Wednesday, April 16, 2008

100 Year Celebration

The First United Methodist Church of Burkburnett, Tx. celebrated 100 years of service to the community on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Former ministers attended as well as members who'd moved away. The special banners I'd help to make glistened on the wall behind the altar. The choir in their brand new robes led the processional with the bishop, district superintendent, and former ministers following behind. Proud fathers moved the risers so the children could sing two lively songs.

Our new minister, only two weeks at his new assignment, welcomed the congregation before leading us in the Apostles Creed. The congregation sang a medley of old favorites with joyous sounds that filled the sanctuary. The choir's anthem reflected the months of practice to perform each word and note as the composer intended.

The bishop spoke of the past commitment of members providing 100 years of worship and
service to the community. He challenged us to carry on the tradition of those early founders.
His voice reached every corner of the room creating enthusiasm for numerous amens even though our church people never shout amen. His enthusiasm was contagious. No one doubted
his selection as bishop for our North Texas Region.

After the service, we adjourned to the community center for a delicious catered luncheon,
power point slide show of members and activities, past and present. People laughed, recalled
memories, and visited with one another.

100 years savored by all as we recognized that only the children had any chance of celebrating the next one. Everyone made the most of the day with that fact in mind. Mrs. Caffee, 106, celebrated the most of all suggesting it might be possible a few children would be able to
recount the day at the 200 year celebration.

It was a glorious day.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Adopt a Highway Cleanup

Today twenty-six volunteers ranging in ages from 10 year old children and to adults in their 70's picked up twenty-six bags of trash on the edge of a two mile stretch of roadway. The trash varied from aluminum cans, beer bottles, and fast food cartons to items of clothing and an old tire. We didn't attempt to clean up the cigarette butts that had been thrown out windows in spite of a high fire warning and burn ban in the area.

This is the second year we have cleaned up the roadway every three months. We average around 25 bags each time. By Monday morning, we will make a trip down the same road only to discover items of trash already along the road. I often wonder if the people who throw out their trash don't notice the clean shoulders and grass ways along the road. Aren't they curious as to why the things they pitched in their truck beds are missing when they arrive at their destination? Do they not have a sense of responsibility for the property damage their thrown out cigarette butts can cause to say nothing of the chance of loss of life?

Friday, April 4, 2008

Making A Church Banner

Our church is preparing for the 100 year anniversary of its founding. I volunteered to help make special banners for the church. Fortunately, the chairman of the committee has a degree in fabric design so we have good direction. Another lady and I declared we were good at cutting and basting.

We have learned a lot about fabrics, bonding material, understitching, and ironing with
damp cheesecloth. We're finishing up the banners and will hang them on Friday night before
the special church service.

We've already decided to design special banners for weddings now that we know how to make them. In volunteering for a project, we've found a new calling. We're planning on meeting monthly to design and sew new banners and altar cloths for the church.

Moonine Sue Watson
April 4, 2008