FIRST METHODIST HEARTBEAT the Gift of Stories by Michelle Holland One Afternoon in April I Had the Opportunity to Visit with Tom and Mary V

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FIRST METHODIST HEARTBEAT The Gift of Stories by Michelle Holland One afternoon in April I had the opportunity to visit with Tom and Mary V. Engelking to hear stories about the Spire church and the people they have known. They arrived at First Methodist in 1959, the same year as John Wesley Hardt. What a spectacular time to become a part of this church. The planning, building, and moving were all on the horizon. The new pastor and his family became close friends of Tom and Mary V. They spoke of inspiring sermons that captured your attention and kept you focused on the message. If you have spent much time with Mary V, you know she is full of energy and enthusiasm. Considering her 91 years, I can only imagine the energy she had in 1959. She became chairman of the annual turkey dinner, secretary of the building committee, and the children’s coordinator. Tom at 97 is full of wisdom and the details of a well-lived life. He was chairmen of the committee on Education, children’s Sunday school teacher, and you could find him in the church kitchen every Wednesday night. He helped their good friend Freddie Mae Scott prepare and serve meals for all the members who were attending Wednesday night activities. Freddie Mae meant a lot to the Engel- kings, and they were sad to learn that she passed away this year on Tom's birthday. The years spent as members of the Spire church are full of beautiful memories. Memories of people like Hilliard Henson and Grace Lind- sey, good friends who have since passed on. I questioned Tom on what the Spire meant to him after all these years. He told me it symbol- izes growth and a continuous presence downtown. It provides a place to take God’s love to the world by starting in the heart of Beau- mont. When you talk with the Engelkings, you can feel the love they have for their church family and the pride they take in the Spire church. You can sense the loss when they speak of friends who have passed away. Their faces beam when they talk about their daughter Beth being one of the first children baptized in the Spire church. They speak with pride about the stained-glass windows and the sensational choir. Charlie Morgan playing the keyboard, Fred Simon's incredible voice, and Silverio and Lindsay singing together have been some of their favorite musical moments. My time with the Engelkings was a delightful glimpse into the past, and their enthusiasm in the present is contagious. The stories handed down to us are gifts. They are overflowing with the impressive history of a beautiful church filled with faithful disciples, and a legacy of serving Jesus in downtown Beaumont.

Some Other Place: May 18th, 8:00 a.m. Alberto Family Pierce Family The First Methodist Service Day at Some Other Booker Family Ruby Family Place is a great opportunity to serve a meal to Crutchfield Family Sandra Arrington our downtown Beaumont friends. Come as you are able between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Daryl Wilson Scott Family Early Family Stanley Family Kairos Kitchen: May 26th, 5:30 p.m. Emily Ethington Templeton Family Join us as we serve a home-cooked meal to our downtown friends and neighbors. Not only does Franks Family Todd Seeley Kairos Kitchen provide the opportunity to serve Martin Family True Family others, it allows us to love the city with the heart O’Brien Family Woodland Family of Christ.

Chancel Choir Practice Some Other Place Service Day Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. May 18th at 8:00 a.m. Handbell Practice High School Seniors Luncheon Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. May 20th, 12:00 p.m. Lectionary Bible Study United Methodist Women Becomers Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. —Church Library. May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. —Home of Calder Woods Retirement Home Service Liza Nelson May 1st at 11:00 a.m. Church Office Closed Collier Park Retirement Home Service May 28th May 8th at 10:30 a.m. Music Ministry Sunday Pelican Bay Retirement Home Service June 24th May 15th at 10:30 a.m.

The Spire Published monthly by: First United Methodist Church 701 Calder Beaumont, Texas 77701

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Lead Pastor: Rev. Jon Stouffer Office Hours [email protected]; Ext. 12 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Friday Associate Pastor: Rev. Silverio Sanchez [email protected]; Ext. 13 Sunday Worship Time 11:00 a.m. Youth Ministry: Jana Windle [email protected]; Ext. 26 Church Involvement: Phyllis Fernandez [email protected]; Ext. 20 Finance & Communications: Sabrina Jeanise [email protected]; Ext. 41 Physical Address: 701 Calder St. Beaumont, TX 77701

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 3247 Beaumont, TX 77701 Church Phone: 409-832-0295 Fax: 409-832-9216 Email: [email protected]