Dec. 16, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
In Texas heat, thirst tortures.
For that dry, thirsty mouth, that first sip of water is a gift.
That's why the leaders of Christian Life Church in Temple say they frequently volunteer to distribute bottled water during public events.
'People were thirsty,' said Kathy Gillis, wife of CLC Senior Pastor Rick Gillis. 'They needed something to drink. So we gave it to them.'
In a nutshell, Mrs. Gillis said that idea is at the heart of CLC Temple's mission to share God's love in practical ways.
'That's what we do,' Mrs. Gillis said. 'We look for needs in the community, and then we go out and meet them.'
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Familiar face called to serve however he can
Dec. 3, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
It doesn't matter who's driving, they all wave at the man behind the big, red sign - the man they call Mr. Stop.
His name is Matthew Wilson, and he sits in a tollbooth-sized box each weekday, guarding the main entrance at Temple High School. He's done so for 25 years.
Drivers intending to park in the high school lot wait for his nod of approval. And when the afternoon bells ring, the traffic jams a bit because all the students, teachers, coaches and visitors won't turn to go home until they wish Mr. Stop a good evening.
'The all know me,' he said, grinning. 'I like my job here, and I like the people I've come into contact with. Never have been disrespected.'
He said he tries to greet each face within the steady stream of motorists, entering and leaving.
'I don't know all their names all the time, but I just keep on talking and smiling,' Wilson said. 'You might not think it makes a difference, but it does.'
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
It doesn't matter who's driving, they all wave at the man behind the big, red sign - the man they call Mr. Stop.
His name is Matthew Wilson, and he sits in a tollbooth-sized box each weekday, guarding the main entrance at Temple High School. He's done so for 25 years.
Drivers intending to park in the high school lot wait for his nod of approval. And when the afternoon bells ring, the traffic jams a bit because all the students, teachers, coaches and visitors won't turn to go home until they wish Mr. Stop a good evening.
'The all know me,' he said, grinning. 'I like my job here, and I like the people I've come into contact with. Never have been disrespected.'
He said he tries to greet each face within the steady stream of motorists, entering and leaving.
'I don't know all their names all the time, but I just keep on talking and smiling,' Wilson said. 'You might not think it makes a difference, but it does.'
Friday, November 24, 2006
Special Thanksgiving meal unites strangers
Nov. 24, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Not everyone at the table was related or even acquainted, but their behavior didn't show it.
They smiled, held hands and said grace before the Thanksgiving meal was served, just like a family.
Some were family through Christ, united as brothers in faith. And some were distant kin through their shared struggle in poverty and homelessness.
But most of the 100 or so people who came to eat turkey Thursday at First Christian Church in Temple were strangers to each other.
The opening prayer, however, quickly melded the various groups and those who were sitting alone into a single entity.
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Not everyone at the table was related or even acquainted, but their behavior didn't show it.
They smiled, held hands and said grace before the Thanksgiving meal was served, just like a family.
Some were family through Christ, united as brothers in faith. And some were distant kin through their shared struggle in poverty and homelessness.
But most of the 100 or so people who came to eat turkey Thursday at First Christian Church in Temple were strangers to each other.
The opening prayer, however, quickly melded the various groups and those who were sitting alone into a single entity.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Whispering Mother Native American connects to God through nature
Nov. 11, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
He didn't know about his Chiracahua Apache heritage until he was 10 years old. Born in Belton, Rafael Montez said he thought he was just another kid.
But he wasn't.
The Belton High School graduate would grow up to be 'Tall Bear,' president of the Tribal American Network, the organization that keeps people of Indian ancestry in communication with one another.
'I was walking down a street in Belton one afternoon when a lady rolled down her car window and said, 'You're Indian, aren't you?' 'No, I'm not,' I told her. 'Yes, you are,' she says. And we went back and forth like that a few more times until I ran home,' Montez said, describing the day he learned of his Native American ancestry.
His mother and grandmother soon confirmed the woman's accusation. He was, indeed, an Indian.
'My path to know the Creator had started,' Montez said.
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
He didn't know about his Chiracahua Apache heritage until he was 10 years old. Born in Belton, Rafael Montez said he thought he was just another kid.
But he wasn't.
The Belton High School graduate would grow up to be 'Tall Bear,' president of the Tribal American Network, the organization that keeps people of Indian ancestry in communication with one another.
'I was walking down a street in Belton one afternoon when a lady rolled down her car window and said, 'You're Indian, aren't you?' 'No, I'm not,' I told her. 'Yes, you are,' she says. And we went back and forth like that a few more times until I ran home,' Montez said, describing the day he learned of his Native American ancestry.
His mother and grandmother soon confirmed the woman's accusation. He was, indeed, an Indian.
'My path to know the Creator had started,' Montez said.
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Treehouse receives $30,000 grant
Nov. 4, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. of Temple received an anonymous contribution of $30,000 this week.
Attached to the check was a note of challenge to Bell County: 'Match this grant. Let's support this local drug rehab center in what it's doing. Its need is great - so let's help them together.'
'It's a much welcomed, much appreciated contribution,' said Jon Crosby, executive director of Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. in Temple. 'And we're eager to see what happens next.'
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. of Temple received an anonymous contribution of $30,000 this week.
Attached to the check was a note of challenge to Bell County: 'Match this grant. Let's support this local drug rehab center in what it's doing. Its need is great - so let's help them together.'
'It's a much welcomed, much appreciated contribution,' said Jon Crosby, executive director of Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. in Temple. 'And we're eager to see what happens next.'
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Volunteers thanked for work with homeless families
Oct. 8, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Family Promise could not find homes for area homeless families without the help of the Temple community.
That's the message Director Rick Miller-Chaney shared during the non-profit agency's first volunteer appreciation banquet on Wednesday night, Oct. 4, at the Mayborn Convention Center.
'We couldn't do what we do without you,' Miller-Chaney said that evening to the crowd of about 200. 'It's because of you that we have been able to do so much.'
It was an evening of thanks for everyone involved in the program: the agency's donors, directors, partner churches and volunteers.
Alta Kemp of Temple was the volunteer who was recognized individually. The others were honored in groups.
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Family Promise could not find homes for area homeless families without the help of the Temple community.
That's the message Director Rick Miller-Chaney shared during the non-profit agency's first volunteer appreciation banquet on Wednesday night, Oct. 4, at the Mayborn Convention Center.
'We couldn't do what we do without you,' Miller-Chaney said that evening to the crowd of about 200. 'It's because of you that we have been able to do so much.'
It was an evening of thanks for everyone involved in the program: the agency's donors, directors, partner churches and volunteers.
Alta Kemp of Temple was the volunteer who was recognized individually. The others were honored in groups.
Sunday, October 1, 2006
Woman thanks family whose loved one brought her life
Oct. 1, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
'You don't look like an old lady anymore. You're not all bumpy and purple.'
Not everyone would appreciate a compliment like this, but Kimberly Sommers of Temple does. She's a heart transplant survivor, and her young cousin's simple, blunt observation tells it like it is.
'I'm better now,' Mrs. Sommers said. 'I'm not sick all the time. I have energy. And that's something completely new to me.'
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
'You don't look like an old lady anymore. You're not all bumpy and purple.'
Not everyone would appreciate a compliment like this, but Kimberly Sommers of Temple does. She's a heart transplant survivor, and her young cousin's simple, blunt observation tells it like it is.
'I'm better now,' Mrs. Sommers said. 'I'm not sick all the time. I have energy. And that's something completely new to me.'
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