Southwest District of the Texas Annual Conference

02/17/2026

Summer Youth Camp is where good vibes meet great memories.
Spend your days climbing walls, swimming, playing sports, fishing, and learning new skills like archery and axe throwing. End each day with worship and Bible study designed just for your age group.
Open to 1st–12th grade students.
Choose your week:
June 15–19, 2026 with leaders from the Metro, Southeast, and Southwest Districts
June 22–26, 2026 with leaders from the Northeast and Northwest Districts
Churches are encouraged to pick the week that best fits their summer schedule.
Save your spot: https://www.txcumc.org/summercamp
Early registration of $395/camper ends THIS MONTH
Regular registration of $425/camper begins March 1
Late registration from May 15-31 is $525/camper.

02/02/2026

A great time was had on Saturday at the Lay Servant Training at Friendship UMC in Porter! Three classes were offered, and participants even got to utilize one of the church's examples of Fresh Expressions...roasting marshmallows at the church's fire pit! 🙂

01/26/2026

Calling all Laity! Join us for a Lay Servant Training opportunity this Saturday, January 31st at Friendship UMC in Porter!

Register here: https://www.txcumc.org/lay-servant-ministry

01/26/2026

A prayer from Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey.

Gracious and merciful God,
Our hearts are heavy as we witness the pain, fear, and unrest following the recent events in Minnesota. We grieve the loss of life, the trauma carried by families and communities, and the deep divisions that continue to wound our common life. We ask for your comforting presence to surround all who are suffering and for your healing to move powerfully among them.

As followers of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists, we affirm the sacred worth of every person. Our Social Principles call us to uphold human dignity, pursue justice, and work for peace in our communities and in the world. Shape us into people who resist violence, who seek understanding, and who choose compassion over anger. Teach us again what it means to love our neighbor, especially when that love requires courage, humility, and sacrifice.

Guide leaders toward wisdom and accountability. Stir your church to be a faithful witness for reconciliation and hope. Empower us to speak truth with grace, to listen deeply to one another, and to become instruments of your peace. May your Spirit lead us toward a future marked not by fear, but by justice, mercy, and steadfast love.

In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

We invite you to continue this work through prayer, learning, and faithful action. The resources below offer opportunities to grow in understanding and to engage thoughtfully with our immigrant neighbors during this time.

January 31 at 10:00 AM (Zoom)
Responding to Our Immigrant Neighbors: What Is Accompaniment?
Hosted by the Rio Texas Conference
Register here: https://riotexas.zoom.us/meeting/register/TdX0tajhT_SWnK_GEKjPfw #/registration

Immigration Resource Hub
A collection of tools, teachings, and resources for churches and individuals provided by the Rio Texas Conference and Rio Texas Antiracism & Equity Coalition
Explore here: https://riotexas.org/immigration-resource-hub

February 25
Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice
Read more here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/topics/advocacy/immigration-and-global-migration/faithful-resistance-a-public-witness-for-immigrant-justice

May we continue seeking understanding, practicing compassion, and walking faithfully together.

01/20/2026

Check out these upcoming opportunities around the conference!

01/11/2026

We had a great morning at our annual Epiphany brunch! There were workshops for growing family ministries, developing community partnerships, and creating a safety response plan. Then we enjoyed fellowship, cinnamon rolls, and time with Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey. Thanks to all who came and we can’t wait to see you soon!

Special thanks to Carlee George for the video and pictures!

12/08/2025

Join us for our District Epiphany Training Event & Brunch on January 10, 2026 at Memorial Drive UMC!

Register now for this FREE event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqdla1ylP-kET9A544xhDYhZyozlN-rqoD5dbGn4HTMGYdTQ/viewform?usp=send_form

12/02/2025

Several churches are offering services during Advent geared specifically to those who are grieving. Check out this article that features our very own Houston Trinity UMC and includes a list of many churches across the conference holding a special space for those who are grieving during this season.

Story by Kelsey Johnson | Photos courtesy of FUMC Pittsburg, FUMC Longview, FUMC Beaumont, and FUMC East Bernard In the shadow of grief, the holiday ...

11/17/2025

It’s been a great season of hub charge conferences around the Southwest District! Thank you to everyone who came and may God bless our ministries in 2026!

10/08/2025

The Texas Annual Conference and Perkins School of Theology are joining forces to provide a day-long preaching workshop for clergy on Friday, October 24th at Faith UMC in Spring! Don't miss this wonderful opportunity in our very own district!

Preacher's Workshop with Wes Allen and Alyce McKenzie: You Can’t Bore the Hell Out of People: Sermons that Engage (Not Just Entertain) The Perkins...

10/07/2025

There is a Fresh Expression Pathway event in our district on November 8th at Friendship UMC in Porter! All are welcome to attend and learn more about this program even if you have not attended an event previously!

A 12-month experience for congregational teams to work directly with Michael Beck in shaping a fresh expression experiment with your congregation. ...