The 50Th Lunar Communion, the History Behind It

GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS CELEBRATING 177 YEARS FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2019 | THE DAILY NEWS | C3

FAITH | WHERE FAITH, SPACE AND HISTORY MEET

RICK COUSINS/For The Daily News Elements as prepared for the 50th Lunar Communion at Webster Presbyterian Church on July 21. The 50th Lunar Communion, the history behind it

By RICK COUSINS Correspondent Communion has tied together the majority of Christian churches since the first century, but no where else in our world has it been done quite like it is at Webster Presbyterian Church, home of the annual Lunar Communion. Last Sunday was the con- gregation’s 50th observance of what began at Tranquility Base in 1969 when church elder and the second man to walk on the moon, Buzz “It was beyond my Aldrin, consumed the first food and drink enjoyed on expectations. You think it another world. might become the same, It wasn’t a meal, but a RICK COUSINS/For The Daily News private communion shared Media, members and guests lined up to view these modern “relics,” which were but every time I hear the with this church with ele- returned from the moon by lunar explorer Buzz Aldrin who served as an elder here ments blessed and brought a half-century ago. A Communion chalice and a cross are shown. recording of Aldrin, it just from the Terra Firma of south Texas. first sacrament on the RICK feels tingly. And, I remember COUSINS Dr. Tom Tucker has been moon, Aldrin wrote in his / at the church since 1964. He book, “No Dream Is Too For The Daily that John Glenn also was involved with the ap- High,” that he couldn’t News proval of Aldrin’s semi-se- think of any better way to Retired preached for one of these cret mission. Why was thank God for Apollo 11. astronaut Clayton special services.” it somewhat covert? The Pat Forke has been keep- Anderson contentious and litigious ing the church’s books for preached Kathy Braeuer history of atheist Madalyn the last half-dozen years but at the 50th Murray O’Hair had NASA attends another church, so annual Lu- bigwigs on edge. One more this is her first experience nar Com- breath of scripture on their with an out-of-this-world munion at public radio link and she’d edition of the ancient Com- Webster see them in court. Again. munion sacrament. Presbyteri- “I was on the session “I know that a lot of peo- an Church. (Presbyterian leadership ple put a lot of time putting council) that authorized this day together,” she said. Aldrin,” Tucker said. “And “What a leap of faith it was I served communion that for everybody to think first congregations in north before I brought my fam- Sunday, but we did not close of Buzz Aldrin, to know county. That was just a few ily here,” Brown said. “At that service with a benedic- that God was there on the years after James W. Web- work, I’d run into many tion. After Buzz celebrated, moon. Today was very ster brought a group of col- astronauts, but you don’t we then closed the first Lu- moving, to think that we onists to settle this area in talk about religion at work. nar Communion here with were doing what he did 50 1879. Here, they are willing to a formal benediction that ye ars ago.” next Sunday.” We’ll give the last word to open up and talk about On the other hand, mem- current elder Allen Brown, their faith because they are As a sidenote, Tucker ber Kathy Braeuer has been said that he was personally who is one of many mem- among friends and family.” to this service faithfully for RICK COUSINS/For The Daily News in charge of five of the then bers still working in aero- Next week in Our Faith: four decades and counting. Pat Forke, left, the church’s bookkeeper experienced largest computers available, space. Adventures in volunteer- “It was beyond my ex- “I started working on her ﬁrst Lunar Communion on July 21. Kathy Braeuer, which were used to calcu- ing, part 2. pectations,” she said. “You the space shuttle and space right, has rarely missed one. Both are standing before late the trajectories of Apol- think it might become the station, but I’d never heard Rick Cousins can be reached at a quilt composed of mission patches from Webster lo 11’s lunar voyage. same, but every time I hear of the Lunar Communion [email protected]. Presbyterian’s collection of member-astronauts. “But Buzz could do all the recording of Aldrin, it that in his head,” Tucker just feels tingly. And, I re- said. member that John Glenn SUMMER SHOWS AT THE Today, another astro- also preached for one of naut, Clayton Anderson ’s C MG3D THEATER AND these special services.” Leo AJUN is preaching to a packed Webster Presbyterian 4D SPECIAL FX THEATER! house. He began by offering Open Church was here before the Thanks Mon–Sat - NEW - Star Trek’s famous Vulcan for 7am–7pm MG3D Space Race was launched. Sunday Theater Australia’s Great Wild North 3D salute and citing its fiction- In fact, it was here before 28 years CORNER 10am–5pm al space traveler, James Ti- the Wright brothers invent- 3D: On the Largest Screen in Texas berius Kirk in his opening ed powered flight. Founded Breakfast Burritos ...... $3.99 prayer. 4D Dora & Diego’s 4D Adventure in 1894, it was one of the Special FX Shark: A 4D Experience As Anderson holds Fried Seafood Dinners .... $11.99 Theater forth, he is surrounded by 4D: Engages All of Your Senses! stained glass images of gal- Choose from: axies, nebulae and other 4 pc. Fish, 10 pc. Shrimp, JUNE 14 - AUGUST 18 MG3D THEATER SHOWTIMES: astronomical phenomena. 12 pc. Oysters or Mix any 2 10:00 Australia’s Great Wild North 3D There’s even a small bit of a Comes with 2 sides. 11:00 Great White Shark 3D meteorite embedded in the 11:30 Cuba 2D central window behind and Try our 12:30 Australia’s Great Wild North 3D 1:30 Great White Shark 3D above him. FAMOUS GUMBO & RIBLETS 2:00 Cuba 2D A number of other astro- 3:00 Australia’s Great Wild North 3D nauts have been members Now Serving Boudin Balls, 4:00 Great White Shark 3D here: John Glenn, Roger Hot Wings & Stuffed Jalapeños 4:30 Secret Ocean 3D 5:30 Australia’s Great Wild North 3D Chaffee, Carlos Noriega, WE ALSO HAVE SMOKED LEG QUARTERS, 6:30 Great White Shark 3D Jeffrey Carr, Jeff Ashby and CHICKEN BREASTS, DRUMMIES, PORK CHOPS, 7:00 Secret Ocean 3D Charles Bassett II. BOUDIN, BRISKET, SAUSAGE & RIBLETS 8:00 Great White Shark 3D So, if there’s a Protestant 8:30 Cuba 2D NO FRILLS, NO THRILLS, JUST GOOD FOOD & GOOD PRICES ‘cathedral’ to NASA, this is 3201 Broadway • 409-765-5151 409-744-4673 it. View our entire menu at www.leoscajuncorner.net moodygardens.org When referring to that or like us on Facebook