50 Year Member Reception 

"Here is the church,   Here is the steeple,

           Open the doors,  And see all the people."

by Julie Williams

It's a timeless child's rhyme that it goes right to the heart of a church: its members. On September 27, our church will celebrate the people who have been members of this community of faith for 50 years or more. These members have seen the church relocate more than once. They have led classes, developed cherished traditions and supported far-reaching ministries.

Robert Cecil Rippy recalls the church's original location-"a white frame building on Greenville Avenue and Polk Street"-where his father joined the church in 1903. "I remember the tearing down of that building and the red brick building being built in the same location," he said. It was this church building where Rippy grew up, got married and returned after serving in World War II.

Sam N. Thompson remembers joining the Greenville Avenue location in 1957 after moving to Richardson. One of his earliest duties for the church was Sunday School Secretary, collecting money and keeping attendance records for all the classes each week.

"On one such occasion, Rev. Bob Middlebrooks and Rev. Pete Robertson wanted the attendance from the first Sunday School session to announce in the second session of church," Thompson said. "Having no adding machine and them hovering over my shoulder, I estimated a total. You can bet the next Sunday I brought an adding machine!"

Addie Reddick said: "FUMCR became my home in 1957; however, my memories began in 1950. Tommy Reddick and I were married in the church on Greenville Avenue in 1950, and in 1954 our daughter Donna Reddick was christened. I will tell anyone who will listen how proud I am to be a member of FUMCR."

Jim McConnell said the church is central to "some of the most wonderful memories I have of growing up in Richardson."

"As a child, it seems like we were always either at school or at church," said McConnell. "I remember riding my bicycle over to the ‘new location' on Belt Line Road to watch the huge wood beams being raised into place in the sanctuary. I remember wondering at the time: how could we ever fill such a huge facility?"

Becky Belknap, who joined in 1958, said, "I remember Florence Tooley. She appeared at my door one day and convinced me that I wanted to teach Sunday School, so my husband Herb and I both taught about 20 years. It was a wonderful way to get to know all of the kids and their parents."

Hank Presley's favorite memory of the church centers on a special Christmas tradition shared with his wife, Martha, their two sons and their families. "The Presley family was chosen one year at the Belt Line location to light the Advent candle on Christmas Eve. Believe me, that was a very special and humbling experience."

Ernestine and Steve Barfield joined the church in 1956 and 1957 respectively. Over the years to come, they became involved in Sunday School (Ernestine recalled a long legacy of classes: Wesleyan, Pacesetter, then Crusaders), UMW, teaching, nursing home visitation, and more.

"I love the outreach our church does," she said. "David Shawver and Clayton Oliphint and all the associate staff are very caring people and bring out the best in all of us. We are very fortunate to feel that God has been a part in all our endeavors, listening to our prayers and guiding us on our journey."

Many thanks to all the 50-year members being celebrated on this special day!