R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On April 25, 1999, the Reverend Dorthea K. "Dottie" 1-2 Dumas will join with the members of the congregation of Matagorda 1-3 United Methodist Church in celebrating the church's 160th 1-4 anniversary; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Reverend Jack Cox will deliver the message on 1-6 this special day, and the Reverend W. C. Hall, Jr., will reenact 1-7 the role of a Methodist circuit rider, and their presence will make 1-8 the event even more memorable as both gentlemen are former pastors 1-9 of Matagorda United Methodist Church; the celebration will also 1-10 feature performances by guest musicians, tributes to several 1-11 congregants in recognition of their longtime service, and the 1-12 dedication of a new church sign; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The church traces its rich history back to the late 1-14 1820s and early 1830s when circuit riding ministers from the 1-15 Mississippi Conference preached in the area; in December 1839, the 1-16 Rutersville District of Texas was organized with seven churches, 1-17 including one in Matagorda; and 1-18 WHEREAS, For several decades, services were held in different 1-19 buildings until Matagorda United Methodist Church built a parsonage 1-20 in 1891, and the following year a new sanctuary was created by 1-21 Charles Baker; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In 1893, a Sunday school was organized under the 1-23 auspices of the Ladies Aid Society, and B. A. Ryman was elected 1-24 superintendent and served in that capacity for nearly three 2-1 decades; other individuals who faithfully served the church in its 2-2 early years include Minnie Bedford and her sister, Bessie Baker, 2-3 who taught Sunday school for 40 years, Mrs. Frank Berg, church 2-4 treasurer for 40 years, and Lilly Culver, a strong Sunday school 2-5 supporter and longtime collector of funds for the minister's 2-6 salary; and 2-7 WHEREAS, A kitchen and Sunday school rooms were added in 2-8 1930, and though the building was washed off its foundation by a 2-9 hurricane in 1942, the church was soon rebuilt and was enlarged in 2-10 1991 when the Moberley Fellowship Hall was constructed as a space 2-11 for recreation and to serve as a meeting room for community 2-12 organizations; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Matagorda United Methodist Church is home to a 2-14 multi-ethnic, culturally diverse family of worshipers who 2-15 participate in a ministry that significantly benefits the greater 2-16 community; outreach initiatives include an Alcoholics Anonymous 2-17 chapter and a weekly S.T.A.R. program for at-risk children and 2-18 youth; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Designated as a disaster relief shelter, the church 2-20 also serves as a satellite clinic for individuals with mental 2-21 health needs; provides assistance with food, clothing, and 2-22 transportation to medical appointments, as well as funds for 2-23 utility and medical bills; and nurtures the elderly with home 2-24 visits; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Through more than a century and a half, Matagorda 2-26 United Methodist Church members have demonstrated a steadfast 2-27 commitment to bettering their community, and their efforts in this 3-1 regard are truly worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be 3-2 it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 3-4 Legislature hereby congratulate the pastor and congregation of 3-5 Matagorda United Methodist Church on the occasion of the church's 3-6 160th anniversary and commend them for contributing to the church's 3-7 dynamic history of providing support and inspiration to generations 3-8 of Texans; and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-10 prepared for Matagorda United Methodist Church as an expression of 3-11 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Uher _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 650 was adopted by the House on April 30, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House