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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist |
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Church in Dallas are celebrating the 80th anniversary of their |
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church's founding; and |
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WHEREAS, Organized in 1933, the church was first known as |
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Saint Paul Mission, later changing to East St. Paul Methodist |
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Church, then St. Luke Methodist Church; although its first |
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sanctuary was destroyed by a fire in 1941, the congregation pulled |
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together and rebuilt several years later; in 1974, members gathered |
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for the first time at the church's current home on R. L. Thornton |
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Freeway; and |
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WHEREAS, United by their shared faith and strong traditions, |
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the members of this notable house of worship support a variety of |
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commendable programs that offer fellowship as well as help to those |
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in need; its many outreach ministries include such diverse areas as |
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career development, homeless assistance, social action, academic |
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skills reinforcement, and physical fitness; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the decades, the church has benefited from the |
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leadership of many excellent pastors; Rev. Merrell T. Reed led the |
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congregation in its earliest years, and Rev. Timothy B. Echols and |
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Rev. John W. Tatum, Sr., guided the church's expansion of social |
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programs in the mid-1960s to early 1970s; Rev. Zan W. Holmes, Jr., |
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assumed leadership in 1974 and served for 28 years, during which |
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time he added "Community" to the church's name to match its civic |
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mission and oversaw the development of its Community Life Center, |
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named in his honor; the current pastor, Rev. Henry L. Masters, Sr., |
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is nationally known and respected and has served St. Luke since July |
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2012; and |
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WHEREAS, Countless Texans have looked to St. Luke "Community" |
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United Methodist Church in Dallas for spiritual guidance through |
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the years, and this notable milestone provides a fitting |
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opportunity to recognize all who have contributed to its longevity; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding |
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of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church and extend to the |
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congregation sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |