2004 CHURCH AUDITS The Church Audits for 2004 are due in the District Office by April 1, 2005. (Plainview District UMC, Box 1299, Plainview, 79073) This will enable us to compile the 2004 District Audit information.

PLAINVIEW DISTRICT CONFERENCE - MAY 1: The 2005 Plainview District Conference has been scheduled for 5:00 PM, May 1 at Plainview First UMC.

The theme for District Conference is "Celebrating the Past and Looking to the Future." As part to the worship service there will be a processional of churches represented by their laity and a cross from that church. The Conference will be followed by a catered meal. The cost of the meal is $6.95. Reservations and money should be in the District Office by April 21.

PLAINVIEW DISTRICT FINANCE COMMITTEE will meet April 19 at 7:00 pm at the District Parsonage.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE The nominations committee for the new Lubbock District will meet April 21 at 6:45 pm in the small dining room at Plainview First UMC. If you are currently serving on the Plainview District Committee and your church will be in the new Lubbock District, you should plan on attending. Letters will be mailed in advance.

LUBBOCK DISTRICT CONFERENCE will be held May 15 at 4:00 pm at Plainview First UMC. This will be a conference of the new Lubbock District.

PLAINVIEW DISTRICT LAY SPEAKING SCHOOL - The Plainview District Lay Speaking School will be held April 9 at Olton UMC from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Both basic and advance courses will be offered. "Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts", the new lay speaking course, will be the Advanced Course offered in English. "Nuestros Libertado Como Evangelistas: Curso Avanzado" will be offered in Spanish. The cost of the school is $25. Make check payable to Plainview District UMC. This fee covers the cost of the manual, meal, snacks and child care. For more information contact Winfield Davenport, District Director of Lay Speaking at 806-983-2987 or winfield.davenport@direcway.com or call the District office.

Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts focuses on acquiring a better understanding of the church and its ministry needs; learning what it means to be a minister; doing the work of Christ in the church and in the world; and being more fully equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts.

Nuestro Liderato Como Evangelistas: Curso Avanzado A través de este curso los participantes podrán profundizar su entendimiento de la hospitalidad bíblica como fundación de una congregación fiel; observar más detenidamente la cultura congregacional y explorar nuevas formas en las que pueda crecer su ministerio de recibir y hacer iscípulos/as; explorar maneras en las que la familia sean más intencionales en la formación de fe y la iglesia como un modelo de fe para la familia; identificar y contar las historias de fe, y trabajar en equipo (pastor/a y liderato laico) en la creación de estrategias que ayuden a proclamar la fe en la congregación.

PLAINVIEW DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST MEN will meet May 23 at Lockney UMC at 7:00 pm. A meal will be served followed by a short business meeting. The program for the evening will be presented by Don Bland of Methodist Children’s Home. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

NOTICE: Do you know where to find the Articles of Incorporation for your Church?? A recent note from the Secretary of State indicates that such articles need to be updated at least every 10 years. Many of you have Articles of Incorporation predating the name change of the church from Methodist to the United Methodist Church. Please check with the Secretary of State Office in Austin for the necessary forms to get the name changed and to list the current officers for the Article of Incorporation. The phone number is 512-463-5555 or email at corpinfo@sos.state.tx.us .

Denman Award Nominations Being Taken, for the 2005 Denman Evangelism Award for clergy and laity. Each year the Northwest Texas Conference partners with The Foundation for Evangelism to sponsor the Denman Evangelism Awards that focus the attention of The United Methodist Church on its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Nominations must be submitted by April 15, 2005. Forms are available on http://www.nwtxconf.org/ac_Denman.htm or by calling Eddie Allsup at 806-762-0201, Ex. 16.

GRACE CAMP CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC The Grace Camp Charity Golf Classic will be held Friday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Golf Complex (Creek Course) in Lubbock. The 4-person scramble is $60 per player. There will be a $10,000 hole in one challenge. The proceeds from this event will help send 70 kids to Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Center this summer. Grace Camp is for kids in the Lubbock area with one or both parents incarcerated. For more information about the camp contact Dr. Maggie Rogers, 806-795-0621. To enter the golf classic call A.G.T. 806-791-1723.

CETA CANYON OPEN HOUSE Open House at Ceta Canyon, Saturday April 9, 1:30 - 5:30 pm. Free for everyone - Wagon rides, Challenge Course, hiking. Sign up for summer camp and get an early-bird discount! Contact: 806-488-2268, 800-593-1992, info@cetacanyon.org

TEXAS TECH WESLEY FOUNDATION The 4th Annual Wesley Foundation at Texas Tech Dinner Theatre is coming! "Whatever Happened to Robert Edgar?" By David Moore, April 22-23 and 29-30, 7:00 pm, Christian Life Center at FUMC Lubbock. Tickets are $25 including meal and child care. Please call the Wesley Foundation at 806.762.8749 for tickets or more information, or email David Moore at davidm@ttuwesley.org .

UMCOR RESPONDS TO CATASTROPHIC DISASTER with an urgent appeal for donations to assist tens of thousands of earthquake survivors in South and Southeast Asia. Cash gifts will be most meaningful in the initial days and weeks of this response. Long term support will depend on the offerings local churches receive in response to the disaster. You can get involved through giving to UMCOR Advance #274305, South Asia Emergency. UMCOR is also accepting on-line donations at http://MethodistRelief.org.

Randy Hollums, Conference Lay Leader, Teresa Hollums, Lay member of the Conference

Board of Ordained Ministry, and family on the loss of their son, Jay Hollums

Jimmy Davidson, District Lay Leader, and family on the loss of his mother, Estelle Davidson

Richard Bales, health concerns

Rob Blum, Kress, health concerns

Cheryl Neal, wife of O.K. Neal, Sudan, health concerns

Libby Ford, wife of Bob Ford, retired pastor, health concerns

Russell & Pat Byard, health concerns

Tony Boyd, continuing health concerns

APRIL

April 9 - Lay Speaking School - Olton UMC - 8:30am to 6:00 pm

April 12 - 15 - Cabinet Meeting -Albuquerque

April 19 - District Finance Committee - District Parsonage - 7:00 pm

April 21 - New Lubbock District Nominations - Plainview First UMC - 6:45 pm

April 23 - 30 - License to Preach School - Ceta Canyon

MAY

May 1 - Plainview District Conference - Plainview First UMC - 5:00 pm

May 10 -12 - Cabinet Meeting - Lubbock

May 15 - Lubbock District Conference - Plainview First UMC - 4:00 pm

May 23 - Plainview District United Methodist Men - Lockney UMC - 7:00 pm

JUNE

June 8 - 11 - Annual Conference - Lubbock