Tinney Chapel Today

Joy To The World and You Better Watch Out

On this First Sunday of Advent at Tinney Chapel, Pastor Sue Gross took the congregation through a winter wonderland journey, with people and places ranging from Santa Claus, an unidentified modern Rabbi, the Jewish Temple, Richard The Lion-Hearted and, of course, Jesus The Christ!

It was a lively sermon, reminding us that Jesus will one day keep His Promise to return, a point emphasized in one of this day's hymn selections, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Christians have been waiting a long time for that event, which seemed to be just around the corner to those first-century writers of New Testament Scripture. Even Paul and Jesus seem to have been in that camp, although both made it abundantly clear that no one knows the day or the hour. After all, those were turbulent times, including the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 A.D., only a few decades after the Crucifixion.

We are to live in a spirit of watchfulness, concluded Pastor Sue: "Perhaps we should live our lives as if Jesus might return at any time. Watch, but don't be afraid, because the future is in God's Hands, not ours. Do so in a spirit of Hope, not fear, with a view toward perhaps dancing in the streets when it does happen."

The Moore Family, Alicia, Ronny and Blaine, officiated at the lighting of the First Candle of Advent, appropriately named The Candle of Hope!

Amen.

Click on any image to view it in larger format.

Click on any image to view in larger format.

Anti-Racism Native American Style

When Peggy and Larry Larney came to Tinney Chapel tonight it was to present the Native American version of the North Texas Conference Anti-Racism Team’s signature story of institutional racism in the cultural DNA of America.

Institutional racism is defined as racial prejudice coupled with a misuse of power by institutions, which may include the government or even the church.

This is a story that’s difficult to digest unless you have already heard the Anti-Racism Team’s two-day account of America’s systemic racism directed to other minorities, especially African-Americans.

Both stories begin with the premise that America was actually invaded, not “discovered,” by Columbus and the European colonists who followed him. There is one unsettling difference in the Native American account, which is characterized as a campaign of annihilation and genocide, fueled largely by a lust for the land that once belonged to the Native Americans whose concept of ownership was radically different.

Included is an account of some 371 treaties between America and the Native Americans, not one of which has been fully met. In short, this is a story of an entire population that was, over time, deceived, defeated and disenfranchised from its own culture in the name of America’s dream of Manifest Destiny.

In this story, time is not on the side of the Native Americans, who are eventually reduced to a struggle for survival, an abyss from which they only begin to emerge and regain some of their pride and heritage, along with a modicum of dignity, when they manage to piggy-back on the success of other minority protests.

But, Peggy Larney cautions that the fight is far from over, as Native Americans must continue to be vigilant against efforts by the government and others to reduce the benefits that still remain for Native Americans.

The Larneys say that the Native American Fellowship organization is unique in the North Texas Methodist Conference, and urged members not to lose heart in the continuing battle for justice.

The Larneys point to several sources of research, including the book, Giving Our Hearts Away, by Thom White Wolf Fassett, a publication of the United Methodist Women (1-800-305-9857 or http://www.missionresourcecenter.org/wdstore/resources/GivingOurHeartsAway_update.pdf

Peggy Larney is a full blood Choctaw, originally from Oklahoma, but who has lived in Dallas since the 1960s and who worships at Tyler Street UMC in Oak Cliff. Larry Larney is a full blood Seminole, also originally from Oklahoma.

While tonight’s message was not pleasant, it is not an unfamiliar one to members of Native American Fellowship (NAF), which meets every third Thursday in the Family Life Center of Tinney Chapel UMC, 449 County Road 4620, Winnsboro, TX 75494.

Ronny Ellison (903-365-2427) is the founder and President of NAF.

Advent Services at Tinney Chapel UMC for 2009:

Nov. 30 - First Sunday of Advent - Worship Service 11:00am

Dec. 2 - Advent Wednesday Evening Service - "Don't Fear the Wait" - Pastor Sue Gross - 6:00-6:45pm

Dec. 6 - Second Sunday of Advent - Worship Service 11:00am

Dec. 9 - Advent Wednesday Evening Service - "Blazing a Path to Christ" - Pastor Sue Gross - 6:00-6:45pm

Dec. 13 - Second Sunday of Advent - Worship Service 11:00am

Dec. 16 - Advent Wednesday Evening Service - "A New Day is Coming" Lay Speaker Angela Wylie - 6:00-6:45pm

Dec. 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Worship Service 11:00am

Dec. 23 - Advent Wednesday Evening Service - "Perceiving the Presence of God" Lay Speaker Joe Dan Boyd - 6:00-6:45pm

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - "A Promise Fulfilled: A Gift Given" - 6:00-7:00pm

Dec. 27 - Sunday Worship and 4th Sunday Lunch after worship - Worship Service 11:00am

Click on any image to view it in larger format.

Tinney Chapel members Angela Wylie and Joe Dan Boyd read compositions at this event, sponsored by the Art & Espresso eatery in beautiful downtown Winnsboro. Skip Hughes organized the program and was the lead poet on this night.

Click on any image to view in larger format.

Anita Williams invited Joe Dan Boyd, Tinney Chapel UMC Certified Lay Speaker, to bring the Table Grace Prayer for the above event.

Click on any image to view it in larger format.

2009 Charge Conference: “Show and Tell” and “Wonderful Words Of Life”

Pastor Sue Gross opened with prayer and called for the congregation to sing the first verse of Wonderful Words Of Life, before introducing Rev. Dr. Keith Boone, Superintendent of the Paris-Sulphur Springs District, who presided over the Charge Conference.

Gailya Gearner was elected Recording Secretary of the Charge Conference, and Dr. Boone explained the purpose of Holy Conferencing, which he said dates back to 1744, when Rev. John Wesley, considered Methodism’s founder, first presided.

Pastor Sue Gross discussed some of Tinney Chapel’s newest ministries, including a community-wide Christmas Dinner and plans for a Hispanic service for Protestants by Easter.

Georgia Goggans described Tinney Chapel’s attitude toward hospitality by telling how it attracted her family to the church after their arrival to the area in 1994, when they operated a dairy farm. She said they visited seven other churches, but never felt welcome at any until 2006 when they attended, at Ronny Ellison’s invitation, Tinney Chapel’s annual Rural Life Sunday Celebration with their grandchildren.

Despite her positive description of Tinney Chapel hospitality, Georgia wants to see it expanded to include several greeters and additional signs. Another positive report, on Making New Disciples, was presented by Pastor Sue. She says that Tinney Chapel has developed a higher profile in the community over the past year. The Pastor also said that the church’s Wednesday evening Christian Believer Classes contribute mightily to Faith Development, and that one member of that class recently completed the Walk To Emmaus at Lake Sharon.

Mission Outreach is on track this year, as well, reported Pastor Sue, as is Stewardship. She said that 2009 giving has exceeded the pledges made in October, 2008, and the church is in much better financial condition. She also praised recent development, by Alicia Banks Moore, of a Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter account for Tinney Chapel.

David Stanton, Finance Committee Chair, confirmed the church’s excellent financial condition, and attributed much of it to cost-cutting measures over the past year. But, giving has also increased noticeably, he said. Eventually, the Charge Conference approved an amended budget of $76,453.00 for the year 2010.

Lay Leader Ronny Ellison presented a comprehensive Laity Report, which may be viewed in its entirety elsewhere on this Weblog. In other business, Roger Schneider and Gailya Gearner were elected to fill vacancies on the Nominations Committee. Pianist Molly Mathis accompanied the congregation during the singing of three verses of Wonderful Words Of Life, a song selected as appropriate for the theme of this year’s Charge Conference.

Rev. Dr. Boone closed with an outstanding sermon, based on the salvation ministry of Jesus The Christ as portrayed in the Gospel of John.

Click on any image to view it in larger format.

The People Called Methodist
By Ronny Ellison – Lay Leader

The people called Methodist in the community of Tinney Chapel present this report to the 2009 Charge Conference.

Tinney Chapel remains a caring and loving community of faith. We are still recovering from some times in the past; I feel we are making a turn. We have become more stable, with a few returning and a more positive attitude prevailing among the faithful. That is not to say we have reached our goal, some are still not happy and for the most part never will be.

Worship:

Worship is traditional with a blend of contemporary. As in most rural churches a simple style of worship is preferred. All Christian special days are observed and God’s presence is felt in this place.

Native Americans Participated in the month of November with story telling, singing in Cherokee, speakers on Native issues.

We resumed our association with Hynson Chapel CME Church for Black History Month. They came for a joint worship service with Rev. Scott delivering the sermon. After the worship service, we had food and fellowship.
We returned the favor by attending their homecoming with Pastor Sue preaching and again food and fellowship.
The choir performs every Sunday and has presented Christmas and Easter Cantatas at church and the two nursing homes. The choir sang in Cherokee at Winnsboro Center For The Arts and the women’s group at First Methodist.
We were deeply saddened at the retirement of Pat Hollingsworth who served faithfully as choir director and pianist for 18 years. We rejoiced that God sent us Molly Mathis who enthusiastically accepted this new role, after moving home from New York. We are overjoyed with the talent she has brought to Tinney Chapel.
Our attendance remains in the 40s, but with the prospect of a Hispanic congregation and returning old members things will improve.


Evangelism:

Each first time visitor is presented with a coffee mug and encouraged to return. Sunday school remains strong at Tinney Chapel with 4 adult classes. We have a few children now with volunteers willing to teach.
We have news items provided to the local paper. One of our own members is on the Conference Communication Commission and we provide a monthly newsletter, Tinney Chapel Times, to members and visitors.
No organized evangelism program is provided, but with the new DNA program we have hopes of getting this started. Visitors are heartily welcomed with no racial prejudice in the church.
Everyone tries to make new people feel welcome and they are eager for them to be a part of our family.
Many in the church have been on the Walk to Emmaus and they in turn work in the local Johnston Unit in the program “Residents Encounter Christ.”
We have three members of the congregation who are certified lay speakers.

Youth and Family Activities:

Lack of young families and youth is our biggest concern. We have shown how much we love and support them. Recently the congregation made a love offering to Matthew Hallman, a former youth member in our church. Matthew is now a senior at Texas Tech, and is planning on going to graduate school. We are always ready to help and encourage our youth in their faith walk.
Tinney Chapel has its traditional 4th Sunday dinner, fish fries, ice cream socials, breakfasts, buffalo burgers, pie suppers and our 8th annual Cowboy Poetry gathering and stew.
Glenn Goggans has been bringing horses for kids to ride at our 4th Sunday dinners.
OASIS – Older Adults Still In Service – is active with Dick and Carolyn Beavers and Joe Dan and Peggy Boyd working hard for our older members. Attendance has been down due to death and heath, but we are in hopes others will become apart of the group.
Rural Life Sunday was a great success. We had games for older and young alike. A goat pulling a cart took small children and a dog for a ride. Glenn brought the horses again, and we had horseback riding. The Moores brought a train for kids of all ages to ride. Pumpkins were set out with paints, so that the young people could paint faces on the pumpkins. We had the ever popular “rooster chase” in which the young people chased and caught the roosters. Eight lucky kids went home with a rooster to the parents delight. There were 17 youth present for Rural Life Sunday.

Missions:

Missions from Tinney Chapel come through the church and various organizations in the church, such as the Ladies Group, the Men's Group, OASIS, Native American Fellowship, Sunday school classes, and individuals. They are being reported as one.
Contributions and items have been given to:

Morgan’s Mercy Mansion – a drug and alcohol rehab facility for women.
Holy Highway Girls Home
Teen Challenge
Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center
The Blessing Box
Methodist Children Home
Worldwide Communion
Cherokee Christmas and Back to School
Choctaw Back to School
Golden Cross
Dan Hubble Ministries
Gerry Gearner – Campus Crusades for Christ – missionary
Ramsey family in China – Missionaries
CPR classes
Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch
UM Army
Nothing But Nets

Cheryl Newton visited Sager Brown – UMCOR’s Depot for distribution of emergency goods throughout the country and the world.

Recently the members purchased new plants for the grounds. This was accomplished by members giving a living memorial on All Saints Sunday for those who have preceded us on our journey.

2009 has brought many changes and challenges. As an older congregation, this is not comfortable, but we are determined that in order for us to carry on the work of Christ, we must press forward to these challenges. We are not here to serve self or even the existence of this building; we are here to be Christ like in our service to others. In order to be Christ like, the self must be denied and Christ must shine from each of us.

Respectfully, Ronny Ellison – Lay Leader – 2009 Charge Conference

Click on any image to view it in larger format.

The 2010 Committee Leadership List for Tinney Chapel

Chair of Ad Council Kathy Brown
Assistant Chair (most recent past chair present)
Lay Leader Ronny Ellison
Treasurer Elaine Knoop
Financial Secretary Sharon Schneider
Recording Secretary Gailya Gearner
Membership Secretary Elaine Knoop
Children Ministry/Education Georgia Goggans
Evangelism Gerry Privette
Missions Cheryl Newton
Family Ministries Georgia Goggans
Sunshine Chairs: Frankie Brewer, Elaine Knoop, Imogene Myers
Telephone Chair Mary Marrs
Telephone Members: Bobbie Hollingsworth, Corinne Tinney, & Imogene Myers
Stewardship Cheryl Newton
Communications Coordinator Joe Dan Boyd
Lay Member Annual Conference David Stanton
Worship Chair Sadie Jordan
Worship Members: Linda Hallman, Joy Privette
Finance Chair David Stanton
Finance Members: Sharon Schneider, Elaine Knoop

Staff-Parish Relations:

Chair David Stanton
Lay Leader Ronny Ellison
Lay Member A/C David Stanton
2010 Joe Dan Boyd
2010 Sherri Brewer
2011 Gerald Privette
2011 Angela Wylie
2012 Georgia Goggans
2012 Sharon Schneider

Trustees:

Chair Gerald Privette
Pastor (non voting)
2010 Glenn Goggans
2010 Bill Knoop
2011 Gerald Privette
2011 Bob Deitering
2012 Corinne Tinney
2012 Gerry Privette

Nominations Committee:

Chair Pastor Sue Gross
2010 Carolyn Beavers
2010 Zonnie Griffin
2011 Joy Privette
2011 Georgia Goggans
2012 Roger Schneider
2012 Gailya Gearner

Click on any image to view it in larger format.