Pharr UMC celebrates years of faithfulness

Evan Christopher Thompson, son of Christopher and Irene Thompson, was baptized at Pharr UMC March 19. Why is an otherwise ordinary baptism newsworthy, you might ask?
Evan has the distinction of being the fourth generation in his family to be a member of that congregation. Evan’s father, Chris, was confirmed there April 10, 1977. His grandmother Jean Evans Miller (Chris’s mother) was confirmed April 5, 1953, in the same Pharr church. Evan’s great-grandmother Dorothy Evans (Jean’s mother) joined the Pharr UMC Feb. 8, 1949.
Jean no longer lives in the area, but father Chris and great-grandmother Dorothy are still active members of the congregation. Dorothy serves on the church council, is a Sunday greeter and a faithful Sunday school attendee. Over the years, she has served on just about every committee in every capacity.
Evan’s great-aunt, Ann Stewart, is also a very active member of the congregation, has been lay leader for several years and serves in numerous other areas.
New life and baptisms are always reason for celebration, but on Heritage Sunday, April 24, another celebration will take place. Fourteen people who have been faithful to Pharr UMC for more than 50 years will be honored during worship and at a dinner afterward. Of those 50, four members have been active for more than 60 years and four more than 55 years. That, too, is cause for great celebration as we recognize their wonderful contributions to the life of the church.