Laredo woman, Mission
couple get Exemplar Awards

McAllen District United Methodists recognized a Laredo woman and a Mission couple, Feb 17 and 18, for years of dedicated service to their churches and communities.
In addition, Superintendent Kim Cape honored a woman from Kings-ville and another from Harlingen for service to the district “above and beyond the call of duty.”
Viola Hortense Offerle, First UMC, Laredo, received the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the northern portion of the McAllen District Feb. 18 in Laredo.
Lowell and Marla Luce, First UMC, Mission, were given the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the southern part of the district Feb. 19 in McAllen.
Millie Goode, First UMC, Kings-ville, took home the 2006 District Superintendent’s Award for Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Feb. 18 in “McNorth.”
Mary Catherine Edwards, Wesley UMC, Harlingen, was presented the district superintendent’s award Feb. 19 in “McSouth.”
Fifty-three other individuals and one group, representing 32 of the district’s 35 congregations, were recognized at the two events as laypeople of the year. They received a certificate of appreciation and a United Methodist cross-and-flame pin.
About 150 people attended the “McNorth” gathering Feb. 18 at First UMC, Laredo. Another 250 went to the “McSouth” event Feb. 19 at First UMC, McAllen.
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.”
“It’s never one person,” Offerle said after receiving the McNorth award. “It’s all the people who do the work.”
Lowell Luce told the McSouth celebration, “There are many, many more, more deserving than we are.”
Offerle was cited as a strong, quiet presence in the 182-member Laredo congregation who gets things done behind the scenes. She has belonged to the congregation all her life and served on every committee. She has chaired every group except United Methodist Men. Nevertheless, she attends every monthly United Methodist Men’s breakfast.
A graduate of the Julliard School of Music in New York City, Offerle directed the church choir for many years. She also supervised music education for the Laredo Independent School District.
Offerle organizes the Flower and Art Show each spring at First UMC. It brings people from across Laredo to the church to celebrate God’s presence through nature and art.
Offerle has raised thousands of dollars for mission work through an annual rummage sale. Proceeds support ministries in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and help First UMC repeat each year as a 5-Star Church.
Offerle personally supports two Nuevo Laredo orphanages. She makes sure they receive a steady supply of food, that the milk bill gets paid and that children living there receive Christmas and birthday presents.
The Luces have served the 493-member Mission congregation for 23 years. Together they have taught Sunday school classes and spiritual development studies. They are members of the contemporary worship team. She sings. He plays drums.
In addition, Marla has served on the administrative board and council on ministries. She’s been lay leader and sung in the choir.
Lowell, a lay speaker, has chaired the administrative board, pastor-parish relations committee, board of trustees and stewardship ministry area. He oversaw renovation of the church chapel and did much of the work himself.
The Luces serve the McAllen District as well. She is on the nominating committee. He is part of the board of church location and building.
The couple helped organize the 2005 Camp Thicket Roundup, which raised thousands of dollars for the district retreat facility near Weslaco.
The Luces are active in the Walk to Emmaus spiritual renewal movement. Both have been walk lay directors. Marla serves on the Valley Emmaus Community board of directors.

Goode was recognized for bringing consistent, steady behind-the-scene leadership to her Kingsville congregation.
Edwards was cited for contributions to the district council on ministries.
Laypeople of the year from district congregations were:
> First UMC, Alice—Kati Downes.
> First UMC, Brownsville—Lecia Chaney, William Turbeville.
> Bruni UMC—David Jones.
> First UMC, Donna—Bob and Donna Brown, Eloise Love.
> First UMC, Edinburg—Ana Verley.
> First UMC, Falfurrias—Betty Long.
> First UMC, Freer—Oris Hard-castle (posthumous).
> First UMC, Harlingen—Charlie Davis, Emma Forrest.
> Wesley UMC, Harlingen—Art Gee.
> First UMC, Hebbronville—Marian Holbein, Angie Martinez.
> Christ UMC, Kingsville—Carl Korges.
> First UMC, Kingsville—Jim Patten.
> First UMC, La Feria—Lloyd Betts, Elise Horkman.
> El Mesias UMC, Laredo—Carlos Martinez.
> First UMC, Laredo—Doris Sparenburg.
> Los Fresnos UMC—Lytle and Janet Kistler, Rosemary Wagner.
> First UMC, Lyford—Jim and Margaret Lucas, Jim Mungerson.
> First UMC, McAllen—Roger and Debbra Stolley.
> St. Mark UMC, McAllen—Jim and Lee Bourg, John Trimble.
> Trinity UMC, McAllen—Bubba Dean, Bill Nicol.
> First UMC, Mercedes—Karen Seiver.
> First UMC, Mission—JoAnn Gibson.
> First UMC, Pharr—Howard Glover.
> First UMC, Port Isabel—David Helms, Sadie Palmer.
> First UMC, Premont—Tommy Teague.
> First UMC, Raymondville—Bren-da Kirman, Gene “Scooter” McGee.
> St. John UMC, Rio Grande City—Jeannie Anderson, Linda Chapa, Jenny Liljegren, Margarita Garza.
> Riviera UMC—Congregation.
n First UMC, San Benito—Dalton Hobbs.
> San Juan UMC—Donna Clark, Jaci Willhite.
> First UMC, Weslaco—Rod and Pam Schwartz, Sandi Sparrow.
> Zapata UMC—Violet Denham.