HISTORY: 2001
- a year of helping, praying and working together at AUMC
In 2001, our missions team sprung into action after Tropical
Storm Allison flooded large portions of Houston. When we learned
of the need, our congregation quickly donated $12,000 cash and two
rooms full of clothing to help in the recovery effort.
Reverend Turney even drove a truck-load of bottled water just hours
after the rain stopped falling. Then for a period of 10-weeks,
two teams of volunteers piled into a donated van each weekend and
traveled to the East side to help tear out moldy sheet rock, shovel
mud from living rooms, and bleach-scrub houses.
Above and Left: Our flood relief team in action on
Houston's East side during the Spring and Summer of 2001
Youth Director Matt Woodard led the youth through many
activities, including the initial push for congregational help after
the flooding. The Youth were encouraged to take part in many
projects ranging from volunteering at an animal shelter to
volunteering at "Radio Lollipop," in which youth aged 15 and
up entertain, visit, and work with patients at Texas Children's
Hospital.
a group of our Youth worked at
the
SIFAT Missionary training center in Alabama
As members continued paying off pledges for the "Setting
The Vision Free" campaign, we found ourselves a little strapped
for cash during the Summer, primarily due to rapidly rising utility
rates. As a result, we implemented a policy where all Church
Meetings would be held on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays during the
summer months. This allowed us to run the air conditioners at a
minimum during most of the week.
Speaking of "Setting The Vision Free," a Site Planning
Committee, led by Rod Allan, unveiled a site plan for our
church. Based on analysis of a detailed survey of church
members, and close work with an architect, the site plan was unveiled
on July 1, 2001. The first phase of the site plan was to
construct a new parking lot sometime soon!
The model prepared based on the site plan.
(Existing Sanctuary is on left - proposed Sanctuary on right)
Our music program continued to improve with the purchase and
installation of a new organ. The organ was paid for with private
donations and an organ dedication concert.
Organist Juanice Alexander at the new organ.
Within a few minutes of the September 11 attack on the World Trade
Center and Pentagon we opened our sanctuary to those who wished to
pray.
Two unique worship opportunities were presented this
year. Instead of a traditional Maundy Thursday service, Reverend
Turney served communion to groups of 12 in the library. The
setting was beautiful, with candles and an intimate service
reminiscent of Christ's last supper with his disciples. Also new
to our worship: a Wednesday evening service. This 30-minute or
so gathering was the brainchild of Reverend Wehn-Glowski and consisted
of singing, a short sermon, and Holy Communion.
Christmas Eve services were the most memorable in recent
years. In addition to the two traditional candle-light services,
we had a special service aimed at young children in the
afternoon.
Christmas Eve 2001
Immediately after the "evening" service, our welcoming
committee went all out to turn Fellowship Hall into a warm and cozy
gathering place complete with fireplace and piano music courtesy of
Chuck Smith. It was a great success and many visitors were made
to feel welcome.
Fellowship Hall's
Christmas Eve Reception
The gigantic gingerbread house was a highlight of
the treat table
Two unique worship opportunities were presented this
year. Instead of a traditional Maundy Thursday service, Reverend
Turney served communion to groups of 12 in the library. The
setting was beautiful, with candles and an intimate service
reminiscent of Christ's last supper with his disciples. Also new
to our worship: a Wednesday evening service. This 30-minute or
so gathering was the brainchild of Reverend Wehn-Glowski and consisted
of singing, a short sermon, and Holy Communion.
