First UMC, Coppell: Congregation challenged to grow with community
Rev. Jo Biggerstaff, a former First UMC staff member, shared stories of the church's history for the anniversary Sunday children's sermon, including her own family's role in serving the 130 year-old congregation. |
Written: 10/30/2009
BY DR. JOAN G. LABARR
Editor
As First UMC, Coppell, celebrated 130 years of ministry on Sept. 27, the day became a time to celebrate a storied past and accept a big new challenge.
The church has experienced exponential growth during the last 25 years, much of it coming from rapid growth in the community between 1995 and 2004.
Once the heart of a small, rural community, the congregation remains a vital part of a suburb nestled in what is now the heart of the DFW Metroplex.
Looking toward serving an even larger church family, the congregation officially embarked on its “Pathway for the Future” campaign as part of the anniversary celebration. The Capital Campaign is a drive to raise a little over $4 million to build a new multi-purpose ministries building across the street from the current facility.
The church’s slogan is good news of Christ’s love for Walter Vernon, Jr., was pastor “Gathering for Worship, Growing in Grace, Going to Serve,” and the campaign builds on the energy of this directive to “Gather, Grow, Go.”
The many people who reminisced during the anniversary worship service made it clear how far the church has come since its humble beginnings 130 years ago.
Former pastor, Rev. John Rosenburg, now superintendent of the Wichita Falls District, shared his message of memories and support via video. He remembered other defining moments, including the building of the present 1,000-seat sanctuary, saying: “…pray, study the needs, let your gifts flow from your heart, and define the moment.”
Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, who had another commitment that morning, also brought greetings and congratulations to the congregation through a DVD. “Let me encourage you to continue in the faith and continue to reach out to others, sharing the good news of Christ’s love for all people,” he said.
As the service progressed, there was much sharing of good news of how the Coppell church has shared the Good News. Among others offering memories were associate pastor Rev. Ashleigh Joyner, who grew up in the church during the 1980s, and former staff me
 enlarge>> Rev. Dennis Wilkinson, right, introduces honorary chairs for the 130th anniversary Sunday celebration. |
The first Methodists who settled in what was to become the town of Coppell worshipped in an open brush arbor. In September of that year, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Stringfellow donated land that became the church’s first permanent worship site. The name of the church was Grapevine Springs Chapel, and the building also served as a place of worship for the Baptist congregation and the community school.
On Nov. 11, 1936, right in the middle of the Great Depression, church leaders realized they needed a new building to continue to grow. It would cost $700, a big challenge for the small group of Methodists. Nevertheless, they moved forward, and in 1939, a new building stood at the corner of Bethel and Coppell Roads, not far from the present location.
First UMC, Coppell, pastor Rev. Dennis Wilkinson reminded the congregation of this risk taking heritage as his sermon pointed to the passionate and sharing group of people committed to using their resources to make their community better.
“When the leaders said we need a new building, they did it, spending $700 at a time when the average wage was $1 a day,” Rev. Wilkinson said.
He also remembered the willingness to risk demonstrated when the present facilities were built 25 years ago. “It is not just the building, really. It is about the sacred stories lived out in this place, this community of faith,” he observed.
Using imagery from Hebrews 12:1-2, Rev. Wilkinson asked the congregation to consider what the great cloud of witnesses has done in the past and that they consider what they are to do in the future. “What kind of cloud of witnesses will we be for those who follow us?” he asked.
Rev. Wilkinson named numerous ways that members of the church continue to go out to serve a hurting world, including an 18-year record of serving breakfast at Austin Street Shelter in Dallas. After the long list of service and mission, he remarked, “This church has as its DNA a serving heart.”
He called the congregation to be in prayer, and as the campaign unfolds to know that the idea is equal sacrifice and the reality that all can do something. Rev. Wilkinson noted that even in challenging economic times, people are called to step out in faith, as did the church’s founders, stretching and giving as each is able.
Also participating in the service were Dallas-Denton superintendent Dr. Larry George and Revs. Susan Bryan and Jennifer Scott of the First UMC staff.
At the close of the service, Rev. Wilkinson introduced members of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by Scott and Susan Wilson. Honorary chairs are longtime members: Ray and Naomi McDowell, Bill McGinnis, Richard and Shirley Mickle, Lane and Carla Paschal and David and Wendy Rich.
A model of the proposed new construction stood in the narthex for people to get a better vision of the plan that will include:
- Youth Space, including gathering areas, flexible classroom space, rooms for youth Sunday School and office space for Youth staff.
- Common Areas, including a kitchen to serve the youth space and special auditorium events, bathrooms with shower facilities and a covered drop off area.
- Auditorium Area, including a contemporary worship space with room for growth, locations for speakers and other gathering events, locations for special services and concerts, an elevated stage and space for musical productions.
- Larger classrooms for Adult Sunday School, including renovations in the current building, a covered drop off area, elevator access to the second floor of Smartt hall, canopy entrance into Wesley hall, new office space for the Stringfellow School and enlarged children’s classrooms.
Architects for the project are TGS Architects of Dallas.
First UMC, Coppell, is located at 420 Heartz Road. For more information, please log on to www.fumccoppell.org.
Families enjoyed games, music, and a picnic lunch after the anniversary service.