May 27, 2015
FAMILY TIES
Dave and I had the chance to travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to see our nephew, Luke, graduate from high school. It brought back memories of our own children graduating from high school. The setting was similar – a downtown basketball arena, complete with Jumbo-tron and cranky principal. Lots of pride and relief, as well as a little sadness. It also brought back the memory of the first time I went to Knoxville to see Luke. He was just three or four days old. Of course there have been many visits since then and much has happened and changed. I was beginning my second year of Seminary - hadn’t even had a real church job yet. Luke and his sister Regan have come during the summers to stay with us a few weeks for quite a few years. It is always fun to have them. Last year was the first time Regan came alone. Things have changed for Luke too. He has a job and a girlfriend, both of which make a trip to Texas a little harder. Time seemed to be spinning too fast and I caught myself wishing it would slow down. Everyone seemed so grown up. I felt old and less important. Then an amazing little gift came. A call on my cell in the basketball arena from Luke who could not get his tie tied properly. Dave to the rescue! Funny how such a little thing reminds us that even though much has changed - we have changed – we still need each other now and then. All in all, it was a wonderful time. We cooked together, ate together, sat on the front porch together, played together. We weren’t just making time as it passed, we were spending time on each other.
Gayle
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The North Texas Annual Conference takes place June 7-9 with the opening worship service at 7 p.m. on that Sunday. Monday night is the Service of Ordination also at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew UMC, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano. Zack Landis, son of Gayle and Dave Landis, will be among those being ordained. Everyone is invited to attend. After Monday’s service, all are invited to Gayle and Dave’s house for supper.
The following groups have scheduled meetings in June:
Trustees – Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m.
Church Council – Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Tuesday, June 9
Wesleyan Guild
Potluck Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Carol Stone will be speaking to the group about Gayle’s Kitchen Angels, a ministry to the homeless. Everyone is invited.
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Equal Exchange/Fair Trade coffee, teas and chocolates will be available for sale after church by the Library on June 14.
May graduations have recently taken place and several Lakewood connections were among them:
Scott Larson – graduated from the SMU Law School on May 15.
Pat Richards – received his Master’s in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from the University of Utah on May 8.
Lacy Smith – received her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from SMU on May 15.
Andrew Venable – recently graduated from John Horn High School in Mesquite. He plans to study mechanical engineering at LeTourneau University in the fall.
Plan to join us after church on Sunday, May 31, for hot dogs and ice cream in the Fellowship Hall, followed with an old-fashioned Hymn Sing. The church will provide the hot dogs, buns and ice cream but will welcome side dishes to go with the hot dogs. It should be good fun!
AN EVENING WITH MARK MILLER
& RECONCILING CHURCH POTLUCK
WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th
WHERE: Northhaven UMC (11211 Preston Road)
Lakewood has been invited to an evening of songs and stories from one of Methodism’s best known contemporary composer/performers. Mark will share songs and stories from his life in the United Methodist Church. The evening will start with a potluck meal with members from our five Dallas Reconciling Congregations. Then, Mark will share songs and observations on, in his words, “what it’s like to be brown and gay in the UMC.”
Mark Miller is the composer of many well-known contemporary church hymns and songs, such as “Draw the Circle Wide” and “Imagine the People of God.” His choral anthems are best sellers for Abingdon Press and Choristers Guild, and his hymns are published in “Worship & Song”, and “The Faith We Sing.” Mark is on the faculty at Drew University, and a lecturer at Yale. He believes passionately that music can change the world and, as Cornell West’s says, that “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Potluck at 6 p.m. Mark Miller at 7 p.m.
