Cuero laywoman recognized
for always helping neighbors


Brush Country United Methodists recognized a Cuero woman Feb. 14 for always being ready to lend a hand to church members, friends and strangers.
Darlene Welborn, First UMC, Cuero, received the 2007 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the northern “Brush Country” portion of the Corpus Christi District.
Forty-three other individuals took home certificates for distinguished discipleship following the 11th annual Brush Country Awards Celebration. The list included eight youth discipleship awards.
Sharon Metting and Betty Mann, First UMC, Yorktown, were given the District Superintendent’s Award for work with children’s ministry in their community.
Some 250 people from United Methodist congregations between Corpus Christi and San Antonio witnessed the awards presentations at First UMC, Beeville. Theme for the program was “Hearts on Fire for Christ.”
“It’s too much,” Welborn said to the Rev. Barbara J. Ruth, Corpus Christi District superintendent, after accepting the Exemplar Award. Ruth presented the award for Bishop Joel N. Martinez, who couldn’t attend.
Martinez gives the Exemplar Award annually to laypeople selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Welborn—wife of Pastor Ron Welborn of First UMC, Cuero, and mother of the Rev. Teresa Welborn, pastor of Lakehills UMC—was cited for service in both Cuero and at Ingleside UMC.
In Cuero Welborn leads a prayer group, conducts Bible studies, teaches a Sunday school class, sings in the choir and plays hand bells. She provides transportation to worship services and participates in food or clothing drives for needy young people.
“You will find her as a greeter at services, cleaning the oil candles, checking the pew books and seeing that the ‘pew bears’ are in place,” the award nomination said.
During the week Welborn visits nursing home residents, hospital patients and homebound neighbors. She launched “Puppy Love,” a ministry that brings her dog, Bridgett, into nursing homes to provide companionship for residents.
“On Wednesday nights she is playing piano for church services, and on Mondays she will be playing at the nursing home,” the nomination said.
Before moving to Cuero, Welborn was similarly active in the Ingleside congregation.
A certified lay speaker, Welborn helped establish the Corpus Christi District lay speaking training program. She was an instructor for the first advanced lay speaking course offered in the district.
Ruth cited Metting and Mann for working as a team to bring Godly Play, a new form of children’s ministry, to Yorktown. To do that the pair had to persuade the congregation to invest in training for leaders, buy special equipment and dedicate space within the church for this specific ministry.
Metting and Mann also work with the church’s Kids Club, a ministry with youngsters in the community. About 25 children attend the monthly gatherings. Only half are associated with the United Methodist congregation, Ruth said.
Mann received the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the Brush Country.
Award certificates for discipleship in home, church and community went to members of 14 congregations:
> First UMC, Beeville—Kay Bowman, John Griffing, Arnette Jackson.
> First UMC, Cuero—Gerry Smith.
> Dewville UMC—Robert and Betty Hill, Joe Welch.
> Fashing UMC—Jesse and Kris Doreck, Warren and Stacie Woelfel.
> First UMC, George West—Jean Brand, Elaine Hinchcliff, Richard and Faye May, Mysti Taylor,
Rip and Donna Wallace, Don and Sue Windsor.
> First UMC, Goliad—Robin Barnhill, Matt and Erika Bochat.
> Fannin Street UMC, Goliad—Daryl Edwards, Sabrina Littles.
> Karnes City UMC—Margaret Gotthardt.
> First UMC, Nixon—Virginia Wynne.
> Pawnee UMC—Alice Johnson.
> First UMC, Pettus—L.B. Proffitt.
> First UMC, Three Rivers—James Gregory.
> Faith United Church, Woodsboro—Glen Boenig, Sandra Kureska.
> First UMC, Yorktown—Martha Butler, Vance Frosch, Matthew Metting.
Young people from five congregations accepted Young Disciple Award certificates for Christian witness in their homes, schools, churches and communities:
> First UMC, Beeville—Levi Draper.
> Fashing UMC—Trey Bishop, Lauren Gatlin.
> First UMC, Goliad—Matt Podschelne.
> Karnes City UMC—Brady Braun, Buck Braun.
> First UMC, Three Rivers—Sharla Jambers, Wesley Weber.