The highlight of the year came on June 6th when long-time
member Patty Wehn-Glowski was ordained as a Deacon (United
Methodist Minister) at Annual Conference in Galveston.
Patty and her late husband Nick joined our church around
1980. In 1997 she was named our Associate Pastor, a
job she faithfully filled while she completed her studies at
Seminary. Of course, we held a luncheon to honor her
accomplishment. In the picture on the left, Lay
Leader Frank Bain congratulates Patty Wehn-Glowski on her
Ordination.
At
about the same time we learned that our Senior pastor, Dr.
Dick White, would be assigned as Senior Pastor at Bellaire
United Methodist Church.
Dr. White started us on the road to financial freedom
during his tenure through the "Setting The Vision
Free" campaign which came to a successful conclusion in
2002. A farewell luncheon was held on June 4th.
On June 11th, we welcomed our church's 6th Senior
Pastor, Reverend Ernie Turney, who came to us from Caldwell,
Texas. Reverend Turney's wife, Ann, took part in our
Bell Choir and served in other ministry areas. Their
children, Drew and Jessica, both high-schoolers at the time,
took an active part in our Youth programs.
Jessica, Ann, Drew, and Ernie Turney
after Ernie's first Sermon in 2000
In April, we rejoiced as we hired our church's
first ever full-time youth Director. Mat Woodard
provided the spark our all-volunteer youth leadership was
looking for. He energized the youth and encouraged
them to take part in numerous mission and leadership
activities such as "Mission Mondays," and
"Wacky Wednesdays." The theme for the youth
was "Dedicated Disciples."
Youth Director Matt Woodward (Center)
during a "70's" dress-up event and trip
to the "Hard Rock Cafe" (Youth Week 2000)
In January, our custodian Isville Jackson retired
after 17-years on the job. He had worked with all of the
church's pastors. In addition to his job as custodian
"Jackson," as we called him, was also an active
member of our church contributing in Sunday School, worship,
and the music program.
In February, long-time Ashford Child Enrichment
Center director Mindy Fitzgerald announced her retirement.
Of course, we thought we'd never find an adequate replacement,
but then along came Paige Lauffer. Her energy and new
ideas energized the program and kept it rolling along!
Our music program was blessed by the leadership of
Linda Corredor and Tami Head as they embarked on a bold new
mission of leading elementary age children in a hand chime
choir. Their monthly presentations were a blessing to
all!
Our First Children's Hand Chime Choir
led worship in the 2000-2001 school year.
Also on the rebound this year was our Children's
Ministry which had been without leadership for quite some
time. Barbara Thompson led a team of 11 members under
the theme "Kids Count for Christ."
Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been an annual event almost since our church began.
In the early 2000's, the program was led by Shelley Corman and
featured wonderful and imaginative settings to help our
youngsters develop an early lover and basic understanding of
the Bible, God, Jesus, and the road to salvation. The
team of volunteers works hard in the weeks leading up to and
the week of VBS. Ages of our volunteers range from VBS
Graduates (5th grade and up) to Senior Citizens.
The highlight of the year came on June 6th when long-time
member Patty Wehn-Glowski was ordained as a Deacon (United
Methodist Minister) at Annual Conference in Galveston.
Patty and her late husband Nick joined our church around
1980. In 1997 she was named our Associate Pastor, a
job she faithfully filled while she completed her studies at
Seminary. Of course, we held a luncheon to honor her
accomplishment. In the picture on the left, Lay
Leader Frank Bain congratulates Patty Wehn-Glowski on her
Ordination.
At
about the same time we learned that our Senior pastor, Dr.
Dick White, would be assigned as Senior Pastor at Bellaire
United Methodist Church. 
