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On Sunday, January 27, 2008 class member Margaret Ann Holder spoke about the class at the morning worship service. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
Good morning. Two or three weeks ago Betty DeLess came by our Sunday School class and said that they planning something new—that they wanted each Sunday School class to be profiled, and our Sunday School class, the Pairs and Spares, would be first. And we said “Oh yah, we’ll do that. We’ll be glad to do that. So when she left and closed the door, change went over our faces--because we had had another experience like this of being first.
Many years ago J.C. Gunnels was the organist, he was the choir director, he was everything. And the choir was struggling. J.C. was trying to play and direct with his head, and Nancy was trying to play the piano . Nothing was going right—nothing like we have today. There were very few in the choir.
And J.C. had a good idea. He came to Sunday school and he said “We are going to let the Sunday School classes take turns in the choir. And our class will be first. OK. We looked at each other and said “We’ll do that.”
Well, we did that. We never did know the full story, but we were not asked back. (Laughter). And no other class got a chance to sing. (More laughter). So our class has good points, but we can also close a program down if they ask us to participate.
The Pairs and Spare class began in 1970. Mamie Adams was our first teacher and we’ve had many teachers since then. Nancy Toon and I are the only two charter members who are still in the class.
The past 36 years have brought many members to our class. Wendell and Jennifer Fox, Ann and Cecil Brayman, Nancy and Gerald Laughin, Nancy and Eric Bauer, the Warner Harris’s, J.C. and Shirley Gunnels, Willidean and Jim Alexander, Nancy and Gerald Watson, Kathy and Ronny Howell, Ginger and Eddie Cheatham.
Yes, they were in our class, and then they were asked to begin another class which is now the Seekers class. And they called that the ‘young adults’ at that time. (Laughter)
So, each of these members have left our class. They have shared experiences and they have shared leadership in our church.
Past Christian experiences which our Pairs and Spares have shared have made our class very close. One, through the years, we have directed children’s choirs and plays. We’ve helped youth directors with float trips and mission trips. We have represented our church with the GP highway clean-up. We have gathered and delivered supplies for the Katrina victims. And included in that was the Toon building which we completely furnished and made comfortable for the Katrina families.
The Taylors and Hollimons have represented our church and district on the Appalachian Trail mission. We have shared responsibilities for many potlucks and programs.
Now no one should be able to live on past records. And I want you to know the Pairs and Spares Sunday school class is looking for new members. We want each of you to feel like if you do not have a Sunday school class we will welcome you and we want you to come to our class.
Each Sunday we do study the Adult Bible Studies, which is Christ focused and is United Methodist approved. We do have open dialog and we do have friendly opinions that are expressed.
This year we are looking forward to being fully trained to use the disaster trailer. We want to continue to provide leadership to the Salvation Army, food pantry, the youth program, servicemen, and all of our church programs, including the memorial series which will start Sunday.
Each one in the class considers the class its family. We have experienced deep sadness and great joy with each other. We will welcome anyone and hope you will always feel welcome at the Pairs and Spares class. We do meet in the Administration Building each Sunday at 9:30.
And just a little side note. We have 20 members on the rolls, and of us 20 members we have given the world 37 children, 55 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. So as you can see we started out young, but we are enjoying our retired years together.
Thank you. (applause).
Below are several pictures of the class, plus one of their grandchildren. All are thumbnails. Click to enlarge.
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Last Updated 04/01/08
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