Town and Country Fellowship 30th Anniversary Churches receive the Marvin T. Judy Awards
Dallas-Denton District: Aubrey UMC: Rev. Lyle Benson, pastor of Aubrey UMC
JOE DAN BOYD
Special Correspondent
A celebration of rural ministry was the ongoing theme of Tuesday's Town & Country Fellowship (TCF) luncheon, chaired by Rev. Bob Walker, TCF President, at First UMC Plano.
After an invocation by Rev.Fred Durham, Superintendent of the Sherman-McKinney District, who also recalled this as the Conference's 30th Town & Country Luncheon, five churches received Marvin T. Judy awards for excellence in rural ministry:
Aubrey UMC, representing the Dallas-Denton District, was honored for establishing a new after school program, a joint confirmation class with two other churches and participation in a pastoral program with six other churches which, among other things, combined resources to mail 10,000 Easter service flyers. Pastor Lyle Benson accepted the award.
Dallas South District - College Mound UMC
From left, back row: Marie Arrington, Henri Samuels, Dewey Samuels, Pat Miller, Jo Ann Small, Max Miller, Otis Hanby, and Barbara Razor, and front row: Janie King, Sue Hanby, Bob Watson, Beverly Davis and pastor Rev. Larry Davis.
Gafford Chapel UMC, representing the Paris-Sulphur Springs District, was honored for welcoming 15 new members, six by profession of faith, in the past two years, completing a new education building, starting a new prayer ministry involving the entire church and revitalizing the church’s ministry for children. Pastor Justin Miller accepted the award.
Paris-Sulphur Springs District: Gafford Chapel UMC
From left, Katie Miller, Rev. Justin Miller, pastor, Donna Webb, and Rev. Keith Boone, District Superintendent.
Tioga UMC, representing the Sherman-McKinney District, was honored for an outstanding children's ministry, an exceptional music program and overall church growth. Pastor Jerry Mahle accepted the award.
Sherman-McKinney District: Tioga UMC
From left, Sue Reynolds, Mead McGee, Glena Fennell, Bill Hubbard, Mary Parrott, Karen McGee, Zeta Smith and Rev. Jerry Mahle, pastor.
Friberg-Cooper UMC, representing the Wichita Falls District, was honored for outstanding work with the homeless, support of missionaries and being both a financially stable and exceptionally hospitable church. Pastor Paul Meyenberg accepted the award.
Wichita Falls District:Friberg-Cooper UMC
From left, Sandy, Kyle and Rev. Paul Meyenberg, pastor.
The coveted Judy Award plaques were presented to each church by Rev. Duncan Graham, South Central Jurisdictional Representative of the United Methodist Rural Fellowship (UMRF).
"Of the eight million or so United Methodists in the U.S, one-third worship in rural churches," declared Rev. Graham in his luncheon remarks. "With the notable exception of churches such as those honored here today, most rural churches are in decline, and some are being closed every year. It's time we did something to strengthen rural ministry in America.
"I believe we should work to reinstate a Town & Country Commission in the North Texas Conference," emphasized Rev. Graham. "As it is, we have no organization in our Conference that is specifically charged to help rural churches.
"Further, when the General Conference meets in Fort Worth next year, UMRF will need volunteers to help with logistics and lobbying efforts," explained Rev. Graham.
"If you agree that we need a Town & Country Commission in our Conference, or are willing to be a UMRF volunteer for General Conference next year, please send me an e-mail to: dgraham@peoplescom.net," said Rev. Graham.
Editor's Note: Congregations are nominated for the Marvin T. Judy Award by their District Superintendents for their abilities and efforts to maintain a vital ministry, however small, for Town & Country folks and communities. These churches are recognized for putting forth the effort needed to maintain spiritual growth among their members.
