Our
Memories Of
Ashford UMC
Dr. Chappell Temple
Senior Pastor 1989-1992
(Written for 25th Anniversary 1995)
Are you SURE we spent only three years there? For how could we have
gained so much and gotten to know so many fine folks in just
thirty-six months? But then, Ashford has always been a place where
folks never have to wait in line to find the hand of fellowship and a
place of service offered to them. Company transfers, business
relocations, career changes, whatever the reason, the people at
Ashford have been a haven for pilgrims undergoing all the transitions
of life, and we apparently were but some of them.
Our memories are many, but among them are certainly... SIFAT and
the mission trips to Jamaica, including the "island fever"
that came over those who went... finding Steven Spivey's glasses in
the middle of a waterfall.. . an outstanding youth program which made
us proud and made us think.. . the building out of the second floor
and the remodeling of the Education Building at last. .. the healing
of Al Adams after the fervent prayers of so many.. . that day we
scattered bluebonnet seeds, and two years later when some of them
actually came up. . . the worse church van in the world, at least if
you wanted windshield wipers that worked and a door that didn't fall
off... building the deck on those "temporary" buildings
which are still there and in use after twenty years... the dear ones
who departed this earth and have made Heaven a sweeter place for us
all to enter one day... a funeral service for the preacher's dad, from
the last congregation he came to know... bringing home a sweet little
dog from the pound who is still sweet but no longer little...
"Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place" and
"In This Very Room".. . those who came to know Christ and
make Him the Lord of their lives... the many who have entered the
Lord's work time from this unique congregation... the Christmas Eve
disasters-- flood, fire, and theft, including the fire department
being unable to find us just two blocks away from the station... a
wonderful if frequently changing staff, a loving congregation, a
creative program and hardly ever any money, but no church fights
either.
We count it all joy to have been privileged to be the parsonage
family at Ashford, even if it was for only three years.
Chappell, Julie, Andy and Angela Temple
