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In light of this vote and as we look forward to Covenant’s future, let us unite as a body and continue praying that we, as the Church, will uphold Covenant’s core vision of Creating a Community Connecting in Christ—one church in two languages—here in Creekside.

What’s next?

The Church Council will soon nominate a transition team to facilitate and support the merger process. We eagerly anticipate sharing further details with you at a special Vision Night on the evening of Sunday, August 25th. Look for information coming later this summer.

It was introduced to the attendees of the Annual Meeting that Covenant Methodist Church has been in conversations with The Woodlands Methodist Church (TWMC) about the possibility of merging. As was explained during the meeting, after being approached with the idea by TWMC, Covenant leadership began an exploratory process to flesh out exactly what was being proposed, so that the church could enter into appropriate discernment. For almost six months, your Church Council has been through an extensive process filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, that ultimately culminated in a vote on February 25. At this vote, your Church Council unanimously agreed to:

1. Bring this opportunity to the congregation for a vote
2. Give its endorsement of a merger between the two churches.

Below you will find information and upcoming events aimed at helping all of us engage in discernment regarding this decision. If you have questions not addressed on this page, click below to contact Covenant's Lay Leader, Jason Daerr for follow-up.

As a Covenant member, you are crucial to the decision process. We hope you will use this time and these resources to explore the pros and cons of the opportunity before us and cast your vote on May 5 at 2p in the sanctuary. The vote requires approval from at least 66% of the voting members to pass.

Essentially, this vote offers Covenant's membership the chance to decide if we believe God is leading us to merge with TWMC as a single entity. It encompasses all the necessary language to solidify this unity in the event of an affirmative outcome.

For those unable to attend on May 5, early voting will be offered from 10 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday, April 30; Wednesday, May 1; and Thursday, May 2. If none of these times suit you, contact the church office at hello@covenantconnects.org, and one of the pastors will work with you to arrange an alternative time for you to vote.

>>>NEW EARLY VOTING TIME ADDED DUE TO THURS. WEATHER<<<<

Friday, May 3 -10a-12p

The voting process will be simple. Members will sign the membership roster to receive a ballot containing the resolution above. You will be voting "yes" or "no".

By selecting YES, you vote in favor of this resolution and support Covenant merging with The Woodlands Methodist Church who is affiliated with the Global Methodist Church.

By selecting NO, you vote against this resolution and support Covenant remaining as an independent church affiliated with the Global Methodist Church. 

Completed ballots will be tallied in person by three counters selected from our Church Council.

Whereas Covenant Methodist Church (“CMC”) is a church originally founded in 2011 in The Woodlands, Texas with a vision of a “Community Connecting in Christ”;

Whereas CMC has considered her Church Council’s unanimous recommendation to merge with The Woodlands Methodist Church (“TWMC”) by joining together in a season of discernment;

Whereas this thorough consideration involved seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices, gathering pertinent information via Town Hall meetings, Living Room Conversations, and individual pastoral consultations, thereby informing our decisions with wisdom, and fostering thoughtful, honest, and open conversations with our church family;

Whereas CMC now hereby resolves to merge with TWMC, gifting the assets and liabilities of CMC to TWMC including the land at 8555 Creekside Green Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77389, the building, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and approximately $2.74M indebtedness; and

Whereas CMC will be dissolved from a legal perspective, the work of the church in Creekside will carry on under the guidance and support of TWMC, continuing to grow and prosper, expanding the Kingdom of God; now therefore, be it

Resolved, that CMC hereby agrees to sell and transfer any and all of its assets to TWMC, including the Real Property, which for a minimum term of 10 years from the date of sale, shall remain subject to a religious use restriction identical to the one currently of record, and any related mineral interests, provided that TWMC also agrees to provide the funds needed to extinguish all disclosed liabilities of CMC, or provided that TWMC alternatively assumes sole responsibility for the relevant disclosed debts, including the mortgage-secured debt owed to the Texas Methodist Foundation in the approximate amount of $2.74 million;

Be it further resolved, that before formally accepting this offer to sell and transfer CMC’s assets and liabilities, TWMC shall have until August 31, 2024, to complete its due diligence, secure the necessary approvals from creditors and any parties that hold an interest in CMC’s Real Property, and to formally accept CMC’s offer to sell; and that, during the due diligence period, CMC may by resolution revoke this offer;

Be it further resolved, that Pete Wilt (chairperson of the Board of Trustees/Board of Directors) or his written designee shall serve as the authorized agent and representative of CMC in the referenced asset-and-liability transfer transaction, and so he shall be authorized and instructed to determine the appropriate ancillary terms of the transaction and to execute all appropriate instruments necessary to disclose and sell or transfer CMC’s assets, liabilities, and rights to TWMC, including but not limited to: (a) any property deed, act of conveyance, or similar transfer instrument required to transfer legal title to the Real Property to TWMC with full warranty of title; (b) any debt-transfer instrument or consent to transfer of debt required to transfer CMC’s Texas Methodist Foundation debt to TWMC; (c) any assignment or authorization required to transfer custody, ownership, and control of CMC’s bank, investment, or financial accounts to TWMC (including Chase Checking and Savings, and Fidelity Investments Account); and (d) any assignment, authorization, consent, or other document required to fully transfer to TWMC any rights held by CMC under any lease agreement, insurance policy, government program, or other contract of any type;

Be it further resolved, that Pete Wilt or his written designee shall, upon completing the full transfer of its assets and listed liabilities to TWMC, be authorized to act as CMC’s liquidator and to arrange for the corporation’s dissolution or “winding up” without court supervision and in the most expeditious way possible; and that, to the extent CMC has any net assets remaining, all such assets shall be distributed to TWMC; and

Be it further resolved, that Pete Wilt or his written designee, as the authorized agent of CMC, shall have complete discretion to determine the appropriate time that CMC should begin the winding up process, which time need not be immediately following the transfer and sale of assets and liabilities to TWMC; and that Pete Wilt may alternatively, in an appropriate writing, revoke any winding up authorization granted today and/or determine that the formal winding up of CMC is not desired.

These two distinct meetings will include time to hear from and ask questions of four of TWMC's pastoral staff including Senior Pastor, Mark Sorensen; Executive Pastor, Drew Essen; Pastor of Church Multiplication, Jeff Olive; and Pastor of NextGen Ministries, Mark Swayze. This TWMC conversation will be followed by a time for Covenant discussion.

• April 7 (3p) in the Sanctuary
• April 28 (3p) in the Sanctuary

No RSVP necessary. Childcare is available.

Living room conversations will be smaller intimate gatherings for conversation with a family feel. Pick one or more conversation dates that work for your schedule, bring your questions, and come for friendly discussion. Please note, that childcare is only offered for the April 8 gathering.

Please sign up below for any conversations you plan to attend to ensure adequate space.

If you’d like to schedule a private conversation with one of the pastors as part of your discernment, fill out this form and a pastor will reach out to you to schedule a time that fits your schedule.

Click below to view FAQs. These will be updated as necessary.