Pastor Amanda Banda

01/20/2026

01.20.26 All Things in Common brings leaders from across the South Central Jurisdiction together to convoke in shared space, evoke what matters most, be provoked by shared ministry, invoke our Wesleyan roots, and advocate for the next generation—listening deeply and reconnecting as we walk faithfully together in this next season of ministry. 🙏🏼

01/15/2026

This is what a Jan Term intensive looks like with Perkins School of Theology - Southern Methodist University.

I was honestly nervous about taking a weeklong intensive—but it turned out to be an amazing experience. ♥️💙♥️💙

AI, theology, community, worship, and sharing life with classmates along the way.

12/23/2025

Gruene United Methodist Church is a special place, filed with friendly people and amazing hospitality! ♥️ What a faithful group of believers. ✨

Last Sunday, Pastor Amanda Banda preached about Unexpected Love as part of our Advent series titled, Unexpected.

Did you miss her message? Click the link below to come and see!

https://youtu.be/_yGsbnnjXmY?t=1903

12/20/2025

My family and I can’t wait to worship with Gruene United Methodist Church tomorrow! We’re grateful for the invitation to share in their Advent series Unexpected. 💙

I’ll be preaching on Unexpected Love, the kind of love that moves first, meets us where we are, and knows our story before we ever speak it.

If you’re in the area, I’d love for you to join us in person or online:
🕤 9:30 a.m. 🕚 11:00 a.m.

May we take time this Advent season to slow down, listen, and remember how near God really is. ✨

Rev. Amanda Banda will be preaching for us this Sunday and we know that her words and her presence will be a blessing to each one of you as she speaks about the unexpected love of God.

Join us in person or online tomorrow at 9:30 or 11:00am as we continue this Advent season!

You can read Rev. Amanda’s bio at the link here: https://grueneumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3342479

12/06/2025

12.07.25 ✨ UMC ADVENT PHOTO-A-DAY | POWERFUL

This image still stops me.
I’ll never forget the silence in the room as Santa walked down the center aisle during chapel, the children quietly praying.

He approached the altar without a word, knelt for a few moments, then slowly stood, looking up at the stained glass before quietly walking back out of the sanctuary.

All the symbols of the season — gifts, lights, laughter — kneel before the One whose power is love. ♥️

In a world that chases power in so many ways, Advent reminds us where true power is found. 🌟



The United Methodist Church

12/02/2025

12.2.25 ✨ UMC ADVENT PHOTO-A-DAY | PROCLAIMING

A single candle in a quiet sanctuary.
Sometimes proclamation is loud and bold…
and sometimes it’s as simple as light standing steady in the silence.

Not every proclamation is a sermon.
Sometimes light alone is enough.



The United Methodist Church

11/30/2025

11.30.25 ✨ ADVENT PHOTO-A-DAY | READY

This morning our family worshiped with Colonial Hills UMC for the first Sunday of Advent. After the benediction, my daughter and I went forward to choose a chrismon and hang it on the tree. There was something grounding about that simple act — choosing a symbol of faith and placing it on a story much bigger than our own.

Pastor Dan reminded us that Advent begins not in perfection, but in promise — God speaking hope into the world long before we know how to receive it. That truth stayed with me.

So as we hung our chrismons, it felt like our own quiet way of saying, “Lord, we’re here. Our hearts are open. We’re getting ready.”

Small yeses. Simple faith. Steady hope.

Come, Lord Jesus.
We’re ready.

💙🖤💙🖤

I’m joining The United Methodist Church Advent Photo-a-Day Challenge, reflecting each day on a single word of the season.

Today’s word: READY.
If you want to join me, share your own photo and reflection using the daily word — I’d love to see how Advent is unfolding in your life.

05/29/2025

Join us THIS Sunday for our farewell celebration! ♥️

Join us Saturday, June 1 at 10:45 AM for a special Combined Worship Service in Ignite as we celebrate and send off the Banda Family with love and gratitude!

Bring your favorite dish and come ready to share stories, hugs, and well wishes as we thank them for the many ways they’ve served and blessed our community.

📍 FUMC Victoria
🗓 June 1
⏰ 10:45 AM
🍽 Potluck to follow!

05/15/2025

🎉 Join Us for the Rio Texas Pre-Conference Webinar! ✨ Hey Rio Texas family! I just recorded a quick video inviting you to our Pre-Conference Webinar happening this Sunday, May 18 from 4–5 p.m. on Zoom—and I’d love for you to join us!

Whether you're a delegate, clergy, or just curious about what's ahead, this is your chance to get a preview of Annual Conference 2025. You'll hear from Bishop Harvey and other leaders as we walk through worship plans, guest speakers, key votes, logistics, and more.

📆 Mark your calendar
💻 Cameras stay off (webinar format!)
✅ And don’t forget to register to get the Zoom link: https://riotexas.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4AHkJE90Teq4GY7HrNC0Pg?_ics=1744665108475&irclickid=~0RWPNSMDIHOGHyrilmuAqhi-6b~-575369c~-12XNEDBAuplf-8Z&_gl=1*12f7rly*_gcl_au*MjAyMTg2OTIxMy4xNzM3NTAzNzg5*_ga*OTA2ODM2NTc4LjE3Mjc3Mzk5MDI.*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*MTc0NDY2NDk4OS4xMy4xLjE3NDQ2NjUxMDkuMC4wLjA. #/registration

We’re moving Adelante—forward with purpose, and this is your opportunity to feel informed, encouraged, and ready for an amazing week in Corpus Christi.

Can’t wait to see you Sunday!

03/26/2025

Fun in chapel today with some special guests who helped me tell the story of the Good Samaritan! We had the injured man, priest, Levite, and the good (wo)man! 🙏🏼♥️✨

03/11/2025

2025 Annual Conference Planning is underway! ✨

03/09/2025

🌿 40 DAYS: A LENT SERMON SERIES 🌿
Noah’s story is one of radical trust—he obeyed before the first drop of rain ever fell. What if the storms in your life aren’t meant to destroy you, but to restore you?

This week, in our Lent series, "40 Days," we looked at Noah’s 40-day journey—a time of judgment, but also grace. Just as God provided the ark as a place of refuge, He provides Jesus as our ultimate salvation.

Waiting is part of God’s process. The flood didn’t end in destruction—it ended in new life. What is God restoring in you this season?

📺 Watch week 1 of our 6 week Lent sermon series.