Anyway, back to PT. One of the great things about Project Transformation is that it brings United Methodists together. These nearby churches sent Bookworm Buddies to Spring Valley this summer: FUMC Allen, FUMC Richardson, Custer Road UMC, and Northaven UMC. Our family served at Custer Road from 2013 to 2016, so it was great to reconnect with those saints. Blessed be the ties that bind! And of course, Spring Valley was founded nearly 70 years ago by the Rev. Jack Gibson, who recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of serving at Custer Road - 30 years that began upon Jack’s retirement from full-time ministry. Jack, of course, lives at Highland Springs, where many Custer Road and Spring Valley members reside. I preached at their chapel service last week. The ties keep binding!
After the flooding in the Hill Country two weeks ago, PT posted this on their Facebook page:
We grieve with the families who have been affected by the catastrophic floods in the Guadalupe Region of Central Texas. We mourn with and hold in prayer all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and security.
As summer camp providers, we are especially heartbroken for the children, young adults, and camp directors who have lost their lives, as well as for loved ones who await news.
We pray for the first responders and helpers who continue to work in the wake of such tragedy and for the Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as they provide disaster relief.
At Project Transformation, one of our core values is connectional ministry. We believe in the power of relationships and good neighboring to multiply resources for a time such as this in our communities.
Project Transformation North Texas and many of our fellow chapters along with PT National will be donating a portion of the funds raised for PT Day of Giving on July 17 to flood relief efforts. While helping feels important, we know that there is nothing that can dull the ache of such grief.
We hold on to our faith that God is with us, even here in the most unbearable, and we pray for the ways we can move to provide care and compassion to those most in need.
Project Transformation and the relief efforts in the Hill Country- partially funded by grants from UMCOR- reveal the vitality of our United Methodist connection. In a sermon called “Thoughts Upon Methodism,” John Wesley said:
I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.
The power Wesley referred to in the sermon is revealed in our connectedness, whether grown over years within local churches or across larger bodies serving together. We are indeed one body in Christ, and we are not a dead sect!
Next week will be the final week of Project Transformation at our church for this summer. I appreciate the work of Tony, Jerry, Nina, and all of our facilities team for keeping everything clean and well-maintained. Thanks to Maeson for being our staff liaison. It is extra work on the staff’s part, but keeping our building open for daily ministry is a good thing! Several people from many churches have thanked us for hosting. PT leadership was also here this week and extended their thanks. I hope Project Transformation returns to us next summer.
Blessed be the ties that bind, | 
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