Falfurrias, Pharr laywomen receive Exemplar Awards

McAllen District United Methodists honored two laywomen last month for exemplary discipleship.
In addition, Superintendent Kim Cape cited three church members for special service to the district “above and beyond the call of duty.”
Irene Poole, First UMC, Falfurrias, received the 2005 Bishop’s Exemplar Award Feb. 26 for the northern portion of the McAllen District.
Elva Michal, Pharr UMC, was given the Exemplar Award Feb. 27 for the southern portion of the district.
Van Eash, El Mesias UMC, Laredo, took home the 2005 District Superin-tendent’s Award for Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty in “McNorth.”
Don Lantz, Wesley UMC, Harlingen, and Cathy Radde, First UMC, McAllen, were given the district superintendent’s award in “McSouth.”
The Rev. Janet Fluth, pastor of Trinity UMC, McAllen, learned Feb. 27 that she had won the district’s first stewardship sermon preach off.
Fifty other church members and three groups representing 32 McAllen District congregations were recognized during the two events as laypeople of the year. Each received a certificate of appreciation and a United Methodist cross-and-flame pin.
About 100 people from 11 congregations attended the “McNorth” gathering Feb. 26 at First UMC, Kingsville. Another 280 people from 23 congregations came to the “McSouth” event Feb. 27 at First UMC, Harlingen.
Bishop Joel N. 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.”
“No one person can do all these things all by herself,” Poole, 94, said after accepting the honor. “She has to have help.”
Michal said she was “honored and privileged” to be recognized.
“It’s not one person, one group or one church that can do God’s work and share the love of Christ,” she said. “It takes a team. It’s their hard work that’s happened.”
Poole was honored for 75 years of service to her 70-member congregation. She has taught two generations of Sunday school students, been an active member of United Methodist Women since the Falfurrias unit was chartered and helped raise money for a new church building.
As church historian, Poole has compiled detailed records of congregational happenings. When First UMC celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004, she wrote an 85-page history.
Since the church doesn’t have a janitor, Poole devotes time each week to dusting furniture, pictures, doors and baseboards. She decorates the church for special dinners and helps prepare the meals.
In the fall Poole is in charge of an annual bazaar to raise money for apportionments. During Advent she is responsible for the Chrismon Tree.
Michal and her husband, Keith, spearheaded formation of Pharr Community Outreach, A Community of Shalom at Pharr UMC in 1999. The outreach ministry works to alleviate causes of poverty that limit the potential of families in the Rio Grande Valley. The community of Shalom brings together many other organizations and churches in that effort.
Michal has spent countless hours over the past six years developing plans for the outreach ministry, raising money and traveling nationwide to establish partnerships with other churches.
A retired music and special education teacher, Michal volunteers as pianist at Pharr UMC, participates in Bible studies and is active in other ministries. She also served as a mission volunteer in Mexico for three years.
Laypeople of the year honorees from other congregations were:
> First UMC, Alice—Susan Bridge, Dee Dee Sission.
> First UMC, Brownsville—Jim Gilmore, Neal Simmons.
> Bruni UMC—Howard Herscher.
> First UMC, Donna—Ene Edwards, Kent Edwards.
> First UMC, Edinburg—Howard Kildahl, Ed Wilke.
> First UMC, Falfurrias—Suzanne Stanfield.
> First UMC, Harlingen—Barbara Benish, Sam Martinez, Mary Todd, Beth Wise.
> Wesley UMC, Harlingen—Arlene Anderson, Francis Anderson, Mickey Graham.
> First UMC, Hebbronville—Robin Bristow.
> Christ UMC, Kingsville—Vicki Boyce.
> First UMC, Kingsville—Peggy Westbrook.
> First UMC, La Feria—Karl and Judy Cole.
> El Mesias UMC, Laredo—Manuel Gonzalez.
> First UMC, Laredo—Gerald W. Sparenberg.
> Los Fresnos UMC—Lisa Sales, Wade Sales, Betty Testerman, Wayne Testerman.
> First UMC, Lyford—Arlette Cole, Anna Belle Jones, Delmer Jones.
> First UMC, McAllen—Dodie Wooldridge, Leigh Wooldridge, Luke Wooldridge.
> St. Mark UMC, McAllen—Michael Hetrick, Martha Pena.
> Trinity UMC, McAllen—Debi Miller, Ruth Jacobsen.
> First UMC, Mercedes—Sylvia Ramirez.
> First UMC, Mission—Harriett Timmons, Jim Timmons.
> Pharr UMC—Miguel Ahumada.
> First UMC, Port Isabel—Bob Gillespie, Karen Gillespie.
> First UMC, Premont—Mildred Visel, Richard Willis.
> First UMC, Raymondville—Katherine Hanshaw.
> St. John UMC, Rio Grande City—Administrative Council.
> Riviera UMC—Partners in Ministry team.
> First UMC, San Benito—Denny Jewell, Linda Jewell.
> Santa Rosa UMC—Bill Friend.
> San Juan UMC—Vera Astling, Glenn Hawes, Joyce Hawes.
> First UMC, Weslaco—Corrine Airheart, Jeanniene Hunter.
> Zapata UMC—Administrative Council.