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A Church letter issued monthly was proving to be a most effective ministry. The
members of the Choir made beautiful new robes financed by the Official Board, who also honored the Choir with an
ice cream social.
The friendship and cooperation of Bro. Buddy Wilcoxen, the Baptist
pastor, was deeply appreciated. Union Thanksgiving services were held in the Baptist Church. The Churches combined
to sponsor a Methodist-Baptist High School Student Banquet, also the local Trick or Treat Campaign. Our Church
held Sunrise Easter Services for the community and Bro. Buddy assisted in this service.
Bro. Robinson once reported: "According to the Discipline the Charge is underorganized, but the Church operates
well under the direction of the Official Board, which is responsive to all reasonable requests. The Commission
Chairmen have become more interested and plan a study of the manuals. This should activate all Commissions."
One very notable achievement of the Church was the installation of a beautiful new divided Chancel.
After two years of a very successful ministry, the Annual Conference saw fit to move Rev. Robinson to another church.
When moving day came we were to witness the "Grand Exodus." Pick-up trucks, some six or eight in numbers,
pulled up to the parsonage and the drivers started loading the "preacher's belongings." It was a sight
to behold! Imagine what the Runge people thought when the caravan passed through the streets and to the parsonage
there.
The Quarterly Conference records for the year 1966-67, when Rev. Harold Orr served as pastor, were not available
for research. It must have been a good year because the Pastoral Relations Committee, speaking for the Congregation,
strongly recommended that he be returned to serve a second year with a raise in salary.
From the minutes of the Official Board we report these improvements in the physical plant: Two air conditioners
purchased for the Educational Building. Much needed repairs were made on the parsonage and rock-wool insulation
added.
From "The Smiley Tabloid" newspaper files we gathered this information: The Easter Revival was held March
20-23 with Dr. L.U. Spellmann. well known throughout this area, as speaker, The Choir rendered special music at
each night service. Bro. Wilcoxen was guest soloist at one service.
From "Nixon Methodist Musings" we find: "Rev. Harold
Orr, pastor of Smiley Methodist Church, will bring the sermon Sunday night. He has just come to Smiley and is getting
a good start. We welcome him to our pulpit."
Another article of note was: "Mrs. Harold Orr will speak and show slides at the Church on Sunday evening
She spent three years as a missionary in Angola, Portuguese West Africa. While in Angola she was principal of a
primary school and taught Methods of Teaching and Bible in a secondary school."
Time passes so quickly it is difficult to realize as this is being written that the little girl, Mary Kathleen
Orr, born in Smiley in 1967, would be graduating from high school this year, Congratulations!
In September of 1967 Rev. Sanford D. Coon came to the Smiley-Westhoff Charge.
To welcome the pastor and his wife, Mary Ellen, the Lamplighters hosted
a reception in the parlor following the night service on Oct. 1. 1967.
In a report to the Fourth Quarterly session dated April 16, 1968 prepared by the Rev. Coon as an overview of the
Conference year we note the following:
The strength and quality of laymen in the Church was obvious. Their hard work and concern for the Church had carried
the Congregation through the period of being without a pastor.
The compassion of the Congregation was evident in the manner in which they responded in helping the victims of
Hurricane Beulah. Approximately 1,021 pounds of clothing and blankets were collected, folded, boxed, and
delivered to Three Rivers.
Missionary education has been a central concern this year. Missionaries from Korea and the Philippines visited
with us, telling of their work in those areas.
The M.Y.F., though not completely regular, did participate in a significant collection for CROP at Halloween.
The W.S.C.S. has been diligent in its study, worship, and business, and also in the sharing of their responsibilities.
The Lamplighters held a Christmas party to which the husbands
were invited, and they held the annual breakfast honoring the graduating senior class.
In worship we have had a good year of special services in addition to the usual services.
Perhaps three of our biggest expenditures from the budget, with the exception of Conference items, were the purchase
of 100 new hymnals, the painting of the parsonage, and the installation of air conditioning.
Bulletins are being mailed to members absent from the Sunday services. This lets members know that they are missed
and keeps them informed about the church program.
Again in March 1969, the Rev Coon presented an overview of activities
since the last Fourth Quarterly Report in 1968. Life in the Congregation in Rev. Coon's words:
This year has undoubtedly been one of growth as we sought to learn new things, to venture into untried areas of
thought and work. Perhaps more than any other thing conducive to growth has been the new organization of The United
Methodist Church. It has allowed
us to separate the policy and program arms of the Church. In September Sunday evening worship services were discontinued,
and in their time was scheduled a Youth Fellowship involving Methodist and Baptist youth.
Our involvement in the community has been significant. The Community Fellowship Club continues to meet monthly.
The membership includes not only Methodists and Smiley-ites, but also reaches to others beyond these two circles
.The series of Lenten breakfasts for men has brought more men from our community in conversation and fellowship
than any other single experience. They will probably continue after Easter
Financially we are in good condition, and at Annual Conference our repeated report will be
"paid in full!"
In 1969 the Smiley United Methodist Church became yoked with the First United Methodist Church in Nixon in a Pastoral
Charge. It is regrettable to note that the size of a parsonage and a town could outweigh the love and respect that
this Congregation had consistently shown the clergy resulting in the location of the parsonage in Nixon. Again,
the Smiley Church, as we neared the century mark of our life, was faced with the earlier situation of a nonresident
pastor.
The Rev. Clinton R. Harris was appointed pastor of the new Charge
and was to serve for a period of nine years. Conference records were not found in the, Smiley Office along with
those of following years, so research was limited to Administrative Board, Council on Ministries minutes and the
recollections of members.
The years of Rev. Harris's pastorate brought many services and activities. Some highlights include:
An Ecumenical Preaching Mission was held with the Clergy from five neighboring churches as speakers. We were privileged
to hear Rev. Mr. Wilcoxsen of the Smiley Baptist Church, Pastor Fred Sheeley of the Lutheran Church of Westhoff,
the Rev. Richard Urban of the Episcopal Church of Gonzales, Father Wager of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Nixon,
and Dr. Will Math s Dunn of the First United Methodist Church of Seguin.
Another rewarding experience was the overnight retreat with the Nixon Church
and others at Nance's Lake.
Like others before him, Harris held Confirmation classes including trips to United Methodist institutions as part
of the curriculum. He continued the Easter Sunrise Services and the Church participation in the Bundick Cemetery
Memorial Services.
Rev. Harris traveled widely, making hospital visits from San Antonio to Cuero to Victoria and from Seguin to Corpus
Christi and on other pastoral calls. He kept in close contact with the members of his parish, encouraging them
to further progress in program and attendance.
The Churches in Nixon and Smiley, as an expression of their appreciation of Rev, and Mrs. Harris, assisted them
in making a tour of the Holy Land. We treasure the beautiful candlesticks they brought back as a gift to the Church.
Mrs, Harris, a professionally trained librarian, gave invaluable aid to the Stella Ellis Hart Memorial Library
in Smiley. Her contribution to the music of the Church was of significant benefit and much appreciated.
Among other improvements made to the Sanctuary was the purchase of a new organ. Mr. Glenn Jones, Church organist,
entertained with a recital demonstrating the versatility of the organ. His ministry of music has enriched our worship
services and brought joy to our hearts.
We must tell of one other role of Rev. Harris
He was a "house-breaker." Saturday mornings always found Eunice Wyatt, Church School Secretary, at the
Church preparing the rooms for the Sunday sessions. One Saturday her absence was noted by the custodian who expressed
her concern to Rev. Harris. On getting no answer from ringing the bell at Wyatt's home, he enlisted the aid of
a mutual friend and made a forced entry. A thorough search of the house was made only to find Wyatt was not a victim
of foul play or illness-she had just gone for a day of fun at the circus!
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