Almost Angels - First UMC, Denton, celebrates 150th

BY DR. JOAN GRAY LABARR
Editor

You gotta have church, ...home for sinners in their search;
Here in Denton righteous people will choose, Methodist pews to perch.
And we're gonna have church.
(Sung to the tune of "You Gotta have Heart.")

It was an unforgettable musical look back at the 150 years the people of First UMC, Denton, have gathered to worship and serve God and the community.

The Sept. 22-23 performances of  "Almost Angels...150 Years at the First United Methodist Church...The Spirit Lives On" offered vignettes church's history, starting with the founders who gathered around Circuit Rider William E. Bates to begin what would one day become the largest United Methodist congregation in Denton County.

Written by Denton dramatist Donna Trammell, with music directed by from each period of the First UMC Music and Worship Director John Priddy, "Almost Angels" lived up to its billing as a "fun-filled reprise" of the congregation's history. Trammell divided the 150 years of history into three segments: Scene One, Taking our Places; Scene Two, The FUMC Storybook; and Scene Three, From Our Past to Our Future.
 
According to senior pastor Rev. Matt Gaston, more than 300 church members of all ages volunteered to be part of the cast. From the multitalented musicians to the good sports who practiced long and hard, then went onstage to celebrate a great moment in the life of their church, "Almost Angels" captured the spirit of a congregation open to meeting the challenges presented in each decade.

Rev. Gaston says that, "With 'Almost Angels,' the church rediscovered the greatness and vitality of its legacy and was ignited to push that spirit forward with the next generation."

Trammell borrowed a page from the playbook of the Methodist movement's great hymnodist and co-founder Charles Wesley writing lyrics using well-known melodies. Even some of the toughest times were presented with a light touch - sprinkled with just enough irony to make a point not to go down that road again. For example, reflecting on the Nineteen Twenties and Thirties, a group dubbed "The Church House Gang" sang to the tune of "This Ol' House":

This old church once learned a lesson in poor planning it appears; For the next campaign for building lasted over twenty years.

From the Twenties through the Depression, this old church was moving slow 'Cause First Methodist had voted it would build "pay as you go."

Youth Minister Rev. Andy Stoker donned a white suit and wings to present a heavenly perspective, "Angel Speak," to the tune of "Cheek to Cheek": From heaven...here in
heaven,

Watching out for angels, through the clouds I peek and one group has earned a heavenly critique - Doing good and getting better every week... Of First Methodist in Denton do I speak!

Children and youth in the Littlest Angels, Rainbow Kids and Credo Choir groups turned out in full force, witnessing to a future already unfolding.

Rev. Gaston celebrated the presence of the children, noting that, "All the children reacted with wonder and a whole lot of excitement. Their participation reinforced our commitment that children will not be relegated to the sidelines and will be integrated into the whole life of the church."

"Children, youth, middle adults and older adults all experienced the fun of working together and discovered the same common idealism that needs to be nurtured as a unique four-generation family of faith," he said.

The passing of the generations and twist of fate that comes with fleeting youth, plus the humor that puts things in context were apparent as the "Baby Boomer" contingent followed the youngsters with "Nineteen Sixty-Four," sung to the tune of the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four."

Where are the flowers, where have you gone, tie-dyed troubadour?

Marchin' or cheerin', we could still hear in...nineteen sixty-four.

Short in the tooth then, Methodist youth in...nineteen sixty-four;

Senile and shocking, we'll still be rocking when we're sixty four.

Retired pastor Rev. William (Bill) Crouch, who was a top notch good sport playing the role of founding pastor William Bates as a circuit rider on a stick horse in the opening scene, found the final number particularly moving. It included 15 speakers, reinforced by 15 hymns written during each decade of the church's history, summing up the past and future of the church.

Rev. Crouch, who served as pastor for 14 years from 1977-91, then returned as a an associate in retirement for several years after returning to Denton, observed the musical captured two outstanding congregational traits that have withstood the test of time. One is the spirit of mission that led to creation of an emergency aid ministry that has now expanded into a communitywide effort, as well as other mission outreach efforts. The other is community leadership demonstrated by clergy and laity alike.

As the celebration of 150 years closed with Rev. Gaston pointing to the challenge of the future, the congregation joined in the closing renditions of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" as one by one they passed the light of candles through the darkened sanctuary.

As the smiling crowd streamed out to greet the cast and crew at a reception in the Monroe Fellowship Building, no one would challenge the premise that "The Spirit Lives On" at First UMC, Denton.

As Rev. Gaston said in his "Afterglow" comments to the congregation, "With laughter comes joy, goodwill, confidence and faith in the future because of a God who loves us in spite of our foibles. My suspicion is that we will be enjoying the ripples from our experience together in 'Almost Angels' right on through Christmas."

Proceeds from "Almost Angels" ticket sales benefited the church's archival fund. Hundreds of hours of work went into the research, writing, and production of "Almost Angels." Among the leaders were: Nancy King and Betty Roy, co-chairs; Carol Kirchoff Phillips, production chair; Donna Trammell, director; Adam Reese, advertising; Yvonne Mesler, archivist; Delaney Gregory, casting; Gwenn Jump, consultant; Joy Ahlvin and Molly Hull, generations; Tobye Nelson, graphic designer; Keith Shelton, history book; Elizabeth Ferring, history book sales; LaVonne Ankensey, oral histories; Monte Borders, panorama photo; Andrea Ciulla, program; Lisa Miller and Helene Ramey, publicity; Janet Luttrell, reception; Jackie Sahlin, reception pianist; Martha Coburn and Donna Gregory, scrapbook; Pete Kamp and Sandra Robinson and Debbie Vanderlaan, special sales; Bettye Crider, ticket sales; and Billy Matthews, video.

For more information, please call 940-382-5478 or visit www.fumc-denton.com.