Member Spotlight, Roy Rogers
Member Spotlight, Roy RogersRoy Rogers was born in Poteet, Texas, and grew up on a farm and ranch. His family raised cattle, hogs, and milk cows, goats and horses. His granddad gave him a horse when he was three years old and from that young beginning, he rode nearly every day until he was 40 years old, moved to town and didn’t have room for horses.
Roy was married to Pat for 54 years before her passing in 2013. He and Pat had 2 sons and 2 daughters, and 3 granddaughters and 3 grandsons. They lost one daughter in a car/train accident. “My family was my main objective,” he says.
His friends describe him as friendly, loving, quiet and faithful. “And I’m hard of hearing,” Roy adds with a grin. And he loves to play cards. He has the most fun with his friends and family playing games (42 was mentioned, but Pitch has become a new favorite.) “Doing family stuff is what I enjoy,” Roy declares.
After college, where he studied Ag Ed, Roy worked for the Soil Conservation Service, a part of the USDA. Later he bought out an Exxon agency in Taylor. He distributed gas, and ran 2 convenience stores and 2 service stations. He retired in 2000. He liked best working with the people. “You run into all types of people, and learn to deal with them,” Roy says. He feels his Exxon business was his second biggest success. His biggest was raising his beautiful family.
Roy and Pat joined the church in 1975. His mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Busby, were already members of the church. Roy appreciates the friendliness of Taylor FUMC. Roy adds, “I like the people. They make you feel welcome.” His two favorite hymns are “Amazing Grace”, and “In the Garden”. He was raised in a Baptist church, and these are hymns they sang.
Roy would like to travel to Wyoming and the western part of the United States, but he admits he is not much of a traveler. He likes New Mexico, and used to go to Ruidoso and listen to music. They had a festival there with old bands, and he and Pat would dance Western dance and the two-step. Together, they won many contests as best dancers.
In fact, dancing was a favorite past time for Pat and Roy. “We loved it,” Roy remembers. They started dancing the day they met at SW Texas. And they were selected by their class to be representatives for Frontier Days. They wore matching shirts and dresses at the special weekends, and rodeos.
Roy taught his kids to dance as well. His daughter, Trisha Copeland, fondly remembers learning to dance by standing on her daddy’s feet. She reports her mom and dad had been dancing as long as she could remember.
Another thing Roy loves is the outdoors. Roy was an avid gardener before his back started giving him trouble and he still loves it. He likes to grow flowers and vegetables: tomatoes, squash, and bougainvilleas. Also, he spent many a happy hour hunting with his sons and grandkids. They would take his hunting dog, a Brittainy Spaniel, out to hunt deer, dove, and quail.
And his hidden talent is that he can yodel – well at least, sing. He once sang “Lovesick Blues” for the 4H Club competition and won third place! He loves music and singing. Get Roy to demonstrate his yodeling, er, singing skills for you! Don’t let that quiet exterior fool you! He has friendship and many talents to share.
Written by Robin McKinley
21
Oct '16
Director of Youth Ministry, Part-Time
21
Oct '16
Director of Youth Ministry, Part-Time
First United Methodist Church of Taylor, Texas seeks an energetic, enthusiastic person with a passion and gift for ministering to young persons 6th-12th grade. This position is responsible for facilitating the coordination, development, and administration of a youth program which includes instruction/discipleship, service/mission, fellowship, worship, and fundraising.
Requirements:
Prior experience in youth ministry as an adult leader preferred.
Understanding of United Methodist Theology.
Must pass background check.
Must complete Ministry Safe training.
Minimum Duties:
Attend Sunday Worship service(s) with a focus on encouraging and facilitating youth participation in worship.
Planning and leading Sunday School youth classes
Planning and leading weekly youth gatherings (Sunday evening and/or midweek) which includes Bible Study, fellowship, and coordination of a meal.
Attend schools sports when youth are involved.
Recruit, train, and utilize adult volunteers to aid in planning and implementing youth ministry goals.
Encourage and facilitate student participation in church wide events
Plan and facilitate special youth events, such as missional outreach, fundraising, camps, etc.
Work together with parents of youth and church leaders to implement the vision of the church.
If interested, please send resume to: office@fumctaylor.org.
Member Spotlight, Debby Vester
Member Spotlight, Debby Vester
Debby Vester was born in Lyons, Kansas and lived there until she was 5 years old. Her dad worked for an oil company, so they moved to Odessa, Texas, where she first took piano at age 7. Later, the family moved to Thousand Oaks, California and she graduated from high school there. She attended California State University in Northridge, studying music, and took one semester in organ. She majored in Home Economics and planned to teach.
She married her husband, Roger, who is a CPA, and they moved to Midland. By then, her family included her son, Mark. Mark is now in the army stationed at West Point, and flies helicopters. (Ask Debby to show you the pictures!) He is married and has 2 children, Isabella who is 9 and Jackson who is 6. Later, daughter Kelly came along. She is also married, lives in Georgetown, is an emergency room nurse, and is mother to Kaden, who is 9, and Kamryn who is 2 months old. You’ll never find a prouder grandma than Debby!
In Midland, at her church St. Luke’s UMC, Debby was asked to play piano by the choir director, and then he suggested she try out the organ in the church. One thing led to another, and soon she was playing the early service, and later, the other services, and also playing for the youth choir. She’s been playing organ ever since. She was a music assistant as well. She has been playing two services a Sunday for a little over 30 years. Today, of course, she is both director and organist – a fete she is accomplishing superbly.
Her darling mother, whom Debby lost this year, laughed and laughed that Debby became a full time musician because of the fights they used to have when Debby was a child and didn’t want to practice. She used to say, “I can’t believe you ended up on an organ bench!” Of course, Debby thanks her now and her mom was so proud of her.
Debby has taught children and youth from 3- to 4-year-olds all the way up to high school. She loved the times that she would go with her Midland church’s youth choir on their annual summer trips. They travelled many places, including the US, England and New Zealand, playing concerts all the way.
One treasured memory of those trips was when she went with the choir when they did a Wesley tour of England. One concert was in the Wesley Museum in London. Debby got to play on John Wesley’s instrument, a manual organ enclosed in a cabinet with a very narrow keyboard. The thrill of playing the same keyboard that John Wesley played was a once in a lifetime event. The instrument is worth $800,000 today.
Debby likes music because it touches people. She says, “You never know who or why, but it will help somebody. You never know.” Debby says 90% of the hymns in the hymnbook are her favorites, but she particularly likes “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (just because) and “O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” because that’s the hymn she played on John Wesley’s instrument.
Remember to listen and appreciate the gift that Debby brings to us at Taylor FUMC. You can hear that all those years of practice paid off!
Written by Robin McKinley
More Pumpkins On The Way!
Have you visited the Pumpkin Patch lately? In case you haven’t, we’re looking pretty slim on the patch! Not that looking pretty or slim is a bad thing, but when it comes to being the awesome Pumpkin Patch that we are, we want to be well stocked.
We need your help! We have more pumpkins arriving this Saturday, 10/22, at 4:00 pm. We need helpers to unload about 350 pumpkins. No weebees. With enough help, it should only take 45 minutes.
Just when you think I’m done asking for your help. We also need your help with filling in to work this coming week.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Workers Needed for Pumpkin Patch
Come enjoy the delight on the children’s faces, the love of the families as they find their perfect pumpkin, and the crisp fall air. All the while you help your church financially!
We have several slots we need to fill for the next week.
Please check your calendar and sign up to help by contacting Robin McKinley by email (robin62482@gmail.com) or phone 210-827-5880.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Need 1 worker 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Need 2 workers 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday October 20, 2016
Need 2 workers 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Friday October 21, 2016
Need 1 worker 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Need 1 worker 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday October 22, 2016
Need 1 worker 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Need 1 worker 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday October 23, 2016
Need 2 workers 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Need 1 worker 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Need 1 worker 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Need 1 worker 5:00 – dark p.m.
Monday October 24. 2016
Need 1 worker 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Need 2 workers 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Need 2 workers 5:00 p.m. – dark
Tuesday October 25, 2016
Need 1 worker 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Need 1 worker 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Need 2 workers 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 26, 2016
Need 1 worker 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Need 2 workers 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Thank you for your help in making this project successful!
Member Spotlight, Frieda Isbell
Member Spotlight, Frieda Isbell
October 7, 2016
Frieda Isbell was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended art school, married and began traveling to many different places. She lived in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico, as well as Louisiana and many places in Texas, including San Antonio, Rosenberg, and Bryan/College Station. Her first husband attended medical school first in Mexico, then in Texas. They had two children.
In 1992, her husband died, and she was left to raise her young children and support her family. She went back to school and became an art teacher. She met and married Mike Isbell who she says is her best friend.
After receiving her teaching degree, Frieda taught for 11 years. Frieda loved teaching and really enjoyed the kids. She taught high school for six years, and then switched to elementary school for five years before she retired.
Don’t think for a minute that Frieda has been sitting at home twiddling her thumbs since retirement. No, she has been busier than ever. She creates gorgeous oil paintings. Some she has used as the subject of her earring line that she created by reducing the paintings to a small size. She is embarking on a new angel-themed portfolio.
And not only does Frieda draw, paint and create other works of art, she also writes! She is the author of a novel, titled Ice Angels. She is planning a sequel soon.
Frieda’s family likes to say she is crazy, of course in a fond way. She says she is the crazy artist aunt of her family. Her kids appreciate her cooking talents. She is an avid watcher of the TV show “Chopped,” and loves to throw unexpected ingredients together to create a new, delicious dish. She never cooks the same thing twice, loving the thrill of experimentation.
Frieda and Mike have been members of the church for four years. She remembers being most warmly welcomed by Vesta Ryan who brought cookies to her house when she first joined. Frieda likes best about Taylor FUMC, she replies emphatically, “The people.” She says that everyone has been really sweet to her and Mike.
Frieda wasn’t always Methodist. In fact, for many years, she was atheist. Her first mother-in-law, whom Frieda dearly loved, kept praying that Frieda would know God. One day, suddenly, Frieda had an experience she could only describe as an indwelling of the Holy Spirit. After that, she never doubted the presence of Jesus. She went to lots of churches, and looked for ones that matched Jesus’s teachings, one that was a refuge from the world, where everyone would accept each other as sisters and brothers. Her favorite hymn is “In the Garden” and she has a beautiful voice to match.
Despite the hard times in the past, Frieda has had a lot of fun in life. “Mike and I do a lot of laughing,” she says. They love to ride motorcycles, go with their family to Matagorda Bay, go snorkeling and horseback riding and have gone on several cruises to such places as Cancun, Cozumel and Hawaii. She still would like to go to Jamaica on a cruise, but on their Hawaii cruise, they got so sick that it is hard to get up the nerve to go on another cruise.
When you next see Frieda, be sure to ask her about her paintings and her book. There is sure to be a sequel coming out soon!
Written by Robin McKinley
Harvest Blessing
Harvest BlessingSaturday, October 8, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts
Vintage and Antiques
Pumpkin Patch Carnival
Pumpkin Patch CarnivalSunday, October 30th, 4 – 6 p.m.
Free Games & Free Prizes
Photo Opportunities
Costume Contest
(& Pumpkins)
First United Methodist Church
907 West Lake Drive
Taylor, Texas 76574
512-352-2593
www.fumctaylor.org
National Night Out @ FUMC Taylor
Tonight is National Night Out! Come on out and join others in the community at First United Methodist Church of Taylor for some Fun, Fellowship, Food, Live Music, and of course Pumpkin Patch! See you tonight at the church lawn from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. #FUMCTaylor
Member Spotlight, Carmen Tucker
Member Spotlight, Carmen Tucker
September 25, 2016
Carmen Tucker was born in Waco, but moved to Austin and grew up there. Her mom is from New Jersey, is an attorney and a vice president at a college, as well as running a catering business. Her father is from California and is a head hunter for executives and is semi-retired now. Her mother and father divorced when Carmen was a girl, and her mother remarried. Her stepdad is a retired police officer.
Carmen’s mom loves to say that Carmen is creatively inclined, and that she thinks outside the box. (Thanks, Mom!) Carmen’s creativity led her to earn her bachelor’s degree in art, which she uses in her hobby of finding broken antiques and restoring them into something beautiful. She is particularly proud of fixing chairs that came from her grandma, screwing them by hand since she doesn’t have a drill. She also restored a table top into a piece of art that she has hung on the wall. But her best friend has put the brakes on Carmen adding more furniture to her house, threatening to put tags on any new items and having a sale!
All that creativity, and restoration, as well as Carmen’s keen ability to show compassion plays right into Carmen’s profession and passion: teaching kids. She says it isn’t always about fixing something, but about getting it where it needs to be. Before starting in the classroom, Carmen earned her master’s degree in Human Services.
Carmen now is a special education teacher as well as a resource and inclusion teacher. This is her first year in the classroom, but she previously was engaged in college and career counseling as well as after-school programming at LBJ High School. Carmen loves her job, and she likes best to watch students’ faces light up when they come in her room. Students know her room is a safe place, and Carmen feels like she is doing God’s work with her students. She says, “Pay scales fade into the background when the students come in and we begin to work together.”
Carmen’s hidden talents are cooking, a talent she got from her mother. She loves crock pot cooking, and baking. Her specialty is strawberry cake. I sure hope she brings that to a fellowship luncheon one day!
Carmen joined Taylor FUMC in July, and she was welcomed most warmly by Mitch and Lisa Drummond. She loves the size of the congregation, and the casual and friendly approach of the church. She always dreamed of living in a small town where she can slow down and recharge. She finds the church to be her refuge.
Carmen’s favorite scripture is from Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” She says she hasn’t always been strong, and it reminds her to stay strong.
Be sure to give a hearty welcome to Carmen. What a blessing to have all that talent and dedication that Carmen brings!
Visitation and Service, Dr. Crawford Daniel
The visitation and funeral service for Dr. Crawford Daniel are as follow:
Visitation at Providence Funeral Home: Monday, 9/19, 6 to 8:00 p.m.
807 Carlos Parker Blvd.
Taylor, Texas 76574
Memorial Service at First UMC, Taylor: Tuesday, 9/20, 11:00 a.m.
907 W. Lake Drive
Taylor, Texas 76574
Interment Procession following the Worship Service at
Taylor City Cemetery
1101 E. 4th Street
Taylor, Texas 76574
Lunch at First UMC, Taylor, following the Interment Service.
We give thanks to God for the life of Crawford Daniel. Please continue to keep the Daniel family in your prayers.
Grace and Peace
