The Vibrant Church Initiative is a Texas Annual Conference-sponsored three-phase process of discerning this church’s mission in this place at this time so we can fulfill our purpose of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Its focus is to provide resources, facilitation and strategies to church pastors, staff and laity to better reach new people for Christ and become the church God calls them to be in their unique community.

For eight months, we have had a team of laity involved in Phase One - Leadership Development. The centerpiece of VCI is this small group experience built around in-depth reading, discussions and mutual support that lead to discernment of God’s vision for their church.

Having completed this phase, our Church Council has voted unanimously to proceed to Phase Two - Coaching and Consultation. This phase will begin with an extensive self-study of our ministry setting, trying to better understand ourselves and our area. During this time “secret shoppers” will come to the church on different Sunday mornings to evaluate us through the lenses of our guests. Phase Two culminates with a weekend consultation, led by a team of coaches and consultants, who will suggest five “Next Steps” (called “prescriptions”) to bring the church to greater health.

If we vote to proceed with all the prescriptions, we will begin Phase Three - Working Out Next Steps. We will implement this 18-month action plan under the guidance of a directive coach. By the time we complete all the steps, we will be looking for new “Next Steps” because we have seen the positive impact of these first five.

You will be hearing more about VCI in the weeks and months ahead. But be clear: no changes have been discussed and no “secret” plan will be carried out. If you don’t hear about it from me, it’s a rumor so give it no heed. The way forward will be as a church family that will do whatever it takes to turn strangers into friends, friends into family, and family into saints of God.

Grace and peace,

Lead Pastor

PART-TIME FINANCE MANAGER Responsibilities include payroll and benefits administration, accounting (payables / receivables), and maintaining employee records and vendor information. Prefer experience in Shelby Church Management Systems. Interested? Please send resume and cover letter to Reverend Will Knuckols or call him at 281.463.2330.

PART-TIME ASSISTANT CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR This enthusiastic, vibrant and creative individual must have a love for Jesus and a love for children. Creating an environment that is hospitable for children and their parents is essential. Reporting to Children’s and Youth Director Meredeth Buchman and working with Assistant Children’s Director Larry Tyree, this person will be responsible for developing and leading children's Sunday School teachers and volunteers. This new position will be integral to Bear Creek UMC's renewed focus on our children's ministry. Interested? Please contact Reverend Will Knuckols at 281.463.2330
or willk@bearcreekumc.org.

May 17-18
Friday 7:00-8:30pm
Saturday 9:00am-2:00pm
Cost: $20 per student

Created by God is a human sexuality class for students in 5th, 6th and 7th grades. It’s a special program just for tweens, created by United Methodist Minister James Ritchie, and facilitated at Bear Creek United Methodist Church by members Christine Kalmbach and Phil Tyler.

Click here for registration form.

For more information, contact Meredeth Buchman, Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, 281.463.2330 x116 or meredethb@bearcreekumc.org.

Pamper your appetite with an old-fashioned breakfast next Sunday, May 19, in the Family Life Center Gym between 8:00 and 11:00am. This month’s Fellowship Breakfast will be hosted by the Covenant Class.

The menu includes pancakes, biscuits, gravy, hash brown potatoes, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs with coffee, milk and juices.

No RSVP is required. The cost of breakfast is covered by love offerings of whatever you can afford; however, a donation of $4 per adult or $2 per child (12 years and younger) is suggested.

Monday, May 20, in the Fellowship Hall
Hosted by the Prayer and Care Team on the third Monday of each month, this event offers a time for reflection, contemplation and meditation through prayer, Scripture and music.

Fellowship 6:00 - 7:00pm
HeBrews Coffee House serves complimentary coffee to any person who attends the Hour of Prayer.
Hour of Prayer 7:00 - 8:00pm

KidZone Summer 2013
Mega Rega 2013
KidZone Registration 2013
Click here for Children's page.

If you are visiting Bear Creek United Methodist Church for the first time, please stop by the Welcome Center in the Courtyard after the service to claim your gift - a 12-ounce ceramic coffee mug, paired with a spoon that fits neatly through the handle.

Additional mugs are available for $5 each in the Church Office, Welcome Center or HeBrews Coffee House. Proceeds allow Bear Creek UMC to give mugs to first-time guests.

Have you noticed the posters around the Bear Creek UMC campus? BCUMC will be the only Houston-area stop for the renowned Ohio Northern National Tour Choir in the course of its 38-day, 26-state concert tour when it performs Saturday, May 18, at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. The choir consists of members of the ONU University Singers, the top choral ensemble at ONU, which tours annually. There is no admission cost; however, a love offering will be taken for the touring group.

Several students still need housing for that evening. Host families are asked to provide two or more students with a place to sleep, breakfast on Sunday morning, and transportation to and from BCUMC. The students will need to leave the church by 7:45am on Sunday, May 19. Contact Matt Wallace at mattw@bearcreekumc.org or 281.463.2330 if you are able to assist. Please include the number of students you can house, whether you have pets, and whether someone in your household smokes, so that students may be paired with the appropriate host family.

Parents and kids, come and see what BCUMC has in store for summer fun! Stop by the Family Life Center on Sunday, June 2, noon to 2:00pm and grab a sno-cone, hotdog or bag of popcorn. Entertainment for children will include games, train rides, and inflatables.

Parents are encouraged to stock up on information about camps, reading programs, and Vacation Bible School. By the way, Summer Blast is the perfect time to register for camps! Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.

May, June, July and August are exciting, extra busy months around Bear Creek UMC. This year, there are two new summer employees to help keep the momentum going strong. Please stop by the office and welcome them!

Summer Registrar Taylor Brewer received her bachelor’s degree in education from Texas State University two weeks ago and plans to teach seventh and eighth grade math in the fall. Already a familiar face to many, Taylor has worked in the BCUMC Nursery during special events and summer camps. In addition to registration, she will lend a hand with the children’s camps.

Summer “Funtern” Serena Gonzalez is an intern with Children’s and Youth Director Meredeth Buchman. A 2009 graduate of Conroe High School, Serena recently earned a medical assistant certificate of completion from Texas Health School in The Woodlands. Serena helps with youth activities and will accompany youth on mission trips and to District Camp at Lakeview.