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  It is 9:30 on Wednesday. This is an odd time for me to write but it helps me process my great grief. For seventeen years I have had a standing appointment at this time with my friend Roger Duck. Today, he has kept an appointment with an even better Friend. Absent from his body here, Roger is present with the Lord. Like myriad others who felt like Roger was their best friend, I miss him greatly today. I find myself again in the paradoxical position of grateful grief. I am so glad I had the chance to know Roger and learn from him. Words like, "Major and minor strengths, distancer and pursuer, coming one up on ..." ring in my memory. As he walked down the hall away from my office two weeks ago, I told him what I thought of him, "I love you Roger." I grieve, but not as though I have no hope.
The best Biblical analogy I can find is that of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2. In that climactic moment when Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha's shoulders, Elisha the farmer burned his plow, sacrificed his oxen and followed Elijah. Elijah thought he was done before he ever met Elisha, but he mentored the younger prophet for a season. Then the day of Elijah's departure arrived. He knew it was time to go and so he asked Elisha what he could do for him. "A double portion of your spirit," was Elisha's request. "Then you will have to stay with me to the end," responded Elijah. After a circuit of cities, Elijah parted the waters with a slap of his mantle. Fiery chariots swung low that day and took Elijah away. The other prophets offered to form a search party to try to find Elijah. Elisha knew they were wasting their time. But as he walked back across the river, he said, "Where now is the God of Elijah?" And the waters parted, like they had before.
Roger is gone from us here. I do not believe as some suggest that our loved ones hover around us in some mystical way still "with us." It is more like Abel in Hebrews 11 who, though he has died, still speaks. Roger's life still speaks to so many of us. He is unforgettable and irreplaceable. But when I awoke this morning, like Elisha I asked a question, "Where now is the God of Roger?" And I found as Elisha did that our God is still here, so near, sovereign and loving, immanent and transcendent. I carry the mantle. And the waters still part. Our God is God forever. And we are grateful not only for our mentors, but to the God who makes them who they are.
Joyfully,
Duane
 Camp Tallowood
June 21-26
at Camp Eagle
For all 6-12th grade students
Camp Tallowood Registration Ends June 7
For all youth who are planning on going to Camp Tallowood June 21-26, the first registration deadline is Sunday May 31. The cost of $389 per person increases to $425 after the 31st until the final deadline, which is June 7. You may turn in a completed form at Tallowood or register at tallowood.org/students.
Please pray for the students that the Lord will reveal Himself like never before. We are praying that all who go who do not know Jesus will meet Him face to face at camp and respond in saving faith. We are also praying that the Lord will call out the called, to serve Him in this world. We will be excited to have our pastor baptize all who come to Christ during the week of camp, following our final gathering together on Friday. Last year we baptized 29 students. Pray with us as we hope to baptize all who need to make that confession of their faith. To God be the glory. Living in the Light
Thank you to the adults who have spent Wednesday nights with children in choir as we presented Jesus as the 'Light of their lives.'
I am grateful to 2 directors who will be stepping down this spring. Both women have shared their expertise for many years and their love of music and the Lord and their vision for what the children should be taught from the scriptures in children's choirs.
* We'll miss you, Mrs. Lynn Pyle, 2nd grade choir director.
* We'll miss you, Mrs. Lori Jones, 4th/5th grade choir director.
Please be in prayer as we seek leaders for these 2 choirs. We are grateful to all workers for remembering that we are planting and watching the harvest every week:
Wednesday night coordinator: Nancy Lawrence
Music Time for 3's: Lyn Reeves, director; Nan Darby, Karen Kadane, Bob Maier, Amanda Perry, Ginger Pratt, Emily Taylor
Pre-Kinder Choir: Jimmie O'Quinn, director; Shannon Burleigh, Steve Dean, Bill Hugghins, Andrea Jones, Susan O'Quinn, Tracy Reynolds, Amy Smith
Kinder Choir: Sharon Layton, director; Mary Layton, Travis Layton, Karen Martin, Susan Morgan, Sandy Newberry, Hollie Sailors, James Sailors, Cindy Waldrop, Amanda Wickman, Paulette Williams
1st Grade Choir: Cheryl Mills and Alicia Music, co-directors; Stacy Dardar, Mary Gardner, Linda Lewis, Stuart Mills, Robert Pratt, Beverly Westmoreland
2nd Grade Choir: Lynn Pyle, director; Rebecca Barrett, Judy Felder, Neva Kufeldt, Earl Layton, Kim McClain, Kathy Shim, Ina Weekley
3rd Grade Choir: Janet Nichols and Jennifer Endicott, co-directors; Sean Luman, Jenna Ortiz, Loris Woolley
4th/5th Grade Choir: Lori Jones, Martha Jorgensen, Susie Low, co-directors; Bobbie Brentlinger, Karen Harrell, Donna Kress, Keith Jones
God bless you as you 'rest' this summer!
Susie Low
Mission Trip to Rio de Janeiro
November 13-21, 2015
Make plans now to join our mission team as we travel to Rio de Janeiro to help save lives physically and spiritually by:
* Teaching lifesaving swimming skills. Brazil is the number 1 country in the world in swimming pool drownings.
* Loving and blessing children at risk.
* Personal sharing of the good news.
* Distributing reading glasses.
* Preaching youth revivals.
* Discipling through paint talks, etc.
Cost: TBA
It's a GREAT Kids Summer coming your way...
Vacation Bible School, June 15-19, 9:00 a.m. to Noon: Join us on a journey off the map! Tallowood's VBS will take your kids to uncharted territory where they will learn about what true obedience to God looks like. Online registration is May 1-31. This free event is open to all children entering kindergarten through those who have completed fifth grade.
Raise the Praise 2015 (Music Activity after VBS), June 15-18, 12:00 noon to 2:30 p.m.: For students who have completed grades 1-5. Enrollment is May 1-31. Forms & Guidelines are available in the church office or to download at tallowood.org. Complete and return to the church office with payment. The cost: $40 for 1 child; $60 for 2 children from the same family; $75 for 3 children from the same family. Church Office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 and Sunday mornings. CD is ready for pick-up after registering. Sorry, no online registration.
Kids Kamp is July 13-17 this year. Kids Kamp is for GREAT Kids grades 1-5 completed. Children enjoy interactive crafts, Bible story, music, zany games, and more. Cost is $100. Space is limited, register at tallowood.org.
Kingdom Basketball Children's Summer Camp is July 27-31 for girls and boys currently in grades K-6. Coach Heidi Horton directs the camp (Former WNBA Player and Olympic Circuit). A morning and/or afternoon session is offered. Cost: $145, registration is now open. For more information, contact Dick Fenn at dickfenn@hotmail.com or 281.660.5078.
Super Place Camp for Children and Young Adults with Special Needs will be August 3-7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Our theme this year is "David Rocks!" Come and hear the stories of David from the Bible, make crafts, play games, join in music and worship... plus a few surprises! Every camper is assigned a teen or adult buddy, and a nurse will be on duty. To register as a Camper or to serve as a Volunteer, go to tallowood.org/registration/. For questions, please contact Mary Lynn Smith at mlsmith@tallowood.org or ext. 8143. Camper fee is $50. Register soon, since space is limited.
Culinary Ministry
Wednesday Night Dinner
Starting at 4:45 p.m.
$7.00 adults / $3.00 child
May 27: Grilled Pork chops or Pan seared chicken breasts with shallots
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Moonlight Missions
May 26, 6:45 p.m. in the Fireplace Room. Speaker Bertha Vaughn, BSM Director at Prairie View A&M.; Please bring canned meat or canned fruit for Mission Centers of Houston.
Pictorial Directory to be Available in the Fall
Pictures will be taken 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on May 31 and June 7 in WT115 and Welcome Center and June 7 and 14 in the gym and Welcome Center.
Summer Reading Clubs
June 7-August 17
Starbooks: 2015 Adult Summer Reading Club
Book a Trip: 2015 Children's Summer Reading Club
Come by the library to get information about the reading club and to see some of the prizes. Sign up on June 7 and turn in reading logs August 17. Summer Women's Groups
Summer Groups and Studies for Women's Ministry will be posted soon. Please visit tallowood.org/women for details!
New Deacon Nominations
Prayerfully consider men with scriptural maturity and an active servant's heart for our annual deacon nominations. Forms are available in the Narthex or Church Office, and can be requested via email at CLutz@tallowood.org. Nomination deadline is June 1.
Fellowship Brunches
These small, casual gatherings throughout the year are designed to help women make relationships at Tallowood. Visit tallowood.org/women for details.
Longing For Motherhood
For women who want to have children but haven't been able to, the Women's Ministry is exploring starting a group to connect and encourage each other. For more information, please contact Jen Whittenberg at jwhittenberg@tallowood.org or 713.468.8241 ext. 8117.
May Lunch & Learn: Caregiver Fair
Thursday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the gym, join us for a Caregiver Fair. Thirteen companies who provide caregiving services have been invited to participate. Come meet their representatives and get any questions you may have answered. All ages welcome. Program cost is $5, and includes lunch. Reservations required. Register online or contact Barbie at bbatura@tallowood.org or 713.468.8241, ext. 8147.
Committee of Committees and Church Conference Meeting
The Committee of Committees meets Sunday, May 31 at 4:15 p.m. in Chapel Reception Hall followed by the Church Conference at 5:00 p.m. The May business meeting will feature a recommendation to change a section of the bylaws. The change enables the ordinances to be observed off of the church campus under the guidance of the pastor. Advanced notice of such observances will be given beforehand.
Fighter Verses
Week of May 24: Isaiah 26:3-4
Week of May 31: Psalm 19:7-8
Week of June 7: Psalm 19:9-11
FighterVerses.com
 SYMPATHY TO-
Joan Braswell on the death of her son
David & Dorothy Sanders on the death of their daughter
Ed Rowe on the death of his father
Mark Ruthstrom on the death of his mother
The family of Roger Duck
The family of Barbara Babbitt
BAPTIZED-
May 17: Elijah Cheney, Conley Martin, Joan Joyce, John Steele
 ENROLLMENT
for May 17 - 4,169
ATTENDANCE
Saturday:
May 9 - 71; May 16 - 73
Sunday:
May 10 - 1,945; May 17 - 1,733
International:
May 10 - 288; May 17 - 255
Totals:
May 9/10 - 2,304; May 16/17 - 2,061
FINANCIAL REPORT
Budget, Oct. 2014 - Sept. 2015: $9,217,000
Dec. Requirements (15% budget): $1,382,550
Budget Requirements YTD: $6,115,872
Receipts Fiscal YTD: $6,220,654
Fiscal YTD Budget Excess/(Deficit): $104,782
Budget Receipts:
5/10/15 - $130,805
5/17/15 - $150,748
Requirements (weekly): $163,218
Excess/(Deficit)
5/10/15 - ($32,413)
5/17/15 - ($12,470) May 9 & 10, 2015
Jennifer Andino - SF
Virginia Davis - Letter
Gage Lancaster - Letter
Ford Lancaster - Letter
Trey Lancaster - Letter
Kris Lancaster - Letter
David Nduhirubusa - SF
Lisa Nelson - Letter
Victor Rivera - SF
Kim-Ling Sun - SF
Benjamin Sun - SF
SF = Statement of Faith
On-Call Weekends
When emergencies occur, the staff uses an "on-call" system for the weekends. To reach them, call 713.724.3704.
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