2002 found us
bidding farewell to Reverend Patty Wehn-Glowski. She had
been our associate pastor for some 5-years, 3 of those came
while she was still in seminary. A tearful goodbye
luncheon was held on June 2nd, just in time to allow Patty to
pack and leave for her first Senior Pastor assignment at
Magnolia United Methodist Church. Music Ministries
director Steve Hoyle assumed his famous alter ego,
"Johnny Angel" to sing a parody written by Paul Van
House to the tune of "All Shook Up."
Patty delivers her farewell speech
Johnny Angel, aka Steve Hoyle sings goodbye to Patty
flash music player
Just one week later we held a
"pounding" luncheon for our new associate pastor,
Gary Leinhart. By pounding, we mean he was given "a
pound of this, and a pound of that" to help set up
housekeeping. Gary was surprised at the welcome and said even
though he'd served in larger churches he was never received so
warmly. After only a couple weeks on the job, Gary
jumped right in and taught a several-week long series of bible
studies based on episodes of the old "Andy Griffith
Show," and he hasn't slowed down since.
The congregation
welcomes Gary while enjoying a catered meal
Rev. Gary Leinhart was surprised by the
doings
Our welcoming ministry excelled at making
visitors to our church feel accepted without overwhelming
them. Team members would deliver green plants to the
homes of first time visitors, and make follow-up phone calls
to other visitors.
Unfortunately, when Patty left our Youth
minister turned in his resignation as well. Working
quickly, The Staff-Parish Relations committee found a college
student to lead the youth during the busy Summer months.
When Matt Pennington came on board, we threw yet another
luncheon...this time pot luck! Matt did, indeed, keep
busy over the summer with the help of a team of volunteers led
by Stuart Corder that would continue to guide the youth until
our next Youth Minister would be hired.
Matt Pennington is given a "Welcome, Matt"
as he begins a summer of leading our youth
In addition to personnel changes, there
were some pretty major physical changes at the church too!
First and foremost was installation of a new and expanded
cement parking lot. Construction was sandwiched in
between the end of the Child Enrichment Center's school year
and Peppermint Fair. About half the proceeds were paid
for by the "Setting the Vision Free" campaign, with
the rest coming from donations and an extended line of credit
with the Methodist foundation. After years of dodging
potholes, it was a great sight on Sunday mornings.
Another donation paid for much-needed lights for the new
parking lot.
7/29/02: Parking lot construction
begins
8/27/02: Cement pour begins
9/24/02: Project completion
Our Trustees also led the way in repair and
replacement of the "flat" area of the Sanctuary roof
and water damage repairs inside the building.
Also new this year was a "Restorative
Justice" ministry, led by Larry and Marcia Wiseman.
The long-term goal of this ministry team is to minister to the
needs of those in prison, and family members
of prisoners. The first project turned out to be an
annual event. "Project Angel Tree" allowed our
members to help purchase gift baskets for children with one or
more parents who are in prison. It's a low-key ministry
of caring just to let these people know God loves them.
AUMC Handbell Choir at Houston's
Thanksgiving Day
Parade
There was something new for our adult hand
bell choir as well. For several years, the choir had
performed during the "Dickens On The Strand"
festival during December in Galveston dressed in Victorian-era
costume. But this year it was invited to march in the
annual Washington Mutual Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown
Houston. It was tiring, but fun, playing "Joy To
The World" over and over and over ....
