Aransas Pass woman, 2 Sea City volunteers honored

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
A rainy evening couldn’t deter more than 400 United Methodists from honoring a community activist and two youth supporters Sept. 9 in Corpus Christi.
Mabel Gilliland, First UMC, Aransas Pass, received the 2006 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the southern portion of the Corpus Christi District.
Dan Morrow, First UMC, Portland, and Kathy Rios, Grace UMC, Corpus Christi, received the District Superintendent’s Award for their leadership roles in Sea City Work Camp and other youth activities.
Sixty-nine adults, seven youths and four groups were presented certificates for distinguished discipleship during the annual celebration for congregations in the southern portion of the district. The event was at First UMC, Corpus Christi. Attendees hailed from at least 22 Southwest Texas congregations.
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.” The Rev. Barbara J. Ruth, Corpus Christi District superintendent, presented the award because Martinez was unable to attend the ceremony.
Gilliland, who serves on the Board of Lay Speaking Ministries and teaches basic and several advanced courses, was recognized for her work with Sea City Work Camp, United Methodist Women, area churches and her community involvement.
She helps her church office with financial matters and computer technology. She’s served several terms as president of UM Women in Aransas Pass. She preaches at area churches in the absence of their pastors.
In addition, Gilliland substitute teaches at the local elementary school, writes a weekly column for the local newspaper and has served as a chair of a campaign to provide school supplies to students in Aransas Pass.
Gilliland makes agape items for participants in Walks to Emmaus. A few years ago, she crocheted more than 100 crosses for a men’s walk while recuperating from surgery to remove a diseased lung.
“Tonight we honor a woman who is an excellent example of discipleship, an example we can all follow,” Ruth said.
Gilliland has “exemplified the meaning of discipleship in numerous ways” and is “a dynamic woman who indeed is a blessing to her church and to the Coastal Bend community,” Ruth said.
The District Superintendent Award, given annually since 2003, recognizes “outstanding examples of Christian servanthood to church, district, annual conference and community.”
Rios and Morrow were selected, Ruth said, because of their dedication to youth ministry. Both work year-round planning and organizing the Sea City Work Camp, a housing rehabilitation project that involves high school volunteers.
“A lot of churches say they are committed to youth ministry,” Ruth said. “But not every church that says it is committed lives out that commitment. A lot of folks have a passion for youth ministry that is not usually sustained over the long term.
“But these two people have shown their commitment to youth and mission work that has been sustained over the long term.”
Rios, a director of youth ministries at Grace UMC, said she’s been part of the Sea City Work Camp board of directors since the ministry began in 1993. She’s been the board president and a director for a week of camp for the last five years.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged for all the years of hard work,” Rios said. “It means a lot.”
Morrow has worked with young people for more than 15 years—first at Wesley UMC, Corpus Christi, and now in Portland. He’s been part of the volunteer staff or the Sea City board since 1993. For the past five years, he’s been director for a week of camp.
Recipients of distinguished discipleship certificates by congregation were:
> First UMC, Aransas Pass—Barbara Bonorden.
> First UMC, Bishop—Carolyn Scheible, James and Judy Timmerman.
> Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi— Jeff and Rachel Beavers, Jan Dudley, Emily Gill, Lisa Hensley, Warren and Kim Perkins, the newsletter team, David and Andrea Wickwar.
> First UMC, Corpus Christi—Paul Earls, Walter Furley, Marjorie Goodenough, Jason and Tiffany Henry, Beverly Leach, Nancy Mendel, Maurice Moren.
> Grace UMC, Corpus Christi— Raedeane Gupton, Emily Moore, Pairs & Spares Class.
> Island in the Son UMC, Corpus Christi—Lowell and Betty Thomas.
> Oak Park UMC, Corpus Christi— Betty Martens, Ken and Mariza Smith.
> St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Eddie DeLaGarza, Ellis Keitt Family, Charlene Hardy, Raychel Laya, Gary Mendel, John and Joyce Zimmerman.
> St. Luke’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Fay Holmes, Ruth Nelson.
> St. Paul UMC, Corpus Christi—Ethelene Madison. Vivian Tanksley, United Methodist Women.
> South Bluff UMC, Corpus Christi—Conrad Garcia, Carmen Morales, Doug Nicholas, Lucy Zamora.
> Wesley UMC, Corpus Christi—Juanita Carter, Tom Davis.
> First UMC, Odem—Lenell Chandler, Marvin and Cecile Pope, Bobby Roach.
> First UMC, Portland—Jimmy Atkins, Courtenay Dugat, Dee Ezell, Mary Servantez.
> First UMC, Refugio—John and Minnie Lu Sutton.
> First UMC, Robstown—Jeanette Archer, Alton and Carolyn Hutch-inson, Ralph and Ann Wilson.
> First UMC, Rockport—Rob and Jeanie Coe, John Gay, Steve Miller, Graham Painter, Sue Reeves.
> First UMC, Sinton—Donna Rosson, George Ann Sherman.
> First UMC, Taft—Jack and Lu-cille Callins.
> Ingleside UMC—Gayle Goble.
> Skidmore UMC—Mickey Sikes.
Recipients of the Young Disciple award by congregation were:
> First UMC, Corpus Christi—Jeffrey Reed.
> First UMC, Portland—James Doty.
> First UMC, Refugio—Lindsay Cobb.
> First UMC, Rockport—Erik Elliot.
> St. Luke’s UMC, Corpus Christi—Nicole Bailey.
> South Bluff UMC, Corpus Christi—Ruth Castorena, Ruth Morales.