1871 | Volume 1 Issue 4 by 1871

contents

Click a story to be taken directly to its article

Fall Community Calendar

White's Chapel Christmas Calendar

Mission Trips

More Than Just Seasonal Gratitude

Marriage: A Journey of Seasons and Seasons

Social Principles

Feminism & the Church

Powerful Words from a Friend

A Lifetime at White's Chapel

@1871MAG

EKELLER@WHITESCHAPELUMC.COM

Note from the Editor Hey y’all!

I can’t believe it is already fall again! As an avid coffee drinker, I believe this season was made for me: pumpkin everything, cozy blankets, chilly football days and those homecooked meals and memories that can always bring you warmth on a frosty day. There is nothing better than a day cozied up on the couch with a good read – and a steaming cup of coffee!

With that in mind, I hope you can enjoy a day of rest and warmth, while curled up with our newest edition of 1871. In this issue, you will find a celebration of what we’ve been up to, different perspectives on some topics you might find popping up around you, and things that will hopefully encourage and challenge you this season.

As 1871 continues to mature, we want to again ask the readers (that means you, friend!) what they enjoy most, or maybe what they think might be missing. I want to encourage you to reach out and let us know what you think about this digital magazine! The reminder that we are simply creating another avenue for you to hear how God is at work motivates this team to continue to put in the hard work.

But we also know we don’t have the ability to find out every single thing God is doing in each of your lives, and those you love – so we need your help! If you feel like you have a story you’d love to have featured, there will be an opportunity at the end of this edition for you to directly email me. (And don’t feel like you have to have the whole story worked out for us – we love doing the interviewing, pictures, etc.!)

We are praying for you and your loved ones as you adventure through this newest edition of 1871 – that God would stir up courage, boldness, love and encouragement through the stories He has blessed us to tell this fall.

Hope you enjoy it and happy fall, y’all!

Emily Keller 1871 Editor

fall

Community Calendar

(Click on an event below to be taken to their website)

September

29 National Coffee Day

October 5

Southlake Oktoberfest (Oct. 5-7)

November 2

Lone Star Christmas & ICE! at the Gaylord Texan

BBQ Keller Cook-off and Music Festival

(Nov. 2-3)

(Nov. 9 - Jan. 1)

11 Grapevine Veterans Day Parade (10 a.m.) 16 Extreme Ornament Making Blowout at Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery (Nov. 16- Dec. 29)

19 Carol of Lights at Grapevine City Hall (Activities start at 3 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m.)

23 Christmas on Main in Historic Downtown Grapevine (Nov. 23 - Dec. 23)

Mission Trips WC Students had the opportunity to take multiple trips this summer that helped encourage and foster relationships, celebrate the Lord, as well as take the chance to serve many different communities. These trips are offered every summer and are an amazing way to get your children in seventh through 12th grade involved in the exciting, life-changing student program at WC!

7th Grade Mystery Trip This trip has a heart to introduce students to the ministry. Staff and volunteers are excited to create new relationships and encourage blossoming relationships amongst the students. This on-ramp to the student ministry is a great way for your seventh grade student to find his or her home! This year in June, 168 students and adults took on the mystery of the metroplex through the Adventure Camp, team building activities, and a lot of fun moments that sparked new friendships.

Middle School Mission Trip

Our mission trip dedicated to seventh and eighth graders is a special opportunity to nurture a servant heart at a young age! We had 134 students and adults head to Tulsa, OK from June 18 to 22, to serve at the Dream Center. The participants distributed food and clothes, painted a school and a house, and brought VBS to an apartment complex. Each year, middle school students have the chance to experience serving in a new way!

High School Mission Trip Our Student program felt the call to respond to the destruction Hurricane Harvey left in Houston last year. So, 405 students and adults took a week in July to paint houses, distribute hygiene kits and food to communities, and restore wherever it was needed. Every summer, high school students can join together and serve a community where they leave an impact!

By Cassidy Williams

all is arguably one of the best times of year. It not only brings holidays, gatherings and delicious meals, but it also brings cooler weather and, with it, a crisp autumn scent. While it can be easy to eagerly await the physical changes of fall, it can sometimes be a lot harder to tune into the emotional or spiritual aspects of the season. This is one of the most popular times of years to ‘count your blessings.’ People tend to grow a little more introspective as society eases its way into the holiday season. It’s the calm before the storm - before fall activities, festivals, and Thanksgiving gatherings, and ultimately, before the busyness of the Christmas season. Now is the time to consider the meaning behind the celebrations that fall brings. Now is the time to ask the question, “What am I thankful for?” because once everything picks up, odds are, most people will forget to stop and ask this question. “What is the meaning of this season?”

Autumn can often represent change, almost in reference to the gradual change of color in the leaves, plants and trees. It can also bring a feeling of comfort, experienced in things like the different fall aromas, the dropping temperatures and cozier environments. Most of all, the season has a feeling of preservation and balance. For some people, change can feel crippling both in fear and in overall physical exhaustion. Balance can be hard to achieve. So, how can people approach the new season with a new attitude and refreshed mindset when they already feel depleted?

According to a 2017 TIME article, “Many studies have found there are benefits of gratitude — both mental and physical — and all it takes to enjoy them is a little bit of introspection.”

In a world of so much competition and discontentment, the word “more” is almost a life-long achievement. Being thankful and gracious goes so much deeper than just the fall season. Gratitude is often the last thing on people’s mind as they try to strive for more, in their job and in their status. It’s not just something that some individuals deal with. Living in America, one of the wealthiest countries, people often strive for success and perfection to keep up with everyone else. There are certain expectations society has for people of a certain age, or at certain stage of life. It can be exhausting to try to constantly live up to the world’s standards of success. But what if we took a moment to be content where we are? What if we took a minute to consider success in God’s eyes? What if we took a moment to consider all that we have - all the things God has provided for us? Thankfulness can be more than a seasonal experience; it can be a way of life, if individuals choose it to be.

“I fear that so much of our discontentment comes from our own unmet expectations,” Dr. Todd Renner said in one of his sermons within the “Margin” series. “It comes from the fact that we have expected from this world - we have expected from people - only that which, really, only God can give.” God has given us all so much… even on our worst day, He has given us the opportunity to live forever in unity and love with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has given us countless relationships, tools and blessings. He has given us the breath in our lungs now to continue to praise His holy name. We can be thankful for so many things but this, especially. So, next time you’re feeling worthless, remember how much you’re worth in His eyes. Next time you struggle to remember something to be thankful for, think of His never-ending, redeeming love.

“What if today we were thankful for everything?” -Charlie Brown 9

Even though we may know just how good God is, sometimes it can be hard to change one’s outlook on certain struggles, heartaches or misfortunes. God understands that. There is a time for every season - just as it says in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.”

Daily gratitude reflections

8 Things you’re thankful for 6 Things you’re looking forward to 5 Times you smiled today 3 People you're thankful for 2 Long-term goals

It goes on to list out all the ‘times’ in life. Then, it goes on to explain why we still need to keep God’s goodness in mind. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 states, “ He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before Him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.” Dr. Franz Klutschkowski, the Executive Director of WC Counseling Services, reinforces this idea of thankfulness in some of his counseling techniques. “The ideas are expressed in the Scripture and the application of them can be used in counseling,” Klutschkowski said. “I think thankfulness is seen in positive psychology… anxiety, depression and most emotional disturbances are healthy disturbances. It’s good to go through these things, sometimes, because grieving allows people to become sad and then, in their sadness, they might reflect and realize they need to change some things in their life. It moves people forward in a way. It makes a person reevaluate meaning in life.”

Hardships are common throughout everyone’s life but they might look different to different people. Paul is a great biblical example of a person who practiced being thankful while in the midst of a major trial in his life. While in the moment of hardship and pain, it may be difficult for many of us to be mindful and thankful for our situation. Being gracious isn’t just about being numb to life’s uncertainties. It’s about trying to keep focus on God and the plan He has for an individual - not getting caught up in the world’s understanding of success and happiness. Instead, it’s about trying to better understand who God is and what He wants to reveal during those times of uncertainty.

“What you think is related to how you feel,” Klutschkowski continued. “If you change the way you think about what is happening to you, you’re going to change your life.”

So, this season, when asking yourself, “what am I thankful for?” pause. Take a moment to consider the joys, the sorrows, and the stress that you’ve been feeling. Then, take a moment to consider the infinite power, love and wisdom of our Holy Father in Heaven. He celebrates your joys. He feels your pain. Shouldn’t we be looking to God no matter if we’re joyful or disappointed? He’s with us through it all. People can choose to look to God in difficult times. People can also look to God in thanksgiving when experiencing a season of joy. It’s all about perspective and about choosing to focus on God over our circumstances. So, what will you choose to thank Him for? Ultimately, the question isn’t applicable to only this season. It’s an attitude that should outspan the length of a given time of the year; it is an attitude that God wants us to carry with us as we journey through life. Stop, and ask this question: “What am I thankful for?”

Marriage A Journey of Seasons and Seasons

By Emily Keller 11

ove has a way of completely upsetting every plan you have,” shared Rev. Gene Bryson, Pastor of Marriage Ministry, as he looks over at his wife, Stephanie. Sitting with the two of them, you can feel the love they have for each other, for God and for this church. Their relationship is one I believe we can all relate to, learn from and celebrate – and each step a confirmation from God that brought them home to White’s Chapel. Stephanie moved to Shreveport, LA in junior high – where soon Gene would find out about her. They went to separate schools, had mutual friends – with Gene’s best friend at the same school as Stephanie. “Every year, we would sit down with the yearbook and she was always ‘that one’ that stuck out to me. We knew of each other, but we didn’t know each other,” explained Gene. “One night in my junior year, I get a call from Stephanie… and I’m thinking ‘I don’t know a

Stephanie.’” Turns out, she called Gene’s best friend to get his phone number and ask him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Gene with excitement shares, “I knew that night that she was the one – right then. We were walking off the dance floor and she reaches over, grabs my hand – just enough initiative!” The two continue to date through the rest of high school – with college fast approaching. Gene’s parents had both gone to Centenary College of Louisiana: five minutes from home, two best friends attending in the fall, and where Gene was “supposed to go.” But as he shared, love can change all your plans. Stephanie knew she was going to Louisiana Tech, and that’s where he decided to go too! For Stephanie, she grew up in a Lutheran church, but in college, the Wesley Foundation

Gene and Stephanie attending the "Christian Community Experience", a Louisiana conferencewide gathering. Photo taken in June of 1988, two months after they began dating in April.

became a home and community for both her and Gene. “In order to drive through campus, you literally had to go right past the Wesley Foundation! So we embarked on that together and met her future roommate there. Attending church was important to us and having that community of faith to encourage us in our relationship,” said Gene. Dating throughout college (except for the four weeks where Gene says he was not the smartest), Stephanie stayed at Louisiana Tech to receive her master’s degree and Gene went on to law school in New Orleans. They were engaged and married by the end of that first year. “Law school was definitely an early marriage stress, and then we moved back to our hometown of Shreveport after and had to

integrate back into that hometown culture – both sets of parents and expectations, that was challenging too,” shared Stephanie. When they moved back home, it was in the midst of tragedy – Gene’s sister had passed in a car accident. For Gene and Stephanie, and their families, this was a difficult time. “I had no energy, no anything. My parents were kind of foggy, I was foggy, and she [Stephanie] was as strong as she could be – and she was affected by it too, so we experienced that season as a couple.” The Brysons have walked many varying seasons, such as when Gene was in law school and Stephanie worked full time, supporting them through. “I’ve always said that I’m the dreamer and will flitter around, and she’s the boots on the ground. She grounds me – and I

maybe lift her out of the boots on the ground part, so I think we complement each other well.” Stephanie nods and smiles explaining that so many couples often can see differences in each other negatively, but you can strengthen your relationship by seeing those differences as assets, instead of liabilities. “The problem isn’t in the differences – the problem lies in appreciating the differences in one another and gleaning the positive that comes out of that. You can come at differences and say we’re nothing like each other, this isn’t going to work. Or, you can say what an adventure it is to be in a relationship with someone so different from me that I can learn about a whole different world that I couldn’t experience on my own. That’s my experience with Stephanie – and it’s been interesting!” The couple dated for six years, and then were married for six more before having their first child, Connor. “That was around 30, we were both working and establishing our careers – so then we had a season of early parenting learning. That was challenging, too!” laughed Stephanie. They both agree that bringing the first child into the marriage can be a test to many relationships – at first, you adjust to being married and living with another person. But then there is a whole other human you’re giving up time for and trying to coordinate schedules to take care of. While journeying through parenting, career choices and chasing after God, the Brysons’ journey continues to become more beautiful as they choose to step out together in obedience in His call for Gene to go into ministry.

“We were always invested in church, from high school to the Wesley Foundation in college, and starting a Sunday school class in Shreveport, and plugging into other areas of the church. And Stephanie had been at her current job with the Health System of Shreveport for 18 years,” shared Gene. “And I had grown up seeing pastors come and go in the Methodist system from itineracy – and I thought I’d never do that to my family.” Gene’s father had been a judge for many years – retiring after a career over 40 years, so it was practical for Gene to follow that path. But God continued to whisper a call into ministry from high school to the Global Leadership Summit when Gene was 42. For the first semester, Gene telecommuted, did everything online and continued to practice law. Completing 12 hours with Asbury Seminary, Stephanie brought up the realization that there were still 100+ hours to go, and currently he was doing one course a semester. “I decided I can’t do this for 100 more hours, he had no life balance! He’d come home from work, retire up to a room and just type until bed. He would be 80 years old by the time he finished at this rate! So I decided that we just had to take this leap of faith and go all in,” said Stephanie. Stephanie urges Gene to find a seminary school he can attend in person, and his immediate thought is Perkins – but that the admissions deadline has already come and gone. Stephanie continues to push and just has him call! And of course God paves the way for this next

season! Transferring to Perkins would mean a move to another city, Stephanie leaving her job, moving their two kids, and Gene going into a whole new line of work – ministry. They worked as a couple to find and apply to scholarships, and just walking out this new part of their journey with God leading. “This leap into ministry has been a pinnacle and strengthening moment for our relationship. It’s our midlife adventure, you really have to submit and just have to wait and see where God opens doors, and trust. So that took a strong enough marriage, and certainly tested it too,” explained Stephanie. “So there’s a lot of people in life that have to relocate, but it was just the submission of ‘we know we will be in the itinerant system of ministry.’ It’s out of our control, we have to submit. So that’s been one of our biggest challenges to face as a couple.” Both know that God was clearly at the center of this leap into marriage ministry with White’s Chapel. They can feel the confirmation that they are here for a purpose, specifically at this time, and that God will do what He needs to through them in the launch of marriage ministry. “I have this motto for when we started going through all of this, with the uncertainty: ‘I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.’ I just have to almost daily remind myself – I can’t think past today,” said Stephanie. For the both of them, marriage ministry is something they have a heart for – and just love the opportunity to walk through life with all different sorts of relationships. “One of the first things we say is that we

Gene and Stephanie with their two sons: Connor (top right, and Cameron (bottom right).

don’t know everything, we are on this journey together,” explained Gene. “It’s all about not shaming people for where they are – but meeting people where they are, no matter where they are, to bring God into the relationship. Or even to remind people that God is always there in the relationship – that God’s available.”

Social Principles A vision for a just and equitable world

ohn Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, sought to create a space for people to not only be in relationship with God, and with others, but with justice and conviction for certain principles to live by. Wesley shared that not only is practicing our faith a walk of accepting salvation in grace, but also living a full Christian life through life disciplines that both honor God and sanctify us with each step of obedience.

One of the key understandings to Methodism is first the understanding of God’s grace as threefold: prevenient grace, justifying grace and sanctifying grace. These statures of grace empower Methodists to receive grace as a gift, restore relationship with God through repentance, and continue to grow and mature into looking more and more like Jesus each day. Social principles are a way that we can walk out and embody this grace for others to experience and be impacted by. Wesley lived a life that represented social religion and social holiness, and for him, faith always includes a social component: whether it is through community, mission or service. “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 (ESV) According to the UMC website, “the Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation.” While we may face differences in cultural contexts, or in faith application around us, we can hold to our unity in Jesus Christ and allow that simple fact to liberate us to live out the Gospel.

Founder of the Methodist church, John Wesley

The Social Principles are spread over seven sections: the Natural World, the Nurturing Community, the Social Community, the Economic Community, the Political Community, the World Community and our Social Creed. Each of these is connected and should be considered as a whole, rather than part by part. It is recommended by the UMC to look at each social principle “as an expression of a public position that reflects a set of personal convictions.” While reading, you might find a principle you don’t agree with, but the hope is that this will instead be a starting point for discussion and dialogue, rather than division.

Social Principle 1:

The Natural World

his principle reminds us that, “all creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it” (the Book of Discipline, 2012). While each piece of creation and the world around us can oftentimes simply be thought of as convenient or useful, it is key to remember that we are placed on this planet to be stewards of the beauty God formed with His hands.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” Genesis 1:28 (NIV) Within this principle, the church creates opportunities to stand behind policies that encourage protection of water, air, soil, minerals and plants – as well as

approaching energy resources with responsible and careful consumption efforts. The Natural World includes animal life, global climate stewardship, space, science and technology, as well as food safety and justice. Each of these components play a vital role in taking care of the planet God blessed us with – through efforts of conservation, awareness and communication with those of the science and technology communities. As Methodists, it is believed that science and theology are complementary – both created by God – rather than mutually incompatible.

Social Principle 2:

The Nurturing Community

ommunity is a piece of our faith that cannot be replaced, and true growth happens in communities. “We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals,” according to the Book of Discipline.

To successfully foster community in your life and in lives around you, the gospel understanding is that all people, from all walks of life, are important and that must be monument in your heart. With this in mind, we can remember that all were created by and loved by the Father – sparking an environment of sensitivity, truth and above all, love.

Within the second principle, Methodists are encouraged to support and love those walking through family dynamics, relationship status or changes, the unique walk that comes with being a man or a woman, abusive situations, and other painful moments that happen in the journey of life.

“But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Exodus 17:12 (ESV)

In this Scripture, Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill during a battle with Amalek. Whenever Moses would keep his hand up, Israel would prevail – but whenever he lowered it, Amalek would. The act of continuing to keep a hand raised would be tiring for any of us; do we have community around us that fosters the environment of stepping in and holding up the hand for the person growing weary? With the three working together, Moses remained steady. Community provides that rock for us and for others to sit and rest on.

Social Principle 3:

The Social Community

his principle, charging Methodists with the role of protecting and fostering a strong community, is one of the more extensive principles – which pushes us to remember just how many pieces make up our world and what a gracious God we serve that He would trust us to steward, fight for and protect this planet, and make His name known throughout it. In this section, there are four recurrent themes: privileges, rights, human dignity and responsibility. We believe that all people are equal in the eyes of God, so through that, we are called to pursue more opportunities for people’s value to be recognized, maintained and strengthened. Because of our respect for all people, it leads us to chase toward recognition, protection and implementation of policies that will create communities of people claiming and enjoying their universal, indivisible rights. Methodists advocate for all rights such as racial, religious minorities, children, women and men, immigrants, those with disabilities, and more – with the vision being that all would be accepted as equal. Other roles that play an active part in creating a strong, sustainable community are substances that have often been controversial. According to the Book of Discipline, we are encouraged to abstain from alcohol, other drugs and tobacco. “We support educational programming as well as other prevention strategies encouraging abstinence from illegal drug use and, with regard to those who choose to consume alcoholic beverages, judicious use with deliberate and intentional restraint, with Scripture as a guide.” We can often be undisturbed or desensitized to injustices that happen at large in the

society, yet we must understand we are called as Christians, to protect those being served injustice, and fight for the proper policies to change to prevent future hurts.

Social Principle 4:

The Economic Community

his principle simply brings forth the truth that we believe and claim that all economic systems are under the judgment of God no less than the other things created. What does that mean for each person financially and for pouring out into the community economically? First off, this belief recognizes the acceptance and responsibility of governments to implement sound policies that encourage economic fruitfulness. Methodists also believe that both private and public companies are responsible for their costs of doing business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the social costs that come along with that responsibility, such as employment or environmental pollution. Between property, collective bargaining, the balance of work and leisure, consumption, to poverty and more, this principle covers all you need to know to fiscally honor God in your life and in your business and in this economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wise stewardship is needed today to provide for future generations. We call on church leadership throughout the connection to encourage public officials to reduce public indebtedness and to begin the process toward balanced and fair budgets,â&#x20AC;? explained the book on Social Principles 2017-2020. (Social Principles)

Social Principle 5:

The Political Community

hile this principle might make some uncomfortable, or ruffle some feathers, it is important to remind ourselves that our allegiance and belief in God takes precedence over any other while, “we acknowledge the vital function of government as a principal vehicle for the ordering of society” (Social Principles, 20172020). There are certain things that while holding beliefs true to faith, we must hold governments accountable for such as basic freedoms and human rights, and will never tolerate the institution of slavery, the practice of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and overall evils. We also believe that we hold a political responsibility – the strength and vitality of a political system depends upon the citizens’ participation. The Church encourages all to provide influence upon policies and programs where our vote can be heard!

While the UMC knows and supports the separation of church and state, it also recognizes the need for interaction with state. There is an importance for freedom of information, support of education and recognizing both civil obedience and disobedience. But within the realm of disobedience, there should not be disrespect for the law by resorting to violence. As a church, we support and prayer for those in authority doing their best to serve the public, but also prayers for those that suffer because of their stands represented by nonviolent beliefs or acts. Ultimately political disagreements happen, and things we don’t believe in happen, and we must all remember, “we are all dependent on God’s forgiveness” (Social Principles).

Social Principle 6:

The World Community

od’s world is one world.” There is a unity in humanity that God has engrained in our souls – although it might seem like we look around and see everything but unity. As a Church, we are called to chase after a world community that is a harmony of persons who love another. And through this call, and through each issue that looks to divide and threaten the growth of the world community, we must seek the meaning of the Gospel first. While we seek only the call Jesus has for us in this world, we will promote restoration, justice and support positive social change and build peace around us. Even when others don’t see or don’t agree, we must affirm the right and duty each person has, of any nation, to determine their own destiny.

Social Principle 7:

Our Social Creed

e believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We affirm the natural world as Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the role of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.

We believe in the present and final triumph of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons. We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of

POWERFUL

words from a

FRIEND By Cassidy Williams

ords: a simple means o f communication. They can be written or whether we want them to or not. While words cannot really change

We as Christians are supposed to focus on things from above. Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus on ‘pure’ and ‘good’ things.

“Finally, brethren, w hatever is true, w hatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and i f anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” speaks over others? It is a choice to focus on those good and pure things, yes, but it is also a choice to speak. The Lord reminds us that our words have power in Proverbs 18:21. It states, “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Death and life are held in the power of the tongue - those are two major extremes that show that we must be cautious with what we say. It either encourages by giving life or can provide an impact through death. As Christians, we should speak life over all people, especially those that need to experience the love of Christ. We are called to be His hands and His feet; doing whatever we can to bring His people to Him. He knows we are not perfect, but He sees the unguarded truth we hold within our hearts. He knows our motives and our desires. While we may not always hold this principle in the forefront of our minds, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t refocus our mind on things above and work on speaking things that reflect the unconditional love that the Father gives. Most can remember a time where something was said to them that impacted self-confidence, or maybe even their view of themselves or others. Maybe something positive was said, like a compliment or meaningful speech. “You’re beautiful.” “You’re kind.” “I’m glad you’re here.”

SPEAKING TRUTH OUT OF LOVE IS ENCOURAGED

Often more likely, however, it was something negative . “You’re fat.” “No one wants you around.” “Why are you so emotional?” “What are you good for?” If people think really hard, they may even remember a time that they said something that discouraged or hurt someone else. Speaking truth out of love is encouraged, but speaking out of anger is dangerous. It is our daily mission as Christians to submit our tongues to the Lord and speak positive things over both our own lives and the lives of others. Psalm 19:14 reminds us of the relation of the mouth and heart by stating, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” What comes out of our mouths, often, reflects our hearts. If only negativity is being spoken, there is something deeper going on with the heart.

BUT SPEAKING OUT OF ANGER IS DANGEROUS

For some, it might be easier to grasp onto negative words rather than positive ones, but why is that? Is there a science behind the way words make us feel or is it just a matter of what we have conditioned ourselves to believe about words that affect us?

In 1994, a well-known Japanese scientist, Dr. Masaru Emoto, set out to research the influence positive and negative words had on water. He found that multiple forms of positive and negative stimuli affected the structure of water samples. In his experiment, he tested the reaction of water with good words and/or good music. The test showed that while no two samples of water crystals were exactly the same, the crystals created a more beautiful, organized design when exposed to positive influence. The test also showed that, when exposed to negative influences such as bad words or music, the structure of the water crystals appeared dirty and more disfigured. This experiment proved that words can physically impact tangible things, such as water. This should stand out to us as humans even more because we are composed of about 60 percent water. So what if it has a similar affect in us? What if blessing someone created something physically beautiful within them? How much differently would we behave if we could actively see the effect our words had on another person? Negative words can seriously impact someone’s mental well-being, just as positive affirmation can boost one’s sense of self. Speaking life into someone could change their heart, but more likely, it could change your own.

SPEAKING LIFE INTO SOMEONE COULD CHANGE THEIR HEART, BUT MORE LIKELY, IT COULD CHANGE YOUR OWN.

In today’s society, it can be hard to remember to speak positively over others. It can be so easy for someone to spout off negative comments, complain, or gossip to friends about another person. If someone is having a bad day, it can be easier to curse a situation rather than to bless it. If someone is arguing with a friend, it can be easier to gossip about him or her to relieve stress, but what good does any of that do? All of these reactions must have a certain affect on the brain: for both the person thinking or speaking those things, and for the individual that hears them. Everything that is spoken is either working to create something beautiful or working against it.

Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” While the Bible constantly reminds us of our power in Jesus Christ, science has also proved that same power is held in intention. God sees the heart behind our words and He sees the hurt. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a word is just defined “as a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use.” It’s so much more than that. Words can transfer the intentions or desires of one’s own heart. Words can uplift and encourage. Proverbs 16:24 reminds us, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

So how can one use words to mirror the love of the Father? What can someone say to reflect the truth and goodness that the Lord sees within us? Words can be beautiful and complex, just like the structure of the water crystals found in Emoto’s experiments. How will you use its power?

Want to conduct an experiment to see the

TRY IT YOU WILL NEED 3 containers with lids

STEPS

1 4

Cook rice and spread out equally amongst the three containers.

rice

Water

Pour enough water in each container so rice is submerged.

Every day, continue to speak to each container. For the first container, speak loving and encouraging words. For the second container, speak hateful and discouraging words. Ignore the third container.

Words of Affirmation to Remember and Share

I admire your… Thank you for… You’re amazing at… I appreciate when you…

Something to label (such as pen/tape)

3 5

Label containers: (1) Love, (2) Hate, (3) Ignore Compare results of the three containers after one month.

AFFIRMATION: EXPRESSING AFFECT ION THROUGH SPOKEN AFFECT ION, PRAISE, OR APPRECIATION

I am thankful for you I love spending time with you I am proud of you Thank you for supporting me

You can do this! You look beautiful I am blessed to have you in my life 32

A Lifetime at White's Chapel By Debbie McKellar

ome means different things to different people.

For some, home is an area or region. Others cite a specific city, state or country. Many simply think of home as where loved ones are. For Nina Walton, Southlake and the surrounding areas are and always have been home, and for her entire life, White’s Chapel has been her church home. That becomes a big deal when one realizes that Walton was born in 1930, making her a member at White’s Chapel for 88 years. That is by far, a record for membership in most churches, and definitely for White’s Chapel. Walton’s family—her dad and her grandparents—were also raised in the area. Southlake as a city did not incorporate until 1956, but Walton’s family—her dad (Earl Bailey) and her grandfather—were also raised in the area. “Daddy’s family lived here forever. Everybody out here either farmed or had dairies, or

something like that. We raised vegetables, of course, and we always had cows or horses. My mother (Kate Sparger Bailey) was actually born in Bedford, around what is now CheekSparger Road. She was a Sparger. So they were both around this region. I told my sister recently that we know more people in that cemetery (White’s Chapel Cemetery) than we know in real life.” “When I was a little kid, I remember going to Sunday School Class. We only had preaching once a month. Other than that, we would just have Sunday School and sing on the Sundays the preacher wasn’t here. Then later we would have preachers who were going to college and we were a learning church. They would send a preacher out here to practice; to learn how to preach. They would be here for about a year and then they would move on.” Walton recalls that someone in the church would take the preacher home for lunch every Sunday. “It didn’t make any difference who took them home. My mother cooked lunch and we’d take them home with us many a time.”

Nina (right) being interviewed by Debbie McKellar.

Mostly she remembers Sunday School Classes. “I remember that Mrs. Austin was my Sunday School teacher for many years. They called it the Card Class because many of our lessons would be printed on cards with lessons on the back. We had a children’s class and an adult class, so the children’s class had a lot of different aged children.”

they didn’t have a preacher every Sunday. “He was the one who kept things going,” she explained. “He would have a fire going every week when we got there, and kept the Sunday School and the singing organized each week."

She particularly remembers Mr. Cascart, who acted as ‘Superintendent’ at the church when

“I always remember the first time I saw someone sprinkled. I thought ‘What are they

Her experience of baptism in those days is quite different from today.

Nina (far left) attending church in Founder's Chapel - in its original location.

doing?’ We had always been taken to the creek to be baptized!” The creek was called Jellico Creek and was probably located very near what is now the Keller/Southlake border. “All the churches went there for their baptisms,” she said. “I was probably 11 or 12 when I was baptized there.” Walton has seen many pastors come and go through the years. “It seems like the pastor that baptized me was Armstrong, but we would have a different pastor come along every year. After the area started growing in population and the church got a little bigger, the pastors would get to stay a little longer.” She attended school in Keller, though she grew up on land just behind what is now Carroll Senior High School. The district lines were different, she said, and so people on that end of town went to Keller. She was one of 10 children, “number six out of 10,” she explained. Her two older brothers served in

World War II, and most of her siblings moved away from the immediate area. As a young woman she worked in Fort Worth at a factory. It was here one of her co-workers introduced her to a brother. Walton married and she and her husband lived on what is now East Continental Road until the early 1990s when the land was bought by Mobil and developed into Timmaron. At that time she moved to Hurst, where she lives now. She and her husband had two children. The church had what we now think of as Founder’s Chapel. “It wasn’t very big, but I remember when my daughter Carol was 2-3 years old, we built an addition. We called it the South Wing. We would meet up here at night and the men built the church. The women would visit and the kids would play.” “They built a kitchen first and then we still needed more space for Sunday School so they built the North Wing. Back then you built your own stuff anyway and they all had those skills. The men were very proud of their work. Eventually, those spaces connected to a new sanctuary, built in 1988 (now Grace Chapel). I brought

Among U.S.-born adults who have lived in more than one community, nearly four-inten (38%) say the place they consider home

Twenty-six percent say it’s where

isn’t where they’re living now. But there’s a

they were born or raised; 22%

wide range of definitions of “home” among

say it’s where they live now; 18%

Americans who have lived in at least one

say it’s where they have lived

place besides their original hometown.

the longest; 15% say it’s where

(Pew Research Center)

their family comes from; and 4% say it’s where they went to high school.

Tuesday morning Bible study with Dr. John McKellar.

my dad to one of the first services and he looked around and said, ‘Oh, if Mr. Cascart could only see this now.’” Walton says the congregation was so accustomed to pastors coming and going that they were amazed when they got to keep one for multiple years. Rev. Dale Ryder came and stayed for 10 years and the congregation was thrilled to have him stay for so long. Rev. (Robert) Kavenaugh was here twice. “I don’t remember ever having a preacher I didn’t like,” said Walton. Now, with the explosive growth of North Tarrant County, Walton admits there have been many changes in the church. She still comes to the 8:20 service on Sunday, (“that’s the

service most like the way I was brought up….”) then Sunday School, Bible study on Tuesday morning, and likes to participate in activities with the Classic Adult Fellowship. “That’s about all I can do,” she says, smiling.

The Pew survey finds that stayers overwhelmingly

say

they

remain

because of family ties and because their hometowns are good places to raise children. Their life circumstances match those explanations. Most stayers say at least half a dozen members of their extended families live within an hour’s drive; for 40%, more than 10 relatives live nearby. A majority of stayers also cite a feeling of belonging as a major reason for staying put.

Keep an eye out for our next issue!

coming January 18, 2019 Do you have a story or story ideas for 1871? Click below to submit a suggestion!