Parish Notes

    THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Please keep in prayer the following folks who have recently been hospitalized:

Our heartfelt sympathy is  extended to

Joys In The Church

Congratulations on the June 29th baptism of Jennifer, Benjamin David, Abigail Victoria, and William Jacob Smith.  The triplets’ parents are Cameron and Jennifer Smith.  Maternal grandmother is Anna Banbury.

Congratulations to:  Roger Marra on his recent retirement after 30 years of State of Ohio service; Susie Fish  on her retirement from Mount Vernon Developmental Center, following 30 years of service as a Speech Pathologist.

Out and About the Church

The other day I managed to snap a picture of the “Sign Elf” in action.  He is very elusive and multi-talented. Did you know that during his teen years, Jim Magaw worked on the railroad helping lay track?  (I’m sure that helped build his stamina for being an outstanding guard on the basketball team in high school!)

Gay Street United Methodist Church was blessed with his pastoral service in the past (1979-1984), and we value the many talents he shares with us now, as he tries to keep us “on track”!

Thee Rev. James E. Magaw  (to find our the story behind the “Thee” see Jim or Bonnie)                                 Flowers by: JoAnn Graham & Sharon Bowers   Life-giving liquid by: Jason Frazer

New Members       

To see pictures of our new members, click HERE to access our members only section.   If you need to know the log-in and password, contact the church office.  (392-6626) or colleen@gaystreetumc.org

Birthdays and Anniversaries

To access this month's birthdays and anniversaries, go to the "Members Only" section of the web.  If you do not know the login and password, call the church office to obtain them.   (392-6626)

  Senior Spotlight. . . .Wayne & Lucille Bowden

It will be 62 years in October that Wayne and Lucille  Bowden were married here at Gay Street Church.  Both were born in Knox County, Lucille on May 20, 1924 and Wayne on May 26, 1926.  Lucille said that it bothered her at first that she had married a ”younger” man, but she soon got over it. 

Lucille had one brother.  She remembers the two of them pushing the hand mower together to mow their lawn.  She also remembers coaxing her brother to play house with her.  Four brothers and five sisters kept Wayne’s childhood very busy.  Fishing with his dad is one of his favorite childhood memories.  Wayne enjoyed playing the Hawaiian Guitar for many years.

Both Wayne and Lucille went to Mount Vernon High School.  Wayne left before graduating to go into the Navy.  He was about to be deployed on an aircraft carrier when he fell and injured his wrist.  After several months the Navy doctors decided his wrist could not be repaired and Wayne was sent back home.  Upon returning home, Wayne went to work as a lineman with Ohio Power.  Following high school graduation, Lucille was working in the office at Ringwalts when a friend suggested that she apply for an opening in the office at Ohio Power and that is where she and Wayne met.  As they say, the rest is history.

The Bowdens have three children.  Their oldest, son Steve, lives in Mansfield. He comes to visit his parents often which they enjoy.  Their second, daughter Cathy (Yarman), whom we all know well in the church.  The third, daughter Julie (Pillow) lives in Apple Valley and is a nurse at Riverside Hospital.  There are four grandchildren and  one great-grandson.

Lucille’s favorite Bible verse is I Corinthians: 13, the Love chapter.  She remembers memorizing many bible verses in Sunday school, the first probably was John 3:16.  Wayne says his favorite has always been The Lord’s Prayer.  Favorite hymns were difficult since they both like so many.  Lucille used to play the piano for family gatherings and recalls an aunt who always requested “The Old Rugged Cross” so it holds fond memories for her.  Wayne sang in our church choir for over 20 years and just loved singing all the hymns.  The Bowdens have always been active members of Gay Street, Lucille busy in United Methodist Women (she was one of the ardent mincemeat makers) and both of them helping out where needed.

A Sunday school teacher, Martha Mills Bumpus, was the  person who most influenced Lucille’s life.  Wayne fondly remembers his brother-in-law who bought him his first bicycle when he was 13 years old.  It sounded to me as if that brother-in-law was good to him in many ways.

Lucille’s hobbies included sewing for herself and her girls and playing cards with Wayne and with friends.  Wayne enjoyed working with wood and riding his motorcycle.  Lucille didn’t particularly enjoy joining him on the motorcycle.

Wayne and Lucille both laughed when I asked them about the funniest thing that had happened to them.  Wayne apparently had lots of funny incidents when he was working as a lineman, but he was hesitant to tell me much about them for fear of embarrassing himself or others.  Lucille recounted the time that she bought a new alarm clock.  She couldn’t seem to get the time set on it and finally took it back to the store to return it.  The girl at the return counter asked if she could help Lucille to set the clock.  First, she tore the tape off the face of the clock, then set it with no problem.  Lucille hadn’t realized that the tape was covering the real face of the clock.  She has had fun laughing at herself over that incident.

Without hesitation and unanimously, Wayne and Lucille agreed that their children have given them the most happiness in life.  Lucille says that she is the optimist of the couple and Wayne is the pessimist, but they both said that life has taught them not to take things too seriously. 

It is indeed a privilege to visit with these long-time members of our church.  It was great to get better acquainted.

        ~Marge Winkle, Congregational Care Team