Yorktown woman honored
for selfless Christian service

Brush Country United Methodists honored a Yorktown woman for being a selfless example of tireless Christian discipleship in her community and church.
Betty Mann, First UMC, Yorktown, received the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the northern “Brush Country” portion of the Corpus Christi District.
Forty-eight other individuals and one group took home certificates for distinguished discipleship following the 10th annual Brush Country celebration. The list included eight youth discipleship honors.
William D. Lott, Malalieu UMC, received a special award from District Superintendent Barbara J. Ruth.
More than 300 people from United Methodist congregations between Corpus Christi and San Antonio witnessed the awards presentations at First UMC, Beeville.
“I have never been more honored,” Mann said after accepting the Exemplar Award. “I’m amazed. I expected my daughter-in-love to win this award because all the family is here. I don’t know any other way to live but to try to live for God.”
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.”
The Rev. Harold M. Onwiler, pastor of the 88-member Yorktown congregation, described Mann as a selfless disciple, unceasing in optimism and enthusiasm, and always more interested in the needs of others than of herself.
“Even when she is physically exhausted, her spirit drives her to serve wherever she sees a need,” Onwiler said in his nomination.
Within the community, Onwiler said, Mann has virtually adopted a single mother and her four children, helping them with clothing, school supplies and food. Mann also tutors at-risk youngsters.
Mann has mobilized the Yorktown congregation to be involved with children, Onwiler said. She teaches a growing Sunday school class, leads music for the Bible school and runs a Sunday afternoon ministry called “Kid’s Club.” Participation has grown from six to 19 youngsters in four months.
Mann runs ads in the local newspaper at her own expense to invite community children to church events, Onwiler said. She goes door-to-door in Yorktown distributing fliers promoting church activities for young people. She and her husband are on call to provide transportation for any child wanting to come to church.
Mann wrote the script for the 2005 Christmas program, which involved more than 60 children and many adults, Onwiler said. She coaches children on singing before the congregation during worship and is building interest in a children’s choir.
Mann is now education coordinator, worship song leader and backup pianist for the church. She was a longtime member of the board of trustees.
Mann and her husband visit shut-ins and families in grief and prospective members, Onwiler said. Based on her work with children, she has helped bring two new families into the congregation over the past few months.
Mann is active in United Methodist Women and is a lay speaker.
“Perhaps most significant of all,” Onwiler said, “Betty is a person of prayer. She consistently lifts up the needs and concerns of our church. I believe that it is people of prayer, such as her, who have helped this congregation to turn ‘treading water’ into ‘marching toward a vision of the future.’”
Lott was recognized for his dedicated service to the Malalieu church and its members over 40 years. He continues to care for the church property even though regular worship there has been suspended.
Members of 17 congregations received discipleship award certificates:
> First UMC, Beeville—James Brooke, Sarah Carter, Lou Adele May.
> Jones Chapel UMC, Beeville—Lawrence D. Beasley.
> First UMC, Cuero—Tommy and Margie Frazier, Charla Jones, Shirley Simpson.
> Dewville UMC—Chrissy Ed-wards, Tammy Markley.
> Fashing UMC—Luke and Cindy Gatlin, Bonnie Novak Schendel.
> First UMC, George West—Joy Lewis, Jamie and Glenda Locke, Guy and Jeri Matthews.
> First UMC, Goliad—Larry and Linda Austin, Shannon Sawyer.
> Fannin Street UMC, Goliad—Gladys Edwards, Walter Fair, Arlene Taylor.
> Karnes County UMC, Karnes City—Melanie Johnson, David and Sharon Purser.
> First UMC, Nixon—Dorothy Cardwell.
> Harris Chapel UMC, Nixon—Peggy Jacobe, Phyllis Harrison.
> Pawnee UMC—Quinton and Elvinia Gustafson, Kenneth and Mildred Norton.
> First UMC, Pettus—L.B. Proffitt.
> Smiley UMC—Susan Bell.
> First UMC, Three Rivers—Lee Ann Barker, Joe Crawford.
> Faith United Church, Woods-boro—Marion Conn, Mandy Nixon.
> First UMC, Yorktown—Ruby Warren.
Seven teens and one group were given special youth awards for Christian witness in their homes, churches, schools and communities.
> First UMC, Beeville—Brian Lamb.
> First UMC, Cuero—Bradley Drehr.
> Fashing UMC—Jodi Hierholzer, Joi Hierholzer, Tiffany Schednel.
> First UMC, Goliad—Angela Ingram.
> Karnes County UMC, Karnes City—Rhett Johnson.
> First UMC, Three Rivers—High School Sunday School Class.