West Texas Missioner

Thursday, August 4, 2022

In the News ... "Stoker moves to Meals on Wheels"

• Will help grow the program’s outreach

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Meals On Wheels Odessa announced Tuesday that Craig Stoker, former director of communications for the West Texas Food Bank, has joined the Meals on Wheels team.

Stoker, a third generation Odessan, joins the Meals on Wheels team as their new director of philanthropy. The newly-created role will utilize Stoker’s knowledge of marketing and media strategies to help grow awareness about Meals on Wheels, help strengthen the organization’s financial position, and grow the existing volunteer program which will help grow the program’s outreach.

Margaret Burton, Meals on Wheels Odessa executive director said that she “welcomes Craig Stoker to the staff of Meals on Wheels. Craig is an excellent addition to the Meals on Wheels organization. With Craig’s background we will be able to increase our mission; every eligible person shall have nutritious meas. I look forward to Craig getting acquainted with our dedicated volunteers and the service to our clients.”

Stoker added that he is “ready for a new challenge after having created a successful marketing and communication program at the Food Bank.” He also said that “Meals on Wheels is an important community organization that reached a population in Ector County which is often forgotten.” He also wished to thank the leadership team at the Food Bank for the years of confidence and support, and that he looks forward to continuing to partner with the Food Bank through Meals on Wheels.

From PC(USA) Store ... "Your 'Advent in August Sale' now underway!"

The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum, and resources in one place. PCUSAStore.com is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that provides the information and materials necessary to support new and existing congregations, leaders, study groups, and individuals forge a deeper understanding of Presbyterian beliefs and doctrines. PCUSAStore.com is maintained by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the publishing house of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Geneva Press curriculum publishing, and other agency partners.

But hurry ... sale prices end Tuesday, August 9

Prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons and save big on more than 30 books when you shop our Advent in August Sale! But hurry, these sale prices end next Tuesday, August 9.

Please note that this sale includes our forthcoming Advent books, which will ship once they are available.

• Browse Adult Bible Study Books

• Shop the Sale

Please Note: We can currently only ship to customers in the United States. For our international distributors, please contact us at support@pcusastore.com.

PC(USA) Store
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 533-4371
support@pcusastore.com

In the News ... Photo Album: "Luminaria Walk lights up Healing Garden and Ascarate Park"

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

• Honoring El Paso shooting victims
By Gaby Velasquez, Photographer
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - El Pasoans gathered to honor the El Paso shooting victims on the third anniversary as luminarias are placed around the Healing Garden and Ascarate Park on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 ...

• See the rest of this EPT photo album ...

Opinion: "Why we remember Aug. 3, 2019

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

• Promises made, promises forgotten

By State Rep. Joe Moody, Guest Columnist
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - This week brings a somber anniversary: the third year since 23 innocent people were taken from us in a racially motivated massacre. Remembering the bright, beautiful people we lost that day is the clearest reason we keep this date in our hearts, and with the man charged in their murders still sitting in a jail cell awaiting justice, it’s a wound that remains fresh for all of us here in El Paso.

But there are other reasons we must remember.

I was recently reminded of that clearly when I added 21 more names to the 23 already burned into my mind. As I helped lead the House’s investigation into the mass shooting in Uvalde that stole 19 children and two teachers from that community, I couldn’t help but see the unbroken line that connected it to El Paso (and to the grim parade of mass killings before and between them). We have to remember because these aren’t isolated attacks ...

• Read the the rest of this opinion ...

Photo Album: Community memorial honors El Paso shooting victims

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

• The third anniversary of the August 3 Walmart shooting

By Gaby Velasquez, Photographer
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - Border Network for Human Rights led the #ElPasoFirme Community Memorial: A Call to Action Against White Supremacy, Racism, and Xenophobia service at Ponder Park in East El Paso on August 3, 2022, the third anniversary of the August 3 Walmart shooting ...

• See the rest of this EPT photo album ...

As El Paso struggles to heal, Walmart shooter's rhetoric builds in GOP

AP Photo by Eric Gay

• Shooter said he responded to "Hispanic invasion"

By Martha Pskowski, Reporter
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - When Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appeared on a July 5 Fox News segment about fentanyl, his comments quickly turned to the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We are being invaded," he told the host.

“We’re being attacked as we were on Pearl Harbor," he followed up.

That same day, Kinney County Judge Tully Shahan signed a disaster declaration. The South Texas county had previously called for help to “defend our borders” from undocumented immigrants. Now Shahan called on Gov. Greg Abbott, as the state’s Commander-in-Chief, to “declare the existence of an invasion on its border with Mexico.”

Patrick and Shahan’s words were familiar to the people of El Paso.

Nearly three years earlier, a white man north of Dallas wrote a diatribe ...

• Read/watch the rest of this EPT report ...

Photo Album: Bell toll memorial honors August 3rd victims

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

• Music, moments of silence, words of condolence inspiration

By Gaby Velasquez, Photographer
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - City Council members gathered to observe a memorial at City Hall in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 ...

• See the rest of this EPT photo album ...

El Pasoans remember Walmart mass shooting victims through prayer

EPT Photo

• 'Amor Eterno'

By Lauren Villagran, Reporter
• El Paso Times

EL PASO, TEXAS - The morning sun shone on black crosses, each painted with the name of one of the 23 victims.

Community members carried them in solemn procession to the thrum of a single drum and planted them in a semi-circle in a park that for months in the wake of the shooting was home to a makeshift memorial of photos and flowers and mementos.

Through testimony, prayer and song at Ponder Park, El Pasoans remembered those killed in the Walmart mass shooting on Aug. 3, 2019 ...

• Read, watch the rest of this EPT report ...

In the News ... Opinion: "Why we remember Aug. 3, 2019"

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

As El Paso struggles to heal, Walmart shooter's rhetoric builds in GOP

AP Photo by Eric Gay

Photo Album: Bell toll memorial honors August 3rd victims

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

El Pasoans remember Walmart mass shooting victims through prayer

EPT Photo

In the News ... Photo Album: "Community memorial honors El Paso shooting victims"

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

As El Paso struggles to heal, Walmart shooter's rhetoric builds in GOP

AP Photo by Eric Gay

Photo Album: Bell toll memorial honors August 3rd victims

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

El Pasoans remember Walmart mass shooting victims through prayer

EPT Photo

In the News ... "As El Paso struggles to heal, Walmart shooter's rhetoric builds in GOP"

AP Photo by Eric Gay

Photo Album: Bell toll memorial honors August 3rd victims

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

El Pasoans remember Walmart mass shooting victims through prayer

EPT Photo

In the News ... Photo Album: "Bell toll memorial honors August 3rd victims"

EPT Photo by Gaby Velasquez

In the News ... "El Pasoans remember Walmart mass shooting victims through prayer"

EPT Photo

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo courtesy of Gale Smetana

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 4, 2022

IOWA SUNDAY SCHOOL - Teaching has always been in Valerie Neubauer’s genes.

The retired high school Spanish and English teacher — who has also taught Sunday school for more than 50 years at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa — took a mere few years off from teaching at church only when her own children were high schoolers.

Those were different times ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

In the News ... "Habitat dedicates house funded by Endeavor Energy"

HfH-Midland Photo

• Opportunities for anyone interested in supporting Midland Habitat’s efforts

Staff Report
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - On July 19, Habitat for Humanity, Midland dedicated its 179th house, located at 813 Wolfberry Court, to a deserving homeowner.

The home was funded by Endeavor Energy Resources and individual donors to MHFH’s year-end campaign. Endeavor employees spent two weeks volunteering on the job site, the Habitat ReStore and office.

Midland Habitat is one of the premier institutions responsible for constructing affordable housing in the Permian Basin. The organization’s partnership model offers deserving, hard-working families a hand-up. Midland Habitat uses a rigorous qualifying process that includes progress from the application through homeownership. Each participant contributes a minimum of 350 hours of “sweat equity” on the worksite and completes a homeownership education program. Successful candidates are then awarded a 0% interest mortgage, making homeownership a reality for some of the neediest families in the Permian Basin.

Anyone interested in supporting Midland Habitat’s efforts in the Permian Basin can contact Jeff Meyers, chief of staff, at 432-686-8877.

From Austin Seminary: "Seminary calls new faculty"

Fall semester to bring four new professors to the faculty

At its Spring 2022 meeting, the Austin Seminary Board of Trustees approved the appointment of three new professors to the faculty: Dr. Donghyun Jeong, Assistant Professor of New Testament; Dr. João Chaves, Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Mission; and Dr. Rodney Alan Caruthers II, Assistant Professor of New Testament. All of the appointments are effective July 1 and each will begin teaching in the fall of the 2022-23 academic year.

Joining them on the faculty is Dr. Ángel J. Gallardo, Assistant Professor of Church History, who was called to the position in February.

“Welcoming four new faculty members to Austin Seminary in the same academic year is unprecedented,” says President Ted Wardlaw. “We are very pleased to await their arrival for academic year 2022-2023.”

Dr. Jeong has taught at Emory University since 2017, most recently as an adjunct professor in the Candler School of Theology. He also taught in Mercer University’s Department of Religion.

Read about Dr. Jeong here.

Dr. Chaves is currently Associate Director for Programming at the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI) at Princeton Theological Seminary and co-editor of Perspectivas— the Journal of the Hispanic Theological Initiative.

Read about Dr. Chaves here.

Dr Caruthers is a Fellow at the Frankel Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan. Prior to that he was visiting assistant professor and Bruce Gray Postdoctoral Fellow at Gustavus Adolphus College and served as an adjunct professor on the Ashland Theological Seminary faculty and Spring Arbor University.

Read about Dr. Caruthers here.

“These four new members of the Austin Seminary faculty will enrich our community in countless ways,” says Academic Dean David Jensen, “as captivating teachers, as provocative scholars, as committed people of faith, as warm and generous colleagues. I look forward to how their ministries in this place will shape leaders for the church in the decades that lie ahead. Welcome, Donghyun, João, Rodney, and Ángel to Austin Seminary!”

For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you. Did you know?

   • Students in our masters-degree programs receive up to 85% need-based tuition aid.
   • Historically, more than 80% of our graduates are called to congregational ministry.
   • Our students come from more than a dozen denominations.
   • Our alumni serve in ministry in forty-eight U.S. states as well as in twenty different countries across the world.

Your gift to Austin Seminary contributes to scholarships, housing, computer equipment, library materials, and other resources needed by seminarians as they fulfill their calls to Christian service and leadership.

Your support underwrites the finest theological faculty and an administration committed to upholding the highest standards possible with respect to the unique vocation of ministry.

Every gift is significant and is appreciated. They are put to work right away and make a real impact. Please send your gift today.

• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary

The Burgers & Blessings FINALE ... TONIGHT at Grace Presbyterian-Midland

Image by Laura Up In the Clouds

• Our final summer gathering of faith, fellowship and food

Please join us TONIGHT for our final summer gathering, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas. The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. and are very casual.

Burgers, hot dogs and "the fixings" will be provided by the church; you just come, bring a side dish or dessert, and the gift of your company.

We hope to see YOU there!

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Screenshot

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 3, 2022

BEECHMONT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - When it came time to minister to the families of recent asylees from Central America, it turns out a global pandemic was no match for the 60 or so members and friends of Beechmont Presbyterian Church in Louisville ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

In the News ... "Basin PBS Back-to-School Festival"

• Saturday, August 6 at Midland College's Chaparral Center

Staff Report
• Midland College

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Basin PBS brings non-profits and families together to get children ready for a new school year.

Over 40 local non-profit organizations who serve families and children will be featured at this community event in order to provide information and answer questions about their services. Free goodies while supplies last! No charge to families.

The event will also include live entertainment with The Jukebox Juicebox exclusively sponsored by Colgate Energy, balloon artist, face painting, Midland Storytellers Festival and more. Participants can also expect a visit from PBS KIDS favorite, The Cat in the Hat! Plus, again this year, the first 400 kids to arrive will receive a FREE backpack from ATMOS Energy. The event also includes an immunization clinic for ages 3+ at no charge to most, thanks in part to the Midland Health Department and United Supermarkets ...

• Read the rest of this MC report ..

CRS Briefing ... "Something important is missing from foreign aid! "

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.The CRS Briefing is a monthly service to our supporters. We aspire to keep you informed of our progress and up-to-date on issues that affect the people we serve in more than 100 countries around the world.

Photo courtesy of Marijn Fidder/Caritas International

Advocate the MINDS Act

Around the globe, hundreds of millions of people struggle with anxiety, depression and other stress related problems. In emergencies, a lack of food, shelter and other basic necessities often lead to psychological distress. And for people fleeing violent conflict—like the millions who have fled Ukraine in the recent months—stress is magnified.>

More than 1 in 5 people in conflict-affected areas are living with a mental health disorder. Around the world, for those in crisis situations—poverty, hunger, violent conflict—emotional support is a fundamental human need that is too often overlooked.

Amid conflict, hunger and other crises, what does it take for a person to thrive?

• Food and water.
• Shelter and safety.
• Mental health care.

Psychosocial support is critical for people with trauma. But mental health services are not consistently integrated into international programs that help our sisters and brothers experiencing violence, forced displacement, food shortages and poverty. The MINDS Act will change this!

Please urge Congress to support HR3988, the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act—the MINDS Act. This is the first-ever U.S. legislation to include mental health services in foreign assistance programming. It reaffirms best practices, lays the groundwork for a global mental health strategy and emphasizes the needs of vulnerable populations.

Lift your voice today so our sisters and brothers in need may have the psychological support systems necessary to uphold their dignity, build resilience and thrive. You can make a difference!

Email your legislators to ask them to Support people experiencing emotional distress due to conflict, hunger and other adversities.

• CLICK HERE to email your legislators

Addressing mental health needs helps communities become more resilient and builds a brighter future for our world.
‌
Thank you to so many of you who raise your voice to support the MINDS Act and for advocating now on this important legislation!

Prayerfully,

Catholic Relief Services and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

In the News ... "Brandi Cantrell called to ministry following Lubbock ISD Hall of Honor career at Coronado"

LAJ Photo by Annie Rice

• There was a learning curve when she began vocational ministry in Vienna, Austria

By Stephen Garcia, Reporter
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - It wasn't easy for Brandi Cantrell to walk away from coaching.

The Coronado volleyball team had just reached the state championship, falling to Austin Westlake to finish the season 41-4. Only two players were graduating from that squad, giving Cantrell reason to want to stick around and go for the ultimate prize.

But she felt the pull of another career path — a different type of "calling." ...

• Read the rest of this LAJ report ..

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Photo by Ellen Smith

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 2, 2022

UKRANIAN REFUGEES - Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Eastern Europe, recently returned from a visit with partners in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland to see firsthand how they are coping with the enormous task of caring for refugees fleeing Ukraine and how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can accompany them ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, August 1, 2022

From @chinaaid : "Christian banned from platform for 'illegal religious content"

The ChinaAid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Photo: Burst

Christian banned from platform for "illegal religious content"
Distributed by ChinaAid, July 2022 ...

CHINA – Since the implementation of the Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services on March 1, China’s online religious information has been severely censored, and Chinese cyberspace continues to shrink ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

From PC(USA) Store ... "Books for Your Next Group Get-Together!"

Books for Your Next Group Get-Together!

Reading books as a group always provides a different perspective and can prompt conversations we remember for a lifetime. And, while the books in today’s email are great bedside books you read by yourself, getting together with a church or community group will bring so much more to the page.

We’ve picked our top ten adult Bible study books and our top ten book club selections so you can browse and decide the perfect book for your group.

As always, you save 35% on each of these books. Click the buttons below to find your perfect summer or fall group read.

• Browse Adult Bible Study Books

• Browse Book Club Books

In the News ... "Two local business help Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry after a crazy night"

KOSA Photo

• Stepped up to the plate to make sure the food at the ministry wasn’t wasted

By Tyler Poglitsch, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

MIDLAND TEXAS - This week the Midland Soup Kitchen had to make emergency repairs to their facilities that could have affected thousands of people ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KOSA report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Photo by Jason Leung via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 1, 2022

ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FROM THE PUPLIT - Many readers know of someone in their family, congregation or community who has been impacted by domestic violence in one way or another. To address the topic that is not often discussed or preached from many pulpits on Sunday mornings, the Hispanic/Latino-a Intercultural Congregational Support Ministry created the Gospel, Pastoral Care, and Domestic Violence series, an educational encounter series that addresses domestic violence and the faith community ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.