Although our anniversary is officially in
February, it was worth the wait to take part in this memorable dinner
and fellowship gathering at West Side High School.
The late afternoon gathering began
with an hour of socializing to music provided by the Grateful Geezers.
Once the Geezers left the stage it was time to eat a great meal
catered by "George's Pastaria & Devine Catering" and
lovely piano music provided by Anita Gordon.
After dinner, Reverend Ernest
Turney introduced our guest of honor, Houston Mayor Bill White.
Mayor White, who grew up as a Methodist, talked about the influence
Faith has had on his life and in his decisions in leading our great
City. He spoke with pride about how Houstonians of all faiths
banded together to help victims of both Hurricane Katrina in
Louisiana, and Hurricane Rita in Louisiana and East Texas.
Several New Orleans families
worshipped in our church after being forced out of town by the
Hurricane, and several dozen of our members served in one way or
another to help out at shelters set up for the evacuees, serve meals
to those who were not yet quite back on their feet, and process
donations of food and clothing made to West Houston Assistance
Ministries. The Mayor thanked these volunteers and said the city
was full of giving from groups both small and large ... something he
says means a lot to people forced out of their homes by the
devastating storms.
The gathering closed with dessert
of anniversary cake, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and a dinner mint in a
special package.
A big thanks goes out to those who
helped plan and carry out this great event: The Ashford Youth
and its leaders Peggy Erwin and Nate Custer who served hors d'oeuvres
and punch; Maggie Van Syckle, Jane Etzel, Billie Free, Barbara Howard,
Charter Member Stella Montgomery, Carol Pieroni, Margaret Randerson,
Jackie Spradley, and Pam Thyssen.
Please enjoy a few photos and
mementos from this memorable gathering. Click on any photo below
to visit the PHOTO
GALLERY (you must be logged
in to the site) to see a slideshow of all pictures taken at the event.
(Photos by Paul Van House, Hal Spradley, and
Roger Zygmunt)
THE WORDS OF OUR FOUNDING
PASTOR
DR. JIM KILLEN (circa 1976):
My hope for Ashford Church is that we can be the
body of Christ, doing here and now what Christ did during his life.
I want there to be a fellowship where the hurt can come to find
healing, where the oppressed can find liberation, where the lonely
can find love, where the drifter can find purpose. I want
people whose lives are messed up by the influences of today's
distorted understanding of reality to be able to find help among us,
to "get their heads together." I want the person who
has something to be able to give it to one who can use it like
Christ used the little boy's bread and fishes -- to feed the
multitudes. That is my hope for the future of Ashford Church.
All other hopes and plans are simply ways of helping this to happen.
