Karnes City man honored for service to church, town

A Karnes City layman was honored Feb. 2 for living and breathing his Christian discipleship every day.
James Weiss, a member of Karnes County UMC, Karnes City, received the 2005 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the northern “Brush Country” portion of the Corpus Christi District.
Thirty-three other individuals from 14 congregations took home certificates for distinguished discipleship following the 9th annual Brush Country celebration.
Some 180 people from United Methodist congregations between San Antonio and Corpus Christi witnessed the presentations at the George West High School cafetorium.
“This award isn’t for me,” Weiss said after receiving the Exemplar Award. He asked members of the Karnes County congregation to stand for recognition.
“I do the work behind the scenes,” he said. “I’m doing the organizing, but it’s this team’s effort. I could not do anything without the support I receive. I am very humbled.”
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gives the Exemplar Award annually to lay-people selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Weiss was cited for many contributions to the Karnes City congregation and community. The award nomination acknowledged Weiss’ tendency to share credit for what he did.
“Besides the things you see him do, there are countless other things that just get done, and this silent servant never expects any recognition,” the nomination said. “He makes sure others get the pat on the back.”
Weiss, co-chair of the church board of trustees, helps keep the church building in Karnes City in top repair. He plans for renovations and does much of the work himself. He recently helped get the building rewired and oversaw painting.
Weiss played a key role in the merger of the Karnes City and Kenedy congregations into Karnes County UMC over the past two years. He arranged to move pews from Kenedy to the Karnes City church building. He found other ways to incorporate items from Kenedy into the Karnes City facility. He spent many hours helping sell items the combined congregation no longer needed.
He is now working to give the Kenedy Youth Building a facelift and set up a Wesley Nurse office in Kenedy.
Weiss teaches Sunday school, serves as a greeter and usher, and is active in the Walk to Emmaus spiritual renewal movement.
In the community Weiss reads to children at the Karnes City elementary school every Monday, serves on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and is active in Rotary International activities that benefit teens.
Receiving discipleship certificates, listed by congregation, were:
n First UMC, Beeville—Troy and Scotty Draper, Andrea and Dave Gibbud, Mike Marshall, Thelma Smith.
n First UMC, Cuero—Mary Frances Cook, Jayne K. Cooper, Waymon and Marianne Martin.
> Dewville UMC—Joanne Demp-sey.
> Fashing UMC—Debbie Chap-man, Sally Gatlin.
> First UMC, George West—Ross Harris, Larry and Shirley Holm, Cathy White.
> First UMC, Goliad—Susan Hammer.
> Karnes County UMC—Kenneth and Arline Matthews, Lucille Pace.
> First UMC, Mathis—Cindy Diller, Arline Matlock.
> First UMC, Nixon—Paul Card-well.
> Harris Chapel UMC, Nixon—Dorothy Jean Moore, Mary Schelnick.
> Pettus UMC—Pauline Rabe.
> Smiley UMC—Gayle Bell.
> Faith United Church, Woods-boro—John Barefield, Nita Meissner, Alice Speis, Mary Lee Vickery.
> First UMC, Yorktown—Edward Mann.