates

Following are the tentative dates in 2015 for the Day of Wellness with Houston Methodist Hospital which includes one event in Longview, and several in the Houston area.

Phase 1 – August 14 in Longview is confirmed September 11 and Oct 23 in the Houston area.

Phase 2 – April 17th or April 24th

C. Health Care Reform reporting There is certain reporting that will be required by Health Care Reform in 2016 (based on 2015 enrollment

in health care plans). Once the type of reporting to be required is finalized by the government, the Center for Clergy excellence will notify the churches of what is required. D. Retiree Medicare eligible over 65 update

The Center for Clergy Excellence will communicate any changes in premiums or benefits to all retirees via a letter as has been done in the past. The GHB committee asks that retirees pay particular attention to the renewal.

The GHB committee anticipates that Retiree/Surviving Spouse Group Health Plan Participants will continue to have three options available regarding their Group Health Benefits Plan:

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1. The Humana Medicare Advantage Group PPO plan, available since January 1, 2011, has small copays including hospital, emergency room and office visits, but has no annual deductible. It includes prescription drug coverage. This plan requires that providers bill Humana. 2. A UnitedHealthcare Senior Supplement plan and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Rx for Groups (PDP) prescription drug plan. This is a fully insured Medicare supplement which covers most benefits after a $500 deductible and can be used with any Medicare provider. This plan replaced the Medicare eligible age 65 and over Boon-Chapman PPO plan, which was discontinued effective January 1, 2012. 3. A taxable stipend of $190 per age 65+ eligible participant per month, which can be applied toward the cost of an individual policy which the retiree purchases. The stipend option was approved at the 2011 Annual Conference and offers the greatest degree of flexibility for retirees. Those retirees who are not eligible for Medicare are automatically defaulted into the stipend program.

Following are the 2015 over 65 retiree personal contribution rates. The 2016 rates will be announced during open enrollment.

UnitedHealthcare Senior Supplement

HUMANA Medicare Advantage PPO Plan

Single Family Single Family 2014 participant cost $192.65 $385.30 $133.00 $266.00

Regarding the above rates, for those who retired prior to 1992; retirees deduct $75 per month and

surviving spouses deduct $55 per month for the Board of Pensions subsidy. E. Post-Employment Health Care Liability re-calculated

As of December 31, 2014 the estimated liability for Post-Employment Health Care is $21,516,378. This liability will be recalculated in March, 2015 by the actuaries and be provided to Conference attendees.

While there is no legal requirement to fund this liability, the General Board of Pensions does require that when an auditor determines that the liability exists, the value of the liability be actuarially determined and reflected in the financials for the Conference. F. Retiree medical to continue to be paid out of Pension Unrestricted Reserve (PUR) in 2015

The Board of Pensions will continue to fund the cost of retiree medical coverage (paragraph D, page 4) as in the past. The reimbursement in 2015 will be based on a flat rate contribution of $190 per Medicare primary participant, regardless of whether the retiree is with the UnitedHealthcare plan, the Humana Medicare Advantage plan or the taxable stipend. The 2015 retiree medical expense is estimated to be $1,087,560. In addition, $43,440 will be paid to those who retired prior to 1992 (or surviving spouses of retirees who retired prior to 1992).

The Group Health Benefits Committee annually provides the Board of Pensions with an estimate of the cost for the next year which allows the Board of Pensions to decide whether to continue the practice of funding retiree costs out of the Pension Unrestricted Reserves. G. Uses of 2014 surplus

As a direct conclusion of the Wellness program, during 2014 medical costs were less than they were in 2013 despite benefit improvements and medical cost inflation. In addition, investments earned 4.85%. As a result of these lower costs and investment income, a surplus developed in the amount of $1,922,079. (Calculation of the amount can be found in section 5 – Explanation of Group Health Benefits Reserve) The Group Health Benefits committee recommends the following uses of this surplus.

1. Since the Cabinet has approved permanent funding for the Interim Ministries department starting in 2016 (the 2015 fiscal office budget is already fixed), the Group Health benefits committee recommends the cost for Interim Ministries in 2015 be funded out of the 2014 surplus as a function of the Wellness program. The estimated cost for funding this expense is $100,000.

2. That incentives under the wellness program be increased in 2015 and 2016 as described in paragraph A, “Changes to Wellness program” of this report to continue the good claims experience which hopefully

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will generate lower future costs under the medical plan. The cost of the increased incentives is estimated at $206,775 in 2015 and 176,500 in 2016.

3. The remaining surplus funds, estimated at $1,438,804, be deposited in the rate stabilization reserve to offset increases in costs in the future and to help fund the CMS demand letter costs described in the section titled “CMS recovery Challenges” (Section I).

H. Health Care reform changes (included in open enrollment materials) a. The $700 Out of Pocket in Net Work individual maximum increased from $3,700 to $4,200 b. The $700 Out of Pocket in Net Work maximum for those with dependents decreased from

$12,700 to $8,700 c. The out of pocket out of network maximum for both the $700 and high deductible plan

increased to $47,700 from $43,700. d. The deductible for the high deductible plan increased to $1,500 from $1,450 to remain in

compliance with high deductible plan requirements. e. There were no changes in rates for any of the active health care plans except for a 5% increase

in the voluntary Dental HMO plan. I. 50% subsidy for Voluntary Transition Program

Effective March 1, 2015, the GHB committee authorized offering a cash payment representing 50% of the direct billing cost of group health coverage for the transition period (determined by the General Board of Pensions) for the level of coverage enrolled in by the participant entering the Voluntary Transition Program provided the individual does not enroll in continuation of coverage. The 50% subsidy is paid to the participant in a lump sum and does not require enrollment in any group health program. J. Revisions to Policy 111, 129 & 130

Policy 129 (Retiree Actively at Work Policy) and Policy 111 (Church – Percentage) have been amended so that all provisions are rescinded with regard to the assessment of annual fees of $21,000 per retiree employed post-retirement in a full-time capacity at a TAC local church, and Policy 129 and Policy 111 have been revised to reflect current Group Health Benefits requirements with regards to Medicare primary clergy appointed post-retirement to a TAC local church.

Policy 130 has been amended with the addition of the following verbiage regarding retirees who reside outside the United Sates.

XV. Permanent Residence outside the U.S.

TAC retirees and surviving spouses age 65+ (and their age 65+ eligible dependents) residing outside of the United States may become ineligible to participate in the TAC Humana Medicare Advantage Group PPO Plan or the TAC United Healthcare Senior Supplement and Medicare Rx for Groups (PDP) Plans. If you live outside of the United States, or are considering living outside of the United States, you are encouraged to contact these plans directly to determine whether, and to what extent, your eligibility may be affected by residing in another country.

TAC retirees and surviving spouses age 65+ (and their age 65+ eligible dependents) who reside outside of the United States remain eligible to participate in the Taxable Stipend Plan, as long as the enrolled individual provides the TAC Benefits Office with a permanent U.S. address to which quarterly stipend checks can be mailed.

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3. 2016 recommendations A. Benefit Changes effective 1/1/2016

The Hearing Aid benefit will be extended to all lay employees covered under the TAC group health benefit plan. B. Change in out of network expense

Effective January 1, 2016, increase the out of network out of pocket maximum under the PPO ($700 deductible & High Deductible) from the current $47,700 to $52,000 which compensates the group health plan for the discounts lost when participants go out of network. (PPO discount savings to the group health benefit plan are identified in section 1 – Financial Results, of this report). C. High deductible plan adjustments

Any adjustments to the high deductible plan to stay in compliance with federal regulations for 2016 will be announced during open enrollment. D. $800,000 reduction in apportionment

The Group Health Benefits Committee in conjunction with the Board of Pensions and CF & A is pleased to report an $800,000 reduction in apportionment starting in 2016 and thereafter. This reduction in apportionment is due to the success of the Wellness program and the committee’s ability to accumulate a rate stabilization reserve. The committee is taking this step to support the overall goals and objectives of the Texas Annual Conference. This action is being taken after much discussion, reflection and prayer and the committee asks group health participants to continue to work with them by participating in the Wellness program to continue our past success.

4. Health Care Reform Update

The Group Health Benefits Committee continues to monitor the Health Care reform situation to make sure TAC is in compliance with this evolving federal law. Any additional changes required by Health Care Reform will be approved by the Group Health Benefits committee and communicated to the churches and participants.

The Group Health Committee has evaluated (and will continue to evaluate) the potential of Health Care Reform and the availability of Exchanges for the provision of Clergy health care. To date the committee has determined that moving to the Exchanges for the Clergy group would be detrimental and would result in higher cost (plans on the Exchanges start with $2,000 deductibles) and would void the Conference’s special arrangements with Houston Methodist Hospital (most favored nation contract, write off of deductible and co-insurance).

5. Explanation of Group Health Benefit reserves

The Group Health Benefits Committee has several reserves which they manage because they operate a self-insured medical plan. These reserves allow the committee to earn investment income which can be used to offset rate increases. The following explains the purpose of the various reveres and provides a mechanism for the disposition of reserves that exceed stated amounts. These reserves include the following:

12/31/2014 Value Total Reserve Includes operating accounts - cash ($109,280), Receivables ($565,479), Payables (-$104,566) and does not include the reserve for unfunded post-retirement medical costs ($1,276,530)

$19,843,380

Less Termination reserve – That part of the total reserve accrued to pay claims that have been incurred but which have yet to be paid by Boon Chapman or Script Care and billed to the Group Health Benefits plan. The amount of the termination reserve is calculated each year and indicated on a separate line in the budget forecast. Currently this reserve is 25%

($1,582,659)

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All reserves are invested according to the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) under the supervision of the

investment committee. The Group Health Benefits Committee has complete discretion regarding how these funds will be utilized. The Group Health Benefits Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Pensions which according to the Discipline has over- all responsibility for the funding (in conjunction with CF & A) and provision of both pension and health care benefits to clergy.

The Group Health Benefits Plan has a self-insured PPO, a self-insured prescription drug plan and a fully insured Medicare Advantage plan, a fully insured Medicare Supplement and a self-funded stipend which covers clergy, laity, retirees and surviving spouses who meet the eligibility requirements. The Group Health Benefits Plan is not a form of entitlement and it should be noted that the Group Health Benefits Committee under the direction of and subject to the approval of the Board of Pensions, with the concurrence of Annual Conference, reserves the right to amend or possibly eliminate both the active and retiree plan of benefits.

of forecasted medical claims and 5% of forecasted prescription drug claims. Less Endowment Fund – A trust fund (the trustees are the members of the Group Health Benefits Committee) which has been set aside to defer the cost of health care in the future.

($1,878,408)

Less Rate Stabilization Reserve Annual Conference 2014 approved the creation of a rate stabilization reserve in the amount of $870,023 ($875,862 includes interest earned during 2014)

($875,862)

Actual reserve (Total Reserve less the termination reserve and Endowment Fund) – The Group Health Benefits Committee has determined it needs an amount equal to 75% - 100% of the projected Group Health Benefits budgeted cost for the year following the current year, set aside for negative events that may occur and adversely affect the group health benefit plan. Such events can include, but are not limited to, dramatic increases in medical utilization or cost, negative investment returns, an unusually high number of high cost claims, etc. The 2016 projected group health cost is $13,584,372. Recommendation – Since the 12/31/2014 actual reserve of $15,506,451 exceeds the projected 2016 costs of $13,584,372 (taken from this GHB Report Forecast) by $1,922,079, the Group Health Benefits committee recommends this surplus be used in the following manner (described in paragraph G, page 5 of this report):

• $100,000 to fund Intentional Interim Ministries in 2015 • $206,775 in 2015 and $176,500 in 2016 to fund Wellness incentives • $1,438,804 added to the rate stabilization reserve.

$15,506,451

Actuarial cost estimate of the unfunded post-retirement medical costs liability Less Reserve for unfunded post-retirement -medical cost – (funds transferred from the Board of Pensions to offset the unfunded post-retirement medical costs.) Post retirement liability after reserve Actual Reserve Endowment Fund & Rate Stabilization Reserve

($21,516,378) $1,276,530

($20,239,848)

$18,260,721

5. Net value of group health reserve ($1,979,127 )

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On behalf of the Group Health Benefits committee, I would like to thank Rev. Gail Ford Smith, Director, Center for Clergy Excellence; Mark Hellums, Controller, Pension and Group Health Benefits; Barbara Kilby, Benefits Administrator / HIPAA Privacy Officer; Nancy Slade, Executive Assistant; and Patty Oliver, Pensions Accounts Receivable / Pensions and Patricia Goforth-Rakes, Account Receivable / Enrollment Specialist; for providing outstanding dedication and skillful application of their talents in this difficult and changing field. Personally I would like to thank each of the Group Health Benefits Committee members (past and present) for their work in crafting the solutions we have identified to date and enduring long and challenging committee meetings.

I would also like to thank American United Life, Boon Chapman, Script Care, and HUMANA, for the outstanding service they have provided our participants. In addition, I would like to thank Mr. Ted Carlson of Carlson’s Consulting, the Texas Annual Conference’s Group Health & Pensions consultant, for his work throughout the year.

Endowment Fund Report,

Mr. Jerry Massey, Chairman The Investment Committee continued to use Morgan Stanley in 2014 to invest the assets of the

Endowment Fund. As a conclusion of investing in dividend paying stocks, the fund gained $123,804 and has a current value (as of 12/31/2014) of $1,878,409. During 2013 $300,000 of Miller Howard profits were invested with O'Shaughnessy Asset Management which focuses on European dividend paying stocks. Following is the breakdown of investments as of 12/31/2014:

Miller Howard $1,583,144 O'Shaughnessy $295,265 Total $1,878,409

For 2014 the endowment fund earned a 7.1% return.

All invested funds reflect the Social Investment Guidelines as provided for by the General Board of Pensions and follows the Investment Policy Statement adopted by both the Group Health Benefits Committee and the Board of Pensions.

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Board of Pensions Rev. Rick Sitton, Chair

The Texas Conference Board of Pensions brings this report to the 2015 Annual Conference in full and appreciative recognition of the sacrificial giving, careful planning and dedicated stewardship of predecessor Annual Conferences and Conference Boards of Pensions. We owe a debt of gratitude to our laity and to our clergy who have established the pension infrastructure on which the Texas Conference now stands. We are grateful as we make this report for the work they have done and for the opportunity to continue to work on the pension programs of the Texas Annual Conference and the United Methodist Church which helps grow transforming clergy that lead vibrant growing congregations.

The Board of Pensions supports the Vision and Mission of the Texas Annual Conference by funding and administering the outstanding retirement benefit programs for Clergy which helps empower Clergy to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world to the glory of God. This strategy allows clergy to Invest in the Young, Grow Fruitful Churches and Create Transforming Lay and Clergy Leaders. Report items requiring a vote include the following:

• Acceptance of this report and the budget forecasts for 2016 • Basic Recommendations for 2015:

o 1. Conference Board Funds o 2. Pension Fund Apportionments o 3. Funding Pensions for Past Service Rate o 4. CRSP Funding Pensions for Current Service

• Continuation of funding the Pre-92 retiree Group Health Benefits subsidy provided to retirees who retired prior to 1992.

• A contribution to the General Board of Pensions to close the funding deficit for the Pre-82 Defined Benefit Plan.

• Reimbursement of over 65 retiree medical expense in 2016; expense projected to total $1,131,000 in 2016.

• Maintain the UMPIP non-matching contribution of 3% in 2016.

The report is divided into the following sections: Section I Basic Recommendations to be acted on by this conference 1. Conference Board Funds 2. Pension Fund Apportionments 3. Funding Pensions for Past Service Rate 4. CRSP Funding Pensions for Current Service Section II Conference Board of Pensions Assets Section III Pre-1982 Years of Service Section IV Housing Resolution Section V Comprehensive Protection Plan Summary Section VI Adoption Agreement – Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) Section VII Electronic Funds Transfer Section VIII The Sustentation Fund Section IX Intentional Interim Ministers Section X 2015 Update from the Board of Pensions

1. Pre-92 Retiree Subsidy 2. Pre-82 Plan Deficit Funding 3. Retiree Medical Expenses 4. UMPIP Non-matching Contribution 5. Comprehensive Funding Plan 6. Review of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve” 7. Name change of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve”

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Addendum A 2015 Benefit Amounts for the Comprehensive Protection Plan Addendum B 2014 Board of Pensions Performance vs. Budget Addendum C 2015 Board of Pensions Budget Addendum D 2016 Board of Pensions Forecast Addendum E Review of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve”

************************* Section I. Basic Recommendations

1. Conference Board Funds – 2016 Budget Eliminate from apportionment Pension Board Budget totaling $24,250 (pensions committee). Effective January 1, 2016, these expenses will be paid from Board of Pension reserves.

2. Pension Fund Apportionment – 2016 Budget a. 2015 Apportionment for Pension Fund: $700,000

Conference Claimant Apportionment Request amounts since 1991 are as follows: • 1991 through 1998: $1,425,000 • 1999 through 2004: $1,400,000 • 2005: $1,500,000 • 2006 through 2007: $1,400,000 • 2008 through 2012: $900,000 • 2013 through 2015: $700,000 • 2016: $500,000

The request for the year 2016 is $500,000. The 2016 pension apportionment request of $500,000 represents a 29% reduction in pension apportionment funding from the 2015 level of $700,000 and a 64% reduction in pension apportionment funding from the 2007 level of $1,400,000. The apportionment reductions have been enabled due to the implementation of successful investment policies on the part of the Conference Board of Pensions (i.e. investment earnings in the Pension Unrestricted Reserve) since 2007.

b. That all pastors and local churches be reminded of ¶639.4a of The 2012 Book of Discipline: When the apportionment of the pastoral charges for the pension and benefit program of the Annual Conference has been determined, payments made thereon by each pastoral charge shall be exactly proportionate to payments made on the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Plan Compensation of the ordained minister or clergy serving it.

c. That the apportionment for Pension Fund shall be spread among the churches on the prevailing decimal basis for all apportionments and that remittances are made to the office of the Conference Treasurer.

3. Funding Pensions for Past Service Rate Past Service is that service rendered prior to January 1, 1982, by clergy members and Full-Time Local Pastors which has been approved for pension credit. Funding for pensions for past service is provided through income from gifts, earnings on pension reserves, a stabilization fund and Pension Fund Apportionments. In the 2013 actuarial reports for 2015 provided by the General Board of Pensions regarding the Pre-82 Defined Benefit Pension plan, it was noted that the Texas Annual Conference had the highest past service rate of all 56 Conferences participating in the plan. The average Past Service Rate for the 56 Conferences was $646.00 compared to TAC's 2015 rate of $840.00. In addition, the $840.00 did not include the Pre-92 Group Health Benefits subsidy which is unique to TAC. Since 2000, the PSR for the Texas Conference has increased at annualized rate 3.56%. In comparison, the annualized rate of inflation in the U.S. is 2.37%.

BE IT RESOLVED: 1) That the 2016 Past Service Rate for approved service rendered by ordained Ministers and Full-

Time Local Pastors be set at $849.00 (reflects a 1.07% increase from the 2015 rate of $840.00). 2) That the rate for Surviving Spouses be set at 75% of the Past Service Rate.

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3) That the 2016 Past Service Rate becomes effective January 1, 2016. 4. CRSP Funding Pensions for Current Service

Current Service is that service rendered on and after January 1, 2016, by clergy. Funding for pensions for current service is the responsibility of the salary-paying unit to which the appointment is made. The funding for pensions and a reserve fund is through the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) administered by the General Board of Pensions.

WHEREAS, the United Methodist Church began in 2007 a new pension program for all years of service beginning January 1, 2007,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we affirm the action taken at 2006 session of the Texas Annual Conference which placed the church contribution for each clergy participant according to the following CRSP Funding Plan:

A) Defined Benefit (DB) a/ i. Projected Total Cost to Texas Annual Conference (TAC) would be:

7.4721% x $67,333 (DAC) x 1.07 x 527.00 (Eligible Participants) = $2,837,038 (Total DB) ii. Plan Compensation of Eligible Participant ÷ Total TAC Plan Compensation = “Decimal” iii. Funding for Eligible Participant = “Total DB $” x “Decimal”

B) Defined Contribution (DC) 1. 2% x Plan Compensation of Eligible Participant 2. UMPIP – 1% x Plan Compensation of Eligible Participant C) Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) 3% x Plan Compensation of Eligible Participant (not to exceed an annual contribution of $4,039.98) D) Reserve Fund

.25% x Plan Compensation of Eligible Participants E) Sustentation Fund .75% x Plan Compensation of Eligible Participant

a/ Eligible participants of 527.00 assume CRSP eligibility for 75% appointment and above in 2016. NOTE: 1) The "contribution base" (Plan Compensation) of a clergyperson’s salary consists of:

1. taxable cash salary 2. housing related allowances and utilities 3. salary-reduction contributions to Internal Revenue Code section 125 or 403(b)

plans, and 4. when a parsonage is provided, 25% of the sum of 1, 2 and 3; or housing allowance

in lieu of a parsonage 2) The Denominational Average Compensation in 2016 will be $67,333. Thus, the maximum CPP

contribution by any Texas Conference participant will be 3% of twice the DAC or $4,039.98. 3) The minimum level for participating in CPP at the normal 3% level is a contribution base equal to

60% of the Denominational Average Compensation. In 2016 this 60% will be $40,399.80. Thus, a cash salary of $32,319.84 will be necessary to reach this 60% requirement since $32,319.84 plus 25% ($8,079.96) for housing = $40,399.80.

4) By special arrangement, ministers on leave of absence and ministerial members or full-time local pastors with a contribution base of less than 60% of the Denominational Average Compensation in 2016 may participate in CPP by payment of 4.4% of the Denominational Average Compensation, or $2,962.65, annually, $246.89 monthly. Participants under these special arrangements receive death benefit and disability protection.

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Section II. Conference Board of Pensions Assets

Notes to table of assets: 1. The Board of Pensions received royalties from oil and gas leases in 2014 and 2013 in the amount of

$30,009 and $27,063 respectively which were deposited in the Heartspring account. 2. 2014 balance column does not reflect cash of $413,967 or apportionment receivable of $176,236. 2013

balance column does not reflect cash of $442,608 or apportionment receivable of $140,084. 3. Interest earned on operating cash ($34 in 2014 and $74 in 2013) is excluded from the disclosed

investment earnings of $2,150,421 in 2014 and $5,896,908 in 2013. 4. All Conference Board of Pension assets are invested in accordance with the Investment Policy Statement

for the Board of Pensions and Group Health Benefits.

Section III. Pre-1982 Years of Service Supplement One to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP), also known as the Pre-82 Plan, provides clergy with a pension for their years of ministry with The United Methodist Church prior to 1982. The plan is designed to provide participants with one piece of their overall retirement portfolio. The Pre-82 Plan was replaced by MPP effective January 1, 1982. Page 24 of the CRSP Summary Plan Description contains an overview of the Pre-82 Plan. Section IV. Housing Resolution RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO RENTAL/HOUSING ALLOWANCES FOR RETIRED OR DISABLED MINISTERS The Texas Annual Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances for retired or disabled clergypersons of the Conference: WHEREAS, the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through ministers of the gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergypersons”); WHEREAS, the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergypersons with a parsonage or a rental/housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; WHEREAS, pensions or other amounts paid to retired and disabled Clergypersons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to retired and disabled Clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as the appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for Clergypersons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT an amount equal to 100% of the pension or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payments from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (“GBOPHB”), during the year 2015 by each retired or disabled Clergyperson who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and hereby is designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergyperson; and

2014 Investment Earnings

Balance as of 12/31/14

2013 Investment Earnings

Balance as of 12/31/13

Deposit Account $287 $168,508 ($1,112) $120,816 Corpus-Retirement Endowment

306,779

7,792,546

1,091,789

7,485,768

Superannuate Endowment 6,563 166,698 23,356 160,136 Heartspring & CDs 6,329 206,978 11,105 220,649 Pension Reserve 1,830,463 41,939,343 4,771,770 42,800,315 Total $2,150,421 $50,274,073 $5,896,908 $50,787,684

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THAT the pension or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance applies will be any pension or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from the GBOPHB and from a commercial annuity company that provides an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a GBOPHB plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a Clergyperson rendered to this Conference or that an active, retired or disabled Clergyperson of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergyperson to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such retired or disabled Clergyperson’s pension or disability as part of his or her gross compensation. NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in any year for federal income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2) and regulations there under to the least of: (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergyperson’s employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; (2) the amount actually expended by the Clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or (3) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year. The housing/rental allowance exclusion is available only to clergy, not to surviving spouses, but the death of a minister during the year does not invalidate the exclusion for the entire year. The exclusion is still available for the part of the year the minister was alive. Since neither the General Board of Pensions nor the Texas Annual Conference gives legal tax advice, each minister should consult with his or her own attorney, CPA, or other tax advisor. Section V. Comprehensive Protection Plan Summary The current Comprehensive Protection Plan Adoption Agreement was signed by the Texas Conference in 2007 to be effective in 2008. It shall be effective until amended by the Conference and agreed to by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Protection Plan. Every year the benefits are outlined by the General Board of Pensions and included in the Board of Pensions report. 2015 Benefit Amounts for the Comprehensive Protection Plan can be found in Addendum A to this report. Section VI. Adoption Agreement – Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) Adoption Agreement was adopted by the Texas Conference as defined in the Clergy Retirement Security Program Plan Document, and agreed to by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits for the Plan Year commencing January 1, 2007. It shall be effective until amended by the Conference and agreed to by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Clergy Retirement Security Program. Previous Adoption Agreements shall remain in effect for the Plan Years to which they apply. Section VII. Electronic Funds Transfer An important aspect of the CRSP pension structure is that each Annual Conference is responsible for all pensions-related billing and collections, beginning January 1, 2007. The Board of Pensions, therefore, requires that the Texas Annual Conference utilize Electronic Funds Transfer for pension collections. The Board of Pensions has negotiated an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) agreement with Whitney Bank, the banking institution for the Texas Annual Conference.

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Section VIII. The Sustentation Fund 1. Statement of Intent

The Sustentation Fund of the Texas Annual Conference is a fund representing a tangible expression of a collegial relationship among clergy under appointment in the conference to provide transitional aid. The Sustentation Fund will provide temporary financial assistance to clergy who are placed on Medical Leave, Leave of Absence, Emergency Assistance, and to assist local congregations in times of clergy transition. Sustentation Fund payments shall be the responsibility of each local congregation, shall be part of the benefit program through the Conference Board of Pensions, and shall not exceed 0.75% of each clergy’s total compensation.

2. Eligibility for Membership Clergy under appointment who participate in the General Board of Pensions program administered by the

Texas Annual Conference are eligible. A. Structure

1. The Joint Committee on Medical Leave (formerly Incapacity Leave) is to be considered as the Sustentation Fund Committee and shall be the supervising agency for the Sustentation Fund. The chair of the committee shall call meetings at least annually in which the operations of the Sustentation Fund shall be reviewed and reported to the Executive Session of the Texas Annual Conference.

2. The Conference Benefits Officer (CBO) of the Texas Annual Conference shall have direct responsibility for the administration of the Sustentation Fund.

3. The Conference Benefits Officer (CBO) of the Texas Annual Conference shall be the custodian of the permanent records of the Sustentation Fund.

4. The Fiscal Officer of the Texas Annual Conference shall manage all resources of the Sustentation Fund by deposit, investment, and dispersal of all funds.

B. Disclaimer The Sustentation Fund shall not accept responsibility nor does its existence constitute responsibility by

the Texas Annual Conference or any of its agencies for any resources beyond the benefits specifically identified in these guidelines which cannot, do not, and will not be extended beyond the range of (12) months length from the beginning of such benefits.

This limitation on the payment of premiums for Group Health Benefits for clergy Medical Leave shall not apply. On recommendation of the Cabinet, and at the determination of the Sustentation Fund Committee based on available resources, assistance in the payment of Group Health Benefits may be extended beyond the original twelve (12) month period.

C. Benefits The Sustentation Fund is limited to providing cash benefits for the following purposes:

1. For Payment of required CPP contributions for CPP participants who are on Medical Leave and on Leave of Absence when payment of CPP is authorized by the Cabinet.

2. Group Health Benefits (a) For assistance in payment of Group Health Benefits premiums for persons on Medical

Leave. This assistance will be based on the following schedule: First 12 months on Medical Leave 100% of Single Coverage premiums, 70% of Family Coverage

Second 12 Months on Medical Leave 75% of Single Coverage premiums, 60% of Family Coverage premiums

Third 12 Months and Thereafter 60% of Single Coverage premiums, 50% of Family Coverage premiums (b) For assistance in payment of Group Health Benefits premiums for persons on Leave of Absence as requested by the Cabinet. This assistance during the Leave of Absence will be based on the following schedule:

First 3 Months of Single Coverage premiums 100% of Single Coverage premiums, 70% of Family Coverage premiums

Second 3 Months Period 75% of Single Coverage premiums, 60% of Family Coverage premiums Third and Fourth 3 Months Period

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60% of Single Coverage Premiums, 50% of Family Coverage premiums 3. For payment of benefits to persons re-entering General Ministry on recommendation from and

requisition by the Committee on Conference Relations and the Cabinet with concurrence by Sustentation Fund Committee. Pre-approved items will include, but may not be limited to such services as vocational assessment, counseling, temporary housing, medical insurance protection and shall not exceed $15,000 per year.

4. For Emergency Assistance as defined by the Cabinet. 5. For providing interim clergy support to local congregations. D. Funding and Budgeting 1. The Sustentation Fund shall be funded by contribution of the salary paying unit on behalf of each

eligible participant of the Texas Annual Conference on an amount equal to 0.75% of Plan Compensation, which is the basis of the calculation of Pensions through the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits.

2. When the Sustentation Fund was established in 2006, funds were allocated according to the following percentages: Interim Clergy Support (50%), Group Health Benefits Support for clergy on Medical Leave (25%), and Emergency Relief (25%). An increase in Group Health Benefits costs for clergy on Medical Leave caused that portion of the Sustentation Fund to run a deficit, while the other portions of the fund had a surplus. To address this imbalance, the Board of Pensions eliminated the percentage allocations of the Sustentation Fund effective January 1, 2011, and this action was approved at the 2011 Annual Conference. Since the Group Health Benefits Committee had funded the $201,203 shortfall for Group Health Benefits expenses for clergy on Medical Leave, the Board of Pensions approved reimbursing Group Health for these expenses which pertained to the Sustentation Fund.

E. The Process of Collection of Sustentation Fund Resources 1. The Center for Clergy Excellence shall bill each local congregation with eligible clergy serving under

appointment. 2. Contributions to the Sustentation Fund shall be in accord with the established procedures of the Texas

Annual Conference for pension billing. REVIEW – Sustentation Fund Balance Forward January 1, 2014 $45,482.21 2014 Receipts 310,627.58 Total $356,109.79 Disbursements* ($238,960.03) Balance December 31, 2014 $117,149.76 *Note: 2014 Sustentation Fund Disbursements by category: 1. Interim Clergy – $106,594.41 2. Group Health (for Clergy on Medical Leave) – $54,356.78 3. Emergency Relief – $70,466.34 4. Emergency Compensation – $7,542.50 Section IX. Intentional Interim Ministers A. Settings for Intentional Interim Ministers

1. Short Term (generally three to six months, but can be up to a year) a. Sabbaticals of up to six months in length b. Health issues c. Ministerial transitions, such as retirement, transfers, appointments to ministry of

Superintendency 2. Long Term (generally one to three years)

a. Death of a Pastor b. Ending of the appointment of a beloved or long-tenured pastor c. Traumatic departure of a Pastor

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d. Unhealthy or conflicted congregation e. Other factors that contribute to a disruption in congregational life

B. Compensation 1. A covenant for compensation will be signed at the initial meeting with the Pastor-Staff Parish

Relations Committee. 2. The District Superintendent and the Center for Clergy Excellence will negotiate the compensation

package and prepare the covenant to be signed. 3. Short Term Interim Ministers will be compensated at a level no less than the Conference Equitable

Compensation. 4. Long Term Interim Ministers shall be compensated at a minimum level no less than the local

congregation’s pastoral compensation, but not less than the Conference Average Compensation. a. If the local congregation’s pastoral compensation is below the Conference Average

Compensation, then the Sustentation Fund of the Texas Annual Conference will provide funding for the difference.

b. Benefits provided to clergy under appointment in the Texas Annual Conference shall also be provided to the IIM.

5. Housing will be considered as part of the compensation package, negotiated and included in the covenant.

Section X. 2015 Update from the Board of Pensions 1. Pre-92 Retiree Subsidy The Board of Pensions approved continuing the pre-92 retiree Group Health Benefits subsidy that is provided to retirees who retired prior to 1992. Currently there are 16 Clergy and 44 Surviving Spouses. Effective January 1, 2015, the monthly subsidy is as indicated below:

• Pre-92 Retiree $75.00 per month • Contingent Annuitant $55.00 per month

The financial obligation for the Pre-92 Retiree Subsidy is an estimated $43,440 in 2016. 2. Pre-82 Plan Deficit Funding

The Board of Pension approves a one-time contribution to the General Board of Pensions to close the funding deficit for the Pre-82 Plan. Results of the actuarial valuation performed as of January 1, 2014, reflected a “funding deficit” for the Texas Conference in the amount ($1,472,340). The one-time cash infusion to the plan is to bring the funded ratio up from 97% funded to 100% funded. The timing of the cash contribution is scheduled to take place in December 2016. 3. Retiree Medical Expenses

Over 65 retiree medical expenses are projected to be $1,087,560 to the Texas Annual Conference in 2016. The Board of Pensions shall reimburse Group Health Benefits $190/month for each Medicare primary covered participant out of the Pension Unrestricted Reserve in 2016 as explained in the Group Health Benefits report. The Board of Pensions will review annually a request to continue such funding and decide based on current economic conditions whether to continue it.

WHEREAS, the United Methodist Church cares deeply about those who have served the Conference in the past and are in retirement,

WHEREAS, the 2016 cost to provide health care to over 65 retirees is estimated to cost $1,087,560, WHEREAS, the Board of Pensions through the Group Health Benefits Committee wishes to prevent an

increase in health care cost to the churches by funding the over 65 retiree expense out of the Pension Unrestricted Reserve,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in 2016 that the Pension Unrestricted Reserve shall provide to Group Health Benefits a monthly payment of $190 for each Medicare primary covered participant.

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4. UMPIP non-matching contribution - set for 3% in 2016

In 2014, the UMPIP contribution was increased to 2% (up from 1% in 2013). The increase was enacted as a partial offset to the CRSP benefit reductions associated with the modified CRSP design that went into effect 1-1-14.

In 2015, the Board of Pensions instituted an additional non-matching UMPIP contribution of 1% on top of the already existing 2% contribution to eligible CRSP participant UMPIP accounts. As a result, the non-matching contribution for 2015 was 3%. The non-matching contribution for 2016 will remain 3%. The UMPIP non-matching contribution will continue to be funded as follows: Non-matching contribution to UMPIP in 2016 of 3%

• 2% paid from pension reserves • 1% paid by churches

5. Comprehensive Funding Plan Beginning in 2013, annual conferences are required to submit a Comprehensive Funding Plan to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBOPHB). A Comprehensive Funding Plan is a formal funding plan that describes how a conference will pay for benefit programs, including those obligations that are dependent on the conference continuing its current benefit programs. The intent of the funding plan is to align benefit design expectations with Conference funding patterns. The plan to be submitted in 2015 will address benefit obligations for plan year 2016. The development of a Comprehensive Funding Plan stems from the necessity to determine financial viability at the denominational level where benefit plan liabilities are concerned. Long-term financial obligations for the Church were discussed by the Council of Bishops, attendees of the Financial Leadership Forum, and the Sustainability Advisory Board. The GBOPHB has been tasked with compiling conference information regarding funding for long-term obligations for clergy and staff across the denomination. The timeline requires each conference to obtain a favorable opinion letter from the GBOPHB and approval from its respective Annual Conference ahead of the plan’s effective date (i.e. 1-1-16). As of the date of the Board of Pensions 2015 Pre-Conference Journal Report, the Comprehensive Funding Plan for the Texas Conference is presently in draft status. The Comprehensive Funding Plan for the Texas Conference will be submitted to the GBOPHB prior to April 1, 2015. The expectation is the receipt of a favorable opinion letter from the GBOPHB ahead of 2015 Annual Conference. The opinion letter will be included in the 2015 Annual Conference journal. In the interim, outlined below is a comprehensive view of the net reserve position for the Texas Conference Board of Pensions and Group Health Benefits. Actual reserve positions are stated as of 12-31-14 and projected net reserve positions are reflected for 12-31-15:

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Actual 12-31-14 Projected 12-31-15 Board of Pensions Total reserves $50,713,564 $49,537,727 Less: Permanent endowment funds (limited to spending only 95% of investment earnings) 7,792,546 8,104,248 Net value of Pension general reserves (1) $42,921,018 $41,433,479 Group Health Benefits Total reserves $19,843,381 $20,569,649 Less: Termination reserve -1,582,659 -1,780,750 Less: Endowment fund -1,878,409 -1,953,545 Actual reserve to cover annual claims cost $16,382,313 $16,835,354 Retiree medical Postretirement medical liability ($21,516,378) ($21,516,378) Postretirement medical assets 1,276,530 1,327,591 Retiree medical funded status ($20,239,848) ($20,188,787) Net value of Group Health general reserves (2) ($3,857,535) ($3,353,433) TOTAL RESERVE – Pension & GHB (1+2) $39,063,483 $38,080,046 Board of Pension Reserve Requirements (3) 100% of subsequent year operational costs a/ ($9,394,763) ($10,398,317) 20% market decline in reserve balance (similar to actual decline in 2008) ($10,142,713) ($9,907,545) Group Health Benefits Reserve Requirements (4) 100% of subsequent year operational costs ($11,838,580) ($12,453,372) Comprehensive (BOP and GHB) Reserve Requirements (3+4) ($31,376,056) ($32,759,234) TOTAL RESERVE O/(U) Comprehensive Reserve Requirements $7,687,427 $5,320,812 a/ The cost of funding the following programs are included within the Board of Pension annual operational costs and assumed to be funded each year from its general reserves:

2014 • Pre-92 Retiree Subsidy - $23,100 • Retiree Medical Subsidy - $1,091,436

2015

• Pre-92 Retiree Subsidy - $43,440 • Retiree Medical Subsidy - $1,087,560

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The Board of Pensions is responsible for making sure there is adequate funds available so medical and pension benefits can be provided with no disruption. The previous table identifies the various claims on current reserves which includes 3 retirement plans and a self-funded medical plan.

6. Review of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve”

Included in the Board of Pensions Report to Annual Conference 2015 is the review of the Pension “Unrestricted Reserve” updated for actual 2014 experience. Included in this review is an overview of the resolutions relating to the administration and use of reserve funds. The standing resolutions are as follows:

WHEREAS, the 2007 resolution provided for a review of the “Unrestricted Reserve” to be reported to Annual Conference in 2012,

WHEREAS, the Quadrennial review process determined a need to clarify the purposes and oversight of the “Unrestricted Reserve” for future generations,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the “Unrestricted Reserve” be administered by the Board of Pensions including the approval of any

use of funds; That the “Unrestricted Reserve” be used as the account whereby “excess” pension funds (pension receipts

less pension disbursements) are invested; That the “Unrestricted Reserve” be used to provide the following:

• Funding to meet increased costs of any defined benefit pension plan due to unfunded liabilities; • Funding to meet the costs of retiree benefit obligations; • Funding for pension related initiatives as approved annually by the Annual Conference; • Funding to meet the costs of Conference Benefits Administration with the amount to be approved

annually by the Annual Conference.* *Effective June 1, 2010, Conference Benefits Administration was approved to be funded via the Pension “Unrestricted Reserve.” This change was made to allow better utilization of current reserves and prevent future cost increases being passed on to the local congregations. Status of Reserves (12/31/2014): Net assets available for plan benefits (1-1-07) $33,108,433 Receipts 59,723,159 Disbursements (58,052,897) Investment Income 19,361,318 Transfer of funds ( 3,426,448) Net assets available for plan benefits (12-31-14) $50,713,565 Compounded Time Weighted Return 42.48% Annualized Rate of Return 4.53%

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Projected 2015 reserve levels under various investment return scenarios

Fiscal 2015

Board of Pensions Budget

Projected

Annual Returns: (4.0%

return)

(-4.0% return)

(0.0% return)

(8.0% return)

Net assets available for plan benefits (BOY)

$50,713,564

$50,713,564

$50,713,564

$50,713,564

(a) Receipts 6,207,863

6,207,863

6,207,863

6,207,863

(b) Disbursements (8,263,763)

(8,263,763)

(8,263,763)

(8,263,763)

(c) Transfer of funds to GHB

(1,131,000)

(1,131,000)

(1,131,000)

(1,131,000)

Operating performance (a+b+c+d)

(3,186,900)

(3,186,900)

(3,186,900)

(3,186,900)

Investment income 2,011,063

(2,010,863)

0

4,022,026

Net assets available for plan benefits (EOY)

$49,537,727

$45,515,801

$47,526,664

$51,548,690

Increase / (decrease) in reserves

($1,175,837)

($5,197,763)

($3,186,900)

$835,126

Projected 2015- 2019 decline in reserve levels (assumes annual 4% return on investments)

ACTUAL FORECAST (a)

Board of Pensions (in millions) 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Net Assets available for plan benefits (BoY) $46.997 $51.228 $50.714 $49.538 $47.185 $46.087 $44.949

(1) Receipts 7.537 6.343 6.208 6.082 6.158 6.235 6.313

(2) Disbursements (8.148) (7.893) (8.264) (9.267) (7.995) (8.067) (8.140)

(3) Transfer of funds to GHB (1.055) (1.115) (1.131) (1.131) (1.131) (1.131) (1.131)

Operating performance (1+2+3) (1.666) (2.665) (3.187) (4.316) (2.968) (2.963) (2.958)

Investment income 5.897 2.151 2.011 1.963 1.870 1.825 1.780

Net Assets available for plan benefits (EoY) $51.228 $50.714 $49.538 $47.185 $46.087 $44.949 $43.771

Increase / (decrease) in reserves $ (0.514) $ (1.176) $ (2.353) $ (1.098) $ (1.138) $ (1.178)

Cumulative increase / (decrease) in reserves 2015-2019

$ (6.943)

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7. Name change of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve” The Board of Pensions changed the name of the Pension “Unrestricted Reserve” to “Pension Reserve”

effective July 1, 2015. This name more accurately reflects the designated uses of the Pension Reserve as outlined in Section X.6.

The Board of Pensions is authorized, once their respective reports are accepted by Annual Conference, to spend up to the total amount budgeted as an expense in the approved budget and a portion of their reserve to cover any operational shortfall until such time as Annual Conference approves a revised budget for that year. Any increases in the amount billed to salary paying units by the Board of Pensions committee will only be changed with Annual Conference approval.

Addendums to Report

Addendum A 2015 Benefit Amounts for the Comprehensive Protection Plan Addendum B 2014 Board of Pensions Performance vs. Budget Addendum C 2015 Board of Pensions Budget Addendum D 2016 Board of Pensions Forecast Addendum E Review of Pension “Unrestricted Reserve”

***************

On behalf of the Board of Pensions, I would like to thank Rev. Gail Ford Smith, Director, Center for Clergy Excellence; Mark Hellums, Controller, Pension and Group Health Benefits; Barbara Kilby, Benefits Administrator / HIPAA Privacy Officer; Nancy Slade, Executive Assistant; Patricia Goforth-Rakes, Accounts Receivable / Enrollment Specialist; and Patty Oliver, Pensions Accounts Receivable / Pensions Specialist; for providing outstanding dedication and skillful application of their talents in this difficult and changing field. I would also like to thank each of the members of the Board of Pensions for their work in crafting the solutions we have identified to date.

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Disability Benefits The disability benefit equals 70% of plan compensation for the plan year in which the first payment is effective, with plan compensation capped at 200% of the DAC. The disability benefit is reduced by any disability benefits payable under the Social Security Act.7

Participants receiving CPP disability benefits may also be eligible to receive retirement plan contributions to either CRSP or the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) 8. If eligible for CRSP, CPP will contribute a nonmatching contribution of up to 2% of plan compensation (as defined by CRSP), in monthly installments, to the participant’s CRSP defined contribution account. In addition, participants eligible for CRSP may be eligible for a matching contribution based on participant contributions to UMPIP, up to 1% of plan compensation.

If not eligible for CRSP but eligible for UMPIP, CPP may contribute up to 3% compensation (as defined by UMPIP) to the participant’s UMPIP account based on the UMPIP plan sponsor’s adoption agreement elections.

7 Other reductions may apply in accordance with the terms of the SPD, as determined by the General Board of

Pension and Health Benefits. 8 Please see the CRSP SPD (www.gbophb/TheWell/Root/CRSP/3480.pdf) and UMPIP SPD (www.gbophb.org/TheWell/Root/UMPIP/3502.pdf) for additional information on eligibility as a disabled participant.

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Texas Annual Conference

2016 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan Summary The 2012 Book of Discipline ¶ 1506.6 requires that each annual conference develop, adopt and implement a formal comprehensive funding plan for funding all of its benefit obligations. The funding plan shall be submitted annually to the General Board of Pension and Health benefits for review and be approved annually by the annual conference, following the receipt and inclusion of a favorable written opinion from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB). This summary document is only a portion of the information contained in the actual signed funding plan. As such, it might not contain all the information required for a comprehensive view of the benefit obligations of the conference. You may request the full contents of the 2016 comprehensive benefit funding plan from your conference benefit office. Following is the summary of the Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan (CBFP) that received a favorable written opinion from GBPHB for the 2016 conference benefit obligations: Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC)

Plan Overview: The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) is an Internal Revenue Code section 403(b) retirement program providing lifetime income and account flexibility designed for those who serve as clergy of The United Methodist Church. The plan is designed to provide participants with one portion of their overall retirement benefits. CRSP replaced the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) effective January 1, 2007, which had previously replaced the Pre-82 Plan for service rendered prior to January 1, 1982.

CRSP consists of both a defined benefit (DB) plan, which provides a monthly benefit at retirement based upon years of credited service to The United Methodist Church, and a defined contribution (DC) plan, which provides a retirement account balance established and funded by annual conferences. The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP-DB) annuities total liability as of January 1, 2014 is $1.105 billion, while total plan assets are $1.274 billion resulting in a current plan funded ratio of 115%. The Texas Conference portion of the liability is 2.5374% and the 2016 contribution is $2,837,038. The conference anticipates that the amount will be funded by collected receipts paid by churches on a monthly basis. Additionally, General Conference 2012 approved a change to CRSP that provides each annual conference the discretion to determine whether to cover three-quarter and/or half-time clergy. The Texas Conference has elected to cover clergy serving 75%+ under CRSP effective January 1, 2016.

Effective January 1, 2014 CRSP-DC plan was reduced from a 3% to a 2% of plan compensation non-matching contribution. Clergy have the opportunity to earn up to an additional 1% CRSP DC contribution by contributing at least 1% of their plan compensation to UMPIP. Therefore, if a participant contributes at least 1% of plan compensation to UMPIP, the individual will receive a contribution of 3%, which is unchanged from 2013 and prior. The 2016 CRSP-DC contribution is anticipated to be $855,764 and will be funded by collected receipts paid by churches on a monthly basis.

Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP)

Plan Overview: Supplement Three to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP), also known as the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) provides clergy with a pension benefit for their years of ministry with The United Methodist Church from 1982 through 2006. MPP is an Internal Revenue Code section 403(b) retirement plan. Effective January 1, 2014, exactly 65% of the account balance must be annuitized when it is to be distributed. The remainder may be rolled over to UMPIP, another qualified plan, an IRA, or paid in a lump sum.

The Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) annuities total liability as of January 1, 2014 is $3.018 billion, while total plan assets are $3.345 billion, resulting in a current plan funded ratio of 111% and no required contribution for 2016. The Texas Conference’s % of the total liability is 2.4419%. Future MPP annuitants have a total account

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balance of $4.332 billion and the Texas Conference’s portion of that balance is $124,668,178 or 2.88% of the total.

Pre-1982 Plan

Plan Overview: Supplement One to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP), also known as the Pre-82 Plan, provides clergy with a pension benefit for their years of ministry with The United Methodist Church prior to 1982. The Pre-82 Plan was replaced by MPP effective January 1, 1982. If a clergy person retires within the Conference (and does not terminate), the minimum benefit payable is based on two factors: 1) years of service with pension credit and 2) Conference pension rate. Years of service with pension credit are approved by each Conference on the recommendation of the Conference Board of Pensions (CBOP) in accordance with plan provisions and The Book of Discipline. The pension rate, also called the past service rate, is the dollar amount chosen by the Conference as the amount payable for each approved year of service with pension credit. The pension rate may change from year to year. The number of years of service with pension credit is multiplied by the pension rate, and the product is the minimum annual benefit payable to those clergy eligible for Pre-82 Plan benefits. In certain situations, the benefit received from the Pre-82 plan may vary based on the applicability of what is referred to as Defined Benefit Service Money (DBSM), which is the defined contribution feature of the Pre-1982 Plan. At the time that a participant retires, the DBSM account is converted to a life based benefit. At that point, the clergy’s benefit is the greater of the PSR benefit or DBSM benefit. If the conference increases the PSR, the clergy’s benefit is recalculated; however the DBSM based benefit does not change.

The 2016 Past Service Rate (PSR) recommended to the Texas Conference will be $849.00 representing a 1.07% increase from the 2015 rate. The conference expects future increases to be approximately 1.00% which is unchanged from the 1.00% increase which was implemented in 2015.

The contingent annuitant percentage is recommended to increase at the Select level.

Based on the final actuarial valuations from the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits as of January 1, 2014 for 2016, the portion of the Pre-82 liability attributable to the Texas Conference and funded status is, as of 1/1/2014, as follows:

Funding Plan Liability $56,168,749 Assets in the Plan $54,696,409 Funded status $(1,472,340) represented by a 97% funded ratio In addition to the assets in the Plan it is anticipated that amount will be funded through the following funding sources: Non plan assets designated for retiring Pre-82 obligations $970,558 Present value of incoming new money $ 2,192,142

Active Health Benefit Program

Plan Overview: The Texas Conference offers the Self Funded-Non HealthFlex program which is best described as a Self Funded-Non HealthFlex to its active eligible participants.

The total cost of the program for 2016 is anticipated to be $11,028,878 and will be funded by Apportionment + Direct billing to the church. It is anticipated that increases for future years will average 8.00%, due to anticipated rising costs of health care.

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Claims Incurred But Not Reported

The Texas Conference provides a self-funded health benefit program directly to its eligible participants. As of 12/31/2016, the estimated claims IBNR are $1,871,164. It is anticipated that increases for future years will average 8.00%, based on anticipated rising costs of health care. It is anticipated that the claims IBNR will be funded by Existing Reserves.

Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Program (PRM)

Plan Overview: The Texas Conference post-retirement medical program currently offered is an insurance plan made available to qualifying retired clergy and certain lay personnel.

The expectation for 2016 is to offer a fixed subsidy amount provided to retirees that is used to purchase supplemental coverage to Medicare. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $2,327,614 with the funding sources to be account assets and new incoming funds.

Based on the most recent PRM valuation dated 01/01/2015, the following is the funded position of the post-retirement medical benefits:

Accumulated Post Retirement Obligation (APBO) or net conference cost $24,346,700 Expected Post Retirement Obligation (EPBO) or net conference cost $30,657,200 Service Cost (SC) or net conference cost $730,000 Assets designated for PRM $4,735,244

These values are based on a 3.90%% long term discount rate and a current medical increase trend of 7.0% with an ultimate medical increase of 5.0%, beginning in 2023.

Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) Plan Overview: The Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) provides death, long-term disability and other welfare benefits for eligible clergy of The United Methodist Church and their families. It is an Internal Revenue Code 414(e) "church plan" funded by plan sponsor insurance premiums. Generally, clergy are eligible to participate in CPP if the conference or salary-paying unit sponsors the plan and they are able to satisfy the eligibility requirements which include full-time appointment with plan compensation equal to or greater than 60% of the Denominational Average Compensation or the Conference Average Compensation, whichever is less.

For 2016, the Texas Conference has an expected required contribution to the Comprehensive Protection Plan of $941,340, which is anticipated to be funded by direct billing to churches. The anticipated average increase in future years is expected to be 3.06% per year based on the annual growth in CAC durring period 2005 - 2016.

United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) for Lay and Clergy

Plan Overview: The United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) is an Internal Revenue Code section 403(b) defined contribution retirement savings plan for clergy and lay employees of The United Methodist Church and affiliated organizations. Participants may make before-tax and/or after-tax contributions through payroll deductions. Participant contributions, various optional plan sponsor contributions and investment earnings comprise the individual’s retirement account balance.

Conference office laity employees working an average of 20 hours per week or more are eligible after 12 months for a plan sponsor funded pension contribution of 8% of salary. Lay employees are encouraged to make contributions toward their retirement through payroll deductions to the UMPIP. The estimated contribution for the Texas Conference is anticipated to be $117,036 and will be funded through Apportionment.

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Other Conference Benefit Obligations: Defined Contribution (DC) Type

DC Plan Overview: The Texas Conference currently offers a Life Insurance (UNUM) plan made available to certain clergy. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $50,000 with the funding to be paid from pension reserves.

DC Plan Overview: The Texas Conference currently offers a Life Insurance (AUL) plan made available to participants of the group health plan. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $59,628 with the funding sources to be Group Health Reserves.

DC Plan Overview: The Texas Conference currently offers a Wellness Program plan made available to participants of the group health plan. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $226,902. The funding of the program results from reduced claims costs and positive returns on investment reserves.

DC Plan Overview: The Texas Conference currently offers a Sustentation Fund plan made available to certain clergy. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $320,911 with the funding source to be incoming money.

DC Plan Overview: The Texas Conference currently covers pension administration costs, program expenses and tax payments through the use of pension reservves. The funding obligation for 2016 is anticipated to be $815,369 with the funding source to be paid via pension reserves.

Conclusion:

The 2016 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan and the above Summary document incorporates, to the best of our understanding , the Texas Conference’s obligations and funding requirements of the benefits provided to the clergy and laity of the Texas Conference.

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CENTER FOR CONGREGATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Center for Congregational Excellence Dr. Jesse Brannen, Director

The driving force for the Center for Congregational Excellence (CCE) is the adopted foci from the 2012 Annual Conference. Our goal in CCE is to cultivate growing, vibrant, missional congregations. This goal is reflected in the work of the congregations currently involved in the Vibrant Church Initiative (VCI) process.

At the end of 2014, 47 congregations are engaged in the VCI process at some level. The early signs of VCI have been very positive. Detailed data about these congregations will be available for inclusion in 2016 report.

As we move into 2015, requests to enter into the Vibrant Church Initiative process continue to come into the Center for Congregational Excellence at an increasing rate. CCE is making plans for the accommodation of these for additional congregations to begin in spring of 2015.

In order to better serve the congregations of the Texas Annual Conference, the following adaptations to the VCI process have been implemented:

1) Directive Coaches are being trained and imbedded with the District Leadership Teams (DLT hereafter). These coaches are now called District Coach, or DC for short. The DC will be the liaison between the CCE and the DLT, as well as the accountability partner with the local church for prescription implementation deadlines.

2) Prescription coaches will be available to congregations to assist them in the implementation of their prescriptions. These prescription coaches will have demonstrated skill in the implementation of change, growth and vitality in their own ministry settings.

Pastoral Leadership Development (PLD) and Lay Leadership Development (LLD) have been moved from their current position at the beginning of the process in the preparatory phase, to the implementation phase after the Consultation Weekend. This process of extensive learning will be facilitated by the Director of Congregational Excellence. The CCE Director or designee will teach the PLD/LLD in workshops, retreats etc. in regional gatherings. 1) Annual conference ADKAR Teams will assist each congregation working in VCI to identify areas of

resistance that might hinder growth and vitality. For more information about ADKAR, please access the following web address. http://www.prosci.com/adkar-model/overview-3/

2) District Superintendents will continue in their proactive role in the identification and selection of congregation candidates for the VCI process. DS’s will further be instrumental in the selection of DC’s for their respective districts in their role as Chief Missional Strategists.

3) These changes have allowed the CCE to bring congregations into VCI at a much accelerated rate. 4) The following Annual Conference Committees relate to the CCE, and are available and ready to

work with churches exploring revitalization; Extravagant Generosity Ministries Team, Rev. Jeff Powers, chair Passionate Worship Ministries Team, Dr. Craig Gilbert, chair Faith Forming Relationships & Spiritual Formation Team, Mr. Jeff Hobbs, chair Radical Hospitality & Evangelistic Ministries Team, Rev. Jack Womack, chair Age-Level and Camping Ministries, Rev. Christie Hale, chair Lay Leadership Development Ministries, Ms. Leah Taylor, chair United Methodist Men, Mr. Ricky Tate, president United Methodist Women, Ms. Mattie Ordaz, president Young Adult Ministry Council Conference Youth Council Board of Laity Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee

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Small Membership Church Committee, Dr. Dick White, chair The Center for Congregational Excellence continues to have challenges ahead of us; however, success in meeting the needs of our congregations continues to be the main driver in what we do. Thank you.

ACTION ITEM Presented to the 46th Session of the Texas Annual Conference for Adoption Title: A Process of Discernment for At Risk Congregations Rationale: The adoption of this process of discernment has potential for helping congregations at risk of closure evaluate current ministry and determine the most fruitful path forward for the congregation and community it serves. Some Identifiers of fruitful Congregations:

• Radical hospitality • Passionate worship • Faith-forming relationships • Risk-taking mission • Extravagant generosity • Connectional ministry • Fervent prayer and diligent study of Scripture

Some Identifiers of an At Risk Congregation: • Insufficient numbers of persons to sustain a critical mass for volunteer ministries and financial support • An inability to support appropriate pastoral or lay ministry for the mission field • Principal worship attendance has consistently plateaued or declined • Member oriented activities predominate • Membership is not reflective of the community • Survival has become the main mission

The Process of Discernment includes: • Rejuvenate: A local congregation located in a community where multiple transitions have occurred and a

turning point assessment could open new windows of opportunity (Reference the Book of Discipline Paragraph 213).

• Rebirth: A struggling or dying church that gets a second life by being restarted under a stronger, vibrant, and typically larger church.

• Merger: Two churches, both strong or growing, that realign with each other under a united vision and new leadership configuration (Reference The Book of Discipline Paragraphs 201-204 & 2527-2546 for definitions and compliance).

• Replant: A struggling or dying church that gets renewed life by partnering with the Annual Conference to close and replant the congregation at its current or a new location (Reference the Book of Discipline Paragraph 259 & 2549).

• Legacy: A struggling or dying church that decides to close and pass their spiritual and physical legacy to a new congregation through the gifting of their assets (Reference the Book of Discipline Paragraph 2549).

Outcome: The Kingdom of God will be further extended by more fully utilizing the strength of our connectional system. We will accomplish more together for the mission fields to which we have been called than we ever could apart. The process has the endorsement of our Bishop and Cabinet. The Centers of Congregational Excellence (New Church Starts) and Connectional Resources will oversee this process.

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Extravagant Generosity Rev. Jeff Powers, Chair

The mission of the Extravagant Generosity Committee is to provide useful, effective training on financial

stewardship to medium and small-sized churches. Towards that end we have developed a presentation called “Successful Stewardship Strategies: How to become a Tithing Congregation.”

In 2014 we approached every district in order to be invited to their annual training events. We were able to make a presentation to every district that invited us. This year we presented to the North, Northwest, Central South, and Southwest Districts. The evaluations were very positive for this presentation. We will update this presentation and be ready to present it in 2015.

We also present this session to Local pastor’s School in 2014. We have been invited to return this year as well.

In addition to group training, the Extravagant Generosity Committee will support and consult with any church in the Annual Conference.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the Texas Annual Conference.

Passionate Worship Dr. Craig Gilbert, Chair

The Passionate Worship Committee of the Texas Annual Conference continues to provide worship

support for our conference and stands ready to provide resourcing and coaching to any church or United Methodist group seeking its help. For the past year the Passionate Worship Committee provided such support for two large events as well as many smaller, one on one interactions. In June, the Passionate Worship Committee provided financial support to the Texas Conference Choir Clinic for their Worship Leader, Grace Imathiu. Grace led worship for the campers throughout the week. She also provided advanced training in worship to 14 clergy from 6 of our districts at TCCC’s annual Clergy Focus Day. The Passionate Worship Committee has been sponsoring this event since its inception and hopes to continue to do so for years to come. Working cooperatively with Rev. DeAndre Johnson and the General Board of Global Ministries, the Passionate Worship Committee provided financial and other support in September for the Worshiping Together training event. This unique training was designed to assist and accompany local congregations in identifying who is “inside,” who is “outside” and how to think about and plan worship in a way that welcomes, speaks and nourishes both those who are “outside” and those who are “inside” while at the same time creating space where their gifts may be honored and shared for the benefit of the whole community. The event featured workshops in preaching, music and visuals/media. Workshop leaders included Dr. Valerie Bridgeman (Distinguished Visiting Professor of Homiletics & Hebrew Bible at Methodist Theological School in Ohio and founder of WomanPreach!, Inc.), Jorge Lockward (Director of Global Praise at GBGM), Rev. R. DeAndre Johnson (Pastor of Music & Worship at Westbury UMC), Lanecia Rouse (Project Manager of the Art Project Houston, Inc.) and Kelsey Johnson (Director of Communications at Westbury UMC). 28 people from 7 different churches registered to participate in this event. Most came as part of a team from their congregations. Everyone expressed an appreciation for the event and the new skills and ideas that were learned. The Passionate Worship Committee was proud to support this event and we hope that others in the conference will come forward with ideas like this that will forward worship education in our conference. The Passionate Worship Committee continues to provide guidance to churches choosing to use the “worship recipe pages” from the 2015 TAC worship services. These pages, provided by the Annual Conference Worship Planning Team, offer churches the chance to use parts of the worship services experienced at the TAC and bring them to the local church. The PWC stands ready to help any church that requires suggestions to make these resources accessible to congregations across the conference. The Passionate Worship Committee wishes to strongly encourage churches to use us as a worship resource. We appreciate the opportunity to serve and we look forward to helping in any way we can.

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Faith-Forming Relationships & Spiritual Formation Rev. Jeff Hobbs, Chair

The Faith-Forming Relationships & Spiritual Formation Team wants to help churches connect this year.

We want to help grow fruitful churches by helping them to connect their congregations to God, God’s Word, and God’s people. This can happen through resources of curriculum, people, and training events. We strive to find creative and modern resources for staff and laity to use to strengthen the discipleship groups in their church. The Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF) is designed to provide resources, training, and networking to staff and laity. CEF meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at noon. There are speakers at each meeting that have relevance for those working in children’s, youth, and adult ministries. There is a time for networking during lunch at each meeting. Cost is $12 per meeting. CEF also provides scholarships for those attending Certification classes and National CEF conferences. CEF also hosts a study retreat each year as a way for Christian Educators to get away from their busy schedules for a few days and to hear a great speaker too. The 2014 study retreat was on a cruise! Pastors are also welcome to attend CEF. The Faith-Forming Relationships & Spiritual Formation Team sponsors the CEF 5 Stars of Christian Education Award. This award helps churches to meet attainable goals for their Christian education programs. Find out more information about CEF at www.TCCEF.org.

Radical Hospitality Rev. Jack Womack, Chair

Radical Hospitality or evangelism is something we hear about often. It is a description of the ways in

which we invite persons into relationship with Jesus Christ. The ways in which we offer hospitality or evangelize include the way our facility looks on the outside as well as the inside. It is also about how we act and react to those that walk through our doors or park in our parking lot. Newcomers are sensitive to the ways in which we welcome children to the nursery, for example, or make them welcome in worship. Radical Hospitality is available to churches to help them to build ongoing relationships with guests. We want to assist churches to invite new folk into deeper connection with the church and with Jesus Christ. Through the conference committee on Radical Hospitality we want to help churches identify and use the strengths that they already have. Realizing what strengths are already available and developing the individual church strengths not only builds confidence, but it creates a critical mass of success that carries over into the other activities and programs of the church. There is something that each church is able to do better than 10,000 other churches. We want to be available to churches in the conference to assist them in strengthening those attributes first and foremost.

Age-Level & Camping Ministries Rev. Christie Hale, Chair

Exciting things are happening in Conference Camping Ministries. During summer program over 2014 we

had over 3,500 campers attend one of the 5 weeks of District Summer Camp. We had 3 successful midwinters, Choir Camp which grew this year as well as Mission University. During the fall Camping meeting we continued to building on conversations that we have been having over the last 18 months about how we can do camp better. We agreed that this year that we would embark on some changes to how we do camp. Camp 2015 all 5 districts will use the same theme as well as the same logo so that we can be better stewards of our resources. This came out of some honest and challenging conversations assessing where we are as a camping ministry and looking to where we need to be. What we discovered is that this was something that was beyond what we were capable of doing. We have partnered with the Lakeview Methodist Board to work with Kaleidoscope, Inc. a consulting company that helps camps and camping ministries utilize best practices and move into the future. We have started the process and hope to begin to put into practice what we learn in time for Summer Camp 2016.    

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Lay Leadership Development Ministries Mrs. Leah Taylor, Chair

Responding to the Annual Conference's focus of forming transforming lay leaders for the church and for

the work, the Lay Leadership Development Team spent time in prayer, discernment and discussion, looking for ways to dream and deliver a unique opportunity for lay persons. The team planned and launched "Laity Unleashed" in 2014. Laity Unleashed is a journey for lay people who are looking to hear and understand God's call on their lives and find a way to live that call in their community. The journey is a ten week commitment which is divided into two parts. The first part is the deepening of the participants spiritual walk. Currently guided by Rev. Nancy Kellond, through readings, prayer, meditation and sharing, every person was able to find a quiet place to experience the Holy Spirit working in and through each of them. The second part of the journey involves looking at what is needed to address needs in the world around us. Debbie Moffett lead the participants in visioning their calls, writing mission statements, and looking at resources they might need to go forward making their call a reality. The second cohort of ten men and women experienced a totally new way for lay persons to live out their spiritual call during January, February and March of 2015. A new model of Laity Unleashed is planned to begin in August, 2015. It will entail three weekend retreats for three consecutive months. Beginning at noon on Saturday, finishing with worship and lunch on Sunday, the participants will build a community of support and care as they explore God's call on their lives and where it intersects with the world's greatest needs. Planning continues for concurrent sections of Laity Unleashed. One of the main focuses of the team is the development of additional facilitators.

Board of Laity Mrs. Stephanie Griffin, Chair

The Texas Annual Conference Board of Laity is comprised of the Conference Lay Leader and the

Districts Lay Leaders of the nine Districts of the Texas Annual Conference. The board is committed to promoting the role of the laity within the local congregations; and cultivating lay leadership that works in partnership with the clergy to fulfill the mission of the Texas Annual Conference in new and creative ways. In 2014 the District Leadership Teams along with the District Lay Leaders and District Superintendents have offered Lay Leadership Training Events across the Annual Conference that have not only provided training for church leadership but encouraged laity to live their faith beyond the church in the communities where they live and work. Each district has provided training for laity to explore their gifts and opportunities for service. Laity Unleashed successfully completed its first cohort and has embarked with a new group of laity exploring their call. The Board of Laity has been heavily involved in planning the Lay Session and Luncheon for Annual Conference. We are committed to encouraging laity to live their faith in every aspect of life. We are also aligning the guidelines and training for Lay Servant Ministries with the help of Anna Rhode to draft a strategy which is flexible enough to incorporate what is already working in districts and bring together a cohesive plan that reflects the diversity of the TAC’s approach to lay ministry and meets the requirements of the Book of Discipline.

Small Membership Church Committee Rev. Dick White, Chair

The Small Membership Church held weekend training for clergy and laity of small membership churches.

It was held at Lakeview Conference Center with 28 people in attendance. Rev. Diana Northcutt, Staff Member in Charge of Small Membership Churches in the Oklahoma Conference trained the participants in ways to identify and reach out to local communities in mission and ministry. The Small Membership Church held its annual breakfast at the 2014 Texas Annual Conference with 35 in attendance. Dr. Craig Gilbert from First United Methodist Church Sugar Land and Chair of Conference Worship Committee was the featured speaker. Dr. Gilbert talked about ways churches can be more vibrant in worship.

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United Methodist Men Mr. Ricky Tate, President

The purpose of United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference is to declare the centrality of

Jesus Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships. The United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference stand ready to serve the needs of the men of the conference on their spiritual journey with Jesus Christ. Our ministry serves men from diverse backgrounds and ages throughout the conference. To minister to the men of the conference requires the ability be creative and supportive to men at all stages of their spiritual journey. Our mission is to serve the men of The Texas Annual Conference with resources and support to help guide them on their journey.

We are called to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and to strive to be Christ like in our relationships with others. We are commissioned by Jesus Christ to go into the world and make disciples, teaching them the Good News. Our goal is to provide the men of the conference with the resources and training to make them fishers of men. The United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference in partnership with the General Commission of United Methodist Men has and will continue to offer men opportunities to serve others. Men’s Ministry Specialists training is offered to men who feel they are called by Jesus Christ to serve as mentors and counselors to other men on their spiritual journey. These men receive training to equip them to work with leaders in the local church, district and conference to be a source of support and training when needed to bring men into relationship with Jesus Christ.

The United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference continues to hold a men’s retreat at Lakeview Conference Center the third weekend of April to bring the men of the conference together for fellowship. The retreat is an opportunity for meeting old friends, making new friends and sharing of information on how to become more effective followers of Jesus Christ. The retreats offer the men a time of renewal and reflection on their spiritual lives and to fellowship with men of faith. The retreat offers the men an opportunity to serve the Upper Room Prayer Line as prayer advocates during a remote prayer line routed to Lakeview Conference Center for 10 hours on Saturday. We invite the men of the conference to support the retreats with their presence and prayers. Some of the ministries opportunities the United Methodist Men support include Boys Scouts of America, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. We continue to be involved with the “Strength for Service to God and Country” daily devotional for military personnel and their families. Strength for Service has expanded to include daily devotionals for police, sheriff departments, firemen, emergency medical technicians and others who serve the public as First Responders with the “Strength for Service to God and Community”. There is also a Strength for Service for Scouting. There are UMM units throughout the conference that are involved with the Society of Saint Andrew, a hunger relief agency serving millions of meals a year to the hungry through gleaning of crops and distributing of food to various food banks throughout the country. Many local UMM units perform ministries in their communities and churches that are vital to those they serve.

The United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference encourage the Pastors of churches who do not have a chartered UMM unit to find men in your congregation who are leaders to organize and participate in this ministry. An active local church UMM unit can be a vital part of your churches ministry. For those churches with small congregations combining with surrounding churches in your area and chartering as a group can strengthen the congregations of all the churches involved and promote fellowship among the churches.

The General Commission of Methodist Men offers all men of the Texas Annual Conference to be directly connected to United Methodist Men worldwide through a membership in EMS, Every Man Shares in Evangelism, Mission and Spiritual Life. This membership not only keeps men connected to the ministry of UMM but also helps to support the United Methodist Men of The Texas Annual Conference with a portion of the membership fee returned to the conference. The membership supports a variety on ministries UMM is involved with. Membership keeps men updated on these ministries through the UMM Magazine, a quarterly publication, with insightful information on the ministry of UMM in service as followers of Jesus Christ.

The United Methodist Men of the Texas Annual Conference look forward to the future. The support of the leadership in the Texas Annual Conference, including Local Pastors, District Superintendents, Cabinet members and our Bishop can help strengthen the ministry of UMM to become a vital support for those on

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their spiritual walk with Jesus Christ. Your prayers, participation and support of United Methodist Men is greatly appreciated and needed.

United Methodist Women

Mrs. Lee Thornton, President We began our new year with officer training at Lakeview January 4. Our next event was a Legislative event in Austin, Texas which included UMW from all over Texas. We come together to learn how we can work for better conditions for children in Texas. February 28-March 1 is Spring Celebration – a time to worship, pray and mediate together as we begin the new year. Our theme last year was “Seeing God in Everyday Things” and our speaker was Dr. Glory Dharmaraj, author of a “Theology of Mutuality, a Paradigm for Mission.” Several UMW members attended Assembly in Lexington, Kentucky April 25-27. Mission u is a time of education as we do a spiritual growth study, a mission study and geography study. We gather a Lakeview for these studies and they are open to everyone in the conference. Our theme for Fall Festival was “Who is our Neighbor?” and this is a time for mission and outreach. We filled a truck with health kits for Sager Brown, blessed it and sent it A special mission pin was presented to Mattie Ordaz, our outgoing president. Joyce Bell received our Hazel Decker pin. Fall festival is also our annual business meeting and new officers for the year were elected. Lee Thornton-president Denise DuBois –vice president Dorothy Ringer-Sumner-secretary Paulette Moore-Hall- treasurer Suzanne McDougle- spiritual growth Krystal West- social action Theresa Graham –Education and Interpretation Valerie Poole- Membership nurture outreach Lana Bowsher –Communications Joyce Hancock Chair, committee on Nominations Melba Spann – secretary program resources Miriam Aguila -Spanish language Coordinator We have added new units and members and hope to continue to grow. UMW continues their purpose to become spiritually focused as they educate and serve in mission. We support deaconess, home missionaries, and missionaries and support mission projects in Texas and all over the world that are for women and children. We also work in our local churches with mission outreach from feeding and tutoring children, manna bags for the homeless, kits for UMCOR and other projects too numerous to number. We will continue to be in mission.

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CENTER FOR CONNECTIONAL RESOURCES

Center for Connectional Resources Dr. Elijah Stansell, Jr., Director & Treasurer

The Center for Connectional Resources works collaboratively to develop and maintain the fiscal affairs of

the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Through the Council on Finance and Administration, administrative policies, financial management and structural guidelines are implemented. With the guidance of the Conference Board of Trustees real property management and all related interest of the church are properly secured. We are grateful and appreciative for the commitment, which all of our pastors and congregations show in supporting the connectional system. To the Service center staff we give thanks to God for your loyalty and dedication. We are very appreciative to every person who has volunteered for service in their respective ministry areas.

Archives & History Rev. Faulk Landrum, Chair

The Archives & History Committee of the Annual Conference is charged with the collection and

preservation of records for the Texas Annual Conference, and District records, from time to time, is sent to archives for safe keeping. The records extend from 1846 to the present. The committee, usually through the Conference Archivist, does research as requested by individuals, churches, district offices and conference official & committees.

The Archives & History Committee is currently engaged in a project to raise $300,000 to build, furnish and equip a permanent facility on property owned by the Conference in Conroe. This facility will house the archives of the Conference, as well as memorabilia in a museum area. Significant progress has been made toward the financial goal. The Archives & History Committee is not permitted to ask local churches to include the project in their budgets, so individual donations are critically important.

Presently, all archival records of the Annual Conference are in a commercial storage facility in Jacksonville.

Board of Trustees Rev. Keith Broyles, Chair

The Board of Trustees of the Texas Annual Conference, incorporated under the laws of the State of

Texas, submits the following report of its activities on behalf of the Texas Annual Conference for the Conference year 2014-2015. Your Conference Board of Trustees (BOT) have concerns and responsibilities regarding all properties owned by the Texas Annual Conference (TAC) plus any local church properties within the Conference that have been declared discontinued or abandoned. In addition the BOT may be involved in Annual Conference resolutions as requested. The TAC BOT works to advance the Conference Vision and Mission through the sale of property, reinvesting those funds in the mission and ministry of the TAC. In addition, the BOT works to have appropriate insurance on all properties owned by the TAC, working to reduce liability risk. The BOT strives to meet the maintenance needs of the TAC owned property. The business activities of the BOT responsibilities are conducted in a Christian spirit-led manner with accountability for its actions. Mission Depot:

Topographical surveys are complete. With the approval of TAC at the 2014 session, the trustees hired Rev. Scott Moore to assist the BOT on a part-time basis throughout construction. The BOT have also retained the services of Mark Todd as architect. The building plans include a 16,000 square foot building. Mr. Todd preliminary construction estimate is $978,148; does not include concrete, landscaping or sprinkler system.

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The following properties were listed for sale during the 2014-2015 conference year: • No new properties Listed

The following properties were sold in 2014-2015 with the TAC of the UMC reserving mineral rights:

• Calvert, St. Paul’s $5000 to BOT fund • Tyler, Cove Springs $40,000 to BOT fund

The following properties were transferred to new owners in 2014-2015 with the TAC of the UMC reserving mineral rights:

• Calvert, Chapel Hill • Houston, Cullen Parkway

The following church closed in 2014-2015 with no real property for BOT disposal:

• Houston, New World Church The following properties are in a pending status while BOT researches proper disposition:

• No new properties listed The following properties remain on the market:

• Gears Road The following properties were authorized for sale by the sponsoring entity:

Wesley Foundation Stephen F. Austin State University parsonage

CONFERENCE STATISTICIAN’S REPORT Peggy Z. Miller, Conference Statistician

The following statistics were taken from 2014 Report Day: TOTAL FULL MEMBERS AT END OF 2014 285,646 MEMBERSHIP RECEIVED

Profession of Christian Faith 4,753 Restored by Affirmation 442 Transfer other UM Churches 3,146 Other Denominations 3,072

MEMBERS REMOVED By Charge Conference Action 1,957 Withdrawn 1,627 Transfer other UM Churches 2,894 Other Denominations 1,237 Death 2,693

AVERAGE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 103,342 PERSONS BAPTIZED (ALL AGES) 3,693 TOTAL ENROLLED IN CONFIRMATION 2,689 TOTAL CHRISTIAN FORMATION GROUPS 153,253 AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 39,038 ASIAN 2,011 AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK 46,421 HISPANIC 6,227 NATIVE AMERICAN 225

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PACIFIC ISLANDER 269 WHITE 228,492 MULTI-RACIAL 2,001 FEMALE MEMBERS 162,205 MALE MEMBERS 123,441 MEMBERSHIP & WORSHIP AVERAGE:

Years Membership Years Worship Average 1997 278,412 1997 106,307 1998 276,495 1998 106,529 1999 279,119 1999 109,136 2000 282,345 2000 110,020 2001 285,156 2001 112,459 2002 287,462 2002 111,373 2003 290,227 2003 111,268 2004 290,855 2004 109,245 2005 283,617 2005 108,269 2006 285,652 2006 105,877 2007 286,639 2007 106,902 2008 288,315 2008 105,037 2009 287,336 2009 104,100 2010 282,975 2010 103,925 2011 284,482 2011 105,799 2012 284,206 2012 105,231 2013 285,508 2013 105,065 2014 285,646 2014 103,342

Council on Finance & Administration

Ms. Stacie Hawkins, Chair It has been a privilege to serve on the Council on Finance and Administration and to witness the

generosity of our congregations in their connectional giving. Together we are able to accomplish much more than we could alone. Our Council on Finance and Administration continues to be good stewards with the funds received. This year our goal for the 2016 budget was to remain flat and I am proud to say that the budget will not only be flat but has a small decrease of .5% in apportionments.

The Council commends all of our 662 congregations and 4 new church starts that participated in generous benevolent giving in order that people in need both physically and spiritually may know Jesus Christ. There were 563 congregations which paid 100% of their apportionment commitment.

We celebrate with the East & West District who managed to pay 100% of their apportionments. Our total apportionment payout for the entire conference was 90.49 %. From the funds received we were able to pay the General Church apportionments at 94.26 %, which includes 100% paid to World Service. Jurisdictional apportionments were paid at 88%.

2016 BUDGET The proposed Texas Conference budget for 2016 is printed in the Pre-Conference Journal. The CFA will

meet in May to refine the proposed budget if necessary. The Budget presented at Annual Conference will reflect those adjustments and any additional adjustments from Annual Conference actions.

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SPECIAL DAYS WITH OFFERINGS. The Council recommends the observance in 2016 of the following Special Days, and encourages each church to take an appropriate offering: Human Relations Day January 17, 2016 Wesley Community Center February 14, 2016 One Great Hour of Sharing March 13, 2016

Golden Cross Sunday April 10, 2016 Native American Ministries Sunday April 17, 2016 Methodist Retirement Services May 18, 2016

Peace with Justice Sunday May 29, 2016 Christian Education Sunday August 21, 2016 World Communion

Sunday October 2, 2016 United Methodist Student Day November 27, 2016

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT. In 2015, automobile travel shall be reimbursed at .26 cents per mile for one person, .29 cents per mile for two persons riding in the same car, and .31 cents per mile for three persons riding in the same car for members of Councils, Boards, Commissions, and Committees on Conference business. Travel expense other than by automobile shall be vouchered for no more than the least expensive air fare available or the conference mileage allowance, whichever is least. Reimbursements for lodging shall be accompanied by appropriate receipt. Reimbursement for meals purchased for additional persons requires a receipt. We strongly urge travel pools to all meetings so as to conserve travel expense funds.

PASTOR’S REPORT TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. We recommended that the deadline for MAILING and PAYING ONLINE the 2015 apportionment payments and benevolent gifts to the Conference Treasurer be Wednesday, December 9, 2015. After that date, monies collected for apportionments and benevolences shall be placed in the hands of the District Auditor or the District Secretary when the pastor's report is turned in at the District Report Day. JANUARY 2016 REPORT DAY is set for January 11, 2016.

BONDING. The Treasurer of the Texas Annual Conference is bonded in the amount of $1,000,000. This fidelity bond is provided by the General Council on Finance and Administration at no cost to the Annual Conference.

In accordance with Par. 258.4b of the 2012 Book of Discipline, the local churches should have their treasurers adequately bonded.

THE CONFERENCE OPERATING RESERVE. The Operating Reserve Fund has been established to

ensure the financial support of all councils, boards, commissions, committees or causes participating in the budget of the conference without the necessity of borrowing funds.

In keeping with the recommendations of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the Reserve Fund should be maintained at a level equal to ten (10) percent of the Annual Conference budget, and the CF&A so recommends.

ANNUAL AUDIT. The books of the Texas Annual Conference, including the Conference Treasurer,

have been audited by the firm of Ratliff and Associates, Certified Public Accountants. A copy of the audit of 2013 business is printed herein.

All groups and organizations which receive funds from the Texas Annual Conference are required by the Discipline (Par. 617.2, 2012 Book of Discipline) to file annually a copy of their audit with the Council on Finance and Administration not less than 30 days prior to the session of the Annual Conference.

It is recommended that each District Committee on Finance work with the District Superintendent in providing an annual audit of all District funds and that a copy of the same be forwarded to the Conference Council on Finance and Administration for record (Par. 617.2, 2012 Book of Discipline).

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Local church Committees on Finance are reminded that Par. 258.4d (2012 Book of Discipline) requires an annual audit of the financial records of the local church and all its organizations and shall report the same to the Charge Conference.

INVESTMENT OF CONFERENCE FUNDS. The Conference Treasurer shall execute the policies

established by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and in consultation with the Conference Investment Coordinating Committee, with regard to the investment of funds and the regulation of cash flow. a. All funds shall be invested following the Guidelines of the General Council on Finance and Administration

wherever they may be relevant or applicable. b. The objectives for the investment of conference funds shall include:

(1) The preservation of the principal value of the investment (2) The investment should provide a reasonable rate of return (3) The investment should be invested, so far, as is practical, with those agencies whose management

policies are consistent with the Social Creed of the United Methodist Church. c. The Treasurer shall report annually to the Conference Council on Finance and

Administration the location and amounts of invested funds, and the earnings gained. UTILIZATION OF INTEREST EARNINGS. It shall be the policy of the Council for yearly interest

earnings, together with unspent balances from the Texas Conference Administration Fund and Conference Benevolences, to be directed as follows:

a. that adequate funds be placed in the Operating Reserve to maintain the recommended balance of ten percent of the current Conference Apportionment Budget, and that

b. the remainder to be applied to the Annual Conference’s apportionment to the General Church, after accounting for all remittances from the local churches and other sources, up to a total amount representing 100% of the total General Church apportionments, and that

c. an amount necessary to maintain a balance of $50,000 in the Methodist Center Capital Fund for major repairs to the United Methodist Center in Houston, and that

d. an amount not larger than $l0,000 annually to achieve and maintain a balance of $50,000 in the Conference Litigation Fund as recommended by GCF&A, and that the remainder be placed in the Methodist Building Depreciation Reserve Fund.

Supplemental Report to CF&A from New Church Development of the Texas Annual Conference MISSION: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

VISION: The Texas Annual Conference will start 20 new faith communities between July 2014 and July 2017.

Update: By this summer, 11 new faith communities will have been formed.

Historical Data: A renewed focus on church planting within the Annual Conference began in 2006. As of year-end 2014 we have started 44 new congregations across the Conference with 13 of these congregations having since closed. The cost since 2006 for church start up and property total $14,091,000. This averages out to $320,250 for each new congregation. Almost 5,500 people worship weekly at these new congregations.

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Comparative Giving 2014 Report

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Comparative Giving 2014 Report

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2015 Budget

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Safe Sanctuary Ms. Leona Ellis, Chair

The Safe Sanctuary Committee supports and advances the vision and mission of the Texas Annual Conference, by encouraging and assisting with the development and maintenance of Safe Sanctuary policy for each church congregation. The goal of implementing a Safe Sanctuary policy in each church congregation is to provide a safe environment for children, youth, vulnerable adults, staff and ministry volunteers to grow as vibrant, transforming disciples of Jesus Crist.

The second strategic focus, Congregational Development, is supported and undergirded by the Safe Sanctuary Committee through the encouragement and promotion of a safe environment for all churches. The Safe Sanctuary committee strongly encourages that children, youth, congregations, staff and ministry volunteers provide ministry programming and instructions to promote the safest environment, free of any form of abuse. Each district has been assigned a safe sanctuary team member to come alongside churches as needed.

In 2014, we completed 1-3 of the goals and objectives listed below. In 2015 - 2016, we will complete the remaining 2014 goals and objectives.

1) Introduce the Safe Sanctuary Committee member to their assigned District Superintendent to complete the process as outlined for the updated Conference Safe Sanctuary Policy which meets the state requirements

2) Update the Conference website 3) Roll out the Conference Safe Sanctuary on-line training program 4) Provide churches with certificates when they submit their updated Safe Sanctuary policy

electronically to the District Superintendent and the Safe Sanctuary Consultant, Dan Ramsey at dbramseyjr@sbcglobal.net

5) Two articles will be written each year in the “Cross Connection” to raise the awareness of the need for Safe Sanctuary

Presently, there are no Safe Sanctuary actions which require a vote.

Lakeview Conference Center Rev. Matt Idom, Jr., Administrator

Mr. Don Strickland, President-Lakeview Board

This past year at Lakeview has been marked by huge strides forward in improving our facilities and programs. We are blessed by the affirmation from the congregations of the Texas Annual Conference.

In 2014 Lakeview launched our capital campaign, For Such A Time As This, with the ambition of replacing the Windham and Wesley dorm complex, as well as major renovations and additions to the old cafeteria complex and quad area in the middle of our campus. To date the campaign has raised in gifts and pledges approximately $7.7 million. The extremely generous gift of $6.5 million from Moody Memorial First United Methodist of Galveston, along with their aggressive commitment to provide these funds in a short amount of time, has allowed Lakeview to begin construction of the new Camp Hearn and Bagley Hall. Honoring Bishop Woodrow and Ann Hearn as well as the Rev. Bert and Karen Bagley, these new facilities will open this summer. Camp Hearn will accommodate 384 campers and Bagley Hall and the Hearn Fish Bowl (outdoor worship amphitheater) will accommodate 400 guest. These new facilities will feature state of the art media, shaded areas with parking, lighting, and handicap access.

Design plans for Camp Wesley's replacement are finalized and funding for this next phase is underway. This camp design is a break from the traditional floor plan of Lakeview dorms. Historically dorms house 12 persons per room. The Wesley design will host 20 persons per room and allow for greater flexibility in staffing for both camping ministry purposes as well as serve as a model for hosting large congregations that elect to conduct their own programming for children, youth, and adults. These flexible facilities will also host large enclosed commons areas for meetings, catering, and programming.

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In addition, designs have been completed for the construction of lake side cabins to host families, adults during retreats, classes, and events. The ambition is to seek individuals, congregations, or groups that would fund and name each cabin.

The designs for the old cafeteria complex will move the registration area to the center of campus and house historic collections representing gifts from the Hearn family, Don Strickland family, and Lakeview history. Likewise, this complex will serve as a "student union building" for community life and gathering. It will include the gift shop, a bistro, recreation and wireless center, and offer meeting and gathering areas. It will blend with a landscaped area that may include a children's splash park and various gardens and pocket parking.

With the beginning of 2015 the Board of Directors at Lakeview welcomed a number of new and capable leaders. Mr. Mike Beal of Bryan, Texas, member of First UMC Bryan and owner of Beal Century 21 serves as our chairperson. Tom Palmer of Mesquite, a local pastor and head of marketing for the city of Mesquite (and son of the venerable Ruth Palmer!), serves as our vice-chairperson. We are excited and proud of the quality of leadership that has chosen to guide and direct our future. Pastors, lay leadership, an Aggie that is VP for Fox Sports SW, the CFO of a major corporation, the HR director of the largest banking firm in East Texas represent the kind of leaders that are excited and engaged in directing our future. Please take time to read the nominations report that is submitted to AC for your approval.

This past few months Lakeview has partnered with the Conference Camping Committee and the Cabinet of the TAC to conduct a study in two areas: Lakeview's future business model and District Camping Ministry. Leading this study is Kaleidoscope, Inc. and Mr. Jody Oates. Kaleidoscope is the premier company in the US that addresses business models, master planning, and strategic planning for conference, retreat, and camping programs for non-profits. The driving questions behind this work is twofold. From Lakeview's perspective, how can we serve the congregations of the Texas Annual Conference more effectively and how can the resources at Lakeview be developed for that ambition? From the Camping Ministry perspective, how can the District Camping Ministry be strengthened and improved to serve more children and youth? It is a sacred partnership we embrace and support. This past season Lakeview hosted three programs that were generated by Lakeview staff as we seek to develop our programming capabilities. In the past Lakeview has served only as a host to programs and events. This was our third year of hosting Confirmation Retreat and has even included one congregation from a sister Annual Conference! The Home School Retreat was held for the second year and this past February we created and hosted a Senior High retreat. These represent initial steps towards the development of a programming capability offered to congregations, ministries, and groups across the area.

Lakeview is presently working to create relations with the East Texas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. We have hosted this past year both Cub Scout and Boy Scout camp outs and are working to expand our outreach through the development of camping sites. We believe it is a natural extension of our historic mission and a matter of good stewardship of the 1,300 acres that comprises our campus. As these facilities are defined and created, it will also present greater options for congregations, programming, and outreach centered around nature and education.

Our TAP program, (The Andrews Program) now has 93 high school aged students identified and participating in this social media driven program that is focused on young men and women whom are discerning a call to professional ministry. It is true in so many ways that Lakeview is the "Cradle of the Call."

In 2016 and 2017 Lakeview has been chosen to host the leadership and then the entire denomination for the National UM Camp and Retreat Leaders Gathering and Training. This is a high honor for Lakeview and one ordinarily reserved for sites like Epworth By The Sea in Georgia. It is a strong affirmation about the role that Lakeview can and will assume within not only the Texas Annual Conference, but in the ministry of the entire church.

Brandy Kines, our director of Development and Marketing, has met with leaders, pastors, and affiliates of Lakeview across Texas. She has helped solidify our ambitions in the minds and hearts of congregations as well as A&M affiliates. This summer Lakeview will host our 60th consecutive session of Texas A&M Fish Camp when over 7,500 students will attend college orientation.

I personally have preached and/or spoken in a different congregation in our Annual Conference almost every weekend. I am inspired and appreciative of the support as well as the wonderful testimonies about people's history and experiences at Lakeview. This is truly a wonderful asset for our church and shared mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We firmly believe and can testify that the ministry represented by Lakeview Methodist Conference Center is doing just that!

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Thank you for your support and the privilege of serving you as your president at Lakeview.

Texas Conference Cemetery Rev. Matt Idom, Jr., Chair

The Texas Methodist Conference Cemetery exists to provide a final resting place for those clergy and

their immediate family members who have served the Texas Annual Conference. Our goal is to offer affordable spaces cared for and maintained with love and dignity. With over seven hundred developed spaces, upkeep and maintenance is sometimes challenging. Support from the budget of the Texas Annual Conference and gifts by donors helps in allowing the Trustees to honor their commitment to the goal. A permanent care fund has been established with the ultimate goal of being able to maintain the entire property and maintenance. But the fund is young and still needs generous gifts to reach full funding.

Because of its proximity to the cemetery, the records of interment are maintained at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. Any inquiries or information about burials in the cemetery can be directed to the Lakeview office. Spaces remain available at a cost of $200 per space. Graciously, Lakeview has assisted with various repairs and equipment needs that arise from time to time saving the cemetery in rental costs and operation fees, and for that help we give thanks.

The Trustees of the Texas Methodist Conference Cemetery met in late spring of this year to review the master plan for improvements to the cemetery. The next planned phase is a re-work of the main entrance way, the secondary entrance way and the associated landscaping needs. We are hoping to have enough funds available from the permanent care fund to help us begin the next phase. Additionally, the trustees are tasked with electing officers. As this report precedes the meeting date, the final results of action are not available in this reporting. Other agenda items included general maintenance evaluation, needed repairs to existing structures, future projects of the master plan, and a review of policies.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of OUR cemetery!

McMahan Chapel Trustees Rev. Chuck Huffman, East District Superintendent

On October 11, 2014, McMahan Chapel UMC, “the Mother Church of Texas Methodism,” celebrated

181 years of ministry. Established in 1833, McMahan Chapel was the first Methodist Church with continuous worship services in the State of Texas (what was then Mexican Texas).

Worship services are held in the beautiful, historic chapel on the first and third Sunday of every month at 2PM, with a covered-dish lunch prior to worship. Carol Postell, Certified Lay Minister of McMahan Chapel, invites everyone to attend.

In 2014, a dear saint from the McMahan Chapel UMC family departed this life to join the Church Triumphant. Bobbie Thompson was a faithful, dedicated servant of our Lord and His Church, and she served for over 30 years as Secretary/Treasurer. To honor her memory, a new sign was purchased and placed in Rev. Littleton Fowler Park, just across the street from the Chapel, which reads, “Bobbie Noble Thompson Picnic Area”.

The Trustees were able to purchase the three-acre roadside park from the Texas Department of Transportation this past year. And much work was completed to spruce up the park, including a rock pathway that leads to the original spring, known as “the well-spring of Methodism in Texas”.

McMahan Chapel Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday of October and includes a worship service, lunch, and an opportunity to tour the grounds and facilities. All are welcome. If you would like to visit McMahan Chapel or bring a group for worship or a tour, please contact Carol Postell at 936-288-0477. The Fellowship Hall is available for small group gatherings, clinics, and workshops. From San Augustine, travel about 10 miles east on Texas Highway 21. Turn right on Spur 35, and drive two miles to the chapel. McMahan Chapel UMC is on Facebook now, so please check us out! And please stop by our booth at Annual Conference for more information.

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Committee on Episcopacy

Dr. Tom Pace, Chair The Episcopal committee has worked to support Bishop Janice Riggle Huie as she has led our annual conference in the work of building vibrant, growing congregations, changing lives, and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ. In 2014, we

• Worked to support Bishop Huie to help her support our strategic focus on congregational development. • Worked through the assessment of the annual conference needs in our next episcopal leader, and began to

create a document to provide to the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy regarding those needs. • Began discussion of celebrating the retiring bishop’s ministry, and of a welcome and onboarding process

for new bishop.

In 2015 and 2016, we will complete our document for the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy, and celebrate Bishop Huie’s ministry.

Committee on Episcopal Residence Dr. Tom Pace, Chair

The Episcopal family has enjoyed the residence immensely. The Board of Trustees and the Council on

Finance and Administration has all required insurance and maintenance up to required standards.

Board of Higher Education & Campus Ministry Rev. Carmen Rickel, Chair

Campus Ministry continues to experience growth as well as new beginnings. As the needs of the students

on our campuses are changing our Campus Ministers are rethinking how to best reach the students and to help them to become Disciples for Jesus Christ. This year at the All Campus Retreat students gave testimonies as to how Campus Ministry has touched their lives. Sunny Farley the Campus Minister in Tyler summed up the testimonies by saying, “What I heard is that through our ministries Christ is touching the lives of the hurting, isolated, homeless, frightened, disconnected, lost, abandoned, soul-searching, starry-eyed students we are called to serve.” As these students lives are being touched and transformed by Campus Ministry, they are in turn feeling the call to serve and reach out to others. Currently we have active students from our Campus Ministries who are serving vital roles as Lay Pastors. Others have participated in the Pastoral Intern Program, serve as Youth Directors, summer youth interns, camp counselors, and Sunday School teachers. All of this is made possible due to the mentoring and support the college students are receiving from our Campus Ministers.

The Excellence Document which sets standards and best practices for assisting ministries to assess and make recommendations appropriately is continually being revised to best help to evaluate the Campus Ministers and their fruitfulness. The Local Boards are continually being encouraged to become more involved with missions, visions and implementation of strategic strategies of Campus Ministries. Ownership and “Buy-in” of these strategies will help in garnering strength for these ministries. It is recommended that we have three types of members: Alumni of a Campus Ministry, Local Congregation members and Staff members of the University in which the Campus Ministry is located.

Looking forward to 2015-2016, BHECM will continue to be more visible at each Campus Ministry. Each member of BHECM has agreed to make visits to Campus Ministries throughout the school year to see what is actually going on at the Campus Ministries and to lend support to the Campus Minister. Meetings will also be held periodically with each Campus Ministers and their Board of Directors. The BHECM will serve as a liaison between the TAC and local Campus Ministries to help in discussions of the upcoming changes in Campus Ministry. BHECM will continue to have each Board evaluate their Campus Minister and for the Campus Ministers to evaluate their Board. This will help facilitate growth and identify the strengths and weaknesses of each Campus Ministry.

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During this current quadrennium the BHECM has taken a more active role and presence in Campus Ministry in the Texas Annual Conference. To accurately reflect what is now expected of each BHECM member we are updating the expectations and requirements.

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CENTER FOR MISSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Center for Missional Excellence Rev. Diane McGehee, Director

The church exists for the mission of God. That mission is that ALL might come to full salvation, in

body, mind and spirit, in this present life, as well as in the life to come, through the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ. The primary task of the Center for Missional Excellence is to equip leaders – lay and clergy - and local congregations to fulfill that mission through relational ministries of mercy, justice, outreach, and inclusive community-building so that all persons, both inside and outside of the church, find new ways to experience and extend mercy, justice and wholeness: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically, financially, and socially. The Center for Missional Excellence carries out this task by equipping local congregations to become the church that God has called them to be, first in the neighborhoods in which God has placed them, and then beyond those neighborhoods unto the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Pursuant to the directives of the 2012 Annual Conference, the Center for Missional Excellence has directed its efforts within the three foci adopted by the Annual Conference: Investing in the young; cultivating growing, fruitful, missional congregations; and forming transforming lay and clergy leaders, by focusing on who is our neighborhoods and how do we build life-giving relationships with our communities and its members. Along these lines, the Center for Missional Excellence is working diligently to increase the diversity of participation in missional leadership and equip local congregations in reaching the growingly diverse community that God has gathered from the nations of the earth within the bounds of the Texas Annual Conference in our own neighborhoods. This directive has led the Center and the committees under its umbrella to focus on expanding our understanding of mission as a way of Christ-like daily living that is rooted deeply in scripture, prayer, and discipleship-building, out of which our work in the world arises in grace-filled relationships with all whom God places in the path of our lives. This is sacramental work that recognizes the dignity and worth of every single human being as made in the image of God and one for whom Christ died, and seeks to empower that image in all aspects of life.

We are in the midst of tremendous changing demographics. Houston is now the most multi-ethnic city in the United States and the geographic boundaries of our conference now include increasing numbers of families and communities from a multitude of Latino/a nations and backgrounds, as well as representatives from almost every nation and socio/economic background in the world. In response, the Center for Missional Excellence is working to help congregations address global, national, conference-wide and local needs of those impacted by: our education system, immigration laws, human trafficking, homelessness, mental illness, incarceration, the foster care system, and local and global poverty. This work has included: the opening of the first TAC Justice for Our Neighbors Site (Houston/East Texas JFON) and obtaining 501(c)(3) status for that entity - with the first clinic at Mission Milby, and two more clinics to open at St. Luke’s Gethsemane and in Tyler, TX (Houston/East Texas JFON has also been selected to be the designated recipient of the opening gathering of the World Federation of United Methodist Women in Houston in 2016!); a conference wide birthday bag campaign for children whose families cannot afford to celebrate their birthdays because of the poverty in which they live; support for ministries working with the homeless and victims of human trafficking, mentoring programs for youth impacted by the juvenile justice system through reVision, education regarding: immigration reform, mental illness, the needs of school children and their families who are living in poverty and foster care and adoptive initiatives, as well beginning to address the urgent need to provide pre-school education for the increasing numbers of children living in poverty in our communities. We will also be launching the first “Healing Communities” pilot within the inner city zip codes of Houston to pair congregations with families of those incarcerated through the Harris County jail system and to provide care to those persons and their families. The Center has further increased its focus on developing new and innovative ways of building relationships with our Latino/a neighbors and developing leadership from within the ethnic communities with which God has richly blessed us. That focus will continue with increased efforts into 2015-2016 as our Conference lives more and more fully into its call to reach our local communities for Christ in a demographic in which almost 80% of those age 20 and under are of Latino/a heritage.

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Beyond outreach and missional relationship-building in our local communities, the Center for Missional Excellence is working with the world-wide church to develop empowerment models for mission in all the communities in which we serve around the world. The focus of this paradigm shift is relationship- building that empowers the local communities and local churches around the world to realize their full potential in God’s mission, rather than remaining in dependency. In furtherance of this focus, The Center for Missional Excellence sent a Conference-wide team with representatives from all districts, to Kenya in February 2015 to visit and learn from the Zoe model which moves aids orphans from a status of dependency to self-sustainability in family units in communities within three years. The Center has also sent a team to McAllen, TX to be trained in the “In Mission Together” empowerment model being promoted by the general church and which will form the basis for all future conference outreach in Mexico and the U.S. Mexico border. Skills and wisdom gained from these hands-on learning opportunities will be offered throughout the TAC to help congregations engage more effectively in life-transforming empowerment mission through the grace of God in Christ. The Center will also be sending an invited delegation to El Salvador in March 2015 to participate in a theological council gathering and to learn more directly about the violence that is driving thousands of children and families across our southern borders and how we as the church can help bring life-sustaining change both in El Salvador and other parts of Central America, as well as within the U.S. and the bounds of our annual conference which is home to the 5th largest Salvadoran population in the United States. We are also working with teams in Haiti to promote clean water supply, small business development, and other forms of community sustainability that holistically offer the love of Christ in ways that empower the entire community and person in and through the love of Christ.

We are getting better and better at disaster response and the new depot in Conroe, which is under way and soon to be completed, will equip us to be ready to respond immediately and effectively to disasters not only within the TAC but throughout the South Central Jurisdiction and the country as needed. The depot will enable us to resource other disaster response and mission centers, train disaster and mission teams, maintain and organize response supplies and equipment and deploy resources promptly and effectively, as well as providing a location for missional training and development when not being used for responding to a current disaster.

As you will read in the reports that follow, the committees within the Center for Missional Excellence have worked hard to provide effective training and avenues for reaching out to, and building relationships with, individuals and communities both locally and internationally, in witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through ministries that address the whole person in body, mind, and spirit and offer redemption and acceptance into the family of God regardless of a person’s status in life or in the community. In this way, the Center seeks to invite, empower, and support the missional life of every pastor, lay person, and congregation as vital to what it means to be a Christian in this world both in our own local communities and around the world, so that all come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and participate in God’s abundance for all people and all of creation.

TAC Missions Committee Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick, Chair

The TAC Missions Committee was formed out of the realignment of the Center for Missional Excellence

approved at the 2013 Annual Conference. This committee has been working diligently to invite conference-wide participation in an expanded vision of mission that starts with discipleship and from that place of deep formation in Christ, reaches out to the world in empowering life and community changing mission. The following 12 month vision outlines the focus of the TAC Missions Committee for the next year. 12 Month Vision for TAC Missions Committee 2013 Conference Mandates:

-­‐ Better coordination and communication between missional vision and engagement at local, district, and conference levels.

-­‐ The development of new programs, while allowing programs that are working well to continue -­‐ Greater focus on empowerment rather than dependency models for mission -­‐ Young and new voices to guide the development of new programs to help local congregations to

engage missionally in their neighborhoods and beyond -­‐ Coordinate the sending arm of the center with its justice and advocacy arm

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Mission Statement of Committee: To empower TAC local churches in missional living, both locally and globally, with a spiritual foundation and practical tools for participating in God’s mission of wholeness. Our Tasks:

1) To define mission not in terms of events, but as a Christ-centered way of living, and to invite local churches into a dialogue about this understanding.

2) To inspire local churches to engage missionally, both locally and globally. 3) To equip local churches with tools and resources for engaging missionally, both locally and globally.

Plans: 1) At Annual Conference 2014, provide a space where churches can share their stories about what God is

doing through them in their communities. 2) At Annual Conference 2014, provide booths with resources for helping churches meet the needs of their

local and global communities, including among others, needs relating to homelessness, poverty, foster care and adoption, human trafficking, incarceration and re-entry, addiction, food security, employment, schools(including not only young children and youth, but also college students living in poverty and without family support), mental illness, ethnic ministries, immigration, street gang violence and the juvenile justice system, asset based community development, and reconciliation.

3) Conduct “Town Hall” meetings throughout the TAC that would function as a listening tour on mission in the conference. The purpose of these meetings is to identify, in conversation with local churches throughout the Conference, which tools would be most helpful for the committee to provide, as well as what local churches have offer to other churches throughout the TAC regarding missional living and practice; and identify the people and churches in each district who are or could be key leaders for mission.

4) Bring together the gathered responses and plan the formation of retreat weekends that would define, inspire, and equip our churches for expanded their missional living.

The TAC Missions Committee’s goal is to develop missional training and opportunities in holistic, life-transforming and empowering mission that is responsive to the missional mandate of God for the church, the needs and gifts discovered within our conference from the listening sessions, and the needs and gifts resident in our local, national and global communities.

Parish & Community Development Rev. Rudy Rasmus, Chair

Purpose of Committee The Parish and Community Development* Team is to encourage the creation and support of vital community development activities and programs in collaboration with our local churches. Community Development is broadly defined in the following six focus areas: health, education, workforce development, economic development, community safety, and affordable housing. Toward that purpose the Team has set the following goals for the quadrennium.

1. The Parish and Community Development Team will collaborate with the Missional Excellence Team to provide annual training events and activities for churches focused on community development.

2. Provide timely information to churches through the conference website regarding other community development affinity groups, training events and activities that may be of interest to our churches seeking to engage in community development activities. Identify persons and churches that can consult with other interested churches regarding their successful

community development activities and programs. Serve as the liaison and connector between those two.

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Mercy Ministries Rev. Andy Noel, Chair

Congregations in the Texas Annual Conference continue to respond to the challenge to “do justly, and

to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8) by implementing and extending mentoring programs with local public schools. One of the challenges faced in our communities is the growing gulf between the rich and the poor. Poverty is a major roadblock to the flourishing of our young. In many of our suburban communities, the mindset and models of poverty are not well understood. Mercy Ministries continues to provide education regarding the models of situational and generational poverty. Mercy Ministries also continues to explore models for helping congregations address such poverty in their local neighborhoods and beyond.

Restorative Justice Ministries Rev. Mark Pickett, Chair

Prior to 1990, the entire Texas state prison system was located in our conference. All 48 prisons were in

or around Houston, Palestine and Huntsville. During the 1990's, in an effort to combat crime, more laws were passed by state legislatures to “get tough on crime”. This resulted in more people being arrested, and longer sentences which created overcrowded prisons and logistical problems. The need for more prison beds caused an unparalleled building expansion so that there are now approximately 110 prisons though out the entire state.

There are approximately 152,000 incarcerated persons in Texas state prisons and state jails with approximately 10 – 12 thousand of them women. Over half of these people are incarcerated in our geographical conference area. These figures do not include people incarcerated in city or county jails, federal prisons, youth facilities or people on parole or probation. The numbers alone are staggering and cannot begin to account for the devastation that impacts the families of victims, nor the offenders’ families, especially the children.

Restorative Justice Ministry (RJM) is advancing the TAC Vision and Mission as outlined in the Social Principles. “Restorative Justice grows out of biblical authority which emphasizes a right relationship with God, self, and community. When such relationships are violated or broken through crime, opportunities are created to make things right. Most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive. In contrast, restorative justice seeks to hold the offender accountable to the victimized person, and to the disrupted community. Through God’s transforming power, restorative justice seeks to repair the damage, right the wrong, and bring healing to all involved including the victim, the offender, the families, and the community.”

The number of UM churches involved in RJM is continuing to grow. United Methodist are involved in Kairos, Bridges to Life, Mentoring, Angel Tree, reentry, housing and many as well as other programs and are discovering that, “The Church is transformed when it responds to the claims of discipleship by becoming an agent of healing and systemic change.” (BOD ¶ 164, H)

• During the past year, several RJM workshops have been held throughout the conference. • Freedom Jackets were collected and given to “new citizens” (ex-inmates) being released from prison. • When UM offenders were released from TDCJ and provided contact information, churches in the TAC

and around the state were contacted and asked to call and welcome that individual back into the community and invite them to worship.

• In November, once again United Methodists took part in “A Day of Remembrance” that began at the Capt. Joe Byrd cemetery with a memorial service and then flowers placed on each of the three thousand inmate graves.

• Dr. Stan Basler from the Oklahoma Conference was our speaker for the RJM breakfast at Annual Conference

• RJM provided monthly meals to the Hospitality House in Huntsville for families who visit incarcerated loved ones on weekends.

• During the first half of 2015, RJM will launch its first “Healing Communities” pilot to connect families of incarcerated persons with local congregations

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Our goals for the coming year are: • To continue to promote RJM awareness.

• To continue to assess what RJM ministries are currently being provided in the TAC.

• To become a resource for questions and guidance regarding RJM.

• To make available and share RJM resources throughout the TAC.

• To invite clergy and laity to become involved or more involved in the risk taking mission of RJM.

• To invite political involvement and legislative action so the state will become “smart” on crime.

• To formulate an action plan to the TAC that would provide a fully functional aftercare facility that would include housing, clothing, food, and training to assist released offenders transition back into their community after being released from prison.

• Encourage each church to designate one Sunday per year as RJM Sunday.

• To include an RJM report in each district at the Annual District Charge Conference.

• Include in the RJM conference budget, funding to allow RJM conference chair and possibly RJM representatives to travel to RJM conferences in or out of state to network or receive training to expand and improve RJM in the TAC.

• Include in the RJM conference budget a line item designated to the Restorative Justice Ministries Network of Texas an annual amount of five thousand dollars. This ministry is an ecumenical ministry that is a vital resource to the TAC-RJM and is supported by the Episcopal diocese and churches of several different denominations.

Golden Cross Ministry

Mrs. Shirley Broome, Chair Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalms 34:19

Your offerings to Golden Cross Ministry continue to deliver church members and clergy from difficult financial circumstances. We had 81 faithful churches that sent offerings to this ministry in 2014 and a number of individuals made donations including two United Methodist Women organizations. We are grateful for each contribution great and small. Some are very small, but greatly appreciated and when combined with other gifts, make a huge difference. It really is good to know we are remembered by so many of our church pastors and members even with the smallest gift.

We continue to find people in need of help with dental expenses. A number of our elderly members who live in rural areas and attend our smaller churches have not been able to receive dental care for a long time. This leads to needing extensive help when they are finally seen by a dentist. Many people may have Medicaid or Medicare but not dental insurance; therefore, this ministry has been life saving for some who are not able to eat without dentures. The dentist’s offices we have worked with are so happy for their patients when we can help. We are sure they will remember the generosity of the United Methodist Church for a long time to come.

The stories are difficult to hear and we cannot help everyone who calls but we do all the good that we can in all the places we can. Please keep the disabled and the health challenged in your prayers and remember this ministry in one communion or Sunday School class offering each year if possible. Be blessed in all you do.

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Social Principles Implementation Ministries (SPIM) Rev. Scott Moore, Chair

Social Principles Implementation Ministries (SPIM) works to help individuals and congregations to study,

discuss, and embody the social holiness to which we are called as people of The United Methodist Church. The chief instrument for this teaching is The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church (¶¶160-166, The Book of Discipline 2012), a statement of the UMC’s historic concern for social holiness among the faithful and within the culture of which the faithful are a part.

Under the leadership of the Wesley brothers and others in the Methodist Movement in Georgian England, the exhortation of St. Peter, “. . . as the one who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:15 Leviticus 11:44) has always been a part of the life of the people called Methodist. Unlike some traditions which see ecclesiastical authority and civil authority as two separate operations of God’s sovereignty, Wesleyans have not embraced such a separation, but have sought a synthesis of revelation and reason which seeks to make visible now, even if only partially, the coming Reign of God with its justice and mercy, its grace and forgiveness, its healing and renewal of life. This is to be sought through both personal and social holiness as the Church seeks to “leaven the loaf” of society

In 2013 the committees of the Center for Missional Excellence were realigned into two separate but inextricably tied groups; the Missional Excellence Committee and the Social Principles Implementation Ministries Committee. SPIM communicates with the District Leadership Teams and the Missional Excellence Committee and is responsible for planning and implementing ministries of justice, mercy, and advocacy in the Texas Annual Conference. The Committee consists of the chairs of Restorative Justice, Religion & Race, Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Native American Ministries, Hispanic Ministries, Peace with Justice, Church & Society, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Disabilities Ministries, Mercy Ministries, and Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns. SPIM helps educate and equip local congregations and leaders to address issues of justice, mercy, and social reform as part of their missional focus and work. In particular, the Texas Annual Conference has directed SPIM along with the Missional Excellence Committee to equip local congregations to engage effectively with the increasingly diverse community within the bounds of the Texas Annual Conference – a community which is now the most multi-ethnic community in the United States. God has literally, as in Acts 2, gathered the nations of the world within the bounds of the TAC and is calling us to respond by learning to speak in the literal and cultural languages of the nation’s God has so gathered.

In the following reports regarding the work areas of SPIM, we seek to summarize the efforts during 2014, 2015 and going forward, to assist individuals and congregations to grow in grace and holiness in their personal lives and in the life of the communities – local, regional, national, and international – in which they live.

SPIM is working closely with the Missional Excellence Committee to help understand the needs of those in our conference in their efforts to live into a missional lifestyle. We are seeking to integrate the implementation of the Social Principles in a holistic way into every aspect of missions in the Texas Annual Conference.

Asian Ministries Dr. Frank Varro, Chair

The Committee on Asian Ministries was created to support and promote, in the Texas Annual

Conference, ministries that are among, or include, Asians, one of the fastest growing minority groups in the nation. These ministries fall into two groups: Churches or ministries that are exclusively Asian, and worship and other ministries are conducted in those particularly indigenous languages Churches or ministries that include those of Asian cultures, where worship and other ministries are conducted primarily in English, but allow for various Asian cultural differences in the individual church community.

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Our task is, therefore, twofold:

To support existing ministry in Asian fellowships and churches, and To raise up interest and new lay and clergy leadership in Asian communities in the Conference

The Asian Committee, which is composed of lay and clergy representatives, provides support for Worship, Bible study, and prayer opportunities in several Asian fellowships and ministries in the Conference. We currently have four Korean, three Filipino, and two Chinese churches or fellowship groups, either on their own, or now presently shepherded by sponsoring churches, which form the network of our Asian Ministries in the Conference. Plans include forming additional Asian fellowship groups as international pastors and lay coordinators are able to be identified. We also provide ministry and mission to those in our communities that are transitioning into the dominant-culture, English-speaking churches that still need inclusion in culture-of-origin ministry opportunities. Churches with bi-cultural families found new opportunities for inclusion in this worship and small group setting. Asian fellowships and churches are being encouraged to assist in cross-cultural meetings, rallies, the sharing of a meal, and fellowship times, both social and spiritual get-togethers, with other Asian and non-Asian churches and fellowships.

We sponsor annual international mission trips, including China, Malaysia and other Asian communities, providing Bible training, prayer and fasting, special cultural celebrations, and youth and worship rallies. Musical and dance groups, as well as children’s choirs, have been formed. Flyers, letters, and emails, which share ideas and promote individual programs and projects, are exchanged by churches of the same language and culture group, as well as those sent from the Asian committee to other Asian entities. Both individual and group training meetings have been conducted.

Many Asian churches and fellowships conduct their own individual programs. In addition to these, we’ve had intercultural exchanges, such as All-Asian and All-International get-togethers (including non-Asian and Asian alike). These were times of sharing a meal, intercultural exchange, and a multi-cultural, multi-national, as well as multi-generational worship time. We also plan to raise up lay leadership in at least one additional Asian fellowship group in each of the Korean, East Asian, and other communities.

This year we were also honored to send two Asian youth to the Texas Youth Academy as we work to raise up future lay and clergy leaders for the church from all communities and cultures within our conference.

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR)

Ms. Juanita Jackson, Chair

Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) is the organized Black Caucus of The United Methodist Church. BMCR is recognized by the General Church as the legitimate Black Ethnic Caucus. Organized in 1968 and incorporated in 1969, BMCR serves as a platform from which Blacks speak to the General Church, a forum for Black Methodists where issues and problems can be defined and discussed, as well as outreach programs intended for Black Methodists. BMCR has member representation at the general, jurisdictional and local church level.

The BMCR (Houston Chapter - Texas Annual Conference Caucus) Officers for 2014 are: Ms. Juanita Jackson, Chairperson Rev. Ed Jones, Vice-Chairperson Mrs. Frankie Watson, Secretary Mrs. Rochelle Cebrun, Treasurer Organized events of BMCR: • Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast/Brunch Celebration (January 19, 2015). In observation of the Martin

Luther King, Jr. holiday, the Houston Chapter uplifts causes that Dr. King stood for such as justice, peaceful coexistence, health and healthy living and other issues that plague marginalized and disenfranchised persons.

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• First Annual “Prayer Moment” Gathering (February 23, 2015). Clergy and Laity come together for a time of prayer – praying for clergy, congregations, and the state of the Black Church.

• Seven Last Words from the Cross (Good Friday Service, April 3, 2015) Trinity East United Methodist Church • Annual BMCR Clergy/Laity Luncheon during Annual Conference (May 26, 2015). The luncheon allows the

organization to honor retiring clergy and acknowledge those being ordained. Additionally, it provides fellowship opportunity for clergy/laity throughout the conference.

• BMCR continually promotes confidence to our approximately 75-100 Youth and Children component, representing several TAC congregations. They participate in various events throughout the year; in a Mass Choir, BMCR Mission projects, District Camps, Conference events (Collide and Mission projects), fun events and Youth HARAMBEE with youth from other conferences. In addition, this year some of them will participate in YOUTH 2015 – General Church Quadrennial Youth Convocation, June 24-28, 2015, Orlando, FL. This convocation is sponsored by the General Board of Discipleship.

BMCR is meeting with a number of individuals regarding a new pilot ministry, entitle “Healing

Communities” in partnership with the Texas Annual Conference Office of Missional Excellence and volunteers from several congregations. While the initiative is not new, it was nationally launched through a collaboration with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and St. John’s UMC – Downtown in 2008 with Mr. Morris Fountain serving as the Case Manager for the Homeless, Bread of Life. Mr. Fountain remains active with Healing Communities today.

Healing Communities is a project of caring for an offender’s family while incarcerated with several basic categories: Caring Assistance for Basic Needs Community Assistance Ministries Houston Food Bank and Partners Local Housing Authorities

Caring Classroom for School & After Wrap-Around Caring for Children Federal McKinney-Ventro Eligibility HCDE After School Zone Caring Congregations Care & Compassion Contact Church Affiliation & Retention Healing Communities – Annie E. Casey Foundation

Board of Church & Society

Rev. Beverly Woodard, Chair

The Board of Church and Society (BCS) is one of the nine Social Principle Implementation Ministries

(SPIM) organized under the Center for Missional Excellence. Along with the conference committees on Religion and Race, Status and Role of Women, Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Disabilities, Asian Ministries, Hispanic Ministries, and Native American Concerns, the BCS works in a supportive partnership to equip local congregations to carry out ministries of mercy, justice, and wholeness to all persons inside and outside the church, and to pursue implementation of the social principles of the UMC, justice concerns, and other policy statements on Christian social concerns of the Texas Annual Conference.

In the past year, the BCS has continued to advocate for issues within our society that call out to a caring church. Areas of focus for the past conference year has included equipping local congregations to more effectively and relationally address Human Trafficking, the need for Immigration Reform, including launching JFON clinics in 2015, homelessness, and mental illness. Effectively addressing the impact of massive incarceration within the TAC is an area on which BCS and the Center for Missional Excellence committees are also beginning to focus.

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Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns (CUIC)

Rev. Janet Stillwell, Chair

The Texas Conference Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns is tasked with

assisting local congregations and districts to work cooperatively with other expressions of the Christian community that we might witness to the unity of faith in all Christians for the transformation of the world. The Commission also seeks to encourage dialog with non-Christian religious communities, so that we might listen and learn more about their perspectives and work cooperatively where we share values.

The CUIC recognizes and commends those congregations who are in cooperative relationships with other denominations and religious faiths in efforts to address the particular needs of their communities. Whether through support of a common agency or direct work on particular projects, great energy comes when we work side by side. The Texas Annual Conference celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in a worship service including twelve different Christian traditions on January 23, 2015. The celebration took place at Lakewood Church with Bishop Michael Rinehart providing the message and Daniel Cardinal DiNardo participating as a part of the Benediction. Rev. Diane McGehee and Rev. Janet Stilwell were honored to participate in this powerful worship that truly showed what the body of Christ looks like when we are joined together for a common purpose. We look forward to being a contributing member of this worship again next year.

One of the members of the CUIC, Mr. Brad Harmes of St. Paul’s UMC, as well as members of St. Paul’s UMC, the Branch UMC (formerly Esperanza, a Chapelwood congregation) and Fondren Apartment Ministry of Westbury UMC and others, are embarking on a new ecumenical opportunity called project CURATE (The Center for Urban Reconciliation and Theological Education) which will encourage dialogue and community-building between those of differing theological understandings and ethnic/cultural/socio-economic backgrounds through contextual, practical and accessible theological learning that includes community building as the body of Christ, across divides in the context of one another’s neighborhoods. This pilot project is being sponsored by the Center for Missional Excellence in partnership with the General Commission on Religion and Race, and is being led by Dr. Matthew Russell of St. Paul’s. For more information about this dynamic program, please go to www.projectcurate.org.

Commission on Religion & Race

Rev. Mark Welshimer, Chair

“The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons. The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.” (United Methodist Constitution, Article V)

One of the roles of CORR is to work with COSROW in monitoring Annual Conference sessions and meetings for inclusiveness. This training has been passed on to the members of the commission and others who participate in this task in reviewing nominations and Annual Conference sessions each year. The ministry of monitoring is to help measure our progress and/or our need for improvement as related to inclusiveness in our conference deliberations and decision making.

CORR also understands its task to include equipping local congregations to address issues that impact ethnic communities who do not have equal access to resources and structures controlled by the dominant culture. Consistent with the General Conference of the United Methodist Church’s resolution supporting care of the immigrant and in recognition of the growing and vulnerable Hispanic and multi-national community within the bounds of the TAC, CORR has worked connectionally with the TAC Missions Committee, Church & Society, Hispanic Ministries and other SPIM committees to work for compassionate immigration reform which keeps families together and to open JFON clinics within the TAC. CORR also supported outreach to the homeless

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community within our conference and is planning to work with SPIM and the TAC Missions Committee to begin to more effectively address the unjust impact of incarceration within Texas on communities of color, starting with the upcoming “Healing Communities” pilot. In cooperation with the Center for Missional Excellence’s focus on building relationships in the midst, and in celebration, of diversity of all kinds, CORR supports the pilot project CURATE which is bringing together diverse communities to work together in learning to build communities across cultures and socio/economic boundaries.

Committee on Disability Concerns

Rev. Frank Guidry, Chair

The mission of the Committee on Disability Concerns is to expand the Annual Conference’s and local congregation’s understanding of varying types or combinations of disabilities and how to welcome persons with disabilities into our congregations and other gatherings.

“Everyone has the right to be welcomed into the House of God of their choice. Disability should never be a barrier to inclusion.” Ann Davie and Ginny Thornburgh

“That All May Worship: An Interfaith Welcome to People with Disabilities” This book by Annie Davie and Ginny Thornburgh is an excellent resource for congregations who are

intentional about welcoming person with disabilities. This book is available online for free at http://www.aapd.com/what-we-do/interfaith/that-all-may-worship/that-all-may-worship.pdf

The word “disabilities” is a misnomer. The Committee on Capability Concerns is a more appropriate moniker for the work of this committee.

We have been challenged by the Fair Haven UMC’s United Methodist Women to become the Committee on Differently Able Concerns. Considering these challenges that we face as a committee our objectives for the upcoming Annual Conference year are: 1. Have each congregation submit an accessibility audit as part of their Charge Conference Reports 2. Have the Annual Conference designate a Sunday as Annual Capability Sunday as congregations throughout the conference will recognize and honor persons within their congregation who are labeled disable. 3. Have consultants visit and make presentations throughout conference to expand congregations understanding of varying type and combinations of disabilities.

Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM)

Rev. Ross Hyde, Chair

A collective journey to Repentance and Reconciliation began in Tampa, Florida at the United Methodist General Conference in 2012, with the assistance of the Rev. George "Tink" Tinker. Tink's thought- provoking and powerful presentations challenged the minds and spirits of those in attendance at that General Conference.

"If United Methodists are serious about repenting for past injustices against native peoples, they must prepare for a long and painful journey," said the Native American theologian. "There is a lot of history that's been concealed, and you have to go and dig it up," he said.

As we approach the 2016 General Conference there is still much digging to be done, including that in our own conference. This committee has attempted to do just that with the use of many avenues. One such area has been through the use of the educational materials such as "Giving Our Hearts Away" that was advocated for, and sponsored by, the United Methodist Women's Missionary Events in 2008/2009. Other areas have been through the Cultural Events we have sponsored at schools, district and conference educational training events we have attended throughout the year. WORSHIP – This past year has been a great success with the “Third Sunday Worship/Fellowship”. It has been an open worship service and dinner taking place each month for Native Americans and their advocates throughout the Houston metro area. With guest speakers such as Bishops, Superintendents and local Native Americans each service always brought Great Spirit to the occasion. Services are held at St. Mark’s UMC, Patterson St., Houston, and are led by invited Native American Clergy, Lay Speakers and song leaders. CONAM offers worship and

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fellowship in a culturally-focused, dynamic, spirit-filled evening together. We regularly attract 30-50 attendees, and include birth, marriage, new member and tribal recognition celebrations. We continue to attract visitors and new attendees. We are looking at new ways this quadrennium, to not only strengthen this “Third Sunday Worship/Fellowship”, but to help other churches in the Conference to start their own. Cultural Heritage Days –In the past we have done many things to bring the Native American Culture to those in our communities. This past year our attempt to lower the cost of our Powwow and to bring in a Celebration of Native American Cultures event has been a success. This has allowed us to better focus on Ministry and Mission with and for Native Americans. We however have been lead to search our hearts and our vision. We believe that a new direction has been given. Each year we have held an annual Native American Cultural Day in the month of April. This has helped rise up and encourage a particular Native American Dance/ Ministry group from Oklahoma, along with other Natives locally who have produced a beautiful exhibition. We have been blessed by being able to sow into these groups and have watched them mature in the Lord. Now God is calling us to expand our encouragement to more Native Dancers and to more in the local Native American Community. We feel that in order for us to effectively do this we must invest in them. One of the ways for us to invest is to draw more Natives to our annual event. We have decided to change the face of our Cultural Day to An Annual Powwow. We will now begin to hold an Annual Native Nations for Christ Contest Powwow in October. This powwow will be a one day event that will gather the local Native community for a time of social dancing, contest, and community. The greatest opportunity, however, is the chance for our ministry to invest in the spiritual lives of those our hearts are moved for. MISSION - CONAM missioners have served at home and in partnership with others: • CONAM was able to participate in Katy Folk Life Festival, by presenting information about Native Stories,

dances, traditions and everyday life of Native Americans. Participants were able to learn about the Native American Bean known as the Anasazi Bean and their history, this was open to all ages.

• CONAM was able to work with several Independent School districts • CONAM provided a monthly scholarship to help with small expenses during the 2014 school year for

Riverside Indian School for Girls. • CONAM participated in any mission forum that they were invited to, by having a display and providing

speakers where requested. • CONAM had its first “First Nations Family Heritage Day”, were we worked with children of incarcerated

Native Americans and others to make flutes and talking sticks. • When we can, we continue to provide clothing and food for desperate Native Americans in our conference

and beyond.

MINISTRY - CONAM funds are supporting: • A third year of financial support to supply the food pantry of Hooten Billy Memorial United Methodist

Church of Oklahoma City (OIMC, Pastor Walter Quetone) in order to help them get back to a self-sustaining program serving Native Americans with great need in their community.

• A continued small scholarship for a Native American student to help them attend a Community College in our area.

• Local congregations that wish to further their ministries to include Native American Worship, Music, and Culture. These churches are helped in the areas that invest in our youth, help their leaders to become more effective and allow their church and worship to become more vibrant Disciples for Christ.

MEMBERSHP - Our activities and efforts continue to raise awareness of our UMC Social Principles especially as they relate to Native American ministry. We are strongly endorsed and supported by the leadership of OIMC (Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference) and the NACP (Native American Comprehensive Plan) of The United Methodist Church. We continue to assist Texas Annual Conference congregations with their Native American Awareness Sunday programs and to offer a Speakers Bureau for presentations at schools, civic groups and churches. We currently sponsor a Native American Lay Speaker in training. One of our members served as the Native American Chaplain for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This past year many of our members

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and advocates participated in The Native American Camp Tour. This tour reached into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, ministering and reach Native Americans that are incarcerated and their families. FUTURE PLANS: We look forward to a new year of challenge and change as we continue to develop and live into our role of transforming lives and making disciples within the Native American Community in the Texas Annual Conference and well beyond. Some of the Future plans for the upcoming four years are: • Helping congregations to see the importance of Native Americans being included in their ministries and

worship services. • Creation of Training Material for all levels of ministry, especially for the leaders of churches and educational

materials for the Youth. Some of this may be to work on material for Lay Servant Ministries. • To continue to print and publish the Cook Book that will supplement the CONAM ministries and help in

allowing others to experience Native American cuisine, along with history and stories throughout the book. • Helping to establish local CONAM Groups at District and church levels. • Working on providing more speakers for Churches to allow them to present Native American Ministries to

their leaders, youth, congregations, and communities. We thank you for the commitment of sponsorship, space, financial support and participation that you have so generously provided.

Committee on Status & Role of Women (COSROW) Rev. Hazel Jackson, Chair

COSROW monitored all sessions of the 2014 Texas Annual Conference. We received assistance from

other members of the Conference to maintain a balance in our monitoring system. Our results were tallied by a statistician and we are pleased to share that participation was very balanced this year. Great effort was put forth by the Conference to be inclusive in each area as participants were selected. Thanks to everyone involved. This makes it a pleasure to monitor our Annual Conference.

Brochures were displayed at our monitoring table and many Conference attendees are interested in implementing Social Justice for children and adults. Human trafficking is of great concern since Houston has been named as a hub for this injustice. COSROW addresses issues of social justice and seeks to create an awareness of how to identify and assist someone who is at risk for this injustice.

COSROW encourages churches to get involved with their neighborhood schools. Partnering with area schools is a win – win situation. We are able to help fill in a void in some young people’s lives thru tutoring, Real Men Read, and providing school supplies for students and teachers. Churches that get involved in the lives of youth and children are providing an awareness of unconditional love and a service to our communities. Establishing relationships with neighboring schools is an essential message that COSROW seeks to publicize. COSROW encourages churches to get involved and help children reach their potential.

Together, we can make disciples and transform our world. For additional information about COSROW, please contact Chairperson, Rev. Hazel Jackson at Ashford

UMC.

Committee on Hispanic Ministries Rev. Arturo (Artie) Cadar, Chair

Houston, the TAC, and the state of Texas are experiencing rapid demographic changes that present that

TAC with one of the most exciting opportunities in its history. God has literally gathered the nations of the Spanish speaking world in our midst and calls us to share the gospel with the members of this incredible community so that they experience the abundance of God’s grace both in this life and the life to come. What an opportunity! What a challenge! Today, in Harris County, 80% of those 20 years old and younger are of Latino/a heritage and that percentage is being replicated throughout the districts of the TAC in smaller, but no less significant percentages. With this growing diverse community comes traditions, cultures, world-views, foods,

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wisdom, experiences and perspectives, as well as deep faith traditions that are as varied and rich as the people who populate our communities.

In response to this magnificent opportunity, the Center for Missional Excellence is directing its energy to new and innovative ways to build relationships between our congregations and the community that is “us.” Education has long been at the core of Methodist work in the world and that heritage has equipped us well to begin to address the need for quality preschool education for all children, many of whom cannot afford preschool and who thus start school more than two years behind, with little chance of ever catching up. Methodists have historically been innovators in education and we are equal to this task. Filling-in the education gaps will thus be one of the key focuses of Hispanic Ministries. Immigration reform advocacy will also continue to be a major focus in support of Methodist values of keeping families together, paying livable wages, and honoring the image of God in every human being. The Center for Missional Excellence will also be selecting pilot congregation groups within select communities to experiment with new ways to build community between and among diverse cultures through a shared faith. We are already doing some of that. In February, TAC and Latino/a community leaders gathered together for a time of listening, reflecting and visioning called “Building la Communidad de Dios” and are pursing possibilities that arose out of that conversation. The Center sent a delegation to El Salvador to a gathering of faith leaders from across Central America in March to bear witness with our presence to the struggles of the Central American community both in Central America and within the boundaries of our own Conference. We trained attorneys and volunteers to represent victims of violence in “credible fear” hearings in compliance with U.S. law; we are exploring apprenticeship pilots to help train, raise up, and support, gifted young people within the Latino/a community who are called to lead faith communities; a strategic planning team of Latino/a faith leadership has been working for the past year to develop a plan forward; we are coordinating mission work in Mexico, the border and other Spanish speaking countries with our local work here in learning the story and history of the communities that God has brought within the bounds of the TAC; and more. All of it focuses on moving us out of our silos and into the community to be the church of God in the world in new and creative ways, in reliance on the direction and movement of the Spirit of God.

Peace with Justice Committee Mr. Clark Martinson & Mr. Ken Lewis, Co-Chairs

The General Board of Church & Society is assigned to implement the Peace with Justice Program of the

United Methodist Church to make shalom visible in people’s lives and communities. A Peace with Justice Offering is gathered throughout the year that is split 50:50 between our Conference and the National Program. The National Program offers grants for UMC churches achieving at least one of the following objectives:

• Assist United Methodists in understanding and responding to violence and militarism, and in moving and leading nations and peoples to reconciliation, transformation, and redemption.

• Involve and develop principal leaders among United Methodists and enjoin the general public in efforts to end conflicts, human rights violations and violent aggression around the world;

• Promote just national and international policies and actions (governmental and non-governmental) seeking to address poverty and restore communities; or support policies that promote systematic economic justice and the self-development of peoples, in particular to respond to the disproportionate effect of injustices on racial, indigenous and ethnic persons.’

The UMC General Board of Church and Society keeps our conference plugged into national and global Peace and Justice issues. For ways you can be involved contact Wayne Rhodes, Director of Communications at (202) 488-5630 and email at wrhodes@umc-gbcs.org. In the Texas Conference FUMC Conroe Executive Pastor Scott Moore kept members of the Social Principles in Ministries Committee aware of the humanitarian crisis in our backyard related to news reports of thousands of unaccompanied minor children crossing the Mexico/US border. A call went out to our churches for supplies and storage space for distribution. The TAC Center for Missional Excellence also helped place an attorney at the Karnes detention facility so that families and children fleeing violence and eligible for relief under U.S. law could be provided with legal representation. Gun violence continues to victimize our communities’ youth. There are volunteer juvenile programs targeting delinquents needing mentors in which our conference members can participate to move youth away from crime

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and violence. The Bishop’s emphasis on helping and adopting local schools provides a mentoring opportunity to help keep youth in school and away from a need for crime or gangs, implicitly reducing the use of violence and guns. Both the challenges and opportunities to do Christ’s work are great for us to take action to change our world. The Goals of the Texas Annual Conference Peace with Justice Program are to:

• Promote and administer the annual Peace and Justice Special Sunday Offering

• Equip the churches to deepen members’ spirituality and teach the skills of peacemaking in our conference

• Equip congregations to work with interfaith, ecumenical and grassroots coalitions to promote Peace and Justice work.

Texas Annual Conference Committee on Relief (TACCOR)

Rev. Chris Norton, Chair DeWitt Cox, TAC Disaster Response Coord.

In 2014, we were blessed to not suffer any major natural disasters in the 56 counties of our Conference

continued to be absent of any major natural disaster. This absence of work within our own conference has given us time to evaluate the mission objectives and focus. In keeping with our Mission Statement, we found new ways to provide a Christian presence to those who have been affected by disaster.

Outreach to Community Partners We found old friends in need of assistance in the summer of 2014. Our sister conference to the south and

west faced a crisis along their border with Mexico. TACCOR was requested to utilize resources and partnerships to address relief efforts immediately. Because of a newly structured Logistics Department within our ranks, materials and volunteers were enlisted just in time to prevent a collapse of aid to individuals at critical border crossings. This humanitarian effort was bolstered by a dozen churches in the TAC collecting and coordinating shipping of much needed supplies.

Working within the church Our goal in 2014 was to expand our reach and training of volunteers preparing teams to offer short term

mission relief to survivors and their residences. This continues to be a focus in 2015 with the inauguration of the CARE Team Ministry. Under the Director, we will strive to increase participation in this ministry while navigating new regulations from state and federal agencies.

2014 called for a strengthening of partnerships within our Methodist Conference. The summer border crisis certainly tested those new relationships. We consider ourselves blessed to have expanded our link with individual churches across the conference. As we watched them organize in a common effort, it was apparent that greater church preparation could improve the response. This will lead to a new initiative in 2015 aimed at preparing churches to move into action when crisis happens. This approach has an UMCOR desired effect of preparing whole teams and churches to play out leadership roles rather than just individuals.

Mission Trips With a notable lack of wide-spread disasters in the South Central Jurisdiction, our missions dealt with the

less chaotic reconstruction ventures over relief and the need for Early Response Teams (ERT). Each of these missions was as important to survivors as when the first person showed up after the disaster. We continue to provide assistance to the Oklahoma 2013 Tornado response and offered assistance to Arkansas and Louisiana. 2014 saw new organizations reaching out to us for volunteer labor to improve the lives of veterans and those on fixed incomes. We expect this venture to expand in 2015.

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Inventory TACCOR carries a fleet of tool trailers which received the addition of reconstruction tools in 2014. We

began a campaign to keep these resources current, clean and roadworthy at all times. Logistics is underway upgrading and outfitting them to service residents in need of minor construction improvements in addition to the temporary measures needed by Early Response Teams. The Conference has entrusted to TACCOR a fleet of three shower trailers with the request that these also be maintained for immediate use when an incident should happen.

Collection of disaster kits TACCOR has been a collection and shipper of disaster supply kits following UMCOR protocol for a

decade. In 2014 we ceased distributing them into the UMCOR supply system and began storing them within our own borders. We are preparing for the opening of the TAC Mission Depot later this year and will have inventory available from day one.

A Call to Service

TACCOR is in need of volunteers in 2015. We need a Coordinator in each District to work with the DS and develop a small, but vital contingency for their District. We have jobs for 27 volunteers and without everyone in place we have holes in the service that we might provide. Service to our mission is performed by those able to provide spiritual and organizational gifts as well as those with the physically demanding gifts that we are known for.

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GENERAL INSTITUTION REPORTS

Heartspring Methodist Foundation Rev. C.J. Taylor, President & CEO

Heartspring Methodist Foundation was created by the Texas Annual Conference in 1978 under the

original name the United Methodist Foundation of the Texas Annual Conference. In 2009 after careful consideration the Foundation changed its name to Heartspring Methodist Foundation. Its mission is to provide financial and stewardship services to the churches, institutions and members of the Texas Conference. These services include investment management, charitable trust management, loans, grants, planned giving, stewardship education, and consultation. Since 1990 the Foundation has been totally self-sustaining and receives no apportionment support from the Conference.

2014 was another stellar year for the Foundation with growth in virtually all of our programs and services. In 2014 we participated in some serious strategic planning in which we examined the needs of the Annual Conference and how we can best service those needs. 2015 will bring some staff changes. Edgar Vallarta became our Controller as of December 16, 2014. Rev. Mark Woodward has been appointed to our staff effective June 1, 2015. The Foundation’s staff currently consists of six persons:, Dorena Moore – Chief Financial Officer, Rev. C.J. Taylor – President / CEO, Edgar Vallarta – Controller, Cheryl, Westbrook - Loan Officer, Krystol Wheeler - Director of Communications, and Rev. Mark Woodward – Development Officer (effective 6/1/2015)

Ten Trustees, fourteen Advisory Trustees and fourteen ex-officio members make up the governing board of the Foundation.

For more information about the Foundation call 713-533-3780 (Houston area) 903-758-8305 (Northeast Texas Area) or toll free 1-800-521-9617.

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Heartspring Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees 2015

Trustees Jimmy Booker Frank Breazelle Allison Byerley Bill Comiskey Dana Crosswhite Milt Dooley Sean Duffin Ed Moore Greg Nelson Charles Ruehl Advisory Trustees: Allen Atnip Reggie Clemons Andy Couch Larry Day Sean Duffin Marlin Fenn Roger Garbs Lee Haggard Mike Hood Chuck Huffman Sharon Sabom Bob Saterbak Derek St. John Mike Tyson Danny Wayman

Ex-Officio Members Bishop Janice R. Huie Assistant to the Bishop, B.T. Williamson Conf Treasurer, Elijah Stansell Chair C.F. & A., Stacey Hawkins Extravagant Generosity Chair, Jeff Powers Past Chairs: Jack Blanton Jr. Harriet Dubose Cindy Freeman Bill Hataway Nancy Kellond Don McGregor Gene Myrick Marvin Peterson Bill Taylor

Houston Methodist Hospital System Marc L. Boom, M.D., President and CEO

OVERVIEW Houston Methodist contributes to the mission and vision of the Texas Annual Conference through its own mission of healing and wholeness: To provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people we serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research. Congregations cannot be vibrant or growing without the physical health of members and clergy. Houston Methodist assists congregations by Leading Medicine not only in Houston and Texas, but throughout the world. The Belief Statement affirms a like-minded commitment within the scope of the hospital’s own mission and vision:

Affiliated with the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Houston Methodist works closely with local church leaders to bring compassion and spirituality to all its endeavors and to help meet the health needs of the community. As it fulfills this purpose, the hospital participates in the redeeming activity of God that makes the world a better place for all humankind. Houston Methodist is based on the

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belief that God can heal through the lives, actions and words of persons, regardless of various religious perspectives. Therefore, in all endeavors Houston Methodist strives to treat every patient it serves as a person of sacred worth and value, created by God.

Striving to provide quality health care, internationally recognized teaching and groundbreaking translational research to patients of all races, creeds, and religions in a spiritual environment of caring; Houston Methodist encompasses seven hospitals in the Houston area including Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital in Baytown, Houston Methodist West Hospital in Katy, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital in Clear Lake and Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital. The system also includes Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group and a comprehensive residency program. CORPORATE OPERATIONS

Houston Methodist continues to focus on the shared missions of excellence in patient care, research and teaching. A vital component to the success of Houston Methodist is creating a work environment that retains employees, attracts new hires and supports the I CARE values for all.

For the ninth year in a row, Houston Methodist was named one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies

To Work For.” Once again, Houston Methodist was the only health care system in Texas to be named to the list.

Also in 2014, the Houston Business Journal ranked Methodist No. 4 in its “Best Places To Work” survey. The magazine also listed Houston Methodist at No. 3 on its “Healthiest Workplaces 2014” list.

In 2014 Houston Methodist broke ground on a 193-bed full service hospital in The Woodlands. Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital will be built on the southeast corner of Texas 242 and Interstate 45, and is expected to open in 2017. The campus will also include a 135,000-square-foot medical office building to be completed late in 2015. Houston Methodist in 2014 began to roll out a new computer software system that is expected to be an important tool in integrate our hospitals and services to ensure the same quality of care at all of our hospitals, imaging centers and emergency care centers. The EPIC system will help Houston Methodist improve patients’ overall experience by streamlining everything from patient care, medical records and billing. The introduction of EPIC was a huge collaborative project, requiring input from many employees from various disciplines across the system. The system will be fully implemented and will “go live” in 2016. Spiritual Care (Corporate) The Rev. Charles R. Millikan, D.Min., Vice President Spiritual Care

The Spiritual Care and Values Integration area works very closely with Houston Methodist’s Spiritual Care Committee which meets quarterly and is chaired by the Rev. Dr. Steve Wende.

Houston Methodist has 26 full time Chaplains, 215 Lay Ministers, 14 Clinical Pastoral Education students, 17

Contract Chaplains and 5 Office Support Staff positions totaling 277 individuals working in the area of Spiritual Care throughout its Medical Center and Network Hospitals. In addition to the Vice President for Spiritual Care and Values Integration this includes 7 Directors within the system. In 2014 Houston Methodist had 93,604 admissions. Chaplains and Lay Ministers made 224,206 calls on patients giving an average ration of 2.356 visits per patient.

Working closely with the Center of Ethics and Health Policy at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

Methodist has become one of the nation’s leaders in bioethical consults. Consults in 2014 moved to 497 up from 442 in 2013 and 352 in 2012. The purpose for these consults is to offer support for clinicians, patients, and families in making ethical decisions and resolving and preventing conflicts. The value added includes enabling

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communications between health care professionals and patients/ surrogate decision makers. This work contributes to increases in patient satisfaction and in the improvement in the quality of care.

The Rev. Dr. Charles Millikan serves as the Vice President for Spiritual Care and Values Integration. He

serves as a Management Attendee to The Board of Directors, the Houston Methodist Research Institute, and the Quality Committee. He serves as member of the Institute Review Board, the Business Practice Council, and as the Chair of Houston Methodist Hospital’s Bioethics Committee. He also serves as the Executive Sponsor to Houston Methodist’s Bioethics Council which serves as coordinating body for the Medical Center and its Network Hospitals. Dr. Millikan also serves as a resource from Houston Methodist to the Texas Annual Conference.

In addition to these specific responsibilities Dr. Millikan is on the Executive Board of SMU’s Perkins School

of Theology.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT Cathy Easter, President Senior Vice President, Community Benefits

In Houston Methodist, caring for our community means more than providing quality health care at our seven hospitals – it means supporting individuals and organizations that touch the lives of those who make up our community. All of our community benefits initiatives spring from the I CARE values championed by Methodist employees, from support staff and nurses to physicians and executives. Whether we are exhibiting our I CARE values through our I CARE In Action employee program or providing a Community Benefits Grant to our community partners, Methodist is committed to delivering the best value to the people we serve.

Houston Methodist responds to the community’s needs through our community benefits and charity care

programs, designed to improve health and access to health care in the Greater Houston community. For 2013, Houston Methodist provided more than $630 million in community benefits which included research, donations and many other activities that help us continue to strengthen the Houston community. Charity care contributions totaled more than $190 million. Through the charity care program, Houston Methodist provides services to the indigent at Houston Methodist, and through affiliated organizations. Our relationships with external community based health organizations has been a source of great pride for our hospital system.

We continue to cultivate our meaningful relationships with our community partners such as Vecino Health

Centers’ Denver Harbor Clinic, an eastside establishment serving the underserved. As part of our relationship with Denver Harbor Clinic, Methodist provides medical residents to see patients, increasing the number of those who can be treated at the clinic. With the success of this partnership at Denver Harbor Clinic, Houston Methodist has extended its reach and efforts to bring specialized care to underserved communities. In 2014, Houston Methodist began providing medical residents to San Jose Clinic and Legacy Community Health Services. Through this partnership, endocrinology and nephrology were brought to a traditionally medically underserved community. This program continues to grow as we meet the needs of our most vulnerable population.

Community benefit programs provide peace of mind and help rebuild the lives of those who need it most by

bringing a sense of compassion and human dignity to the art of healing. Methodist provides significant financial support to agencies who provide health care to the indigent community. This support is given to organizations like Access Health and Northwest Assistance Ministries as well as donating millions of dollars to in-kind lab services, medical supplies and equipment, computers and accessories, office supplies, furniture and pharmaceutical items to assist those in need locally and throughout the world.

Community support goes beyond financial funding. Our employees reach out to help our neighbors by

donating their time, talents and money to support many great community causes. Methodist’s I CARE In Action program allows Methodist employees time out of their normal work schedule to volunteer with community partners in an effort to promote social responsibility. Since the program’s launch in 2012, more than 4,000 Houston Methodist employees have committed to being a volunteer through the program and have contributed more than 3,500 volunteer hours to local charity organizations focused on supporting the uninsured and underserved.

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Through our I CARE In Action program in September of 2014, Houston Methodist came together for a week

long mission to help build a house for a deserving family with the support of Houston Habitat for Humanity. This week long activity brought out more than 250 employees from all seven of our hospitals along with their respective CEOs.

The Methodist family is united in our community goals to prevent chronic conditions, to educate the

community on health and to providing access to care. We work tirelessly to reach our goals by supporting organizations such as the United Way, American Heart/Stroke Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation and many more. Employees volunteered at local health fairs around the city and also participated in other community activities, including community blood drives, immunization drives, health workshops and events designed to raise money and awareness for conditions such as heart disease, breast cancer and stroke.

Houston Methodist Community Support takes on many forms. Serving the community is a very important and

vital undertaking. Over the past year, we have been honored by the great contributions made by our employees and physicians – The Houston Methodist family. The people of Houston Methodist – from clinical staff to members of corporate departments, from groundskeepers to food service employees, from administrators to physicians – all joined together in a time of need to serve. We continue our commitment each and every day to our community through our I CARE values. HOUSTON METHODIST (Medical Center) Roberta Schwartz, Executive Vice President

In 2014, Houston Methodist Hospital further developed and expanded upon its goal of becoming one of the nation’s leading academic health centers. This past year marked significant hospital commitment to excellence through our clinical work and our culture of I CARE values.

In the clinical area, we are always working to improve quality for our patients. As a system, we continually are succeeding at achieving excellent results in areas of hand hygiene, mortality and core measures. U.S. News and World Report ranked Houston Methodist Hospital in 11 specialties in its 2014 “America’s Best Hospitals” issue. Houston Methodist Hospital was ranked No. 1 in Texas and in Houston. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital ranked at No. 15 in the state and No. 7 in Houston; Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital ranked at No. 20 in Texas and No. 10 in Houston; and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, in its first appearance on the list, ranked No. 31 in Texas and No. 12 in Houston.

Work began on a new 390-bed inpatient tower on the Houston Methodist Hospital campus. It will house highly advanced heart and neurosurgery operating rooms and will replace the hospital’s original Main building. Two new emergency care centers – in Pearland and Sienna Plantation – opened in 2014.

The J. C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center at Houston Methodist Hospital performed 420 solid organ transplants including 191 kidney transplants, 100 lung transplants, 85 liver transplants and 24 heart transplants.

As part of our mission to train physicians, Houston Methodist has built a comprehensive Graduate Medical Education Program comprising 37 ACGME-accredited (plus seven non-ACGME) residency and fellowship training programs with more than 260 residents and fellows. In 2014 the program added ACGME-accredited fellowships in gastroenterology, hematology and oncology, and interventional cardiology. Houston Methodist graduated its ninth class of residents in 2014, including the first residents from Cardiovascular Disease, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, and Family Medicine Sports Medicine at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital fellowship programs.

Also in 2014 Houston Methodist and the University of St. Thomas partnered to create a Masters in Clinical Translation Management degree that began in January 2015. In addition, the summer of 2015 will welcome 24 third-year medical students from Texas A&M Health Science Center, as we establish a Houston campus offering

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core clerkship rotations. This partnership will also introduce an MD/PhD program to provide translational research opportunities for A&M students. SPIRITUAL CARE (Texas Medical Center) The Rev. Robert Kidd, M.Div., BCC, Director of Spiritual Care and Education Ministry to Hospital Patients, Families, and Staff

Chaplains continued to offer 24/7 in–house chaplaincy coverage to meet our hospital’s round-the-clock needs. This intense ministry was offered by gifted members of the department: eight professional staff chaplains, five CPE residents, nine CPE extended students, seven CPE summer interns, and 39 lay ministers. The staff also includes one Director, one CPE Manager, one CPE Education Coordinator, one Project Analyst and one Secretary. Enriched by their cultural and denomination diversity, these colleagues were united by a common drive to serve. In 2014, TMH recorded 33,297 patient admissions. Staff chaplains and students made 36,877 visits to both inpatients and outpatients, and 9,762 visits to patients in the Emergency Room. The staff made 15,181 pre-surgical visits, with 47% of surgical patients receiving a pre-surgical visit from a chaplain. Chaplains and students assisted patients with 865 Advance Directives.

Beyond traditional patient and staff care, the department engaged in other specialized ministries specific to

various parts of the hospital, which nurtured religious faith by establishing life-giving relationships. The department provided Blessing of the Hands Ceremonies during Nurses’ Week and Lab Medicine Week, blessing the hands of 138 staff members. The department offered various services of blessing and recommitment to newly opened or renovated sectors of the hospital. As well, departmental staff were occasionally tapped to assist departments in times of particular stress, offering support and effective listening.

The department sponsored two very well-received Hispanic Pastors’ Conferences during the year. The conference in April was entitled, “Dynamics of Death and Dying” and had two sessions in English and Spanish, with 164 pastors and lay leaders in attendance. The conference in October focused on “Family Systems Theory Applied to Pastoral Care Ministry” with 69 pastors and lay leaders attending. As well, through our department’s heightened partnership with Perkins School of Theology, two of the staff chaplains offered a lecture on “The Art of Hospital Ministry” to students in Dr. Paula Dobbs-Wiggins Pastoral Ministry class. For the second year in a row, Houston Methodist hosted a J Term for Perkins students. This year five theological students heard lectures on topics related to professional healthcare chaplaincy and biomedical ethics, and also shadowed staff chaplains in entity hospitals. To consolidate their learning, participants engaged in dialogical debriefing sessions and wrote theological integration papers.

Departmental leadership was active in numerous hospital-wide initiatives during the past year. The department gave particular leadership to the hospital’s annual ICARE Workgroup Recommitment effort, offering training and support to all departments in Houston Methodist Hospital, the Houston Methodist Research Institute, the Houston Methodist Physicians’ Organization, and Corporate divisions. As well, members of the departmental staff chaired Advance Directive and Patient Rights task forces which ensured the hospital’s continued accreditation with Det Norske Veritas, the hospital’s accrediting agency. Staff chaplains continue to serve as active members of the hospital’s Biomedical Ethics Committee.

The Department of Spiritual Care and Education is marked by a sense of teamwork and collegiality. On the

hospitals annual Employee Satisfaction Survey, Spiritual Care and Education was ranked as a Tier One department (top ranking) notable for its collaboration, strong sense of commitment, and continual push for excellence. As well, on the hospital’s internal satisfaction survey, in which department directors rate other departments on their responsiveness, quality of service, and courtesy, Spiritual Care and Education was rated 4.8 on a scale of 5. The department’s 2014 patient satisfaction score was 86.2, an increase over last year’s score of 85.8. These are points of great celebration for us.

Clinical Pastoral Education through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

Honoring our long tradition of theological and practical training, the department’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program enhanced the skills and knowledge of carefully chosen ministers, seminarians, lay persons and spiritual caregivers of all faiths. Qualified participants selected from three distinctive offerings: 1) the 12-month,

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full-time residency supported by a stipend, 2) the 11-week, full-time summer unit geared for theological students, and 3) the part-time (9 month) extended unit which meets once a week. In 2013, the Association for Clinical pastoral Education (ACPE) extended the department’s accreditation until 2022. Lay Training and Denominational Volunteers in Spiritual Care

The department continued its commitment to lay education and effective utilization of volunteers. The Lay Ministry program provides specialized training for those who demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary for effective hospital ministry. The department’s training program details the basics of good listening and responding as well as the fundamentals of effective hospital spiritual care delivery. We currently have 39 active Lay Ministers. In 2014, they made 14,214 visits. Denominational volunteers also provide excellent care in consultation with departmental staff. Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Jehovah’s Witness, Jewish, and Muslim volunteers made 7,664 visits.

Bereavement Program

The department continued its multi-phase bereavement program for families who have lost a loved one due to death while being a patient at Houston Methodist Hospital. The departmental staff ministered to 858 bereaved families, making personal visits at and around the time of death, and then following up with personalized letters to family members. This outreach was also extended to parents who suffered a perinatal death. Two hospital-wide memorial services were conducted in Wiess Memorial Chapel with special written invitations and personal phone calls being offered to all who had experienced bereavement during the past six months. The department sponsored five memorial services for hospital staff members. The department also continued to respond to HMH staff members and families experiencing the death of a loved one. Conclusion

The departmental staff, along with the Lay Ministers remains committed to our hospital’s mission as lived out through our ICARE values. Working together and with colleagues throughout the institution and in the Texas Annual Conference, we continually seek ways to enrich our spiritual environment of caring and to glorify God through service to all people. HOUSTON METHODIST SAN JACINTO HOSPITAL David Bernard, Senior Vice President and CEO Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital (HMSJH) located in Baytown, Texas, serves East Harris, Liberty and Chambers Counties. The hospital has been meeting the health care needs of the area since 1948. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital operates 275 beds between two campuses providing inpatient and outpatient services. The Garth Campus inpatient services include: three medical units, a surgical/pediatric unit, medical/surgical intensive care unit, and a new intermediate care unit and maternal/child unit with a Level II Nursery. The hospital's Alexander Campus offers inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and psychiatric units. Additionally, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has nine operating rooms available for inpatient and outpatient surgeries and two operating rooms for obstetrical patients at the Garth Campus as well as a free-standing Outpatient Surgery Center with three operating rooms. Featured programs include a Cardiovascular Center, Orthopedics Program, Women's Center, Imaging Services, Cancer Center, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Sleep Study Center, Speech, Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, and Diabetes Management. In 2014, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital added inpatient hospice services, a pulmonary rehabilitation program, a smoking cessation program and an employer relations program.

In 2014, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital became ISO 9001:2008 certified and received

reaccreditations from the National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers (NABPC), Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, American Diabetes Association, Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, and Commission on Cancer. In addition, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital earned an “A” from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Program for the 5th consecutive cycle, received the Gold Plus Get With the Guidelines Stroke Award and Silver Award for Get With the Guidelines Resuscitation from the American Heart/Stroke Association. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital also ranked #10 in the Houston Metro Area from US News and World Report, #20 in the State of Texas and was recognized in six clinical categories. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital also received the 2014 Employee Engagement Award from Press Ganey.

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Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital restructured its Peer Review Program to a Multispecialty Practice

Committee, developed a CHF referral program in conjunction with the Department of Aging, implemented an antimicrobial stewardship program and started Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Services for its highest acuity critical care patients who require dialysis services. Outstanding performance in quality and safety measures was realized in various areas in 2014 inclusive of Value Based Purchasing Core Measures Aggregate which yielded a 99.14% compliance, Hand Hygiene Compliance = 98.6%, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Rate = 0%, and Patient Safety Index Composite Score = 0.57. Mortality index continued to decline throughout the year.

Care coordination rounds were implemented in 2014 and extended to include a specific collaborative effort

with Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital’s Contracted Hospitalist Group. The facility also transitioned to one anesthesia provider in June 2014 allowing for a more seamless practice of anesthesia services across all areas while promoting standardization in perioperative operations. Preparation for Magnet Application continued with a target submission date of August 2015. Leading for the Future was an imperative started in 2014 and is intended to continue to focus on optimizing hospital operations and growth. In December 2014, the Leadership Team (Director Group) underwent a one day training session on Lean and Six Sigma techniques.

Physician growth continued in 2014 focusing on the expansion of the primary care network, targeted

recruitment for specialists, and continued expansion of its aligned physician network. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital also served as the pilot site for Population Health Management. The

purpose of the program was to assist our employees and spouses in improving or maintaining their health status. The program promoted wellness and prevention in order to proactively manage health and health conditions of employees and their spouses. Phase I of the program completed at the end of December 2014. Phase II started in January 2015.

SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist San Jacinto) The Rev. Steven Spidell, DMin. BCC, Director of Spiritual Care Houston Methodist San Jacinto

The Spiritual Care Department of Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital (HMSJH) provided quality spiritual care and support to our patients and families, physicians, our staff, as well as to the Baytown community throughout 2014.

The Spiritual Care Department of two full-time staff chaplains and one Director provided Chaplain

availability seven days each week and on-call coverage after hours. Besides responding to referrals and crisis situations, the chaplains provide daily visitation at the Garth and Alexander campuses of the hospital for patients, families and staff. The Chaplains offer times for prayer and blessing for those departments and patient units desiring a spiritual focus as they begin their week. The Chaplains also provide a time of spiritual presence in response to difficulties and stresses in those particular areas.

In 2014, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital’s three staff chaplains provided 19,255 visits and the lay

ministry volunteers made 6,973 visits for a total of 26,228 visits. In 2014 the department began with twelve lay ministry volunteers and ended the year with twenty-two volunteers.

Spiritual care is very much an integral part of Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital’s culture. Framed

prayers are in each patient’s room as well as in treatment areas through the hospital; touch plaques beside patient’ doors remind each staff person entering the room to pause, reflect and remember their commitment to do their best to contribute to the person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual healing; prayers are offered through the hospital’s public address system every morning and also each evening following visiting hours.

Chaplains maintain a prayer line for the “Chaplain’s Message for Today” –words of comfort, hope and

reassurance – that is accessible to in-patients, staff and to patients after they are discharged from the hospital. The Department provides “Chaplain’s Corner” articles for the hospital’s weekly newsletter; offer daily devotions by email during Advent and Lent; provide memorial services for deceased staff; and offer email inspirational

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messages and worship services for special occasions. The Chaplains offered Christmas Eve services on both campuses this year.

The Chapels of both the Garth and Alexander campuses are fully renovated and the Memory Garden was

established and dedicated; all these spaces provide places of quiet, reflection, remembrance, and a spiritual environment of peace and healing.

This year the chaplains began meeting with each New Employee Orientation class to teach the new staff about

chaplaincy and spiritual care and how this relates to our I CARE Values. This offers a reminder of how each staff member is charged with meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of all patients and families by treating everyone as persons of dignity and sacred worth. At the conclusion of the New Employee Orientation presentation, the chaplain offers a blessing and a “sending forth into the mission field.” This initial contact with new staff members establishes foundational knowledge regarding the role of chaplaincy in the hospital and Chaplains’ availability to them as they adjust to their new responsibilities in our Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital family.

In 2014, Spiritual Care expanded its bereavement services in providing “To Comfort You in Your Grief” bags

to the families of the patients who die in our hospital. Unique to Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital is the inclusion of “prayer blankets” and journals with handwritten inspirational messages. These prayer blankets are hand-crocheted and knitted in a prayerful manner. Each prayer blanket is blessed in churches as part of a worship service. We enlisted the assistance of local churches for this prayer blanket ministry through our relationship with the Bay Area Ministerial Alliance which continues to meet at HMSJH and connects the hospital to the needs and concerns of local churches and community service organizations.

The Spiritual Care Department had an active role this year in the implementation of Pet Therapy, and the

chaplains regularly accompany the dogs and their handlers on their weekly rounds to both patients and staff. The chaplains are always available to pastor hospital leadership, staff, patients, families and visitors when

needed. Prayer and support is provided in leadership meetings, and the chaplains address spiritual needs and concern related to personal and communal issues. Chaplains also facilitate a monthly Greif Support Group for the Baytown community. The Chaplains hold a Service of Remembrance on a bi-annual basis for those whose loved ones died at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital and for others in the community desiring to honor loved ones as well.

The Spiritual Care Department continues to provide “Refreshments for the Soul” – a spiritual care and

support program for our staff – and has a leadership role in the Schwartz Rounds program. The chaplains provide spiritual direction and support for the Sacred Works team in the review and selection process of candidates for these awards. The Sacred Works awards recognize staff members who demonstrate extraordinary acts of selflessness, compassion, and kindness toward a patient, visitor, or another staff member.

The Spiritual Care team of Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital remains steadfast in our commitment to

continue enriching our service of caring both within the hospital and into the Baytown Community “by all the means we can, in all ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can.”

In December 2014, the Reverend Linda Tolon transferred to Houston Methodist Hospital St. John located in

Clear Lake Texas. Simultaneously, the Reverend Steven Joseph Spidell, DMin. BCC was appointed Director of Spiritual Care and Values Integration for Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital. HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL Chris Siebenaler, Senior Vice President and CEO Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital (HMSL) continues to expand and meet the growing needs of Fort Bend and surrounding counties. In May 2014, HMSL broke ground on its new six-story patient tower which is scheduled to open spring of 2016. The new tower – part of a $131 million expansion effort under way at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital – will add 104 beds, primarily for intensive care and medical/surgical patients.

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Once the new tower joins the Main and Sweetwater Pavilions on campus, the hospital’s total capacity will reach 347 beds. In addition to inpatient beds, the hospital has 20 operating rooms, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and specialized Centers of Excellence in Cardiology, Neurosciences, Oncology, Orthopedics, Women’s Services and Urology.

The demand for services from Fort Bend County continues to be high, with the hospital experiencing record

highs in all major patient volume categories. In 2014, the hospital admitted 14,689 inpatients, performed just over 12,000 surgical procedures, delivered over 3,000 babies, and treated 44,991 patients in the emergency department.

To meet the growth, the hospital started several expansion projects in 2014. A new six story patient tower is

just one of five major projects included in the hospital’s current expansion plan, which also includes construction of a new 60,000-square-foot facility for Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, and expansion and relocation of the Heart Center. The relocation of the Heart Center will free up existing space to renovate and double the size of the hospital’s Birthing Center to support the growing maternity and newborn needs of our community. In July 2014, the new state-of-the-art Houston Methodist Sienna Plantation Emergency Care Center opened to serve residents of Missouri City. The 9,600-square-foot facility includes 10 private treatment rooms, full-service X-ray, CT and ultrasound capabilities. Since its opening, the center has proved to meet the needs of the community it serves. Patient volume has been higher than projected.

HMSL received awards and recognitions in 2014, including receiving the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.” This award recognizes HMSLH’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. In addition, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the only hospital in Fort Bend County to earn accreditation with commendation by the American College of Surgeons - Commission on Cancer. HMSL also continues to uphold its Chest Pain Center Accreditation. This designation is reserved for hospitals across the country that demonstrate the highest level of expertise in treating heart attack patients. HMSL was also voted as the Best Hospital in Fort Bend by the community through the Living Magazine. The silver level Beacon of Excellence was also awarded to HMSL’s ICU Department which recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. HMSL is the first Houston Methodist community hospital and one of 16 hospitals in Texas to earn this recognition.

These outstanding achievements are the direct result of the expertise and vision of the physicians and staff at

HMSL. The ICARE values continue to be at the core of Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s foundation, and paramount is its support and commitment to providing exemplary care in a safe, spiritual and healing environment.

Furthermore, HMSL has performed many medical firsts, especially in the cardiac and vascular service line.

Dr. Uttam Tripathy, cardiothoracic surgeon, performed the first hybrid coronary intervention. Dr. Tripathy and Dr. Imran Mohiuddin, vascular surgeon, were the first in Texas to implant the new Crux® Vena Cava Filter in a patient at risk for pulmonary embolism. Dr. Mohiuddin, was the first to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using a new drug-coated balloon catheter during angioplasty. Dr. Sohail Jalal, electrophysiologist, was the first in Fort Bend to deploy new atrial fibrillation treatment that offers a minimally invasive approach to atrial fibrillation. Dr. Mark Maffet, orthopedic surgeon, was the first in Fort Bend to use stem cells in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Priya Oolut, pulmonologist, was the first in the Fort Bend community to offer endobronchial ultrasounds. Dr. Madhukar Kaw, gastroenterologist, performed the hospital’s first endoscopic ultrasound procedure, an advanced technology that enables doctors to generate accurate, detailed images of lesions in the digestive tract that are not visible through routine endoscopy. Dr. Ali Mahmood, colorectal surgeon, was Fort Bend’s first transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with laparoscopic colon surgery to minimize post-surgical pain.

As the level of care and the complexity of its offerings have grown, the Hospital’s connection and

commitment to the Fort Bend community has also grown. We continued to grow the HMSL Physician Organization, which now employs over 40 physicians who represent a wide range of specialties including primary

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care, cardiology, general surgery, gynecologic oncology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, podiatry, pulmonology and sleep medicine, reconstructive surgery, rheumatology, and vascular surgery.

Community outreach remains a vital component, and in 2014 HMSL continued its efforts with many

initiatives. For example, HMSL entered a partnership with Fort Bend ISD to provide sports medicine services for student-athletes.

In addition to helping patients within the Hospital, HMSL reached out to the community. For example, the Hospital also collaborated with Fort Bend/Sugar Land Exchange Clubs and the Sugar Land Rotary to provide free flu shots to the community members who participated in Santa’s Gift Exchange. Fort Bend residents bought a new, unwrapped toy or clothing item to HMSL in exchange for a flu shot. The toys and clothing benefited local children in the Fort Bend area. In addition, HMSL hosted a Cancer Survivor’s Day Celebration and Luncheon as well as a free heart health screening and numerous free seminars on a variety of health-related topics. HMSL was once again the title sponsor for Fort Bend Junior Service League’s annual Sugar Plum Market where staff educated patrons on breast cancer as well as scheduled over 120 mammograms.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is proud to be a leading contributor to the health and well-being of Fort Bend and surrounding county residents. It is committed to expanding its service offerings to meet the needs of its physicians and community, while still remaining focused on its unique vision, values and culture. SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist Sugar Land) The Rev. Bill Bross, M.Div., BCC, Director Spiritual Care and Values Integration “The Spiritual Care and Values Integration Department at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality pastoral care for our hospital and the community. We promise to be available, to seek and promote balance in all of our activities, to open ourselves to the wonder and amazement of each life encounter, and to respect and honor the gift of diversity. We are called to offer direction in the formation of our hospital culture, to demonstrate God’s love in all of our interactions, and to invite each member of our staff to take their place within our spiritual environment of caring.” The Spiritual Care Department at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is an integral part of the hospital’s life and is engaged at every level of the hospital and throughout the Fort Bend Community.

In 2014, we were diligent in providing Morning Prayer in several departments throughout the hospital, support for physicians and nursing staff, and regular resources that offered reflection and care for all staff throughout the hospital. This year we focused on developing an integrated approach to Advance Directive education and follow-up, partnering with Case Management and Guest Relations. This initiative included the production of an educational video, which is now being used throughout the System for Advance Directive Education. We partner with Human Resources in conducting “Culture Rounds” each week, and work with several departments in planning and facilitating Schwartz Center Rounds for compassionate care throughout the year. Our “Mentoring at Methodist” initiative continues to grow, as we work to support our staff in integrating our Houston Methodist culture within everything that we do. We hold Wednesday Morning Prayer, regular Worship services, monthly Catholic mass and other special Worship services, including Ash Wednesday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Day of Prayer, Thanksgiving and Easter. Prayer Boxes are placed strategically throughout the hospital, and in recent months we have experienced an increased volume of requests for Chaplains to visit patients, as well as for completion of Advance Directives. We also initiated delivery of Shabbat Boxes to our Jewish patients each Friday evening, along with the broadcast of a Sabbath Service on Spiritual Care Channel 19. A total of 37,146 pastoral visits were made in 2014 by Staff Chaplains, PRN Chaplains, and lay Ministers.

In 2014, we engaged the community through an ongoing grief support group, breast cancer support group,

and two six-week “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” workshops. Advance Care Planning was offered at several area churches.

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We are intentional about engaging the Fort Bend community in dialogue around faith and health issues. Our

Spiritual Care Department works with 48 volunteers from the community to assist with daily lay ministry, Holy Communion ministry, cancer patient support, and healing music. We want community clergy and their parishioners to think of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital as their hospital, and we work hard to see that become a reality. Through our Community Liaison initiative, 46 area clergy and church leaders have been contacted and personally visited this past year in an effort to strengthen our partnership in caring for our community. One visible result of this effort has been the development of a “Community Resource” page on our Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Internet site, which lists over 50 support groups and community resources available throughout Fort Bend County. Also, as a result of this effort, a quarterly Community Clergy Breakfast has been initiated to provide a forum for spiritual leaders in Fort Bend County to gather and discuss issues of faith and health as they relate to our Community. In October of this past year, we hosted a community Spirituality Seminar with Fr. Matthew Linn, around the topic of “Seeking Happiness.”

We remain committed to providing the highest quality of pastoral care and spiritual support throughout

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and our community. It is our goal to engage the spirit of every patient and staff member in the care that we provide. Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital Wayne Voss, Senior Vice President and CEO, Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital

Houston Methodist acquired CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital on Feb. 1, 2014, and the hospital was renamed Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital. More than 400 CHRISTUS employees from this campus were transferred to new roles throughout the Houston Methodist system, with 137 joining Houston Methodist West. A few services remained opened at Houston Methodist St. Catherine, including imaging, outpatient rehabilitation and the breast center. After a few months, the breast center closed, and the imaging and outpatient rehabilitation departments became departments of Houston Methodist West.

Nine inpatient beds were immediately transitioned to long-term acute care for a demonstration period between

February and July, during which the hospital met several standards of care, including maintaining an average length of stay of 25 days or more. The hospital was approved and validated in mid-January, and now eagerly awaits official word from CMS that Houston Methodist St. Catherine is a fully accredited long-term acute care hospital.

Currently, the hospital is staffed for 28 beds, and is licensed for 102. An additional 22 rooms are undergoing

renovations and are expected to open in April 2015. With plenty of physical room for growth, leadership continues to explore additional outpatient service

possibilities at Houston Methodist St. Catherine, which will operate as departments of Houston Methodist West. Specifically, plans are in place this spring to transfer cardiac rehabilitation from Houston Methodist West to an expanded location at Houston Methodist St. Catherine, and to launch a wound care program.

SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital) The Rev. Craig Bradley, BBA, MRE, BCC, Director Spiritual Care

Spiritual care services at Houston Methodist St. Catherine are led by Craig Bradley, director of Spiritual Care & Value Integration at Houston Methodist West, and his staff. A staff chaplain spends 10 hours a week at the hospital, and the team is always on call should a patient, family member or staff member have a need.

St. Catherine holds Mass both Monday and Friday at noon, and the chapel provides a similar calm, inviting

atmosphere for patients and visitors as they find at Houston Methodist West.

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HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN HOSPITAL Dan Newman, CEO, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

Houston Methodist St. John (HMSTJ) is an acute care hospital with 178 licensed beds including 12 operating rooms, an onsite ambulatory surgery center (ASC), and 7 Orthopedic and Sports Medicine clinics throughout the surrounding communities. HMSTJ joined the Houston Methodist family on February 1, 2014.

Our first year has been a year of transition and change but also a year of many successes. Through the hard

work and dedication of staff and leadership, Houston Methodist St. John accomplished some significant milestones. In October 2014 we made the transition from Joint Commission to DNV with our first DNV survey. We also completed a second DNV survey where we were awarded the “Stroke Ready” designation. 2014 also brought a successful Cycle IV Chest Pain Accreditation as well as re-certification of our cancer program by the Commission on Cancer. To complement these accreditations, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital continued to provide exceptional patient experience, with system leading scores in our Outpatient and Emergency Department surveys.

As the only private, not for-profit hospital in our market, we take pride in our status as a faith-based

organization that is committed to providing superior care and exceptional service to our community. To supplement this goal, Houston Methodist St. John participated in several outreach efforts and sponsorships of local organizations and scholarships. Examples of these events include; a skin cancer screening event completed in partnership with MD Anderson, our “Date-A-Doc” event to support education and awareness of women’s health issues, the League City Chamber of Commerce Women’s Conference where we provided speakers for all health care sessions, and the Go RED for Women luncheon. We also provided a vehicle to a local emergency response provider to support the “Don’t Die Needlessly” program that educates teens on the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as support of many other booster clubs, chamber and local organizations.

As we look toward the future of the Greater Bay Area, there is potential for significant growth for Houston

Methodist St. John Hospital. In 2014 we began planning for this growth by engaging a consulting firm, Kurt Salmon Associates and global design firm HDR Architects, to assess the hospital’s existing infrastructure as well as the market needs of a growing community. Based on this assessment, plans are now in place to propel us forward as the leader in superior care and exceptional service. Plans for renovation are underway that will enable St. John to provide enhanced services and better meet the needs of our community. Some key physician recruitments occurred in 2014 to both our primary and specialty groups that will support additional physician recruitments in the coming year(s). Houston Methodist St. John is committed to expanding our service offerings, while maintaining our commitment to exceptional quality, safety and service.

SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist St. John) Fr. Reuben Nwankwor, EdD, Director, Spiritual Care and Values Integration

With absolute commitment to Houston Methodist’s mission and vision to provide globally superior care and exceptional service in a spiritual and healing environment, HMSTJ Spiritual Care team strives to integrate the ICARE values into all daily patient care and services, and to support physicians and staff to collaboratively achieve this goal.

Exceptional patient care is at the heart of HMSTJ Spiritual Care, and we support this effort in a variety of

ways. The Spiritual Care team is committed to working with each patient, according to their belief system and spiritual expression. Spiritual Care services include, but are not limited to, understanding each patient’s journey with their illness and finding their spiritual source of strength. Spiritual Care also considers the patient’s social support, emotional status, and other needs including; prayer, faith, faith community, rituals, rosary, sacraments, providence, etc. Our intervention includes listening, counseling, healing touch, meditation/prayer, scripture reading, hope/gratitude focus, relaxation techniques, music, etc. While every patient may not be religious, each patient has some sort of spiritual core. Working with each individual, we help them achieve connection, meaning, harmony and transcendental focus.

HMSTJ Spiritual Care team offers a broad range of prayer services and Roman Catholic Mass. We offer

weekday Masses Monday thru Friday, with daily attendance of approximately forty people. We also perform a

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quarterly bereavement service. In this prayer service we invite families who recently lost a loved one to honor their memories. Attendance of this service has grown since we started, with families expressing their appreciation both in person and in writing. In 2014, we were honored with the addition of the statue, Jesus the Great Physician. This symbol not only connects St. John to the Houston Methodist family, but is also an excellent representation to our commitment to creating a spiritual and healing environment.

The Spiritual Care team recognizes that we are part of the entire hospital team. As such, we visibly and

constantly participate in the activities of other departments. 2014 brought the first ICARE Commitment process to St. John where the Spiritual Care department had the pleasure of partnering with more than 30 work units to galvanize their commitments to uphold the ICARE values. During 2014, our department also facilitated a poster project with each department, entitled “Making Your Presence Felt”. This project required each department to choose one ICARE value that resonated most significantly with that department, as well as a visual image that was symbolic of the department’s persona. Spiritual Care is grateful for the opportunity to promote the importance of our ICARE values with our employees. We are also pleased to have initiated our lay minister program and now are honored to have 12 spiritual care volunteers to help minister to the needs of our patients and families. We also liaised with the cancer committee to provide music support to cancer and pre-surgical patients. All of these activities give the Spiritual Care team ample opportunity to strengthen ties with other departments, promote shared governance, and model the mission, vision, and values of Houston Methodist.

The Spiritual Care team is committed to the service of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and

excellence. All around us, we create a spiritual and healing environment that takes care of not only the bodies of our patients, but also their spirits. The goal of the Spiritual Care team is to make Houston Methodist St. John the first choice of every patient.

HOUSTON METHODIST WEST HOSPITAL Wayne Voss, Senior Vice President and CEO, Houston Methodist West Hospital

Houston Methodist West Hospital’s doors opened to patients on Dec. 17, 2010, with 336 employees excited to serve them. Today, the hospital has more than 1,300 employees. Since opening, we’ve seen more than 100,000 patients in the emergency department, performed more than 19,000 surgeries and 5,400 heart catheterization procedures, delivered more than 6,600 babies, admitted more than 27,000 inpatients and completed nearly 180,000 outpatient visits.

Last year, through the hard work and dedication of our staff and leadership, Houston Methodist West

accomplished much, including DNV ISO9001 certification; 3-Star award by the Society for Thoracic Surgery, a major accomplishment that places us within the top 10 percent of all hospitals in the United States; achieved No. 1 in inpatient market share for our service area, an excellent feat for our youth in the market; we transferred more than 100 CHRISTUS St. Catherine employees to Houston Methodist West; and we led the Houston Methodist system in patient satisfaction scores.

Throughout 2014, Houston Methodist West completed numerous expansion projects to meet the growing

demand in West Houston, Katy and far-west communities. In fact, the hospital has seen approximately 30 percent growth year over year since opening. Expansion projects last year included completion of virtually all shelled space, bringing the hospital to its maximum bed count of 193; a renovated infusion center; 10-bed emergency department expansion; 32 beds opened on the fifth floor as an internal medicine unit (IMU); two additional operating rooms; and opened Houston Methodist Wellness Services, Weight Management Center, employee fitness center, and Houston Methodist Research Institute office in a second six-story medical office building. Plans are nearly complete for a second bed tower, which will break ground at the end of 2015. The Breast Care Center will move from the hospital to an expanded location in Medical Office Building 2. And, the Cinco Ranch Emergency Care Center will opening in April.

Houston Methodist West’s surgical program grew from 5,300 surgeries in 2013 to 6,781 in 2014. The surgical

program is a true example of bringing Leading Medicine to the community. Its state-of-the-art construction, advanced technology and highly trained staff give our patients and physicians a safe, efficient and caring place to be treated—including a hybrid operating room for cardiovascular needs.

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Houston Methodist West helped bring 2,692 new lives into the West Houston and Katy communities in 2014.

With expanded capability to comfortably deliver 250 babies per month, the birthing center averaged 224 births a month in 2014.

Our cardiology and cardiovascular surgery programs sustained incredible volumes throughout 2014. Houston

Methodist West is the market leader in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery volumes. We saw 1,463 cardiac catheterization lab visits and performed 113 cardiovascular surgery cases. Houston Methodist West’s Mended Hearts volunteer program continues to thrive, allowing post-heart procedure patients to come together to finish their recovery and discuss their challenges, milestones and successes.

The emergency department at Houston Methodist West grew to be a premier treatment center in West

Houston and Katy. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and the community alike have grown to trust the capabilities of our campus, our physicians and our staff for emergencies of all types. The emergency department treated 37,454 patients in 2014. We regularly host EMS conferences where our staff and physicians discuss, train and educate local EMS providers on new methods of treatments and care protocols.

Our volunteers have been key to personalizing each patient’s experience at Houston Methodist West; more

than 100 volunteers assist us with greeting, navigating and visiting our patients on a daily basis. During the course of 2014, we also had the opportunity to partner closer with companies like BP, Shell Oil,

Mustang Engineering, The Wood Group and ConocoPhillips by providing their employees with physician speakers, health fairs and health screening events on their campuses. Houston Methodist West hosted multiple consumer events, in which we invited community members to the hospital for educational lectures and screenings. Some of the topics included heart health, women’s health, men’s health and cancer.

Houston Methodist West has quickly become a true community partner and the last four years have supported

our vision of bringing Leading Medicine to the communities we serve. SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist West Hospital) The Rev. Craig Bradley, BBA, MRE, BCC, Director Spiritual Care

Guided by Houston Methodist’s belief that God can heal through the lives, actions and words of persons, the Spiritual Care & Value Integration Department at Houston Methodist West Hospital and Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital is integrated into virtually every aspect of care. Under the direction of Chaplain Craig Bradley, the spiritual care program ministers to patients, their families, and hospital staff and physicians, regardless of religious preference. Offering 24-hour on-call spiritual care services, the department responded to nearly 1,500 spiritual consult requests from staff and physicians in 2014. More than 17,600 visits were made to patients and loved ones of many different faiths and backgrounds by staff chaplains and chaplaincy care volunteers.

Houston Methodist West and St. Catherine experienced exciting growth with the addition of Chaplain Peggy

Hennig (Disciple of Christ) and Chaplain Tod Zeigler (Orthodox Catholic), along with assistant Anita Zapata. Also, Chaplain Michelle Taunton and Chaplain Robert McInturff joined as part-time and weekend coverage chaplains.

Spiritual Care & Value Integration continues to develop relationships with local church leaders of many

different faith traditions. They are involved with the Katy-West Houston Interfaith Clergy Association, whose membership represents clergy from Protestant and Catholic churches, Jewish synagogues and Muslim temples; The Katy Church, which is an association of churches and ministry leadership of West Houston, Katy and communities further west; and we continue to cultivate relationships with nonprofit ministries and services, such as Compassion Katy, which meet regularly to network and promote volunteerism.

Our chaplains/staff have represented our hospital in various community formats. Our chaplains have been to

various churches in our community to assist training lay leadership in pastoral care. We hosted a “Resilience” seminar for the community to assist their development of resilience. Community outreach and collaboration

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continue to be led by Spiritual Care & Value Integration in such events as the Houston United Way campaign. The department continues to lead the United Way campaign, and to host community groups at the hospital and in the community, addressing issues like advanced directives. We are assisting both community members and health care professionals on how to have conversations about “End-of-Life” issues.

This is the third year of Spiritual Care Volunteers. Volunteers have grown from 11 to 28, and average 150

patient visits per week. The Chaplaincy Care Volunteers are committed and continue to work with the spiritual care staff to increase the capacity for personal involvement with the spiritual needs of patients, their families and our staff.

The department is an essential part of the development of the spiritual culture of the hospital. The Chaplains

have initiated a connection with staff at new employee and nursing orientations, and stay connected through weekly thoughts and mid-week prayers. The Chaplains continue to honor the service personnel on Veteran’s Day, remember Martin Luther King’s contributions, and Nurse’s Week by blessing the hands of our nurses and staff. Chaplains have been available to officiate at weddings and funerals for our patients, their family members and staff members. Spiritual Care provides the staff with daily support by participating in interdisciplinary health care rounds and serving on Houston Methodist West’s Biomedical Ethics Consultation Services & Committee, along with being involved with our shared governance councils.

Houston Methodist West’s chapel is inviting and calm for patients, family members and staff. Each day,

dozens of patient family members and staff use it as place of reflection, encouragement and prayer. We hold weekly Mass at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesdays. We also have Eucharistic ministers from two parishes that help me the spiritual needs of our patients. The leadership of Houston Methodist West, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, and St. Edith Stein Catholic Church assisted in make the Eucharist ministry and weekly Mass available.

Looking forward, Houston Methodist West will work in concert with sister Houston Methodist facilities to

implement best practices that treat every patient as “a person of sacred worth and value, created by God.”

METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPTIAL Beryl Ramsey, Senior Vice President and CEO, Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a 251-licensed bed, tertiary care facility that brings the world-renowned, medical center level quality care and expertise of Houston Methodist to Northwest Houston area residents. Houston Methodist Willowbrook provides a full continuum of medical services, including emergency care, imaging, cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, accredited chest pain and stroke centers, neurology, neurosurgery, collaborative cancer center, comprehensive women’s services, and general medicine.

For the past 13 years, the hospital has been providing the latest research, technology, education, specialized

care and best practices in the Northwest Houston community. In 2013, our commitment to innovation continued with the addition of a second advanced, minimally invasive da Vinci® Surgical System that provides patients with a less invasive surgical option that can improve surgical outcomes and overall standard of care, as well as reduce recovery time. A Labor and Delivery Emergency Department/Observation Unit was opened that included an expansion of the L&D triage area with six private rooms, compared to three beds in an open bay area previously. The Breast Center was relocated to the first floor of the Women’s & Children’s Pavilion and now features a second ultrasound room, front door access, special reserved parking for patients, and dedicated registration. The North Pavilion also was remodeled to create a more open feel, and both hospital gift shops are under new management with more merchandise and expanded hours.

As one of the few private, not-for-profit hospitals in Cy-Fair and Northwest Houston, Houston Methodist

Willowbrook takes seriously its status as a faith-based organization committed to providing quality, cost-effective health care. To achieve this goal, in 2013 the hospital supported a wide range of outreach efforts with a mission to increase education and screening, and improve the lives of members of the community. These efforts included hosting 52 free health education programs, physician speaking engagements, seminars on a variety of health topics, and screenings at local events and venues. During seven blood drives held throughout the year, there were 521 donations – a 45 percent increase in collected units compared to 2012. Examples of well received events

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included a stroke seminar attended by 50 nurses from the greater Houston area, joint replacement dine and learn with approximately 130 people, and Paint the Night Pink! breast health awareness night with more than 170 attendees.

The leadership team, medical staff, nurses and employees at Houston Methodist Willowbrook also continued

to advocate for health care issues across the continuum of care, working with local organizations and community leaders to further the prevention, education, research, awareness, and provision of care for all major disease states. Highlights of community involvement in 2013 included continued support for Bleyl Middle School in Cy-Fair I.S.D., which has an enrollment of 1,557 students (more than 52 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged), through additional school initiatives that included the donation of presentation clickers for teachers, assistance with the mentorship program, and coordination of food and toy drives benefiting students and their families. Hospital staff members also participated in numerous community events, such as the Northwest Harris County Heart Walk benefitting the American Heart Association (raising $24,210 and making the hospital the top contributor for the event), Stride4Stroke (raised more than $5,000 for stroke research and education), and 39 employees worked together to build a home for Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County, using ICARE In Action hours. The hospital also hosted a National Cancer Survivors Day event and EMS Appreciation Day. Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital honored gymnast Simone Biles, 2013 World All-Around Champion, with a ceremony and award presentation.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook’s commitment to serving the community, innovative technology, and

medical center training and expertise continues to attract recognition from across the medical community. The highlight of the year occurred when the hospital was named a Magnet recognized health care facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program®. Additional noteworthy designations awarded to the hospital in 2013 included accreditation in Nuclear Medicine and Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging from the American College of Radiology, Dark Blue BlueQ Ribbon from BlueCross BlueShield, Get With The Guidelines®—Stroke Gold Plus Award from the American Heart Association, an “A” Hospital Safety Score from The Leapfrog Group, and Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical outcomes. Additional achievements earned during the year included receiving the Large Business of the Year Award from Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, successful completion of the sixth biennial College of American Pathologists inspection, passage of the Texas Department of Health Mammography Quality Standards Act with zero violations, and 100 percent certification of computed tomography staff by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The Houston Business Journal also listed Houston Methodist Willowbrook among the highest-scoring hospitals for stroke and heart attack based on a report cited in an article from a leading independent health care ratings company.

SPIRITUAL CARE (Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital) The Rev. Darrell Jackson, M.Div., Director Spiritual Care

The Department of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital seeks to assist in helping our patients, their families and hospital staff to rediscover hope, resilience and inner strength in times of illness, injury, transition and loss. Our belief is that Spiritual Care involves the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, and it is an important part of the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing process. Because we recognize that each person has different needs and expresses their spirituality in different ways, our team of Spiritual Care professionals honors the unique cultural perspective and faith tradition of every individual.

I CARE Values serve as the nucleus for guiding our Spiritual Care Team to provide a unique and holistic ministry to our diverse hospital staff and growing community. The Houston Methodist Willowbrook Spiritual Care Team consists of a director, two full-time chaplains, two part-time chaplains, and a full-time administrative assistant. The department is grateful to also have 45-50 lay Spiritual Care Volunteers who have been recruited and trained by the Director. In 2014, the Chaplain Staff made 22,660 visits to patients and families, while the Spiritual Care Volunteers contributed 17,031 visits for a combined total of 39,691 visits. We are also grateful for our strong partnership with the Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Community. Their robust presence and support has helped our department provide a greater level of care to our patients, patient families, and hospital staff.

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In 2014, the Department of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist Willowbrook was led under the visionary leadership of Dr. Mark Young, who served as the Director of Spiritual Care and Values Integration for five years until his retirement in January 2015. Among his many valued contributions, Dr. Young provided our hospital with a daily written on-line devotional called Faith Prints. He taught the Culture of Care program to promote values integration to our hospital leadership and physicians, and he also served on the Board of Trustees for NAM (Northwest Assistance Ministries) and as a director on the Klein ISD Education Foundation.

Because of the collegiality of our team, our department was able to provide the hospital with daily email

prayers as well as leadership at prayer huddles in different areas in our hospital, which grew from seven weekly prayer huddles to over eleven each week. Every Wednesday the Spiritual Care Department hosted a Protestant Holy Communion Service and Holy Mass provided by a Priest from Prince of Peace Catholic Community. The Mass Services are broadcasted to patients on Channel 43 of the hospital video network.

Our department continued its ministry outreach throughout the year by offering a variety of chapel services, beginning with a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. service in January and concluding with a Christmas Eve service in December. In conjunction with hospital staff and volunteers, our Spiritual Care Team also provided encouragement to our patients, patient families, visitors and hospital staff by singing Christmas carols and hymns during Holy Week on patient units and in other non-clinical areas.

The opening of our Interfaith Chapel, located in the hospital’s Women’s & Children’s Pavilion, has provided

people of different faith traditions the opportunity to express their spirituality in ways that are meaningful to them.

The Spiritual Care Department also played an important part in the education of new employees. Along with key departmental leaders, the Spiritual Care Department led a monthly session as part of the hospital’s New Employee Orientation program, helping new employees get acquainted with our Culture of Care, which is called The Methodist Experience. Our Spiritual Care Department is also engaged in ensuring the Recommitment to our ICARE Values on an annual basis hospital wide.

Finally, throughout 2014, on the second Tuesday of every month, our staff chaplains continued to lead a Grief

Support Group that was established in 2012. Chaplain Joy Cabrera also established a Cancer Support Group that met once a month at the request of medical staff members, Anna Belcheva, MD and Anne Alaniz, MD. Furthermore, our chaplaincy staff has performed memorial services, weddings, and baptisms throughout the year at the request of our patients and their families.

Through all of these ministry opportunities, the Department of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist Willowbrook has played an important role in assisting patients and their families, hospital staff, and even members of the Northwest Houston community during critical periods of their lives and in times of spiritual need. We look forward to 2015 with great anticipation, and we believe that it will be a year of significant growth and connectivity. As we partner with our hospital’s leadership team and departments throughout our campus and hospital system, we are excited about our future, and are committed to living out our I CARE Values.

THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D. Ernest Cockrell Jr. Distinguished Endowed Chair President and CEO, Houston Methodist Research Institute Director, Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital Executive Vice President, Houston Methodist Hospital System

2014 was a remarkable year for the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital in the implementation of the strategic plan. For the three new Centers of Research Excellence (CREs), including Precision Medicine, Outcomes, Quality and Healthcare Performance, and Biotherapeutics and Regenerative Medicine. For Biotherapeutics and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Phil Horner is recruited as the Director of Neuro-Regeneration Program Director from University of Washington, Seattle, WA. The Regeneration Medicine faculty members and lab members moved to the newly built-out 10th floor, which is a state-of-art facility for stem cell research, biomaterials and biomechanics, therapeutic RNA and protein bio-

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therapeutics development. Dr. Phil Horner, together with Dr. John Cooke, Dr. Ennio Tasciotti, Dr. Xian Li, are working with Houston Methodist physician scientists to investigate new methods and solutions for cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, bone and cartilage regeneration, and organ transplantation. For Precision Medicine, Drs. Tej Pandita and Sankar Mitra were recruited from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, and University of Texas Medical Branch, respectively, to lead the Radiation Oncology research program. Both have outstanding achievements in research and mentorship. Rajeev Singh, MD, MBA was recruited from Singapore to lead the Biorepository and Tissue/Serum Core, which is a critical resource to develop genomics and proteomics based diagnosis and therapy. The Translational Imaging and Cyclotron Radiopharmaceutical cGMP core facilities have received FDA IND approval for 3 investigational PET tracers that enable Houston Methodist physician scientists to conduct clinical research in the detection and therapy of brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. The PET imaging and MRI imaging cores have conducted both human patient clinical trials and large animal model studies. Our investigators in Neuroscience program have received a major grant from a GE/NFL program to study the correlation of traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases development. For Outcomes, Quality and Health Care Performance, Dr. Susan Abookire was recruited from Boston as the Houston Methodist System Chief Quality Officer and she is actively engaged in the implementation and development of the Outcome Research Center. Drs. Nelda Wray, and Carol Ashton, Co-Directors of the Center retired in the end of 2014 and a search for the new director for the Center is on the way. Implementation of the strategic Infrastructure developments of the Institute of Academic strategic have been initiated in 2014, which include: alignments of academic administration to coordinate and consolidate system research and educational programs, integration of Research Institute and Weill Cornell faculty appointments and promotions, and implementation of Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine faculty appointments and promotions, establishment of the Office of Strategic Research Initiatives for academic business development, and fully functional operation of Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapy Phase I Unit that attracted multiple early phase clinical trials sponsored by major pharmaceutical companies.

Under the leadership of Drs. Mauro Ferrari and Tim Boone, Director and Co-Director of Houston Methodist

Institute for Academic Medicine, we have established strategic educational partnerships with Texas A&M Health Science Center and University of St. Thomas. Beginning with the 2015 fall semester, two dozen Texas A&M medical students annually will receive two years clinical trainings at Houston Methodist Hospital as part of their M.D. degree education and selected M.D./Ph.D. graduate students will also receive three to four years graduate research trainings at Houston Methodist Research Institute. Dr. Tim Boone, Co-Director of the Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist, was appointed the Vice Dean, Houston Campus, at Texas A&M College of Medicine. The University of St. Thomas Cameron School of Business and the Houston Methodist Research Institute launched a joint program to offer a Master in Clinical Translational Management degree. Currently, there are only two similar programs in the U.S., one offered by the University of California San Francisco, the other by Johns Hopkins University. By linking entrepreneurship and business development directly to advances in basic research and clinical practice, the program is aimed to bridge the gap between science and business by training professionals who learn to expedite the translation of research discoveries from bench to bedside, reducing the time needed to bring effective therapies to patients. Houston Methodist’s educational teams will move to the Houston Methodist Translational Research Building’s second floor in March 2015 which will accelerate the consolidation of research and education operations within the Institute for Academic Medicine and create integrated academic offices under a single roof.

HOUSTON METHODIST GLOBAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES Cathy Easter, President and CEO, Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services Senior Vice President, Community Development

Leveraging clinical excellence, compassionate care and world-class physicians, Houston Methodist’s hospitals and physicians treated 2,782 unique patients from 92 countries for a total of 9,472 international patient encounters in 2014, representing 77% growth in international patient volume since 2007. In addition to international patient care, Houston Methodist Global’s advisory/management and education divisions provide advisory services and training and development to health care organizations around the world.

2014 was a productive year for the advisory/management and education divisions. We have entered new phases with some of our existing clients and many new projects have been started.

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In Latin America, the affiliation between Houston Methodist and The American British Cowdray (ABC)

Medical Center in Mexico City is entering its ninth year. Since its inception, this dynamic partnership has elevated the level of patient care, quality, and access. A highlight for 2014 was helping ABC achieve re-accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI). New facility expansions and commitment to the latest medical technology and innovations by both organizations continue to set the standard for the global health care community. Houston Methodist Global also entered year two of the seven year affiliation agreement with TecSalud based in Monterrey, Mexico. The main objectives of this agreement are to identify opportunities within TecSalud where Houston Methodist expertise can support a patient-centered safety culture as well as continue to create value through knowledge transfer of best practices. In 2014 the relationship primarily focused on the development of quality infrastructure and service line development. In 2014, we also jointly hosted two consumer events in Monterrey to promote our service line strengths in cardiology and cancer.

In Europe, Houston Methodist Global continued its affiliation with Euromedic Cancer Therapy Centers based in Poland and Bosnia. This partnership encompasses protocol development, weekly training, information exchange, and collaboration on quality and operational effectiveness. Houston Methodist Global is also providing operational commissioning guidance in the form of workflows for processes, commissioning preparations and standards to Alvimedica in Croatia for a specialized cardiac hospital.

In the Middle East, Houston Methodist Global signed a management agreement with Meraas Holding to

develop and manage a 70,000 square foot multi-specialty clinic in Dubai. The clinic is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2016. We have also assisted Meraas in developing a business plan for 11 additional outpatient centers of different sizes in Dubai. The management team for Meraas will be comprised of Houston Methodist Global leadership from Houston as well as the region. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a new agreement was signed with King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh to assist in the development of a world class surgical simulation center. Houston Methodist continued its relationships with both Prince Sultan Cultural Centre Company (PSCC) in Jeddah and King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH) in Riyadh. For PSCC, we are currently in the detailed-design phase for the 263-bed multispecialty hospital to be built in Jeddah, which will be managed by Houston Methodist once it opens in 2018. We have been working closely with the architects, space planners, designers, medical equipment planners and engineers to oversee the facility’s clinical, infrastructural and operational design and development. For KFSH, relationship highlights in 2014 included providing operational commissioning, patient experience and change management, and program management for the newly constructed King Abdullah Center for Oncology and Liver Disease (KACOLD).

Houston Methodist Global also provided health care development advisory and educational services to a number of public and private clients in several countries including Saudi Arabia, China, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Houston Methodist Global hosted 137 health care professionals and physicians from 37 countries for observational and hands-on learning in 34 specialty areas at Houston Methodist. Houston Methodist Global also broadcasted 30 medical lectures to over 1,836 participants at more than 40 hospitals and clinics in 11 countries throughout the world. Over 90 international clinicians participated in Houston Methodist conferences and MITIE training courses in 2014.

Houston Methodist Global signed services agreements with Johns Hopkins Aramco Hospital, King Faisal

Specialist Hospital & Research Center – Riyadh and Jeddah, and King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Houston Methodist Global and Shenzhen No.2 People’s Hospital to initiate clinical and professional development programs. Houston Methodist Global collaborated with MAQUET (Shanghai) Medical Equipment Company to provide a cardiovascular clinical development program for 5 Chinese cardiovascular surgeons in 2014. CONCLUSION

Houston Methodist acknowledges and supports the Center for Missional Excellence of the Texas Annual Conference. We will continue to provide high quality, cost effective health care that delivers the best value to the people it serves through its health care facilities in a spiritual environment of caring with internationally recognized teaching and research.

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Recommendations Submitted

1. That the Texas Annual Conference recognize the appointment and reappointment of the Rev. Dr. Charles R. Millikan, Vice President for Spiritual Care and Values Integration; The Rev. Dr. Bettie T. Hightower and the Rev. Stacy Auld as Senior Chaplains and the Rev. Kim Mabry as a Clinical Pastoral Education Intern and the Rev. Thomas Stephenson as a Clinical Pastoral Education Resident to Houston Methodist Hospital; and the Rev. Linda Tolon as a Senior Staff Chaplain to Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

2. The following individuals be elected Directors Houston Methodist for a three-year term to expire on June 30, 2018:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

That Houston Methodist is allowed to append any other necessary statement or recommendation to the report given at the Annual Conference. Future Considerations

1. Houston Methodist will maintain its close relationship with the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

2. Houston Methodist will support and equip vibrant, growing congregations through excellence in health care delivery, education, and translational research.

3. Houston Methodist will continue to cultivate a spiritual environment of caring demonstrated by the redeeming activity of God in the world.

4. Houston Methodist will continue to provide spiritual care that is responsive and sensitive to the diversity of our patients’ needs and beliefs that flows from our Christian values and our relationship with The United Methodist Church.

5. Houston Methodist will continue to integrate its core values into all operations, programs and services, while holding everyone accountable for demonstrating those values.

6. Houston Methodist will continue to perform its stewardship role demonstrating radical hospitality and extravagant generosity with discernment and the judgment needed to meet the needs of our communities as we reach for the frontiers in clinical medicine and its research.

Lydia Patterson Institute

Dr. Socorro Brito deAnda, President

It is with great honor and respect that I submit this report to you on behalf of your ministry on the border, Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI). I first and foremost wish to thank the Bishop and every member of the conference for your love, prayers and support for the well- being of our 400 students, whose future is in our hands.

The past year has been one of monumental and historical accomplishments for Lydia Patterson. We began with the celebration of its 100 years of ministry in a Centennial Gala attended by over 450 friends and supporters from El Paso, Juarez, and friends from throughout the jurisdiction and beyond. Distinguished alums were honored as were the faculty, parents, and board members. The highlights of the evening were the words of encouragement and praise by our Congressman Beto O’Roark and Former First Lady Laura Bush.

As a part of this celebration, LPI is engaged in a $15 million campaign for the renovation of its facilities and development and enhancement of new programs. The funds raised will go to build a new chapel and fine arts

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center, a new science lab, a computer lab and a media and research center. Fourteen classrooms have already been renovated and equipped with the infrastructure for the latest technology.

This year, we introduced the ELPILearn program. This is a unique program and the only one of its kind in the country. The program was designed to add a middle school to our existing high school. Students will now be learning English, while they are introduced to the core subjects of the 7th and 8th grade. We made news in El Paso with the introduction of learning pads and SmartBoards to the classroom as well as being the only school in the area to replace textbooks with Ebooks. The program development plan will bring the same latest state of the art technology to the 9th and 10th grade in the next school year and the 11th and 12th grade in 2016.

The accomplishments to date have been made possible by the gifts and pledges of friends, both local and throughout the country, and the commitment of several annual conferences to the capital campaign. The addition of the Middle School was funded through a commitment of the Central Texas Conference to whom we are most grateful. Although we still have a long way to go, we are confident that the ministry of LPI merits every dollar invested, and that we will reach our goal.

We are proud of the accomplishments of the campaign, but we are far more proud of the accomplishment of our students. In the past year, we graduated 83 seniors, 82 of whom are in college today. We continue to maintain a 98% rate of students attending a college or university. Students are presently attending 15 of our United Methodist colleges throughout the country. The lay ministry students served in 21 internships last summer, one will graduate from seminary and receive ordination this year, and four are leading churches throughout the country.

This has been a year of excitement and jubilation for Lydia Patterson, but the best is yet to come. THIS IS OUR YEAR. We will reach our goal and see that LPI is prepared to go into the next 100 years with the best facilities, the most advanced programs, and the best tools to form leaders in our communities, to serve the church and to transform the world, all in the name of Jesus Christ. On behalf of the past and present students and the many more to come, please receive my appreciation for investing in this capital campaign that will change many more lives in the next 100 years.

Methodist Children’s Home Mr. Tim Brown, President & CEO

Greetings from Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) and the children, youth and families we serve thanks

to the support of our many benefactors and friends, including those from the Texas Annual Conference. This year we celebrate our 125th year of ministry. The historic partnership between MCH and United Methodist churches in Texas and New Mexico has offered hope to thousands of children, youth and families from the hard places in life.

I am honored to report to you that MCH continues to be in compliance with and, in many cases, to be exceeding the best practice standards established by two national accrediting organizations. MCH works hard to accomplish goals produced by our strategic plan. I invite each member of the annual conference to visit our website at MCH.org to view our strategic plan and annual report. Or, you may call MCH at (800) 853-1272 to have copies mailed for your review. The priorities and goals of our strategic plan challenge our ministry to explore ways to increase our impact on children and families across Texas and New Mexico.

Guided by our core values of Christian Principles, Relationships, Responsibility, Growth, Service and Hope, MCH is committed to providing the services, programs and talented individuals needed to positively impact the lives of children and youth in our care. This is happening every day through residential programs on our historic Waco campus and Boys Ranch, located just outside of Waco, as well as through MCH Family Outreach offices, including Houston, Lufkin and Tyler within the Texas Annual Conference.

The reasons children and youth arrive in our care are unique to each individual. They range from extreme trauma or a sudden change in the family structure to school issues or poor choices in a difficult and ever-changing world. Our collaboration with Texas Christian University’s Institute of Child Development to incorporate Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) in our work places MCH on the cutting edge of child care as we learn new ways to serve children who have experienced trauma. These proven and tested techniques and methods of interacting with children are impacting families in positive ways. Our vision is to take what we learn with TBRI and begin making it available to pastors, youth ministers and concerned family members in the local church. The lessons we are learning, coupled with spiritual development opportunities for all children in our care, makes MCH a unique ministry of the United Methodist Church.

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In addition to the accomplishments listed above, your support also empowered MCH to: • Graduate 43 high school seniors in 2014. Thanks to our many friends, we were able to allocate more

than $500,000 for MCH alumni to pursue a college or advanced degree, certificate at a trade school or job-related training that will help them improve their families and communities. This year we have more than 31 seniors on track for graduation at the time this report was submitted to the Conference.

• Increase the impact in Houston, Lufkin and Tyler through the work of our Family Outreach program. Staff in these outreach locations provide in-home services – such as Family Solutions and the Grandparents as Parents Program. Our website has a full listing of our 12 outreach offices and how to contact them for more information on services available to communities and churches in the Texas Annual Conference.

• Receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Council of Accreditation (COA) for the demonstration of exceptional quality improvement in the implementation of MCH Family Outreach’s Family Solutions program.

• Recognize the great work of 54 staff members with employee service awards. All honorees had at least three years of service, and 10 employees celebrated 15 or more years with our ministry, including two 30-year honorees.

• Participate in several mission trips and community service projects. These projects provided opportunities for MCH youth to show Christ’s love by sharing their time and talents to help meet needs across Texas. We remain grateful to Kingwood UMC and the many volunteers from the Texas Annual Conference who make U.M. Army an annual experience for MCH youth.

Our achievements in the past – and those yet to come – are directly related to the men and women who

give their time, talents and resources to bless our children. The following individuals from the Texas Annual Conference serve on the MCH Board of Directors:

Mr. Hank Coleman, Houston Dr. Ann Weiss, Katy Mr. Tom Wilkinson, Bryan Mr. Mark Ward, Kingwood

These individuals, along with our other Board members, MCH Commissioners and benefactors, enable

our ministry to achieve its mission. On behalf of Methodist Children’s Home, thank you for sharing our story in your churches and communities. If you would like to schedule a speaker, arrange a tour or request resources to help promote an offering, contact our development office by email at development@MCH.org, by phone at (254) 750-1213 or (800) 853-1272, or by mail at 1111 Herring Avenue, Waco, Texas 76708. I also encourage you to visit our website at MCH.org to download stories; identify resources to help educate your congregation on our ministry; view a transparent listing of our financial resources and services delivered; find out how you can refer a child for placement; or learn more about a call to serve our ministry as homeparent or foster parent.

As we celebrate our 125th year of ministry, MCH knows our service to children and families is possible because of God’s amazing grace and our generous benefactors. Thank you for your trust and support of our ministry. May God continue to bless you and Methodist Children’s Home..

Methodist Retirement Communities Mr. Ronald E. Jennette, President & CEO

2014 REPORT TO THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Steeped in the Wesleyan tradition of Christian faith and wholeness, Methodist Retirement Communities and its Affiliates fervently continue to further our service ministry to senior adults.

RESIDENTS • We continue to serve a sustainable balance of seniors from all walks of life, including providing direct

benevolent assistance to qualified seniors in our communities who have outlived their resources; also offering quality living affordable communities.

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• About 400 of our residents served in 2014 received subsidies from donations for benevolent assistance or rent subsidies in the affordable housing communities that we developed and manage.

o Between direct benevolent assistance and Medicaid shortfalls, MRC provided over a million $ of support for residents with otherwise insufficient financial means ♦ This is a constant challenge, as the level of donations is insufficient to meet the need we have;

and the full need is even greater than what we’re able to provide. o Another $2 million was provided by HUD for those in income restricted communities

• We continue to serve residents in many settings, all focused on each person achieving their highest level of independence in a dignified setting:

o Independent Living homes and apartments at a wide variety of price points, with a variety of programs and activities

o Assisted Living apartments for those seeking three meals and some help with various activities of daily living, such as bathing, medication monitoring, toileting, eating.

o Memory Support suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other Dementia’s, where specialized programs and activities are available to assist with the specific needs of those in this area to facilitate dignified living while seeking the highest possible level of healthy living.

o Long-Term Skilled Nursing units for those needing 24/7 nursing care. o Short-Term Rehabilitation units for those needing an optimal place for recovery, or even preparation

ahead of a needed surgery. o Home Health and other Home Services to help individuals remain in the most independent setting

possible. • About 1500 residents are served annually, averaging about 1000 per day 24 hours per day 7 days per week

365 days per year. That’s the equivalent of 365,000 hospital days. o This number will go up by 300 Residents per day or more upon filling up The Crossings community

that will open the summer of 2015 in League City. HOSPITALITY • Taking a chapter from Houston Methodist along with strong support and encouragement from our Boards of

Directors in 2012, we continued in 2014 our intense focus toward meaningful services, programs, activities, housing and care with first-rate hospitality that lead to each person having the opportunity to live life to his or her fullest. This program called ICARE targets five key values to follow in all we do. Our version of the ICARE model and what the acronym stands for:

I C A R E Integrity Compassion Accountability Respect Excellence • This is now a part of every employee’s annual evaluation, on-going training for all, a key input in hiring

decisions, and at the heart of everything we do both strategically and on a daily basis. o Our residents also helped with this program by participating with staff at our Crestview operation in

Bryan where we developed employee training videos demonstrating exceptional service using ICARE values compared to average service or worse.

• Each operation names an ICARE Champion of the Year, and these employees are honored during the Holiday season; followed with a celebration in February at a special luncheon with board members.

Direct  Line  Service  Teams  

Support  Teams  Department  Heads  

 Administrators  Exec  Team  

Boards  

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EMPLOYEES • We continue placing a very strong emphasis on employee development to best fulfill our mission:

o Chuck Childress, our Regional Vice-President of Operations, won the Mentor of the Year award for 2014 from our non-profit state association, LeadingAge Texas.

o We now have 18 leaders in the MRC system that has completed the program to become designated as Certified Aging Services Professionals.

o A similar number have completed the LeadingAge Texas Leadership Institute. BOARD CHAIR • Rev. Jack Womack of Hope Community Church began his 3-year term as Chair of the parent MRC Board of

Directors in July 2013, working diligently to further this worthy mission as we seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

o Under recent past Chairs Don Morriss, Tom Wussow and John Hicks, MRC established a new foundation for our future; revitalizing itself to better fulfill its mission of service ministry to senior adults while creating a stronger, viable future for this worthy ministry.

• MRC is blessed to have caring, compassionate and highly competent board members committed to this service ministry; with the majority being Methodist.

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT • Our newest Continuing Care Retirement Community was under construction much of 2014. The Crossings is

being built on 18.8 acres near the intersection of FM518 & FM270 in League City. This exciting new healthy living community is scheduled to open in phases beginning as early as June or July 2015, so stay tuned.

o This community will have: ♦ 116 Independent Living apartments known as Woodland Creek at The Crossings. These homes

are virtually all pre-sold, so we’ve already started a waiting list even before opening. ♦ 36 Assisted Living apartments ♦ 24 Memory Support suites for Alzheimer’s and other Dementia’s ♦ 28 Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care units ♦ 20 Short-Term Rehab units ♦ A variety of amenities to encourage healthy living at every level

o While most of this project is financed with tax-exempt bonds, we have been blessed to have a number of important and significant contributions that will allow us to include stained glass in the Chapel/Multi-Purpose room; along with other religious items.

• Following a grand opening in 2013 for the last phase of the completely rebuilt MRC Crestview in Bryan, 2014 saw this community finish filling up early in the year and remaining virtually full since. This vibrant new Continuing Care Retirement Community offers residential apartments, assisted living apartments, memory support suites for Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s, plus skilled nursing and rehab.

• Also following a grand opening in 2013, the brand new replacement community in Huntsville called MRC Creekside also filled up during 2014 as it was well received by the local community as the most desired place in town for assisted living apartments, memory support suites for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, plus skilled nursing & rehab.

• As 2014 ended, we neared completion of a substantial refurbishment to the health care areas of MRC PineCrest in Lufkin. This community has now been almost completely refurbished over the last several years, looking virtually new all over again.

o Nestled on 55 acres in the forest country, PineCrest has been serving the Lufkin area since 1992 with residential patio and apartment homes, assisted living apartments, memory support suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, skilled nursing & rehab, home health and other home services.

• We've now completed the very challenging process of securing the necessary funding to refurbish the Affordable Senior Housing HUD apartments known as Oakview in La Porte.

o This required securing a $500K grant last year from the Dallas Federal Home Loan Bank plus a similar loan commitment from two of our Affordable Housing communities in Bryan combined with a HUD refinancing of Oakview itself.

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o The Refurbishments are beginning first quarter of 2015 at this highly desirable location that typically is 100% full.

o Our 5 Affordable Housing communities, two in La Porte and three in Bryan, are home to 319 seniors with limited income; a vital component of our mission.

• The bidding process was completed to begin key refurbishments at MRC Cornerstone in Texarkana as part of its master plan, insuring this community will stay fresh and inviting. Activity is scheduled to begin early 2015, moving swiftly while minimizing temporary inconveniences.

o Opened in 1996, this community on beautifully landscaped grounds next to Williams Memorial UMC offers a healthy lifestyle with residential patio homes and apartments, assisted living apartments, memory support suites in Bunch Woodview for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s, skilled nursing & rehab, home health and other home services.

MRC FOUNDATION • With donation dollars from vendors and donated time from volunteers and staff, the award winning WYSE

program expanded to include Lufkin along with Bryan and Texarkana. o WYSE stands for Wisdom for Youth from Senior Expertise o Corporations and Individuals donate, with proceeds being used for the program and any leftover

funds, if any, for Benevolent Assistance. o The program calls for High School students to be matched with Residents in our community for a 10-

week structured program where each can learn from the other. ♦ This culminates with a Graduation celebration reception.

o Other local volunteers help: school teachers, staff, volunteers and Board members • The annual Mother’s Day Appeal is vitally important toward helping those who have outlived their resources,

with proceeds being used for benevolent assistance. • Online donations are available through our www.mrcaff.org website or directly at

http://www.mrcaff.org/donatation-page.aspx, or you can contact Ronda Raglin for information on how to donate at rraglin@mrcaff.org or 281-210-0133.

BROADER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • MRC communities frequently open our doors to local Methodist and other churches as well as organizations

like the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, etc. • MRC communities frequently participate in local events, such as the annual Alzheimer’s Alliance Walk,

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Salvation Army, Harvest of Texarkana and so much more. QUALITY • MRC communities continue to perform with excellence and superior outcomes in the many surveys we

routinely encounter every year as part of the strong regulatory environment in which we operate. o This further solidifies our long-standing reputation as an organization whose services, programs,

housing, care and activities represent quality to our residents. PUBLIC POLICY • MRC advocates on behalf of seniors through several forums. In particular, through our LeadingAge Texas

state association and LeadingAge national association focused on nonprofits in the senior living sector; particularly the nursing home portion of our communities. Some areas of focus in Texas include:

o The state of Texas is 49th worst in the country in nursing home reimbursement for our most vulnerable senior citizens who require Medicaid (not Medicare) funding. ♦ The state of Texas acknowledges funding nursing homes well below cost, which approximately

translates into underfunding of about $1000 per Medicaid resident per month. o Unlike most medical areas, nursing homes are surveyed every year. The challenge is consistency

among surveys, surveyors and interpretation of regulatory guidelines. Unfortunately, the process is punitive instead of cooperatively helpful.

• Nationally, a key issue is of course preserving Medicare benefits to seniors. Often, the provider of Medicare services gets hit with reduced reimbursement or limitations on services that effectively hurts the senior.

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• Additionally, we are encouraging wellness services and coordination to be allowed in HUD affordable housing communities to reduce the use of ER and hospitalizations that occur more frequently without better preventive programs.

STRATEGIC PLAN • The theme of our strategic plan is to:

o INSPIRE, SERVE & GROW • Key components are:

o HOSPITALITY, QUALITY & PEOPLE ♦ INTEGRITY – honest and ethical in all we do ♦ COMPASSION – embracing the whole person thru: ♦ HOLISTIC WELLNESS

o SPIRITUAL o PHYSICAL o INTELLECTUAL o EMOTIONAL o VOCATIONAL o SOCIAL

♦ ACCOUNTABILITY – being accountable for our actions ♦ RESPECT – treating everyone as a person of worth, dignity & value ♦ EXCELLENCE – being the best at what we do

o ADVOCACY o STEWARDSHIP o GROWTH – as persons and as an organization

MRC TODAY • Today, the MRC has a $45-50 million annual budget that will grow to $65 million by the time The Crossings

in League City is filled up. • At $240 million of assets, MRC has clearly been growing; but is of modest size in the senior living not-for-

profit industry. • Over the last 5 years, MRC has successfully realigned itself for better balance that allows for long-term

viability. A high percentage of those we serve to require financial assistance, but we also now have a much more viable balance that includes serving a broader range of seniors.

2008 2010 2012 2015

Units Mix % Units Units Units Mix % Owned & Operated

Residential Homes/Apts 326 24.3% 245 323 439 33.7% Assisted Living (AL) Apts 52 3.9% 52 122 145 12.0% AL Memory Support Units 76 5/7% 76 112 136 10.4% Nursing & Rehab Units 524 39.1% 260 214 252 19.4% HUD Subsidized Apts 319 23.8% 319 319 319 24.5%

Owned & Operated Residential Homes/Apts 88 Nursing & Rehab Units 164

Managed Only HUD Subsidized Apartments 42 3.1% 1339 1204 1090 1302 Home Health/Services Agencies • This improved balance sets us up well for long-term viability, and potential greater opportunities to further

our mission in the future.

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POSSIBILITIES AHEAD • MRC continues to explore and evaluate new opportunities to further fulfill our mission, with a special focus

on east Texas. This requires prudent, thoughtful and very careful consideration to insure each project is sustainable.

• We have also placed a heavy emphasis on existing communities. For some, that has meant refurbishment. For others, we rebuilt new and expanded communities to best serve their locales.

o In each case, the focus is always first and foremost about serving others; while also insuring the buildings support a vibrant and thriving community.

COMMUNICATIONS • Our website is www.mrcaff.org, and you can connect to each of our Affiliate websites from this main

website. • We encourage becoming friends on our Facebook site, which you can reach through our website. • You can also sign up for our newsletter through the website, or contact Cynthia Castillo at

ccastillo@mrcaff.org or 281-210-0117. MRC is very grateful for the support it receives from United Methodist Churches in the Texas Annual Conference along with its members, whether financially or as volunteers or sharing the good news of MRC and its Affiliates. Please know your donations are critically important to help us meet as much of the large demand for benevolent assistance and other special needs as possible. Your benevolent donations go directly for the benefit of senior adults who have such needs, upon each person being appropriately qualified. Other donations are carefully tracked to go exactly where you specify or where needed most when not specified. These donations and gifts are vital to provide the services, programs, activities, housing and care for those residents who cannot afford to fully pay on their own. Currently, a wide gap of unfunded cost exists for such charitable assistance. Rising health care costs and increasing numbers of people unable to pay the full cost of care, combined with the current economic climate, make this a high priority. The grossly inadequate Medicaid system in Texas also puts tremendous pressure that limits MRC’s ability to meet this key component of the service ministry that has touched so many lives in such meaningful ways. Please continue to support, encourage, and pray for this most worthy service ministry. Recommendations: 1. Ratification of new MRC Board Members presented at Conference. METHODIST RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES Proposed Board of Directors – 2015-2016 Term Effective July 1, 2015 Class of 2016 Alyce Anne Baggett Kimberly Denney Conrell J. Lockett, III Don Morriss Robert E. Sheppard Class of 2017 Sam H Burris, Jr. Jack A. Womack Class of 2018 James Carlow Tony Doughtie Wayne Haglund John Hicks Charles Millikan

Exempt Mr. Thomas R. Wussow, MRC Foundation Chair Ex-Officio Bishop Janice R. Huie, Bishop Rev. B.T. Williamson, Bishop’s Designee Mr. Ronald E. Jennette, MRC President & CEO

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Mount Sequoyah Center, Inc. Mr. Lamar Pettus, Interim Executive Director

Mount Sequoyah Center continues to support the mission of The United Methodist Church by delivering

radical Christian hospitality to all who enter our gates. The year 2014 saw usage increases of 28% in meeting facilities and 29% in overnight lodging. Staff-sponsored youth programs have been emphasized for the past three years, and in 2014, approximately 450 youth participated in these programs. Over 200 collegiate women meet weekly on our Campus as well as a Boy Scout Troop and other small groups.

Program Manager, Emily Gentry, oversaw the growth of youth programs and helped improve programs designed to address the spiritual and physical needs of adults. We had more children than ever before participate on our Marlin Swim Team, and we doubled the amount of Kampers who attended Kanakuk KampOut on our grounds. We were also blessed with the opportunity to work with two interns from the Lydia Patterson institute this summer.

Denni Palmer M. Div., a United Methodist diaconal minister, joined our staff as Christian Education and Spiritual Formation Coordinator. By the close of 2014, more Christian based education training seminars and workshops were on the calendar for 2015 than in the previous six years. Mount Sequoyah now provides ‘Bible Studies to Go’ that are available for any guest with individuals staying on the grounds for weeks of training specifically in mind. Our Board engaged Run River Enterprises to conduct a long-range Jurisdiction wide review of our mission and programming and to provide guidance in development of a strategic plan to better serve the South Central Jurisdiction. Capital improvements of $536,000 have been completed. The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas matching grant has $150,000 of the $300,000 remaining available for capital improvements. If you have not been to Mount Sequoyah in the past two years, you will be astounded by the renovations and remodels. Many of our guests rooms have been redecorated and are now equipped with more modern amenities such as flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and coffee makers. It is truly amazing what a difference our staff, with your support, has made on our facilities. We miss you and hope you will visit us soon so that you can experience our radical Christian hospitality for yourself.

Providence Place Ms. Jennifer Sample, President & CEO

We thank you, the Texas Annual Conference, for your partnership in the ministry of Providence Place.

We are a home full of love that provides support and guidance to young women dealing with unexpected pregnancies, couples considering adoption, and young adults with disabilities seeking to gain their own personal level of independence. We are also home to an innovative family of nonprofits on one campus, sharing resources and expertise – a vibrant community where people who have lived on the fringes and felt excluded are warmly welcomed. “Partnership” truly means serving our neighbors together as we are changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ. We sincerely value your partnership.

One by one, thousands have been welcomed faithfully at Providence Place. For over 120 years we have sheltered and empowered God’s children, from the vulnerable and confused pregnant teen who wants a loving home for her unborn child, to the youth with disabilities seeking to learn how to make their own home in the world. With your help, our work has given God’s Children a Faith, a Family, a Future. Quick Facts Founded: 1895, San Antonio Campus Headquarters: 6487 Whitby, San Antonio, TX 78240 Website: www.provplace.org 2015 FY Budget: $4.2 million

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Providence Place Ministry Today, the mission of Providence Place is to provide a community where God’s children transition to build

their faith, family, and bright futures. We offer hope to individuals facing challenging circumstances, so they may lead enriched, rewarding and satisfying lives. Through professional guidance and compassionate support, teens and young women facing unplanned pregnancies and families considering adoption make mutually beneficial decisions. Through transitional education, including life skills and vocational training, young adults with disabilities develop confidence and competence to reach their personal level of independent living. Providence Place fulfills its mission through the following programs:

• Action Adoption has placed more than 6,000 children into loving homes through domestic, older child, and international adoptions. We provide counseling for birth parents and adoptive families throughout the adoption process. Our maternity services include campus housing for pregnant teens and young women considering adoption. Post-adoption counseling is available for birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptive children. Providence Place provides adoption education to teach teens and the professionals who work with at-risk youth about the alternatives to parenting – adoption and voluntary foster care.

• The Center for Higher Independence (CHI) is for students ages 18 and older with multiple disabilities for whom college is not always the next step. Established in 1974, CHI was founded as a transitional education center for people who were deaf and hard of hearing. Today, our services have expanded to accommodate diverse disabilities, including high functioning MR, autism, Asperger’s, cerebral palsy, and learning disorders. CHI has assisted hundreds of young adults with disabilities in learning the vocational and life skills to achieve their personal best.

• Ectopia (a word comprised from Ectropy which denotes energy & order and Utopia, a perfect community) is a self-supporting collaboration of nonprofit agencies on the Providence Place campus with a core mission of helping women and children, as well as adults with disabilities. We are collaborating with compatible nonprofits to share resources – putting our buildings and campus to new use, and generating efficiencies and new ideas.

How WE Can Help YOU Serve Your Neighbors?

• Adoption counseling for birth parents • Counseling for adoptive families considering domestic, international or older child adoptions • Post Adoption Services – Search/Reunion, Medical Information • Guidance in developing a Walk With Jesus (an Emmaus-like experience for adults with

special needs) • Transition planning for families and youth with special needs ages 16 and older • Training on adoption for teens and professionals who work with at-risk youth

How YOU Can Help PROVIDENCE PLACE Serve Our Neighbors

• Providence Place does not receive apportionments. Support our Annual Church Offering in your church by designating one Sunday to help promote our ministry. We provide brochures and envelopes at your request.

• Make a gift without writing a check by logging on to www.Provplace.org and giving online, or send a gift via text or email by texting or emailing to provplace@mogiv.com and just enter the dollar amount you would like to give on the subject line.

• Remember you can also include Providence Place in your Will or Charitable Estate Plan. Contact Development Office @ 210-696-2410 for more information.

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• Volunteer at our campus. Enlist your church or community group for an outreach volunteer event with Providence Place. To obtain more details contact our Development Coordinator @ 210-696-2410.

• Visit us on Facebook and Twitter www.facebook.com/provplaceofficial and www.twitter.com/provplace and “like us” to help us spread the good news.

• Pray that we may continue Giving God’s Children a Faith, a Family a Future.

Please accept our sincere appreciation to Bishop Janice R. Huie and the members of the Texas Annual Conference for your continued generosity toward our ministry. Providence Place Board of Directors from the Texas Annual Conference: Bill Avera, Mark Dickerson, Michelle Martin, Ken Schwenke, Ron Swain.

Texas Methodist Foundation Mr. Tom Locke, President

Once again, TMF experienced another year of exceptional growth in 2014, increasing our assets and

further clarifying how to gain the most leverage from those assets to help our United Methodist community discern and live out God’s purposes for them. At TMF, our ability to help congregations steward God’s potential for them is inextricably linked to our financial integrity: the more financially stable we are, the more effectively we will be able to achieve our mission “to empower the Church in the achievement of her God-appointed missions.”

We ended 2014 with approximately $510 million in assets under management, an $84 million increase over 2013. Of that increase, $46 million came from our joining with the New Mexico Conference Foundation. The significance of our growth, however, lies, ultimately, in the lives changed in local congregations across the state where our services helped enable ministry. The measure of success for all of our services – investments, loans, leadership ministry, grants ministry, stewardship services, and legacy giving, including gift planning and church endowments – is in how effective they are at helping individuals and congregations fulfill God’s purpose, as together we work to make Christ’s love visible in the world.

We are excited to welcome Leah Taylor as our TMF Area Consultant for the Texas Conference. She is the primary point of engagement between congregations (clergy and laity) and TMF and will connect Texas Conference constituents to resources relevant to their unique goals for missional growth in their congregations and communities. TMF, headquartered in Austin, serves United Methodist individuals, churches and agencies within the six annual conferences in Texas and New Mexico. We appreciate the opportunity to report some of the ways we served United Methodists last year.

Within the Texas Annual Conference:

• Loans from TMF to churches in the Texas Annual Conference totaled $89,845,000 at the end of 2014. • Churches, agencies, and individuals within the Texas Annual Conference had $63.5 million invested with the

Foundation’s Methodist Loan Fund/Individual Fund. Throughout Texas and New Mexico:

• As of December 31, 2014, total assets under management by the Foundation were approximately $510 million.

• Methodist Loan Fund investments remained steady at $334 million, as did our loan portfolio at $322 million. • Our Leadership Ministry Endowment grew from $4.6 million to $5.7 million. • TMF’s Leadership Ministry is committed to helping strengthen leadership at every level of the church. One of

the ways we engage this work is to identify leaders who hold positions which are key leverage points for change, bring them together, and give them brave space for peer learning and generative conversation that can be transformed into courageous action. In 2014, we gathered Board of Ordained Ministry chairs and leaders

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from across the South Central Jurisdiction to address the complex issues surrounding the difficult place BOM’s find themselves in as they implement a process for credentialing that is highly regulated by church law and has not substantively changed to meet the leadership needs of the current, changing mission field. In the past year, we also formed a group of young musicians who are leading modern worship, often in more traditional settings. They are wrestling with the question of what it means to use music and worship to reach people not already inside the church. Another way TMF is working to strengthen leadership is by providing resources to clarify purpose and increase generosity. Last fall, we hosted the Academy of Faith and Money in Houston, offering three full days of current, practical teachings on stewardship, featuring two of the best thought leaders on generosity, Clif Christopher and Michael Reeves. Several who attended have already reported immediate results from implementing just a few of the recommended changes in their congregations. These are just a few examples of the exciting work occurring through TMF’s Leadership Ministry.

• Grants made by the Foundation during 2014 totaled $3,093,196. These grants benefited a variety of programs managed by local churches, community outreach centers, and conference ministries. TMF’s Grants Ministry partners with organizations that are bringing about systemic and sustainable change in TMF’s areas of interest.

• TMF distributed approximately $1 million from permanent endowments, predominantly to United Methodist causes.

We are submitting the following candidates for re-election to the TMF Board of Directors from the Texas Annual Conference: Rock Houstoun Thomasine Johnson These members from the TAC were previously elected. Don House Tom Pace James V. Walzel Jim Welch These members from the TAC are currently serving: Bishop Janice Riggle Huie Ruth G. Palmer

Texas United Methodist College Association Bishop Dan E. Solomon, President

With financial pressures affecting higher education in the United States, TUMCA is encouraged that our

income has remained positive. We received a modest increase in receipts over last year, almost 1%. While not too impressive, even a small increase for the year is welcome

The news is even better as to our disbursements to the universities. Because of careful monitoring of our administrative costs, along with the aforementioned increase in revenue, we have made an additional $20,000.00 distribution to the universities, representing a 4.65% increase over last year. Great appreciation is expressed to the congregations of United Methodism across Texas for the funding they provide to TUMCA. TUMCA’s apportioned funds are for the benefit of United Methodist students from Texas who are enrolled at one of our United Methodist institutions in Texas. TUMCA funds can be used by the universities only for scholarships, no bricks and mortar or administrative expenses.

For 55 years TUMCA has played a pivotal role in creating and enhancing the partnership of local churches with our United Methodist Universities in Texas. The focus of this partnership has been on scholarship assistance for United Methodist students in Texas. Typical of the importance of this partnership are letters we have received from two of our scholarship recipients. “I wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of being selected to receive TUMCA scholarship funds. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from college. Without scholarship help this could not happen.” Another student wrote, “In addition to my degree in political science, I am on track to graduate with highest honors. I am involved in several clubs and honor societies, as well as chapel. Also I have an on-campus job. Thank you for this wonderful gift. I will pay it forward!”

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From students to parents to our United Methodist Universities, the response is the same: TUMCA funds are making a vital difference.

Listed below are the students from The Texas Conference who have received TUMCA scholarships this year, along with the university they attend, as well as their home congregations. Jeremiah Eaton McMurry University Windsor Village UMC, Houston Shane Floyd McMurry University First UMC, Winona Robert King McMurry University First UMC, Conroe De’Ja Hadnott Southern Methodist University Windsor Village UMC, Houston Kelsey Hudspeth Southern Methodist University Cedar Bayou Grace, Baytown Sarah Hurley Southern Methodist University First UMC, Mineola Hye Won Kim Southern Methodist University Wesley Korean UMC, Carrollton Mary Steigerwald Southwestern University Faith UMC, Spring Arthur Wharton Southwestern University First UMC, Huntsville Emily Ericson Texas Wesleyan University Atascocita UMC, Humble Morgan Kirkpatrick Texas Wesleyan University Acton UMC, Granbury Kayla Middleton Texas Wesleyan University Mt. Selma UMC, Bullard Kerry Zastoupil Texas Wesleyan University First UMC, Longview Thank you for your vital support of your students!

U.M. ARMY - TAC Mr. David Sabom, Executive Director

Our Mission

To provide Christ centered, quality youth work camps that serve people in need and promote spiritual growth and leadership development in youth.

Our Vision Young people growing in Christian faith and transforming the world by serving people in need.

Our Core Principles † We are a God-led, volunteer, youth-focused organization † We believe God changes lives through the U.M. ARMY experience † We believe in increasing the number of lives touched in a planned and responsible way † We believe in being proactive in protecting the persons we touch, the environment, and the corporate

organization † We believe camp operation can be accomplished with hard work, compassion and honesty † We believe in developing well-trained camp leadership † We believe that all aspects of the U.M. ARMY organization will be managed with integrity

In the summer of 1979 a group of Houston area churches combined their youth groups for a mission trip

to Athens, TX, where they stayed at the First United Methodist Church for a week. During that week they went into the community and provided free home repairs for people in need.

What started here in the Texas Annual Conference has grown well beyond our borders. With a National office in place there are now U.M. ARMY chapters across the state of Texas as well as in the Northeast Jurisdiction. U.M. ARMY is impacting churches and communities throughout Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, and Oklahoma.

The chapter serving the Texas Annual Conference, U.M. ARMY-Texas Conference, is by far the largest and is looking forward to our Summer 2015 season when we will have approximately 3,000 youth and adult participants throughout the conference at some 30 host churches.

We are extremely grateful for our affiliation with the Texas Annual Conference. The support of the Annual Conference, pastors, churches, and thousands of youth and adult participants has been instrumental in the

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growth and success of this program. It is no accident that we had our genesis in this Annual Conference. The TAC has provided the platform for this organization to expand beyond Texas, to the glory of God.

Wesley Community Center

Ms. Diana Garbis, Executive Director

Having been part of the Northside community in Houston, for over 110 years, Wesley Community Center is committed to providing quality, comprehensive, programs. Since its inception, Wesley has had education at its core, whether it is through early childhood education, after school services for youth, workforce development to improve economic stability, or increasing a senior’s longevity, through comprehensive health education.

With the loss of Early Childhood Education opportunities for this neighborhood, Wesley has looked for partnership opportunities to expand our services to children age 6 weeks to 5 years. One additional classroom was added in the fall and second classroom will be added this spring. This allowed us to add 28 additional spaces for children. Over 100 children a day come to the center to receive an even start to an education. As has been the practice, Wesley also looks for ways to keep the cost for this program free or very low cost. We know that Early Childhood Education is critical for a child’s future capacity.

Wesley continues to also focus on after school and summer programs for youth. Through the building of a new recreation and education center, we have expanded programming to include team sports, expanding character development programs, youth mentoring, and tutoring. As has been the case throughout our history, the community center is a safe place for the youth to gather in this neighborhood. This spring, a new program with the local middle school will be added that will allow students to also attend programming during the day. This program will add 120 new youth during the day, besides our youth that attend the afterschool and summer programs.

Our Food Cooperative and Pantry continues to be one of the only sources of healthy food in the area. Last year we added monthly food fairs where we distribute 10 pallets of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community. Over 250 families take advantage of this program every month with over 4,500 people receiving food through this program. The expansion of the Community Garden has been a wonderful opportunity for Methodist Church involvement. We have had several church groups build plots and plant seeds in the garden.

Our Financial Opportunity Center has brought in new workforce development programs to the Center. Wesley has added a Certified Nursing Assistance program in collaboration with Houston Community College. Over the last two years, 70 individuals have graduated from the program, most having obtained employment in the medical profession. We have been able to move many from $9/hr. jobs to $12-$15/hr. employment.

Our senior program continues to serve more than 90 seniors (over age 60) with recreation, exercise, food, nutrition services and health screenings. They are a vital and active presence in our center. When entering the Center, you can hear their music coming from the social hall. Whether it is through art, activities, or spiritual devotion, we help them remain in their homes.

Wesley also continues to serve as a vital safety net to those in crisis with thousands of individuals being sheltered through our emergency assistance programs. A total of 369 individuals received rental assistance during the course of the year. Our guest speaker for our annual luncheon was Dr. Ruby Payne, who spoke about how to develop bridges out of poverty. The room was filled with a number of Methodist congregations who have used Dr. Payne’s work on poverty in their own outreach work. Wesley also looks for ways to connect to the work of neighborhood congregations. Churches provide Hispanic Outreach services, provide Bible School classes, and volunteer at Wesley by sorting food, planting gardens, reading to our children, interacting with seniors, or doing work related projects such as painting, cleaning, or organizing classrooms. Methodist mission is alive and well at Wesley!

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INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING REPORTS

Africa University Mr. James H. Salley, Associate Vice-Chancellor

Grace and Peace to you. As a community—students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and trustees of

Africa University—we are excited to note that in 2014, local congregations in the Texas Conference increased their investment in the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment by more than 6%. Your support for this shared ministry of our denomination rose from 81% in 2013, to 87.25% in 2014—leaving a shortfall of $13,108.52. Thank you, Texas Conference, for remaining faithful and generous to Africa University.

Governance and Strategic Priorities: Following a successful leadership transition in 2014, Africa University is now engaged in a vigorous review of its academic programs and service delivery. This effort is aimed at enhancing our students’ potential for life-long success. Professor Munashe Furusa took the helm in July 2014 as the fourth vice chancellor in the university’s 23-year history. He was formally installed in March 2015 and has put fiscal accountability, student quality of life, and support for academics, at the top of his agenda.

Training and Research: Africa University remains a sought-after partner in addressing critical skills and capacity gaps in sub-Saharan Africa. Ongoing partnerships with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), and the World Intellectual Property Organization, (WIPO), support trailblazing academic programs in Public Sector Management and Intellectual Property. A collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden supports a new master’s degree program in Human Rights, Peace, and Development. Africa University is currently seeking approval from Zimbabwe’s National Council for Higher Education for its first PhD program, which links issues of Peace, Leadership, Governance, and Development, and targets policymakers.

Leadership and Service: Africa University graduates—trained in theology, environmental studies, psychology, education, health sciences, business, and peace, leadership and governance—are answering the call to serve, heal, and uplift communities. They are helping ‘the least of these’ to experience God’s love and care through service as Global Mission Fellows and longer-term missionaries in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Whether in government, private enterprise, community-based organizations or within Episcopal offices in the Africa Central Conferences of The United Methodist Church, graduates of Africa University are trendsetters and key decision-makers.

Student Enrollment: Full-time student enrollment at Africa University held steady in 2014 with 1,478 young men and women from 25 African countries. Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe accounted for the largest proportion of the students. Female students were a record 53.4% of the total enrollment in a context where women consistently lag behind men in access to higher education.

Graduation: In June 2014, 480 young people were awarded degrees from Africa University at the 20th graduation ceremony, bringing to total number of alumni to just under 5,300. Without your support, a college education would have been unattainable for the majority of these students.

The steadfast support of local churches in the Texas Conference, and across The United Methodist Church, is vital to moving Africa University to the next level in its evolution. It is already an impactful ministry that is in the forefront of disciple-making, leadership formation, and positive change in Africa.

You, as members of the Texas Conference, have given life to a good work, but that work is not yet finished. For every individual who has been touched by the ministry that is Africa University, there are many others—tens of thousands, in fact—who are awaiting the miracle of an answered prayer.

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Your 2014 shortfall in the asking to the AUF, $13, 108.52, is an amount that would support two students for a year at Africa University. Sadly, it represents a lost opportunity to equip two people for meaningful citizenship and service.

As you gather for the 2015 Texas Annual Conference, we invite and urge you to set a goal of 100% support for the Africa University Fund and other shared ministries, so that we can be confident of meeting our day-to-day and operational needs. Your gifts matter. Please remain steadfast in your efforts to invest 100% of your asking in the AUF.

Thank you for what you have already done and for what you will do in the future. May God bless and keep you always in abundance.

Boston University – School of Theology

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Moore, Dean

Greetings in the Spirit of Jesus Christ! In this anniversary year, Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) celebrates 175 years of seeking God, building knowledge, and equipping leaders for the church and society. We especially celebrate our students, alums, and church partners, with whom we seek to serve God as transforming leaders in a multitude of local and global communities. BREAKING NEWS

• The Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership is well underway with outstanding students and eager teachers. In its first year, the program has attracted two cohorts of students from three countries, eight faith traditions, and a variety of church, educational, health care, and other faith-based contexts.

• BUSTH celebrated art and creativity with four major art exhibits and receptions: James Crane’s motive cartoons; Robin Miller’s “African America in Art and Poetry”; John August Swanson’s poster art; and Beth Neville’s paintings.

• The STEWARD program, funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, is preparing students for stewardship of all of life, including spiritual, physical, and financial life.

• Raices Latinas, funded in part by the United Methodist Church Young Clergy Initiative, has begun! It invites and supports Latino/a young adults toward a life-giving journey in ministry. BUSTH also works closely with the UMC in leadership of the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy. Both focus on education, mentoring, service learning, and spiritual formation.

MILESTONES • 175 Years: The founders of BUSTH were abolitionists, pastors, and lay leaders who envisioned a school

to carry the spiritually rich, socially transformative, leadership-forming legacy that centered their own lives. Our annual theme, Leading in Transformation, honors that vision and reflects on how to reshape it in response to changing social realities.

• Women in the World: This year, the Anna Howard Shaw Center celebrates 30 years of its Women in the World Conference, a witness to women’s leadership in the church and a celebration of their brave, audacious ministries.

PARTNERING FOR TRANSFORMATION. Preparing students for ministry means meaningful partnerships with the local spiritual community.

• Partnering in transformational learning through courses in congregations with church leaders and students together.

• Serving the church through workshops and mutual projects, especially in church renewal, mission, and the cultivation of difficult conversations that enhance dignity and justice.

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• Traveling across the globe through seminars where students engage with diverse cultures and traditions. In this year, students and faculty have explored the Arizona-Mexico Border, Israel and Palestine, Ephesus, and Mexico.

CELEBRATING JUSTICE: From Selma in 1965 to the Arizona-Mexico border and the streets of U.S. cities, we celebrate transformational leadership and explore paths to just peace.

• Retracing history by commemorating civil rights milestones with: Walter Fluker, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Ethical Leadership; and a panel of alumni and faculty on “Selma at 50, Ferguson Today.”

• Moving forward to understand and build justice, engaging with Cornell William Brooks—BUSTH alumnus and President of the NAACP—and with our students, faculty, and alumni who seek to build justice in Boston, Ferguson, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Uganda, and beyond.

As we look back on the last year—and the last 175 years—we celebrate transformational leaders who

have loved God and cared mightily for God’s world. Their living legacy gives us hope and courage for the future.

Candler School of Theology Jan Love, Dean & Professor of Christianity & World Politics

For 100 years, Candler School of Theology at Emory University has prepared real people to make a real

difference in the real world. Since our founding in 1914, more than 10,000 students have graduated from Candler, where they have been shaped as Christian leaders who put faith and love into action, transforming the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Here, students are challenged academically, encouraged spiritually, and immersed in Christian service from the first day they arrive on campus. This unique approach ensures that our graduates are ready to serve wherever God leads.

One of 13 official seminaries of The United Methodist Church, Candler is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition. We are one of seven graduate professional schools of Emory University, a top-tier research institution offering extensive resources and a rich context for study. Our location in the city of Atlanta offers a learning environment that reflects the highly diverse communities of the 21st century world. There is no better place for ministry preparation that addresses our major denominational priorities: developing leaders, starting and growing churches, ministry with the poor, and improving global health.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, Candler celebrated its Centennial, marking our 100th anniversary with a series of commemorative events highlighting memories of the past and visions for the future. The yearlong celebration began in the fall of 2014 with the dedication of the final phase of our new LEED-certified building and the premiere of Religion and Reason Joined: Candler at 100, a new book on our history. The commemoration continued through the spring of 2015 with guest lectures, exhibits, and “Prophetic Voices,” a major academic conference addressing the challenges and opportunities facing theology in the 21st century.

Not only has Candler expanded its physical space this year—we have expanded degree offerings as well. In response to the changing needs of the church, Candler introduced five new degrees to equip Christian leaders: the Doctor of Ministry, the Master of Religious Leadership, the Master of Religion and Public Life, and two dual degrees with social work and development practice.

Candler’s student body reflects the diversity and breadth of the Christian faithful. Our enrollment stands at 447, with 320 seeking the Master of Divinity, 43 the Master of Theological Studies, 14 the Master of Religious Life, 20 the Master of Theology, 29 the Doctor of Ministry, 10 the Doctor of Theology, and 11 enrolled as Non-Degree students. The student body is 52 percent women, 35 percent people of color (U.S.), and the median age of the entering class is 27. Students represent 42 denominations, with nearly half identifying as United Methodist.

Candler draws considerable strength and inspiration from its relationship with The United Methodist Church. Our ability to fulfill our mission of educating faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries in

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the world depends upon your support, gifts, and prayers. Thank you for the countless ways you advance this vital ministry in the life of our denomination. Visit us in person in Atlanta or online at candler.emory.edu to see firsthand how Candler prepares real people to make a real difference in the real world.

Duke Divinity School Richard B. Hays, Dean

The academic year 2014–2015 has been an exciting year as we continue to engage with the church,

academy, and society on important ecclesial and cultural issues. The heart of our work remains the preparation of men and women for Christian ministry and leadership within the church. As part of that mission, our initiatives, centers, and programs continue to be a vital resource for us to extend the good news of God’s invitation into all spheres of a complex and hungry world. Far from being an ivory tower, Duke Divinity School is a place where faculty, students, and staff are eager to use the training for ministry in order to serve others and serve as a light to the world.

Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts (DITA) recognizes that the arts shape the imagination of a community and provide the forms through which many people most directly and compellingly encounter the message of the gospel. On Palm Sunday, Duke Chapel hosted the American premiere of the new St Luke Passion, written by the eminent Scottish composer James MacMillan. The work was commissioned by Duke Divinity School in conjunction with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham (U.K.) Symphony Orchestra. During the process of composing the piece, MacMillan met several times with a group of theologians and biblical scholars from Duke Divinity School and the University of Cambridge to reflect on the shape and meaning of Luke’s narrative. In addition to this stunning choral work, DITA has sponsored lectures by visiting scholars and hosted the first artist-in-residence, Malcolm Guite.

The newest of our initiatives, Theology, Medicine, and Culture, builds on the extraordinary faculty resources offered by four physicians who hold joint faculty appointments in the Medical School and the Divinity School at Duke. Working together with other members of the faculty who share an interest in healthcare and medical ethics, they are developing a range of programs that seek to clarify and strengthen Christian witness and action in the complex world of healthcare. One program, Walking Together, sponsors conferences that address care of the mentally ill in faith communities. Another, Reimagining Medicine, will gather health professionals at a summer conference to consider proposals for the ways in which local communities might draw on Christian perspectives to shape the delivery of medical care.

The Center for Reconciliation (CFR) celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and this has been a time of transition for the center. Co-founder Chris Rice accepted a role with the Mennonite Central Committee in Korea, and he will retain his connection to Duke as senior fellow for Northeast Asia. In that role he will coordinate the emerging work of the Christian Forum for Reconciliation in Northeast Asia, which will be modeled on the successful development of the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) in East Africa. Duke has helped to support the GLI for the past seven years, and this year full leadership transitioned to local African leaders. The Divinity School has received a major gift commitment to endow a faculty position that will also serve as director of the CFR, and a search has begun to fill that position. In the coming years we intend to strengthen our emphasis on issues of racial reconciliation in local contexts.

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity (LEADD) draws inspiration both from the Christian theological tradition and from the best recent studies and practices of leadership and entrepreneurship. In partnership with the Lake Institute, this year LEADD offered an executive certificate in religious fundraising. LEADD also offers a program for denominational and institutional leaders, Foundations in Christian Leadership. Faith & Leadership, the online magazine published by LEADD, continues to reach over 300,000 readers and provide a resource for theological reflection and “traditioned innovation” for all in ministry. Their continued excellent work was recognized again this year with awards from the Associated Church Press “Best of the Christian Press” contest.

The Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition has been a source of internationally acclaimed research and support for Methodist and Wesleyan studies since 1979. This center offers courses for both Course of Study and Divinity students, provides access to outstanding research resources for students and scholars of the broad Wesleyan tradition, and supports the production of critical editions of the texts of John and Charles Wesley in print and online formats. The center also sponsors the Summer Wesley Seminar, led by professors Randy Maddox

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and Richard Heitzenrater, which invites application from scholars to spend an intensive residency at the Divinity School to facilitate their study of Wesleyan heritage.

In addition to our major initiatives, Duke Divinity School has a number of other programs that extend the good news of God’s salvation to disparate parts of our society. Our program in prison ministry sends divinity students into prisons in order to take classes alongside people who are incarcerated. The certificate in prison studies provides students with the opportunity to engage specifically with people in prison and the system that imprisons them in the context of theological education and formation for ministry. Thriving Rural Communities, a partnership between Duke Divinity School, The Duke Endowment, and the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences of The United Methodist Church, helps divinity students, pastors, laity, districts, and conferences cultivate and strengthen Christian leadership and United Methodist congregations in rural North Carolina. The Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation continues to offer high-school students an opportunity for intensive theological engagement and practice.

Several of our faculty were recognized this year for their scholarship and interdisciplinary expertise. Willie Jennings, associate professor of theology and black church studies, was given the prestigious 2015 Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion for his book, The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race. The Grawemeyer Award in Religion, an annual $100,000 prize that honors and promotes insights into the study of religion, is given jointly by the University of Louisville and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Norman Wirzba, professor of theology and ecology, was named a Henry Luce III Fellow for 2014-15, and he also received a major Sabbatical grant for Researchers from the Louisville Institute. These awards are supporting his current work on two book projects: From Nature to Creation: Christian Life in a Postnatural Age, and Creation, Creatureliness, and Creativity: An Essay on the Human Place in the World. Jennie Grillo, assistant professor of Old Testament, received a 2014 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise and a W. F. Albright Institute of Archeological Research fellowship to conduct research in Israel. Maria Doerfler, assistant professor of the history of Christianity in late antiquity, was named a visiting research fellow at New York University’s Institute for the study of the Ancient World. Curtis Freeman, research professor of theology and director of the Baptist House of Studies, was appointed the chair the Baptist delegation in a five-year international dialogue between the Baptist World Alliance and the World Methodist Council. Richard Payne, Esther Colliflower Professor of Medicine and Divinity, was named to the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee of the National Institutes of Health by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. This is a federal advisory committee that supports pain research and promotes collaboration across the government to improve understanding of pain and pain-related treatments.

We continue to welcome students from a range of backgrounds who are called to serve God and the church. In 2014, our total enrollment was 656 students: 462 are enrolled in the M.Div. degree program; 36 in the M.T.S.; 12 in the Th.M.; 45 in the Th.D.; 54 in the D.Min.; 24 in the M.A.C.P.; 15 in the M.A.C.S.; and 3 who are special students. Thirty-nine percent of our students are United Methodist, with an additional 4 percent from other Wesleyan traditions, and 46 percent of our M.Div. students are United Methodist. Fourteen percent of all students are Baptist, 8 percent are Anglican or Episcopal, 3 percent are Roman Catholic, 7 percent are Presbyterian or Reformed, with the remaining 9 percent from other denominations or nondenominational churches.

In addition to the ongoing excellent academic and field education work done by students each year, several students had notable achievements. Two of the top three prizes in the Student Essays in Christian Wisdom competition sponsored by The Living Church magazine were claimed by Divinity School students: Kevin Rose M.Div.’16 won second place and John Zambenini M.Div.’15 won third place. Second-year M.Div. student Jacob Drake was selected to present a paper the Oxford University Byzantine Society international Graduate Conference held in Oxford, England. Michelle Wolfe M.Div.’14 was awarded a fellowship by FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) to participate in a two-week program in New York, Germany, and Poland for an intensive study of contemporary ethics. Four divinity students, part of a research group in American religious history, were among the winners of grants for research projects using the Religion in North Carolina digital collection. Other students did exemplary work in organizing conferences for ministry to the sexually abused and issues in pastoral care for military veterans.

We remain deeply grateful for the relationships among the United Methodist Church, this Annual Conference, and Duke Divinity School. We look forward to working with you in the task of preparing men and women for Christian ministry. To learn more about Duke Divinity School, please visit our website at www.divinity.duke.edu.

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Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Ms. Lallene J. Rector, President

Early in the calendar year, I met with various constituencies of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary,

including alums, faculty, staff, trustees, and students regarding their hopes and concerns for the school. As a result, we began the 2014-2015 academic year with the following priorities:

• To prepare and equip our graduates as public theologians, • To nurture a more diverse community at Garrett-Evangelical so that the entire community develops

cultural competency, • To value and promote inclusivity at Garrett-Evangelical, and • To construct a sustainable model for theological education.

Public Theology

This year we launched a Public Theology Lecture Series to help the Garrett-Evangelical community understand more about the intersection of theological perspectives and shared values held in the public arena as persons in ministry work with others toward the common good and the wellbeing of all persons and creation. The lecture series included:

• October 15, 2014: Rev. Janet Wolf, Director of Haley Farm and Nonviolent Organizing for the Children’s Defense Fund, lectured on various Children's Defense Fund programs including restorative justice, mass incarceration, cradle to prison pipeline, and freedom schools.

• December 3, 2014: Dr. Mark Lewis Taylor, Maxwell M. Upton Professor of Theology and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary considered structures of the global orders and everyday living which public theologians may claim to engage and where “the powers and principalities” are always in contestation in “public” life.

In the fall, we will offer a course, “Public Theology in the City,” taught by Dr. David Frenchak, former

president of Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE). The class will collaborate with the mayor’s office in Evanston on an anti-violence initiative. Dr. Frenchak will also provide a Public Theology lecture this spring. Cultural Competency & Inclusivity

As part of the commitment to nurturing a more diverse community, we welcomed a new Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Luis R. Rivera, our first Latino Academic Dean. Our current ethnic/racial profile is:

• 20% black; 6% Asian; 3% Hispanic/Latino; and 54% White; 14% International • More than 33 religious traditions, four continents, 15 countries and 36 states are represented in the

student body • 232 students are United Methodist with 25 additional students from other Pan-Methodist

denominations • 94 new students began their studies at Garrett-Evangelical this fall, raising total fall enrollment to 365

(FTE of 305) • The average age of the entering Master of Divinity student is 31 • 52% of the study body is women

Consistent attention to issues of inclusivity, justice, and grace within the seminary setting are critical for

preparing future leaders to enter an increasingly diverse world. To respond to these concerns, Garrett-Evangelical will offer a number of Circle of Trust conversations this spring for trustees, faculty, staff, and students. Our goals are: 1) to provide safe space to discuss difficult topics, 2) to reduce any gap between stated values and actual behavior, both personally for participants and institutionally; and 3) to update our 1997 statements of inclusivity.

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Sustainable Theological Education Garrett-Evangelical is beginning work on a Sustainable Theological Education Model for the school. We

are guided by a commitment to generational stewardship of our resources and to maintaining a thriving seminary for the future. We will attend to the areas of business, academics programs, and external programs.

Our priority continues to be making seminary education affordable. To this end we award more than $2.5 million in scholarship aid to students each year and we lead all United Methodist seminaries in the Dollars for Scholars program with 45 recipients. In October, the seminary publicly launched The Final Lap of its $100 million Forging Our Future campaign, and announced that $88 million has been received to date. Much has already been accomplished, but more remains to be done (expanding the number of new leadership scholarships from 80 to 100, renovating Sherman apartments, endowing several more faculty positions, continuing to grow the unrestricted endowment), gifts for any of these goals are always welcome.

Thank you for your continued interest in our work. We are dedicated to serving The United Methodist Church and the church at large. For more information about Garrett-Evangelical and our work, I encourage you to visit our website, www.garrett.edu, and to visit us on campus.

Huston-Tillotson University Dr. Larry L. Earvin, President & CEO

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY MISSION

Huston-Tillotson University supports the Texas Annual Conference through our mission to provide the University’s diverse student body with an exemplary education that is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, balanced with professional development, and directed to public service and leadership.

The University fosters spiritual and ethical development, preserves and promotes interest in the accomplishments and experiences of the University’s historic constituents and evolving populations, creates and sustains supportive relationships that advance the Huston-Tillotson University community, and prepares students with the integrity and civility to thrive in a diverse society. We achieve our mission through the diversity of our student body, opportunities for spiritual growth and civic engagement, and the global perspective of our educational programs. UNIVERSITY PROFILE Enrollment

Huston-Tillotson University reached a thirty year enrollment high with 1031 students enrolling in the fall of 2014. Segmentation of our student population by gender reveals an important factor regarding male enrollment. Our overall student population consisted of 456 males (44%) and 575 females (56%). The first-year, first-time freshmen population consisted of 104 males (50%) and 102 females (49%). Segmentation of our student population by gender reveals an important factor regarding male enrollment. Many universities report fewer male student enrollment; our first-year, first-time freshmen population is balanced.

The racial/ethnic composition of our student population is as follows: Black, non-Hispanic – 70%.; Hispanic – 19%; White, non-Hispanic – 4%; Nonresident Alien – 3%; Native American– <1%; Asian/Pacific Islander – <1%; Multiracial-<1%; Other – <1%; Unreported – <1%. Faculty

The fall of 2014, the University employed 49 full-time faculty members and 38 part-time faculty members. The race/ethnic composition of the faculty is as follows: Hispanic – 12.6%; White, non-Hispanic – 48.2%; Asian/Pacific Islander –6.8%; Black, non-Hispanic – 36.7%; Two or more races, non-Hispanic – 1.9%. Forty-nine members of our full-time faculty, 73%, have a terminal degree in their teaching field. PRESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT ACTIVITIES

Huston-Tillotson University’s success is a result of discoveries, visions, and insights made 137 years ago. When George W. Richardson founded Samuel Huston College in Dallas, Texas, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church with six scholars; and Jeffrey Tillotson founded Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute in Austin, Texas, they could only imagine the possibilities. Today, Huston-Tillotson University takes pride in a number of accomplishments, including its record enrollment of a diverse student body.

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Huston-Tillotson University’s success is a result of discoveries, visions, and insights made 140 years ago. When George W. Richardson founded Samuel Huston College in Dallas, Texas, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church with six scholars; and Jeffrey Tillotson founded Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute in Austin, Texas, they could only imagine the possibilities. Today, Huston-Tillotson University takes pride in a number of accomplishments, including its record enrollment of a diverse student body.

There were significant renovations to the Downs-Jones Library that were completed in 2013. The completed renovation includes an all new interior with open spaces and study areas. The renovated facility houses the HT’s RAM café with coffee and snack selections. The central circulation desk is surrounded by a central master staircase with glass handrails and innovative interior architectural walls. Downs-Jones Library, built in 1960, was named for Dr. Karl Everett Downs, President of Samuel Huston College from 1948-1953; and Dr. William H. Jones, President of Tillotson College from 1944-1952.

In May of 2014, some of the nation’s most profound theologians and preachers addressed pastors, youth ministers, and youth workers during Huston-Tillotson University’s 1st Transformation Ministers’ Conference. The conference was held on the HT campus in King-Seabrook Chapel. Clergy and lay leaders conducted sessions that ranged from “Structuring Your Church for Success,” “Social Media in Youth Ministry,” to “Vocal Techniques for the Laity and the Clergy.” Conference speakers included: Rev. Dr. Zan W. Holmes, Jr. former senior pastor, St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX, and retired professor of homiletics at Perkins School of Theology; Dr. Jimmy D. Hunter, pastor, Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Waco, TX; Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Ill; Rev. Dr. Maurice Watson, senior pastor, Beulahland Bible Church, Macon/Warner Robbins, GA; Dr. David White, professor at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, Austin, TX; Rev. Dr. Claudette Copeland, pastor, New Creation Fellowship, San Antonio, TX; and Rev. Dr. Christopher David, senior pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church, Memphis, TN. The next conference will be held May 19-21, 2015 at Huston-Tillotson University.

In August 2014, there was a complete 52,000-square-foot renovation of the Beard-Borrows and Allen-Frazier Residence Halls. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system upgrades were added. This included new electrical services to both buildings, additional electrical panels and circuitry to each room, a complete new lighting package, digital HVAC controls, automated control valves on the chilled water lines to modulate flow without replacing older pieces of equipment, and new plumbing fixtures throughout. A new fire sprinkler system was added, along with upgrades to the security and fire alarm systems, which improved the safety and security of the facilities, and most importantly the students. Amenities added to the residence halls include new student spaces such as computer labs, fitness areas, laundry facilities, movie areas, reception areas, break areas with kitchenettes and new director's apartments. Part of the facility updates included adding new finishes to many of the surfaces throughout the buildings, including resilient flooring, cabinets, laminate wall panels, granite countertops, and tile walls. Upgrades were also made to parking spaces with signage, plus an elevated concrete walkway structure was added that provides elevator access to all dorm rooms. Lastly, the buildings were made more accessible through a new elevator, completely redone restrooms, widening of doors and frames, and additional sidewalks, ramps and railings.

In March 2015, we will be breaking ground on a $4 million the Sandra Joy Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center (CHWC) on the northwest corner of our campus in East Austin. Mrs. Ada Anderson, a 1941 graduate of HT, contributed a $3 million gift to build the CHWC in memory of her late daughter. This is the largest gift received by Huston-Tillotson. But what we are building is not nearly as important as what will occur inside and outside of the CHWC. The CHWC will be a model for the delivery of health services to our campus community simultaneously with outreach to our community, specifically underserved populations in need of Mental and Behavioral Health. We have the passion, the staff and the community support to achieve what we think will be an innovative, progressive and results-oriented plan. On Feb. 17, 2015 the University held a news conference with the University of Texas’s Dell Medical School announcing a joint partnership on community mental health outreach. HT and UT will join in hiring a nationally-respected research psychiatrist, Dr. William Lawson, an African American who is retiring this year from Howard University in Washington, D.C. The HT-UT partnership will enable us to engage in the community with rapidity. CommUnityCare, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that operates more than 20 clinics in Central Texas, will provide primary care and specialty services to the community and the HT family. The CHWC will see its first August 31, 2015.

Many innovative initiatives such as the Google Digital Inclusion Project, a student led service learning project that bridges the digital divide to underserved communities. Green is the New Black (GITNB), a student driven initiative that brings sustainability concepts to the university as well as Greater Austin. GITNB has

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competed and won over $100,000 in scholarship support and program funding for many of its ideas. Huston-Tillotson University will host the 16th Annual African American Community Heritage Festival (AACHF), on Saturday, February 28, 2015. The festival is a highly successful event with over 60 vendors, nearly 1,200 in attendance and fundraising efforts that contribute greatly to the Huston-Tillotson University Scholarship Fund.

Huston-Tillotson’s reputation as a teaching university, as an institution with a stellar faculty, as a place where students can achieve their goals, is evidenced by faculty who are authors and recognized scholars from prestigious programs such as the Harvard University- Cambridge Institute for Educational Management, Fulbright Scholarship Programs, Henry C. McBay Research Fellows Program, Piper Professors, and Sam Taylor Fellowship Program. Faculty spend their summers completing research in their field, studying at the New York University Faculty Institute, attending the UNCF/Mellon Faculty Seminar, engaging in international travel, and other initiatives that further define their specialized areas.

The HT student may be the first in his or her family to attend college, part of a legacy family with more than five generations of graduates, a local Austin resident, or a student who has traveled thousands of miles to reach the campus. That HT student was likely referred by alumni and had a number of college acceptance letters from which to choose. Internships or overseas travel are just two of the opportunities afforded students. Whether attending HT as part of the William Edward Burghardt DuBois Honors Program, Freshmen First Year Experience, as an athlete in one of the sports programs, or recruited as a musician for the jazz ensemble or vocalist with the concert choir; the HT experience is uniquely highlighted for success. Accountability, responsibility, spiritual development, service-learning and supportive relationships are the hallmarks of the HT experience. ACADEMIC PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Student Development

The W.E.B. DuBois Program at Huston-Tillotson University has maintained its involvement in a variety of community outreach, academic, and career-advancement events and opportunities:

By invitation from the Service Scholars Program at the University of Texas-Austin, three DuBois Scholars joined the Leadership and Service course during the spring semester 2014. This course, which met at the LBJ Graduate School of Public Affairs on the UT campus, provided an ideal opportunity for the DuBois Scholars and their UT student counterparts to learn from and work with distinguished local and national leaders. The course also included a community service component. At the end of the semester, each student in the course make a formal presentation about his or her project. In addition, one Saturday morning during the semester, other DuBois Scholars and the Honors Program administrators joined the Leadership and Service course participants in a beautification project for nearby Blackshear Elementary School.

The DuBois Honors Program played a significant role in the coordination of a community-wide event entitled "Let's Talk about Selma." On Thursday, February 12, 2015, DuBois Scholars joined other fellow HT students, faculty and staff at the Carver Museum. Members of the Austin community, UT students, and students from St. Edwards University joined together as one community to engage in conversation about the movie "Selma." The discussion involved a variety of other important issues of concern to the local community. The program was so successful that the Let's Talk about Selma committee is planning to launch an on-going event where community dialogue and activities will be the primary focus throughout the academic year.

The 12th Annual DuBois Lecture series is scheduled for mid-February 2015. Each year this program is , organized by Honors Program staff and students. The program brings outstanding and inspiring speakers to the HT campus. Last February 2014 a recent HT who is now practicing law in Austin, inspired the students with his talk. He urged students to follow their dreams and to pursue their career objectives. This year, the speaker is a senior vice president of Bank America. This young woman is also the graduate of an HBCU. Ms. Burrell is sure to inspire the Scholars and all other students who attend the lecture with her discussion of her academic and career journey to success. Besides assisting in the planning of the DuBois Lecture, DuBois Scholars participate in a luncheon event for the speaker and they introduce the speaker to the audience.

*** The Center for Academic Excellence was established in October 2010. The Center oversees general tutoring services, tracks and monitors the progress of students on Academic Probation as well as First Year Students. The Center implemented the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program in Fall 2011 which is a College Success Program designed to assist students as they transition to university life. The AVID curriculum is driven by WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading) strategies designed to help students

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meet the academic challenges they face. This third year of AVID implementation continues to improve academic performance among student participants and administrators hope to expand the program. Ram-Radar Early Alert Academic Intervention: The student’s academic progress is monitored using early alert software called Ram Radar. If a student is struggling with attendance, academic performance, or social emotional distress, an early alert is made on their behalf. The Center for Academic Excellence staff receives the alert and notifies the student’s academic advisor, the PLC mentor, and other points of contact. Together, collectively we provide a community intervention support system during their first year experience at HT. Retention Services for Probationary Students:

Pre-Probationary academic support services are also available for students at-risk for unsatisfactory academic progress. A team of advisors and counselors can meet with students at a formal hearing to engage in early intervention counseling session with the student. The students are informed of students services available on campus and in the community and are strongly encouraged to seek support. Our Retention Services Coordinator assigns all probationary students a Peer Learning Consultant/Mentor. They all meet at the beginning of the semester to discuss challenges affecting the student’s academic progress and strategies and resources that will help them overcome. Our probationary students continue to meet with their assigned Peer Learning Consultant for tutorials and co-curricular programming 1-2 times a week. At the meetings, the probationary students receive academic consultations (AVID learning strategy tutorial sessions) and peer appreciative advising. First-Year Experience Program: Capstone Project:

During their fall semester, CAE students engage in critical self-reflection about how their educational experiences have affected their academic engagement and will be challenged to pursue their education with a stronger sense of purpose. Students learn about the psychology of success and how to effectively implement self-empowerment strategy for pursuing their passion, such as: life management, critical literacy and reflection, AVID learning strategies, and more. In addition, our students will also engage in a critical analysis of social and environment justice issues affecting the structure of opportunity ultimately affecting community empowerment, such as: gentrification, de-industrialization, intergenerational poverty, educational inequities, digital divide, policing, environmental degradation, health and wellness, and more. (Please refer to attached syllabus). The following spring semester, our students connect theory to practice by proactively applying what they have learned about self and community empowerment in order to effectively serve the needs of our east Austin community. Our students work hand-in-hand with local residents, community service partners, and public officials to engage in asset based community empowerment projects, like: tutoring the youth, feeding the hungry, fixing computers, and planting trees. Each student is challenged to reflect on the meaning and purpose of the project in hopes that they realize their actions can improve the lives of others and, ultimately, their ability to control their own lives - self-empowerment. This transformative experience is documented in the creative digital stories. Digital Stories are recognized worldwide as an innovative and effective means of engaging problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and the understanding of complex ideas while empowering students in teaching and learning. The project provides opportunities for our students to effectively apply technology in the classroom in an increasingly digital age. The digital stories will be shared with the community at the #Be_HT First Year Experience Summit. Academic Support Network/ Learning Community:

All First Year students receive an extensive comprehensive academic support network to guide them through their transition at Huston-Tillotson University. Upon the student’s admissions confirmation, they are assigned to a capstone project learning community, an appreciative academic advisor, a Peer Learning Consultant Mentor, and an Early-Alert Intervention Support System. The capstone project learning community consist of a freshman seminar course with peers who have declared the same major (such as: Psychology, Computer Science, Natural Science, Business Administration…), an instructor coordinator who has experience in that field, a PLC Mentor who shares the same major, and complimentary course (if schedule permits). The purpose of this structure is to cultivate the students’ interest in their declared major and provide an educational environment in

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which our new students can build strong supportive relationships with their peers and professionals who share a common interest and passion. College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Currently, Dr. Rosalee Martin serves as the Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest academic area at Huston-Tillotson University. Dr. Martin has been a sociology professor and Chairperson for the Social Science Division during her 42 years at Huston-Tillotson University. During her tenure at HT, Dr Martin’s highlights are seeing her students being successful in their lives and in their careers and creating a collegiate atmosphere of mutual respect for her faculty and students.

HT received approval from SACSCOC and the State Board of Educator Certification to offer a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification. The first classes for the new M.Ed. began in January 2015. HT is now the only private HBCU in Texas to offer a principal preparation program, meeting the high demand for principals of color in the rapidly-growing Central Texas area.

From October 19th-24th, five students in the Educator Preparation Program—Jessica Hervey, Natasha Higgins, Jelisa Johns, A’Lexus Waddles, and Tiffany Walker—attended an all-expenses-paid Pre-Service Teacher Institute at The NASA Johnson Space Center. They learned cutting-edge techniques in STEM education and built comprehensive electronic portfolios. At the Education Department meeting on February 10, HT Education graduate LaTonia White was recognized as HT’s 2014-2015 Pre-service Educator of the Year. The award is given annually by the Education Deans of Independent Colleges & Universities of Texas (EDICUT). LaTonia was a student teacher in Leander ISD in Spring 2014. She is currently working with special education students there.

The Huston-Tillotson University Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Gloria Quinlan, presented numerous concerts, including performances for the Austin Urban League, Simpson United Methodist Church (Austin), Hamilton Park United Methodist Church (Dallas), The Inaugural Prayer Service for Governor Greg Abbott (FBC, Austin), and the United Church of Christ Conference (Chicago). Dr. Quinlan and the HT concert choir along with the University of Texas concert choir presented their annual concert of music on African American composers in UT’s Bates Recital Hall on Feb. 7, 2015. Dr. Janice Sumler-Edmond, History Professor, and others coordinated the community event “Let’s Talk about Selma,” a partnership with the Carver Museum in East Austin. Approximately 80 persons: students, faculty, and community persons engaged in an evening of conversation about issues of concern.

HT and University of Texas are in partnership to help move HT forward in the development of an interdisciplinary Global Studies major. Five area studies programs at the University of Texas (South Asia Institute, Center for European Studies, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Center for Russian and East European Studies, Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies) received Title VI funding to assist with our program development. The Partnership provides monies for library holdings, faculty international travels, seminars, curriculum development and UT/HT joint programs.

Dr. Mike Hirsch, the faculty advisor of HT’s chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, brought to campus Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs - Central Africa David Gilmour who spoke on "U.S. Africa Policy Today: An Overview.” This presentation is free and open to the public. The English Department in collaboration with the Writers’ Studio, presented poets Laurie Ann Guerrero and Tim Z Hernandez during Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2014. Dr. James Kraft is working on a second doctorate in Scotland. He travels there twice per semester. Mrs. Shawanda Stewart, ABD, is working on a PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication; and Ms. Jennine Krueger has applied to UT Austin for the PHD in English. The Dumpster Project

The Dumpster Project (dumpsterproject.org) is a living experiment in sustainability that aims to transform a trash dumpster into a low-impact, zero-net waste home while it is occupied by Dr. Jeff Wilson, Dean of University College and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies (move in date Feb 4, 2014). HT students worked with faculty partners and a panel of advisors to design, test, and implement green living solutions so that the final low-impact dumpster microhome will consume only 1% of the energy, water, and space of the standard American home – and generate only 1% of the waste. The Dumpster Project enriches STEM education through a curriculum based on sustainability, experiential and problem-based learning, and real-world research. HT students in a Dumpster 101 seminar class and Blackshear elementary students who participate in a STEM enrichment class are gaining practical experience in STEM that will help them face the grand challenges of

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sustainability. Dr. Jeff Wilson (University College), Dr. Karen Magid (Green Coordinator) and Dr. Amanda Masino (Biology) are advising the project. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Update

In 2013, Psychology applied for and received a $900,000 grant (over 3 years) from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Centers for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Minority Serving Institutions (MSI)/Community Based Organization (CBO), which is the largest single grant received in the history of Huston-Tillotson University Huston-Tillotson has received a $900,000 grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The HT Campus-Community Empowerment Against Drugs and HIV/AIDS Project will collaborate with community partners to target African American and Latino youth between the ages of 18 and 25 on the HT campus.

In conjunction with the National Week of Praying and Healing for HIV/AIDS, the HT SAMHSA EPICC Project and Peer Educators partnered with the community in March 2013 to host an on-campus screening in the chapel of DeepSouth; a film that focuses on the escalating rates of HIV in the African American Community.

In the Fall of 2014, the project also partnered with the Freshman Orientation to disseminate HIV/alcohol/substance abuse prevention/education materials, resources, and policies. Additionally, HIV testing was provided to incoming Freshman. In light of HT being a tobacco-free zone, the HT SAMHSA EPICC Project also added e-cigarettes to the HT Tobacco Policy. In keeping busy with trainings, the National Community PROMISE certification was awarded to 1- Peer Educators in September 2014.

As of 2014, the project has had an exceptional year as the grant was renewed for a second year. In addition to the renewal, the grant generated an extra $1,000 from the Female Condom Women’s Health Collective further supporting the project’s initiatives. Student Research Initiatives

At the Dr. Joseph T. Jones, Jr. Eighth Annual HT Undergraduate Research Day Symposium, students showcased their research under faculty guidance on a variety of topics within biology, computer science, kinesiology, and other disciplines. The symposium features poster and individual presentations as well as a panel discussion. Dr. Murphy continues to coordinate the committee for the research symposium. Additionally, the mentoring relationship between the UT Black Graduate Students Association and HT Psychology majors continues to flourish.

The project continues to maintain a relationship with a variety of agencies throughout the city and county whereby students are engaged as interns and often subsequently hired as employees. Students in the fall of 2014 were at the following sites: Adler for Mayor Campaign, Barton Creek Facility for Alzheimer’s Patients, YMCA Marketing Department and many others. Community Involvement

Each year, a record number of students continue to participate in the traditional AusPrEP and Pre-Algebra Institute summer programs. Along with rigorous instruction in the core subjects, students were exposed to a variety of career fields in science and technology through career awareness sessions and field trips. AusPrEP is a summer pre-freshman engineering program designed to help students stay interested in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Using calculators that work like mini computers and programming robots to follow commands, middle and high school students get hands-on experience. Engineering Interns from National Instruments, a corporate sponsor of the program, assisted students in the summer 2013 session with programming their robots. The students engage in courses such as Logic, Algebraic Expressions, Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science in an effort to cultivate their interests in science and math. The HT Center for STEM Success has established memorandums of understanding with Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock Independent School Districts that allow students who successfully complete AusPrEP to receive a science elective credit on their transcript.

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Faculty Development Dr. Smith served as liaison between the Association for Education for Journalism & Communication

(Electronic News Division) and the Radio-Television Digital News Association. She also attended the annual conference for the Broadcast Education Association and led a panel on Spanish Language news projects taking place in Journalism programs across America. The Communication Program entered its last phase of funding from the U.S. Department of Education SAFRA Grant and was able to bring the program technology near completion. Huston-Tillotson University is now a member of the HBCU Radio Network on Siriux/XM. Dr. Adams-Means coordinated the agreement between the Sirius Liaison at Howard University and Huston-Tillotson and the program continues with is seasonal production of its news publication, HTURam.

Senior Marques Harvey received the Michele Kay Journalism Scholarship during the Headliners Club Distinguished Lecture Series. Ann Compton, ABC White House correspondent (retired), guest lectured at Huston-Tillotson during while in Austin to deliver the Headliners Club Distinguished Lecture through arrangements with Mr. Oppel of Institutional Advancement and the Headliners Club.

Dr. Adams-Means has been invited to prepare a book chapter following her presentation at the University of Houston. She and student Ms. Lacy Johnson have been invited to present a panel on African American Women and Tenure in Higher Education at the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education annual conference to be held in Austin, Texas, March 2015. Both Dr’s Adams Means and Dr. Smith became members of the Texas Association of Broadcaster Educators. Both faculty members continue to serve the larger Central Texas community by presenting at local conferences and/or taking part in professional development opportunities. Student Activities

Eight students graduated with Communication degrees in May 2014, nearly triple the previous year. For the first time, HT’s communication program was able to offer all courses required in the sequence. All communication courses were taught on site in the new communication center and new technologies were integrated into classes, including new still cameras, radio and television field gathering equipment, and a new digital video editing software (Final Cut Pro X).

The Communication program won a Title III grant to cover the costs associated with a new class, Newscast Production, in the Spring of 2014. HT students produced three television newscasts at ChannelAustin (the city’s public access channel). The newscasts featured stories gathered and reported from around this city, with a particular focus on East Austin. The newscasts aired multiple times on Time Warner and Grande Cable, bringing much wanted attention to HT’s growing communication program. HT student work was also featured on KUT-FM (Austin’s NPR station) and a web newspaper, the Ram Page, was also produced, featuring field reporting and storytelling by students in our program. School of Business and Technology (SBT) Student Activities

Two students, Sammy Mudede and Stefan Spears, both Computer Science majors and May 2013 graduates, have decided to forego corporate employment for now to pursue their graduate degree. Mr. Mudede is the first ever HT student to be accepted into the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University graduate computer science program. Mr. Spears has been was accepted into a graduate program at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. Because Mr. Mudede’s performance was so great during his first semester at Carnegie-Mellon, he received a scholarship that paid for his tuition until he graduated in summer 2014. Accounting student, Tochukwu (Joshua) Nwozor was selected to participate in the prestigious Goldman Sachs Diversity Symposium in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the symposium, Mr. Nwozor networked with recruiters from Goldman Sachs and attended career workshops. Faculty Activities

Over the Christmas holiday, Dr. Banner (management instructor) attended a conference in Greece via the Faculty Resource Network. As a flagship institution, HT will be responsible for developing programs to educate the University and the community about the European Union. While in Greece, Dr. Banner discussed issues in conducting trade with the EU and Greece vis-à-vis the political, cultural, and economic environment of the area. In addition, Dr. Banner discussed sustainability policies and will use this insight to work on the “Green is the New Black” campus initiative.

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While in Greece, Dr. Banner met with the President and Provost of the American College of Greece. Together they discussed developing a study abroad program for HT’s faculty and students. Locally, she is working with the Center for European Studies at UT to assist HT in developing its program. Student Activities

Every year the National Association of Black Accountant (NABA) host regional and national student conferences for all accounting majors where companies interview and select students for internships and full time positions. HT Accounting students look forward to this event every year and every time at least two of our students receive internships or full time positions.

Barney Mutumha, sophomore, received a summer internship with Ernest and Young-One of the “Big 4” accounting firms. Senior, Rae-Ann Spears received a full time position with Deloitte –another Big 4 accounting firm. Heather Tunduwe, Accounting Major, is currently attending Alabama State University, where she is currently preparing for her Masters Degree in Accounting. And Tochukwu (Joshua) Nwozor, senior accounting student, was accepted into Bentley University where he will pursue his Masters of Accountancy degree. Student Services Religious Life and Campus Ministry

In March of 2014, Religious Life and Campus Ministry engaged in the Alternative Spring Break Mission Trip. The Chaplain along with 10 students and one faculty chaperone traveled to New York, NY to the Seminar Program of the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Women’s Division; the topic for 2014 was Immigration. Students spent two days in workshops learning the issues surrounding Immigration, how they affect a people and the nation. There were opportunity to hear and learn from undocumented persons being directly affected by this issue and the impact of immigration on the nation as a whole. Students also engaged in service projects within the New York area, they worked with the SNAP program informing persons in the Harlem area of the program and how they might benefit. The students returned to the Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen in East Harlem and debriefings occurred each morning prior to heading out for the day’s activities. While engaging in lots of study and hard work, students also were able to enjoy some of the highlights of New York such as the site of the World Trade Center Memorial, a late night ride on the Stanton Island Ferry with opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty and an evening at the Apollo Theater.

In September of 2014 Religious Life engaged in the annual First Year Experience and Sophomore Retreat. About 50 students attended a retreat at Camp Tejas in Giddings, TX. The retreat was an opportunity for incoming students to get to know each other while simultaneously share their concerns of leaving home and beginning a new chapter in their lives. Religious Life and Campus Ministry Staff assist in the planning of the event which gives opportunity to develop student leadership. The weekend was tightly packed with work-sessions where students had the opportunity to actively engage in open discussions. There was also time for swimming, canoeing, zip lining, volleyball and engaging one another in wholesome fun. The highlight of the weekend was the closing campfire, where students shared stories and positive thoughts about the experience their new discoveries. The students discovered that however challenging their journeys might have been or might be, they are not alone. It is a great time of learning, sharing and building new friendships.

In October of 2014 Religious Life and Campus Ministry hosted a Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon at the Center for Religious Life. This was the third year of the event and each year we see more faculty and staff come out, this year there were approximately 65 faculty/staff in attendance. The students prepared the meal and served the faculty and staff. The faculty and staff joined the students in Wii games, and they enjoyed positive fellowship and wonderful conversations. It was a positive experience for both faculty/staff and students as they come together around the table, breaking bread together and learning more about one another.

We closed out the year in December with our Service of Healing; in the Christmas Service we celebrate the Christ Child, and one another, but most importantly we often have students, faculty and staff who have loved ones who have died throughout the year and we pause to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. During this service, we light 5 specific candles, one for students who have lost loved ones during the year, one for faculty/staff who have lost loved ones during the year, one for our military persons who have lost lives for the sake of the country and any catastrophe that has occurred during the year, and the last for world peace and unity. The university communities are all involved in the service. Campus Life

January 2014 served as a time to (re)focus on the goals and objectives of the Office of Campus Life. During this time, the Student Government Association (SGA) began to finalize the plans for HT’s Homecoming

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activities. Homecoming for the Spring 2014 was titled “Reclaiming the Ram”. In February the campus focused on celebrating the alumni of HT during Homecoming. Some of the homecoming activities included, the NonGreek Stroll Off, hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the student DodgeBall Tournament hosted by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Rammy Award Show hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA)

In March, to assist in the scholastic endeavors of the HT students, the Student Government Association hosted a midterm study break meal. The following month, Huston-Tillotson University was introduced to “SPRING FEST”. This set of events/experiences focused on rewarding student for their service and previous involvement/student leadership initiative. During the month of May, programming endeavors intentionally slowed down with the hope of refocusing the student body toward scholarly activities. Programming highlight(s) during this time were study opportunities and HT's annual finals dinner. During this experience the university cafeteria was opened late to serve a midnight breakfast to the students.

Shifting towards the new school year, the month of September served as a time to Welcome Back our RAM family. To do so, the Office of Campus Life initiated several programs dedicated to Civic Engagement and Community Awareness. These programs assisted our Rams in identifying community resources and gave several of our Recognized Student Organizations (RSO) an opportunity to serve. During the month of October, the Office of Campus Life conducted a structured campus wide Risk Management for all Recognized Student Organization. The intent of this program was to educate the student organizations on the Policies and Procedures and governing documentation from Huston-Tillotson University.

During the month of November, the Office of Campus Life welcomed a new student organization to the HT “Yard” (Campus): Chic Modeling Group. In addition, the Office of Campus Life celebrated the holidays by serving the student population dinner. Finally, the Office of Campus Life officially introduced the Royalty court of Mr. and Miss HT to the campus through a coronation dinner. The following month, Huston-Tillotson’s Student Government Association (SGA) hosted several events to encourage and reward HT’s intellectual curiosity, as well as stimulate conversations in order to discuss, and ultimately celebrate, Black Lives. At the conclusion of the month six (6) new members of Alpha Kappa Alpha were introduced to Huston-Tillotson University. Green Is the New Black

The environmental student group, Green is the New Black (GITNB) was formed in the fall of 2013. They have received numerous acclaims and achievements over the course of their first 18 months, including: Building Green Justice partner, Best Booth at the 2014 Earth Day Austin event, the Home Depot Retool Your School grant awarded, 2014, $10,000 – which was used to create a sustainably-furnished outdoor study patio. Additionally, GITNB took the 1st place award of $75,000 in the Ford Corporation Community Challenge. The GITNB students were also featured on the cover of the Austin Chronicle, October 24, 2014, as “Austin’s Sustainable Secret" as well as named one of the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin 2014 awards, Critics Choice for “Best Play on the Word ‘Green’"

GITNB is advised by faculty Dr. Jeff Wilson and Dr. Amanda Masino. Counseling and Consultation Center (CCC)

The Counseling and Consultation Center continues to help the Division of Student Affairs meet its mission by helping students with their personal concerns so that they can meet the daily challenges of student life.

Currently, Ms. Barbara Fountain serves as the current Director for the Counseling and Disability Services Center. Ms. Fountain comes to HT from the Austin School system and brings a significant amount of experience and breadth of knowledge regarding counseling services/interventions with her. Ms. Fountain replaces Dr. Gonzalez-Lima who left in April 2013.

Amongst many of the services the center provides, CCC is the home of the Student Health Advocacy Committee (SHAC) whom recently reapplied and received the Morehouse grant in October 2013 for the Morehouse Grant to help fund the student-run group. The SHAC lifts as an important asset to the student population as it is utilized by individual students, residence hall staff, and faculty for presentations about: personal well-being, adjusting to college issues, conflict mediation, and overall encouragement to students.

In addition to the newly received Morehouse grant, the efforts of a collaborative agreement with Seton Hospital, HT students now have access to additional mental health professionals in addition to the current staff in HT’s Counseling and Disability Center. Ms. Heather Teel provides individual and group therapy services and Dr. Rosen provides psychiatric services and consultations as needed to the student body.

The Office of Disability Services (ODS), housed within the CCC, continues to provide needed supportive services for HT students with disabilities. Programming involved collaboration with community resources and

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several HT departments. ODS works closely across departments at HT (i.e., Dr. Budd SEDL class, the Athletic Department, SA departments, the Library, the Math department), to share information, enhance education, and provide recreational opportunities to students, staff and faculty regarding disability issues.

Simultaneously, ODS continues to expand the adaptive aids available for student use to accommodate individuals in the classroom and while studying. Adaptive aids included digital recorders, amplification devices, and adjustable desks for use in classes; software for audio books in the library for flexible student access; golf cart use for students with temporary mobility issues as well as a couple of wheelchairs for emergency use; and accessing free technology to share individually with students. Career and Graduate Development Center (C&GDC)

The Career and Graduate Development Center continues to develop and update services and resources available to HT students, alumni and employers.

During spring 2014, the C&GDC hosted their annual Spring Career Fair. The fair was the second largest career fair HT has had in the past 12 fairs, with 59 attending organizations in attendance and participating of over 120 HT students. In partnership with the ADP program, the second Veteran’s Summer Community and University Job Fair was held in June 2014 with 22 recruiting organizations in attendance.

In fall 2014 the C&GDC held the Career Expo & Spring Internship Fair was the largest event of its kind in 12 years with 49 recruiting organizations in attendance. Also in the Fall, the Fall Graduate School Fair was held and was the largest of its kind in 12 years with an attendance of 46 professional and graduate schools and universities.

In addition to the career and internship fairs, the center partnered with the UT Black Graduate Student association for a program titled “Pursuing Graduate Studies”. The program, which included Dr. DeAunderia Bowen, Director of UT Leadership Academic Initiatives, included a panel discussion from BGSA students to assist the 25 attending HT students with knowledge of how to apply and what to do to become a graduate student. The center also provided 10 students with $2,300 for GRE and GMAT test fees for college/university entrance assessments through funding provided by the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry. The center’s director, Mr. Paul Leverington, served as Chair of Labor Force Scan Committee as part of 2015-2020 Strategic Planning and was appointed Title IX Coordinator effective October 1, 2014. Alternative Teacher Certification

The Alternative Teacher Certification Program certified 14 candidates in April. Mrs. Paige Trahan, 9th grade social studies teacher at Reagan HS was designated as her campus “Teacher of Promise” for 2014 and was also nominated as Intern of the Year to the National Association of Alternative Certification (NAAC). Dr. Seiter, Director of ATCP and Dr. Ruth Kane, EPP Chair attended state training sessions in June and July on the new teacher and principal evaluation systems to be adopted next year. Dr. Seiter was also trained in the new aspects of identification of mental health disorders. This training is mandated by the state of Texas for all teachers and the ATC Program includes this in the current curriculum.

Dr. Seiter continues to be active in the Central Texas Council on Educator Preparation and with the E3 Alliance. These organizations work closely with university teacher preparation programs and school districts to stay current on national and state education trends, laws and policies, and to act as a united voice for accountability and rigor in preparing teachers for Texas classrooms. Student Health Services

The HT Health Connection e-health community empowerment program continues to collaborate with other community based organizations to empower our campus and underserved populations in our community with health information from the National Library of Medicine. In the past year the student health services department tested a total of 42 students for HIV/AIDS, 300 condoms were distributed, 31 HT staff/faculty and students were vaccinated for the flu, and 40 people signed up for the healthy eating challenge. Additionally, the student Health Services department offered a free birth control workshop which offered several resources about how to obtain the services.

The program objective is to provide participants with the basic background knowledge and information about racial disparities in health. Participants are trained to conduct informational sessions that enhance consumer awareness. Consumers are informed about the following through online health access: HIV/AIDS, Heart Disease, Cancer, Mental Health and Diabetes. Informed consumers will benefit by having a better quality of life. Athletics

The HT Athletic Department has made and/or maintained significant advancements since the beginning of the 2014-15 academic school year. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was revitalized last year

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and continues to run successfully this school term. Two replacement representatives were selected by the coaches of each team. SAAC continues to enhance the support for the HT Athletic Department both on and off-campus and to give back to the surrounding community by volunteering for a variety of community service projects.

This year the department received new weight room equipment to better facilitate our athletes. Additionally, the weight room will receive new floors this year. The department’s part-time nationally certified Strength & Conditioning Coach has transitioned into a full time position as mandated by the RRAC as well as contracted four to five Sports Medicine trainers this year.

On the competitive side, the women’s Soccer team advanced to the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year. Our soccer players received many awards and accolades during the tournament. The current basketball season has been one of the best in years as both the men's and the women's teams were victorious in their respective homecoming games. With that in mind, the basketball teams were able to generate much needed revenue for the department through their competitions. One of the most significant games this year was the game between HT and Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Through this televised competition, the athletic department was recognized on the grandest scale available to athletics and exposed our Men’s Basketball team to over 13,000 viewers on live stream TV. In addition to the Men’s Basketball team, the cheerleading team has also been very visible. The team has put in lots of time and effort in rehearsals and it shows on the floor! The assistance and support of the Sports Medicine Trainer and the Strength and Conditioning Coach is evident as the team has been able to add higher level routines to their performances.

Huston-Tillotson University Athletics continues to meet its mission by providing opportunities for competition in intercollegiate athletics while ensuring an atmosphere that emphasizes academic and athletic excellence. The department continues to strive to ensure that all of our student-athletes are “Champions of Character” and model the values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership. The Athletic Department is committed to the principle that participation in athletics is integral to the total educational process as well as to the personal growth of each student-athlete. HT is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). Huston-Tillotson University is proud of its United Methodist Church heritage and affiliation and continually strives to provide a wholesome and open learning environment that encourages recognition of individual worth and merit.

McMurry University

Dr. Sandra S. Harper, President It has been an exciting year at McMurry University! We’ve hired some inspiring new faculty, reopened

“the New Old Main”, rejoined the American Southwest Conference in athletics, and launched the Foundations of Excellence in the College First Year. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many alumni and friends of the University at a variety of events and I continue to see the spirit of McMurry shine in these individuals.

As we look toward the centennial celebration of our University, we have created a strategic plan to ensure that McMurry continues to prosper in its second century of existence. The process began with the entire McMurry campus conducting a thorough analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Over 175 faculty, staff and students came together to create the first draft that went to the Board of Trustees for review. While seeking input from a variety of perspectives, the University then hosted regional planning sessions to familiarize alumni and friends with the challenges facing the institution and the plans to address them.

The deliberations that occurred during the regional planning sessions highlighted academic excellence, student success, and financial stability as the three imperatives that must be addressed in the next three years. The strategic plan was approved by the Board of Trustees and was appropriately titled McMurry Momentum: Grounded in History, Soaring to the Future. As a faith-based institution, our strategic plan explicitly links faith and learning. Appropriately, the plan begins with the following Bible verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As McMurry launches its decade-long planning effort in anticipation of our Centennial celebration in 2023, we are poised to craft an academic experience for the 21st century student. This experience will be a blend

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of the acquisition of the skills and competencies necessary to address pressing regional, national, and global issues with a solid moral and ethical foundation that needs to undergird every decision faced by McMurry graduates.

McMurry University’s connection with the United Methodist Church is an important element in accomplishing that mission and we at McMurry will continue to enhance and strengthen our relationship to our Annual Conferences.

I am excited to welcome Rev. Jeff Lust, a 1983 McMurry alumnus, as our new University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life starting July 1.

As the McMurry chaplain, Rev. Lust will be responsible for spiritual growth and community development for the entire campus community; provide professional pastoral care and counseling for faculty, staff and students; oversee comprehensive religious life programming on campus in coordination with faculty, staff and student leaders; and help develop domestic and international mission opportunities and partnerships.

His many years of experience and his passion for partnerships and spirituality will greatly enhance McMurry’s mission.

This year has been a year of student ministry enhanced by deeper connections and fruitful partnerships with the United Methodist Church, alumni, and our neighbors from around the world. As we look back at all that God has done in and through us, we are grateful for what has been and excited for what lies ahead.

The following are a few of the highlights of the recent past, and some of the opportunities we are looking forward to in the new year:

• For the third year in a row in partnership with seven local United Methodist churches, more than 1,000 people crowded into Radford Auditorium for a joint worship experience on Sunday, August 24, as the Methodist faith community of Abilene welcomed new and returning students back to campus. Those in attendance experienced a meaningful time of fellowship, corporate worship, and community. Connecting McMurry students with local congregations is an integral and invigorating part of McMurry University’s commitment to develop holistically healthy and mature servant leaders.

• McMurry University, in partnership with the United Methodist Church, continues to nurture a vital campus ministry that is grounded in discipleship and student leadership development. The McMurry Religious Life Council is the student-led umbrella organization beneath which 13 ministry team coordinators lead teams of fellow students in ministering to our campus community, our city, and the world. These student-led ministry teams provide the McMurry campus opportunities to engage in corporate worship, a lifestyle of service, prayer, small groups, mission trips, and other avenues for spiritual formation and growth.

• The Religious Life office works with the department of Religion to cultivate a culture of vocational discernment, through which students have the opportunity to more clearly recognize their calling to vocational ministry. McMurry University’s dedication to integrating academically rigorous coursework with practical experiences is shaping stronger leaders for our churches and our world.

• Realizing that we live in a global society, and that “our neighbor” can no longer be interpreted as those persons who live in geographical proximity to one another, the Religious Life Department is dedicated to organizing overseas mission trips during which students serve with and learn from our brothers and sisters around the world.

• In the summer of 2014, McMurry sent teams of students, faculty, and staff to serve, witness to their faith, cultivate cross-cultural relationships, and learn in El Paso, Haiti, India, and Zimbabwe through McMurry in Motion. In an effort to further strengthen our mission to serve our neighbors around the world, members of the McMurry community returned to El Paso in December and will return to Haiti May 27-June 3, 2015. The multi-year legacy of the seminary/graduate school tour continues as well. A group of students will further discern their vocational calling over spring break by visiting seminaries, divinity schools, and graduate schools. Schools likely to be visited include Perkins/SMU, Candler/Emory, Vanderbilt, Duke and Duke Divinity School, Princeton and Princeton Theological Seminary, Boston University and BU’s School of Theology, Harvard and Harvard Divinity School.

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Other highlights of the past academic year at McMurry include: • The McMurry Model UN team won two awards at the NMUN-Rome conference this fall. The students,

representing Argentina, won the Distinguished Delegation Award, and Salome Block and Matthew Brown won the Best Position Paper Award in the General Assembly Plenary.

• McMurry history majors achieved top honors at the annual meeting of the Texas State Historical Association in San Antonio. Besting their peers from universities and colleges from across the state, Katie Hinton and Ashley Dandridge brought home first- and second-place awards in the upper division of the TSHA’s C. M. Caldwell Memorial Awards for Excellence in History.

• McMurry volleyball advanced to the NCCAA Central Region Tournament and the National Christian College Athletic Association national championships for the third-consecutive season. Baseball advanced to the regional championship game of the NCCAA tournament. Men’s tennis finished second in the nation at the NCCAA national championships and women’s tennis qualified for the NCCAA Central Region tournament – hosted by McMurry – for a second-consecutive season.

• Charles Hughes, a junior English major from Eastland, Texas, was named the winner at the college level in the annual Texas Educational Theatre Association's (TETA) Playfest playwriting competition. Hughes is the 14th McMurry playwright who has been recognized by the TETA Playfest competition since 1999. The Theatre Department had the opportunity to perform the play in late January at the annual TETA Theatrefest convention in Houston.

• McMurry again received a number of national recognitions and honors this fall, including being named a Top Tier University by U.S. News Best Colleges Guide, a Military Friendly School by GI Jobs magazine, a Christian College of Distinction, and a Great College to Work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education. McMurry University was also one of 234 ranked schools nationwide included in the list of U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural Best Colleges for Veterans.

Guided by our core values - Christian Faith as the foundation of life, Personal Relationships as the catalyst for life, Learning as the journey of life, Excellence as the goal of life, and Service as the measure of life - our students are being equipped to exceed expectations and go on to success in life through service and leadership in an increasingly challenging world. We are grateful for the support of the Texas Annual Conference and the shared commitment we have to help McMurry achieve its vision to provide a Christian liberal arts and professional education that prepares students for a fulfilling life of leadership and service.

Perkins School of Theology

William B. Lawrence, Dean & Professor of American Church History

Perkins celebrates our vital connections with the Texas Annual Conference:

• Sixty-five students affiliated with the Texas Conference are enrolled at Perkins, including one Ph.D., six D.Min., one M.A.M., one M.S.M., four M.T.S., 49 M.Div., and three non-degree students.

• Eligible 2014–2015 students from the Texas Conference each received a Perkins Annual Conference Endowment (PACE) grant in the amount of $5,500, with qualifying students receiving an additional $6,000 each in need-based aid.

• Perkins School of Theology’s Houston-Galveston Extension Program enables students to begin degree studies through weekend and evening classes at St. Luke’s UMC in Houston and at Moody Memorial First UMC in Galveston.

• The Houston Lay School of Theology offers classes at St. Paul’s UMC each January and August. • Perkins partnered with Houston Methodist Hospital for the second “Faith and Medicine” event and a three

credit-hour student immersion course on the hospital campus.

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• The Houston-Galveston Extension Program periodically hosts Lunch & Learn events featuring Perkins faculty members speaking on a variety of topics, for prospective students, as well as alumni/ae, friends and other guests.

• A total of five Perkins students have been placed as interns within the Texas Conference this year, including students affiliated with the Liberia Conference and North Carolina Conference.

• Perkins celebrates the distinguished accomplishments and service of many alumni/ae in the Texas Conference, including Houston Area Bishop Janice Riggle-Huie (M.Th.’73).

Total enrollment at Perkins exceeds 400 students, of which approximately two-thirds are United Methodist and more than one-third are ethnic minority students. Master’s degree programs comprise approximately 51% female and 49% male students. The D.Min. program includes students from southern Asia taking classes in Singapore and Dallas. Our Ph.D. program comprises 30 active students, including two Latino Ph.D. students supported through a grant from the Luce Foundation to Perkins’ Center for the Study of Latino/Christianity and Religions. Dr. Jack Levison (Ph.D., Duke, 1985) joined the Perkins faculty as the third appointee to the W.J.A. Power Chair of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation. Dr. John Martin, new director of Development, came to Perkins after serving as president of Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. Following a nationwide search, a senior scholar and teacher eligible for appointment to the Lois Craddock Perkins Chair in Homiletics is expected to join the Perkins faculty in fall 2015. Perkins restructured its Master of Divinity degree, effective spring 2015, enabling full-time students to complete the program in three years and reducing overall cost of the degree. The M.Div. now requires 73 term hours of academic credit, including the nine-hour internship. A new “Master of Arts in Ministry” (M.A.M.) degree has replaced the C.M.M. The M.A.M. offers five tracks: two previous tracks in Christian Education and Urban Ministry, and new tracks in Theology and Social Justice, Christian Spirituality, and Evangelism and Mission. As part of SMU’s “Operational Excellence for the Second Century” (OE2C) initiative, Perkins streamlined its organizational structure in early 2015. Dr. Tom Spann has been named as director of the Perkins Intern Program, succeeding Dr. Bill Bryan, who has been named to the newly created position of associate dean of Student Affairs. A second new position, associate dean of External Programs, is expected to be filled in 2015. A $2.5 million gift to SMU will establish the new Susanna Wesley Centennial Chair in Practical Theology at Perkins. The gift of $2 million in endowment funds, plus $100,000 a year for the first five years of operations, makes it possible to fill the chair in the next academic year. Perkins thanks our many colleagues, friends, and alumni/ae across the connection for generous support in many ways, including referrals of prospective students, as we continue our vital mission of preparing women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry.

Saint Paul School of Theology Dr. Sharon Howell, President

Saint Paul School of Theology is a seminary of the United Methodist Church that educates leaders to

make disciples for Jesus Christ, renew the Church, and transform the world. We are one institution with two campuses, in Oklahoma and Kansas.

In July 2014, Saint Paul welcomed a new President: Rev. H. Sharon Howell, who most recently served as the Executive Director of the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville. In August, Dr. Elaine Robinson became the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean for both campus locations. CFO Laura Snow was honored by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as CFO of the year for a nonprofit. She has been a driving factor in getting the seminary debt free.

This past academic year, Saint Paul enrolled 231 students from 23 annual conferences and 5 countries on both campuses. The Course of Study School at Saint Paul served 237 students at the Kansas City, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma locations.

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Saint Paul is pleased to announce the Saint Paul Fellows Program due to collaborations with the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference and United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Saint Paul Fellows is a first-of-its-kind pastoral program designed to eliminate student loan debt, immerses students in varied church settings.

Four full-ride scholarships were given to seminary students commencing study in 2015. The three-year Fellows program offers a groundbreaking opportunity to equip candidates called to full-time ministry with excellent academic formation and real-life pastoral experience while reducing the need for student loans. The awards will cover tuition, books and fees for three years. Two Oklahoma Conference Fellows will receive a student appointment to pastor a small church, including a parsonage and salary to cover living expenses; the two Church of the Resurrection Fellows will receive a stipend to cover living expenses while serving at the 21,000 member congregation’s suburban campus in Leawood, KS within the Great Plains Annual Conference.

Saint Paul introduced a new curriculum this year for its masters’ degree programs. The Master of Divinity degree has been reduced to 79 credit hours and includes exciting new components to better prepare students for a lifetime of ministry. Each semester students take short courses called “practicums” that are taught by ministry practitioners. These offerings include such skill areas as “budgets and finance”, “funerals” and “ministry with children.” Students are also required to attend off-campus spiritual formation retreats which are intended to deepen their spirituality. Saint Paul continues to offer the core curriculum that is vital for ministry and emphasizes our long-standing model of action-refection in which students learn to reflect theologically upon the practice of ministry.

The Native American Ministries Program hosted a group of Native American scholars, elders and clergy who have together written a book on Native Christian Theologies entitled, Coming Full Circle. This book will be published by Fortress Press in August 2015 and proceeds will go toward funding Saint Paul’s Native American Ministries Program.

Throughout the year we have connected with graduates and donors face to face at gatherings called Holy Conversations. We look forward to more in the upcoming year.

The trustees, faculty, staff, and students of Saint Paul thank you for your interest, prayers and support.

Southern Methodist University

R. Gerald Turner, President

SMU is celebrating the centennial of its founding in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and its opening in 1915. Highlights of recent developments follow:

• In fall 2014 SMU’s total enrollment of 11,272 included 6,391 undergraduates and 4,881 graduate students. Ethnic minority students made up 25 percent of total enrollment. An international enrollment of 1,483 represented 92 foreign countries, with the largest numbers from China, India and Saudi Arabia.

• SMU ranks among the nation’s top universities. In the 2015 U.S. News & World Report listings, SMU ranks 58th among 280 of the “best national universities.” Several individual schools and academic programs also earned national rankings.

• SMU received $31 million in external funding during 2013-14 for research in the U.S. and worldwide. Current research subjects include water quality, natural hazards, learning disabilities and treatments for cancer and diabetes.

• SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history, with a goal of $1 billion. To date, SMU has received more than $927 million to support student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience.

• Recent campaign gifts have supported five residence halls and a dining center, opened in 2014, and a new education building, under construction. Other 2014 campaign gifts support several endowed faculty positions and new centers focusing on research, cyber security, communities in education, victims of crimes against women, family law and legal research in science and technology.

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• Perkins School of Theology provides several special programs for the Texas Annual Conference. The Houston-Galveston Extension Program enables students to begin degree studies through weekend and evening classes in Houston and Galveston. Students complete degree requirements on the Dallas campus. The Houston Lay School of Theology offers classes at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church each January and August.

• SMU treasures its Methodist heritage, and we ask for your continued prayers and support.

Southwestern University Dr. Edward Burger, President & Professor

Now in my second academic year as President of Southwestern University, I am honored to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the University’s original 1840 charter and the founding of Texas’ oldest institution of higher education. Throughout this milestone year, we reflect on the expansive creativity, passionate pursuit of knowledge, and steadfast resilience of this University as a whole and as a composite of the many individuals who have contributed to Southwestern’s success.

This year, for the first time, all graduating seniors were invited to the Turner-Fleming House to dine with me, along with members of the faculty, staff, alumni body, and our greater community of supporters and friends. As we discussed our reflections on a shared topic over dinner,

I witnessed the power of creative thinking that occurs when engaged minds come together.

In August, Southwestern welcomed 382 entering students from 21 states in addition to Texas, bringing total enrollment to 1,539. I was pleased to have the opportunity to personally visit with prospective students and their families at many of the more than 225 events I attended this year. 2014 Accolades

• USA Today College ranked Southwestern the top liberal arts institution in Texas. • Southwestern is on Money magazine’s first list of best colleges. • Southwestern was named a Best Buy school in the 2015 Fiske Guide to Colleges. • Southwestern is on Kiplinger’s 2014 list of the 100 top values in liberal arts colleges. • Southwestern was rated #8 in the country for Best Career Services by Princeton Review. • Washington Monthly, which rates schools based on their contribution to the public good, ranks

Southwestern 35th among liberal arts colleges. • Southwestern was listed as one of 200 colleges that Princeton Review recognized in its newest

publication, Colleges That Pay You Back. The methodology is based on a unique "Return-on-Education" (ROE) rating measuring academics, cost, financial aid, and student debt to statistics on graduation rates, alumni salaries, and job satisfaction.

Academics • In 2014, Southwestern added four new cluster courses to the Paideia curriculum.

Paideia is an integrative educational model that promotes flexibility, open mindedness, and creativity in thinking and problem solving, while supporting students as they explore complex questions through multiple perspectives across the humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, and social sciences disciplines.

Students draw parallels between diverse disciplines by connecting courses through a common theme (cluster) culminating in a team-taught, truly interdisciplinary Paideia Seminar.

• Race and Ethnicity Studies, a new minor announced in 2013, incorporates classes from 14 disciplines. Given our highly diverse student body, this minor is growing as a program, which puts our institution at the forefront in understanding the relationship between race, ethnicity, and the liberal arts.

• Last spring, Southwestern held its campus-wide Research and Creative Works Symposium, “From Every Voice.” For the first time, classes were cancelled so that all could participate. The range of creative

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endeavors displayed by students, faculty, and staff was a testament to the wide breadth of skills at work in our campus community.

Faculty Appointments

• Sherry Adrian, associate professor of education and holder of the Dishman Endowed Professorship for Special Education, began a three-year term as the new director of Paideia last August.

• Four new tenure-track faculty members started the 2014-15 academic year: Jacob Schrum, assistant professor of computer science; Jethro Hernandez-Berrones, assistant professor of history; Hazel Nguyen, assistant professor of business; and Debika Sihi, assistant professor of business.

• Last fall, Alisa Gaunder, an award-winning professor of political science, began a three-year term as Dean of the Faculty, a new position created to provide academic leadership through faculty recruitment, evaluation, promotion, and scholarly development. Four faculty members newly named to Associate Dean positions assist her.

• Eric Selbin, professor of political science, was appointed to the Lucy King Brown Chair, one of six endowed chairs at Southwestern that were established with funds from The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston.

Faculty Achievements I was honored to be elected this year to the Philosophical Society of Texas, which fosters the preservation

of literature, scientific discovery, and philosophical studies of Texas. The Society’s 200 members are elected and invited to serve, because their life and character further the purposes for which the Society was established. My membership will be a lifelong honor.

KUT, the Austin NPR affiliate, is airing weekly podcasts titled - "Higher Ed" - through which I discuss issues in higher education with Jennifer Stayton, anchor and host of the "Weekend Edition." I even introduce a few puzzlers for the audience to solve. Listen on Sunday afternoons at http://kut.org/topic/higher-ed at 2:00 p.m.

Numerous Southwestern faculty members also earned honors this year:

• Six faculty members published books in 2014. • Four faculty members received Sam Taylor Fellowship awards from the Division of Higher Education of

the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church for 2014. • Four faculty members were selected to be Community Engaged Learning Fellows for the 2014-2015

academic year. The Community Engaged Learning Fellows Program helps faculty members incorporate community-engaged learning into their classrooms.

• Maria Todd and Maria Cuevas, associate professors of biology, were awarded $10,000 from the JP Morgan Crump Foundation to support their collaborative cancer research project with Rebecca Sheller, associate professor of biology. The aim of the project is to study the deregulation of tight junction proteins in female reproductive cancers.

• Jessica Hower, assistant professor of history, won the 2014 William Roger Louis Prize, awarded annually to the author of the best paper delivered at the annual international “Britain and the World Conference.”

• Erika Berroth, associate professor of German, was the recipient of the 2014 Coalition of Women in German Faculty Research Award, which recognizes and supports projects that address a significant topic with demonstrated relevance to German Studies as informed by a feminist perspective.

• Dustin Tahmahkera, assistant professor of communication studies, has been invited by the National Endowment for the Humanities to serve as a reviewer in its Digital Humanities Implementation Grants program in Washington, D.C.

• The Austin Civic Orchestra and Lois Ferrari, professor of music and ACO music director, each finished as finalists in the 2014 American Prize competition.

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Director of Spiritual and Religious Life and Chaplain Appointment The Reverend Megan Davidson has been named Southwestern’s new Director of Spiritual and Religious

Life and Chaplain. Davidson graduated cum laude from Southwestern in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where she received a Master of Divinity in 2010, magna cum laude. Student Achievements Southwestern students also earned a variety of honors and awards in 2014. For example:

• Sara Hall, Daniel Ross, Elizabeth Bell, and Alexandra Wagui were selected to receive highly selective Hatton W. Sumners Scholarships for fall 2014 based on their academic history, extracurricular activities, and leadership experience.

• Sabrina Rangel, Robert Lehr, and Lorena Roque were selected to participate in the prestigious Kemper Scholars Program, which prepares students at liberal arts colleges for leadership positions, especially in the fields of administration and business.

• In 2014, three students were awarded Benjamin Gilman International Scholarships, a highly competitive scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to help undergraduate students study abroad. Indigo Morgan spent the spring term at the University of Ghana studying religion and international relations, and both Chareena Barrows and Jeana Garcia traveled to Costa Rica during the summer to study Spanish.

• Antonio Lopez was named an American Chemical Society Scholar for the 2014-15 academic year. The American Chemical Society’s Scholars Program gives merit-based scholarships to students who plan to enter the fields of chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering, or who are seeking two-year degrees in chemical technology.

• Last spring, Chandler Johnson, Keeley Coburn, and Amir Hessabi developed a design for solar lounge chairs to provide a sustainable outdoor interactive space where students could recharge their computers.

• Natalia Rodriguez was selected to be the student board member on the Board of Trustees for the Anita Borg Institute, a global organization dedicated to women in technology.

• Estrella Thomas and Anne Stankus ’13, along with Quinlyn Morrow and Cristina Muyshondt, co-authored papers for presentation at the Southwestern Psychological Association’s annual conference in San Antonio. Both papers won one of Psi Chi’s Regional Research Awards for outstanding research.

• Brianna Billingsley ’14, participated in the American Sociological Association Honors Program, where she presented a paper from her 2013 Southwestern sociology capstone research that won first place in the undergraduate paper competition sponsored by Alpha Kappa Delta, the sociology honor society.

• Kyle Allen and Emily Ammon were finalists at the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting with their poster and manuscript presentation titled, “Effects of Stride Rate Manipulation in Shoes with Different Drop Heights.”

• Carson Savrick was awarded a Grant-in-Aid from the Sigma Xi Research Society to support her molecular ecology undergraduate research project.

• Dominique Bertrand ’08, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in anthropology at SUNY-Buffalo, received a Fulbright Fellowship that allowed her to spend a year in Indonesia conducting research for her thesis.

Athletics Accolades earned by Southwestern athletes and coaches in 2014 included:

• 72 in-season student-athletes made the SCAC Academic Honor Roll for fall 2014. • The Senior Woman Administrators of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference voted Lilly Duarte,

senior captain for both the cross-country and track and field teams, the SCAC Co-Woman of the Year. • The women’s swimming and diving team received the Team Scholar All-American Award presented by

the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for the third year in a row. • The women’s soccer team was one of only four SCAC women's soccer programs recognized with the

National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the 2013-14 academic year, posting a cumulative team grade point average of 3.29.

• For the fifth time in her career, Southwestern Head Volleyball Coach Hannah Long was named the SCAC Coach of the Year.

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• Student-athletes Bryan Hicks, DeeJay Johnson, and Nik Kelly were named USA College Football D-III Freshman All-Stars.

• Tyler Downing and Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Bill Bowman were named SCAC Men's Offensive Player of the Year and SCAC Coach of the Year respectively.

• Jordan Cowart finished third in his second trip to the NCAA National Championships, helping the Southwestern men's golf team earn their best ever finish at the 2014 NCAA Championships in last May.

Campus Construction Projects

Renovation of the third floor of the historic Cullen building was completed in August 2014. New classrooms with enhanced multi-media options and a learning lounge created space for collaboration and study.

Last fall, construction began on Phase I of Southwestern’s new science center, which includes new academic spaces that allow for inquiry-based learning in introductory courses in physics, chemistry and biology, as well as new research and teaching laboratories. Speakers and Symposia

Southwestern hosted its 36th annual Brown Symposium, “Healing: The Art and Science of Medicine” - a focus on the future of healthcare in the United States.

As part of the events surrounding my inauguration, Southwestern launched “Paideia Connections: Engaging Scholarly Conversations.” This lecture series features two Southwestern faculty members who each deliver a 20-minute address about their recent scholarly work, followed by a time for the audience to share connections they discovered while actively listening to the lectures.

In Conclusion I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to visit Southwestern and see first-hand this

intellectual community that is engaging minds and transforming lives! These are the persons that have been nominated to the Southwestern University’s Board of Trustees: Christopher E. Cragg Sylvia Kerrigan The Southwestern University Trustees from the Texas Conference are as follows: Jim Bankston 2009-2017 Chris Cragg 2015-2019 Stephen Tipps 2009-2017 James V. Walzel 2009-2017 Richard H. Bachmann 2014-2018 Robert H. Graham 2014-2018 Sylvia Kerrigan 2015-2019

Introduction and Request As a result of the affiliation of Southwestern University (“Southwestern”) with the Texas, North Texas,

Central Texas, Rio Texas, and Northwest Texas Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church (each a “Patronizing Conference”) the current By-Laws of Southwestern require that certain changes to the By-Laws and Certificate of Formation of Southwestern must be confirmed by 2/3rds of the Patronizing Conferences with each conference having one vote. Specifically, the existing By-Laws include the following: “Any change in the composition of the Board of Trustees and the method of selection for members on the Board of Trustees shall be confirmed by the Patronizing Conferences.”

During a meeting on January 30, 2015, the Board of Trustees of Southwestern unanimously approved certain amendments to the By-Laws and authorized the President of the University to make certain conforming changes to the Certificate of Formation.

These changes resulted from a number of informal discussions among the Trustees and two meetings, one on June 20, 2014, and another on August 14, 2014. The first meeting was attended by twenty (20) trustees. The second meeting was attended by twenty-five (25) trustees. Some attended in person and some via telephone. The

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purpose of both meetings was to identify any changes that could lead to a more effective Board of Trustees recognizing the challenges facing Southwestern and other colleges and universities. Southwestern also sought and received Episcopal input.

A written summary of the ideas generated from these meetings was provided to the entire Board of Trustees and during a regular meeting of the Board on October 17, 2014, the summary of ideas was unanimously approved by the 30 Trustees attending.

In all these meetings Trustees with a close relationship with the United Methodist Church actively participated. The summary of ideas included the following: “The relationship between Southwestern and the United Methodist Church is important and should be maintained and enhanced.”

Southwestern requests that the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (the “Conference”) confirm the following changes to the By-Laws and the Certification of Formation.

By-Laws Changes

The following are the changes to the By-Laws for which confirmation by the Conference is requested. 1. Due to the unification of the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Annual Conferences there will no longer

be trustees elected by the Rio Grande or Southwest Texas Annual Conferences, but there will be four trustees elected by the Rio Texas Conference (same as the number elected by the Texas, North Texas, and Central Texas Annual Conferences).

2. At least one member of the Nominations Committee (committee’s name changed to Trusteeship Committee in the amended By-Laws) must be a United Methodist.

3. The Board of Trustees will include two Bishops of the United Methodist Church nominated and elected by the Bishops of the Patronizing Conferences after consultation regarding each individual nominee with the Board’s Trusteeship Committee, giving due regard to the comments, requests, and concerns of that committee. At least one of the episcopal trustees serving at any given time must be a Bishop of one of the Patronizing Conferences. (Currently there are five Bishops of the Patronizing Conferences who are ex officio trustees. Consequently, the present By-Laws require the Bishops to serve regardless of whether she or he has the time or interest.)

4. The University is lifting the requirement that a certain number of trustees elected by the respective Patronizing Conference be United Methodist clergy.

5. The requirement that a certain percentage of the Board of Trustees be members of the United Methodist Church is also lifted. (Currently the requirement is 60%.) Due to the number of Trustees to be elected by the Patronizing Conferences and the Episcopal trustees [totaling 20] as provided in the amended By-Laws, the Board will always have at least 44% of its members who are United Methodist. This is a higher percentage than that of comparable United Methodist-related colleges and universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana and greater than the percentage reported by representatives of the University Senate of the United Methodist Church following a site visit on November 18-19, 2013.)

6. The Supplemental Trustee Category consisting of four positions is eliminated and those positions are “at large trustee” positions in the amended By-Laws. Thus, pursuant to the amended By-Laws, there are 20 “at large trustee” positions, which is the same as the total of “at large” and “supplemental” trustee positions under the existing By-Laws.

7. The University is lifting the requirement that the 20 at-large trustees, which are nominated by the Nominations Committee (Trusteeship Committee in the amended By-Laws) and elected by the Board of Trustees, be confirmed by the Patronizing Conferences.

Certificate of Formation Changes

The following are the changes to the Certificate of Formation for which confirmation by the Conference is requested.

1. Article Four was amended to broaden slightly the University’s authority to accomplish its educational purposes by providing that it may promote higher education in "any or" all of its branches and confer "any or" all diplomas.

2. Article Six was amended to substitute the University’s current president, Edward B. Burger, for his predecessor, Jake B. Schrum, as the University’s registered agent.

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Article Seven was amended to reduce the maximum number of trustees from 50 to 45 and to lift the requirement that 60% of the trustees be United Methodists.

Texas Wesleyan University Report

Texas Wesleyan University has seen rapid, positive transformation in the last year. From campus improvements, to a multimillion-dollar renovation project, to the University’s smartest incoming class – Texas Wesleyan is moving forward as a leader in critical thinking and education.

Major Highlights: • For the fourth consecutive year, Texas Wesleyan University ranks in the No. 1 tier of regional universities

in the west by U.S. News & World Report. • In November, Texas Wesleyan broke ground on the Rosedale Renaissance. The Renaissance is a $6.5

million project designed to leverage more than $32 million in private and public funding for the benefit of the Polytechnic neighborhood and Texas Wesleyan. There are four key components to the revitalization, including streetscape improvements, a new campus entryway, business accelerator center and The United Methodist Church Central Texas Conference Service Center, which will also be home to the bishop’s offices.

• Texas Wesleyan is undergoing a campus update. More than 30 projects are underway that include new sidewalks, landscaping and parking. These projects complement the Rosedale Renaissance project.

• For the second consecutive year, the University’s marketing and communications team garnered national recognition for integrated marketing projects that build on the University’s “Smaller. Smarter.” message. Texas Wesleyan won four Collegiate Advertising Award medals, including two golds.

• The Welch Foundation approved a grant to Texas Wesleyan University’s chemistry faculty in the amount of $30,000 from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015 for chemistry research. The grant gives students an opportunity to study chemistry outside of the structured way.

• In November, The Ben Hogan Foundation and Texas Wesleyan University partnered to form the Ben Hogan Foundation Mentor Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a candidate from The First Tee of Fort Worth to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and books.

To learn more about Texas Wesleyan, visit txwes.edu or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TexasWesleyan.

United Theological Seminary Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann, President

Is God calling you to the ministry of Jesus Christ? Come and check out amazing opportunities for study

and spiritual growth in person or online at www.united.edu! Why United?

• United offers an excellent, accredited M.Div. degree required for ordination in The United Methodist Church.

• United students participate in a community of deep faith and avid learning. • Degree programs include traditional and/or online classes. • United specializes in preparing persons for ordination and pastoral ministry. • Join our graduates’ long track record of successful service! • United’s focus on church renewal will prepare you to become an agent of new life and revitalization,

Spirit led, a faithful leader in the mission of Jesus Christ! • At United you can enroll in a hybrid UM Course of Study program. • United’s D.Min. program leads the nation through the faithful ministries of its pastoral graduates. • United is committed to teaching the Bible and the historic Christian faith, cultivating spiritual formation

for personal and social holiness, and renewing the Church for the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

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What could be more interesting, important or exciting?

In addition to expanding residential offerings in Dayton, Ohio, United continues to extend its service across the U.S. and the world. United’s degree programs are accessible anywhere with Internet service in conjunction with periodic intensive weeks of class and community activities in Dayton. Please let us know if you have questions about how United can best assist you. If you would like to help make it possible for a future pastor to study at United, please let us hear from you. We invite you to call or visit soon! For more information, please contact admissions@united.edu. Thank you for your prayers, partnership, service and support in the ministry of Jesus Christ! www.united.edu

Wesley Theological Seminary Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, President

At Wesley, we are a church-based seminary committed to multiplying the number of people who love God and love their neighbor locally, nationally and globally. Our degrees and programs – traditional and new alike – reflect our dedication to the Great Commandment and Great Commission. We ask you to pray for us, hold us accountable, and join us in this Kingdom work.

Equipping Faith Leaders through Degree Programs

In fall 2015, our new master of divinity curriculum launches. We thoroughly redesigned the M.Div. to prepare leaders for both church and society. This 81-hour degree offers flexibility and an excellent core curriculum focused on empowering passionate, mission-focused leaders. Wesley also offers a 36-hour Master of Arts and a 60-hour Master of Theological Studies to equip those called to ordained deacon ministries or a wide range of ministries.

In our doctor of ministry program, we continue to offer the most practical and spiritually renewing tracks in theological education. These include leadership excellence, pastoral counseling, arts, and new mission-focused tracks. Wesley is accepting applications to two tracks based in Cambridge, England. These tracks, Transformative Leadership in Wesleyan Perspective and Creative Ministry for Church Renewal in a Changing World, are each limited to 20 students.

Wesley provides more than $2 million dollars annually in scholarships to our students thanks to the consistent support of graduates, congregations and friends of the seminary. Talk to someone at (202) 885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu about how Wesley’s degree programs equip people to lead others to loving God and neighbor.

Providing Resources to Faith Communities and Leaders

Wesley’s Lewis Center for Church Leadership continues to be the go-to resource for actionable best-practices for clergy and laity. The center’s free Leading Ideas e-newsletter provides well-researched, discipleship-growing ideas to more than 15,000 people. Visit www.churchleadership.com for resources in: Taking Church to the Community, Doing Good Well, Funding Your Congregation’s Vision, and Reaching New Disciples. Also, learn about the newest book by the Rev. Tom Berlin and the Rev. Dr. Lovett Weems Jr., High Yield: Seven Disciplines of the Fruitful Leader.

In early 2015, we developed the Institute for Community Engagement at Wesley Downtown to help the church turn itself inside-out. The institute encompasses the existing Urban Ministry Program and the

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Missional Church Program, which includes Heal the Sick, an initiative to congregations for public health work in their parishes.

The third component of the Institute for Community Engagement is Wesley’s emerging Center for Public Theology. Under the leadership of Distinguished Professor of Public Theology, Mike McCurry, we are developing this center to provide churches and their leaders, and seminary students tools to help navigate the connection between faith and public policy. The Luce Center for Arts and Religion remains the only seminary-based program uniting arts and theology. The center celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dadian Gallery in late 2014.

Wesley faculty members are continually development resources to the faithful, including books by Drs. Carla Works, Deborah Sokolove, F. Douglas Powe Jr., Cedric Johnson, and Lovett H. Weems Jr.

Throughout the academic year, Wesley hosts Second Mondays – a series of lectures on campus and streaming live. This year we explored “Living Matthew 25 – Focusing on the Big Things.” In this chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and welcome the stranger. In their lectures, Wesley’s faculty unlocked the Holy Scriptures and the church’s history, traditions and theology to clarify these Gospel imperatives. These presentations are available at www.youtube.com/c/wesleyseminaryedu and via live stream at www.ustream.tv/channel/wesley-seminary. Sign up for the monthly electronic newsletter eCalling at www.wesleyseminary.edu/ecalling to be reminded of this opportunity. Learn more at www.wesleyseminary.edu about the exciting ways Wesley’s resources are equipping people to spread the love of God and love of neighbor.

Wiley College Marshall, Texas

Highlights of the 2014-2015 Year

Gammon Pathways Project to mentor students as they discern call to ministry Six Wiley students have been selected to participate in the Gammon Pathways Project, a joint initiative between Wiley College and the Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, that will mentor students as they discern their call to ministry and how they can best serve God and the church. Funded by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of The United Methodist Church, the program’s goal is to strengthen Gammon’s capacity to recruit, support, and educate pastors and leaders. Critical components of the program include participation in summer internships at United Methodist churches, performing community service on mission trips, and visiting Gammon to attend seminars and to experience seminary life. Wiley hosts Celebrating the Church Service and Religious Emphasis Week Celebrating The Church Wiley College observed its annual Celebrating the Church Service in September to recognize its covenant relationship with The United Methodist Church. The keynote speaker for the service was Dr. Michael Bowie, Sr. Pastor of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. “With God, All things are possible and when you trust God, the best is yet to come,” Dr. Michael Bowie told students at the service. The event was held on campus in the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. Religious Emphasis Week Wiley celebrated Religious Emphasis Week in February. The guiding scripture was Hebrews 12:1-3 and the chapel speaker was Pastor James McMenis of The Word Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. The scripture reads that Jesus is the author and finisher, or the creator and sustainer, of our faith. Pastor McMenis told students that regardless of struggles and challenges to stand firm on God's promises. "Everything God offers has been authored and finished," he said. "What He has begun in you, He will finish." Wiley receives $500K National Science Foundation STEM Grant The Division of Sciences at Wiley College has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help foster, develop, and retain students' interest in studying and earning degrees in the fields of science,

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technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The grant will be carried out under the direction of Dr. Ruth Washington, Dean of the Division of Sciences; Dr. Walter Shumate, Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Mr. Llancyllius Williams, Instructor of Mathematics. This is the largest National Science Foundation grant the College has received. Wiley joins 8 HBCUs in guaranteeing admission for transfer students from California Community Colleges Beginning fall 2015, California Community Colleges transfer students who meet certain academic criteria will be guaranteed admission to Wiley College and eight other historically black colleges and universities thanks to an agreement the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the leaders of the institutions signed in March. Wiley now offers three fully online degree programs Wiley College has launched three fully online degree programs, the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Organizational Management; the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Criminal Justice Administration; and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, which offers 10 global areas of emphasis. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with concentration in Organizational Management and the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with concentration in Criminal Justice Administration are exclusive to Wiley’s Adult Degree Completion Program and both will continue to be offered face-to-face at the College’s Shreveport, Louisiana, location in addition to the new online option. The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program will be offered face-to-face exclusively on the traditional campus in Marshall, Texas, and online for traditional learners. Adult Degree Completion program learners may pursue this degree online only. Sophomore named UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow Wiley Sophomore Jeremy Jackson was selected for a prestigious UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. A biology major, he will conduct research under the guidance of Dr. Ruth Washington, Dean of the Division of Sciences at Wiley, and Dr. Leah Aggison, Instructor of Biology at Wiley. As a UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, Jackson will receive $1,800 per semester for four semesters, $3,900 per summer for two summers, research travel grants up to $1,600, graduate school support, and loan repayment up to $10,000. Junior receives $20K Anthony Anderson Scholarship during UNCF Evening of Stars Wiley junior Krystal Watson has received a $20,000 Anthony Anderson Scholarship to help her complete her final year of study at Wiley College. She was presented the award on stage by actor Anthony Anderson during the early April taping of the United Negro College Fund Evening of Stars in Atlanta, Georgia. The show aired on BET on April 26. Instructor observes 25th year as Clinician for Texas Music Educators All State Symphony Orchestra Wiley wishes all the best and congratulations this week to Department of Music Instructor Mr. Anthony Robinson! He is in San Antonio serving his 25th year as Percussion Organizer/Clinician for the All State Symphony Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Conference. He is pictured setting up at the conference. A Cappella Choir Christmas Concert airs Christmas Eve, Christmas Day on local NBC affiliate station Residents of East Texas were treated to a holiday concert by Wiley’s A Cappella Choir on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when "A Wiley Christmas" aired on the East Texas NBC-Affiliate station KTAL. The concert was a hour-long broadcast that was recorded in Wiley’s Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. The concert also featured performances by Wiley music students and professors. Wiley College ,Texas Christian University Debate teams reunite to commemorate 1935 debate It was the great debate of 2015!! The January reunion debate between Wiley College and Texas Christian University of Ft. Worth, Texas, was a high-spirited one, with both sides making valid and compelling arguments

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on the topic of whether violence is a justified response to political oppression. In the end, in a 2-1 decision, Texas Christian University was named the winner. The teams met again in March to debate the topic of whether a citizen-focused police force is preferable to a militarized police force. Wiley won the second debate 2-1. Students lauded by Mandated Ministries for mentoring at-risk teen girls Wiley Students were lauded in December by the local Outreach program Mandated Ministries for their ongoing mentoring of at-risk teen girls who temporarily reside at the youth shelter, East Texas Open Doors. The local newspaper, Marshall News Messenger, wrote a December feature story about the students and their work, as well as outreach by First United Methodist Church of Marshall to make a difference in the lives of the girls. Students’ donations will help bring water to impoverished villages in South Sudan The Center for Excellence in Student Leadership, CESL, annually raises funding to support causes that are making our world better. In January, during Wiley’s Ethical Student Leadership Conference, eight student organizations that fall under the umbrella of the CESL, donated $1,400 to Water for South Sudan, a charity that drills for clean, safe drinking water for impoverished villages in this eastern Africa country. Cross Country and Track Field Teams lead the pack in RRAC this season Head Cross Country/Head Track and Field Coach Micah Tirop and the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field Teams won the Red River Athletic Conference End-of-Season Championship in April. Coach Tirop was also recognized as Coach of the Year by the RRAC. Earlier in the school year, the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams won the 2014 RRAC Cross Country Championship.

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Miscellaneous Reports

South Central Jurisdictional Conference Dr. David Severe, Executive Director

Plans continue for the Jurisdictional Conference to be held in Wichita, July 13-16, 2015. That is still a

year away, but please mark your calendar. We will meet at the Hyatt Hotel except for the opening worship and the Consecration Service on the last

day, both of which will be at First United Methodist Church, Wichita. The 216 elected delegates will gather for the opening Worship on Wednesday evening the 13th, and begin plenary sessions on Thursday through Friday. Saturday morning each Annual Conference will hold a breakfast and welcome back returning Episcopal leaders, or newly elected bishops. At 10 a.m. the Consecration Service will begin and the Conference will adjourn by noon that day.

We encourage you to visit the Conference as we hear reports from agencies, celebrate the retirement of bishops and elect new leaders of the Church.

More information will be posted on our web site as they become available. Thanks to all for the continued support of Lydia Patterson Institute, Mount Sequoyah, and your

Jurisdiction Administration.

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HOTEL RESERVATION TAX EXEMPTION FORM Hotel Reservations are to be made by individuals. The following form is a “Hotel Tax Exemption Form” for use in reducing the tax paid for hotel occupancy. Fill it out and submit it to the hotel when you check in.

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE

Name of Guest

Address of Guest (Street and number, city, state, zip code)

Name of exempt organization Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

Organization exempt status (501 (c)(3), religious, charitable, government, etc.) Religious, non-profit organization

GUEST CERTIFICATION: • I declare that I am an occupant of this hotel/motel on official business sanctioned by the exempt

organization named above, and that all information shown on this document is true and correct.

SIGN DATE HERE

FOR HOTEL/MOTEL USE ONLY

Name of hotel/motel

Address of hotel/motel (Street and number, city, state, zip code)

Method of payment (Cash, personal check or credit card, organization check or credit card, direct billing, other)

NOTE: This certificate should be furnished to the Hotel or Motel, DO NOT send the completed certificate to the Comptroller of Public Accounts. This certificate does not require a number to be valid.

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