By Fritzi Simon
Co-Lay Leader
Crossroads District

Churches throughout the Crossroads District came together to celebrate on Saturday, April 21. The District was honored to welcome Bishop and Mrs. Schnase and Rev. Diana Phillips and her husband Mark as special guests.

Rev. Phillips discussed and explained the registration process for the upcoming Rio Texas Annual Conference and Bishop Schnase shared a few thought-provoking remarks concerning “edification or demolition.”

Two signature awards were given at this year’s celebration. The Young Disciple award which recognizes an outstanding high school or college youth for his or her Christian attitude and actions in church, school and community was presented to Brady Douglas of First UMC, Elgin. The Bishop’s Exemplar award, celebrating a person who exemplifies the meaning of being the hands and feet of Christ, was awarded to Sandy Fellers of First UMC, Edna.

A tradition of the Crossroads District Celebration is the collection of a special offering. This year, over $1,000.00 was raised to benefit the Lydia Patterson Institute, a United Methodist ministry of education in El Paso, Texas. This offering will add to the Crossroads District overall contribution to the conference’s pledge.

Perhaps one of the best examples of fruitfulness in the district was highlighted in the music provided at the event. First United Methodist Church, Hallettsville was blessed to start a music education ministry two years ago. Led by Mr. Aaron Boyd of Victoria School of Music, the mission of the program is "to equip churches with musicians who can serve their church and community." The ages of students in the program range from 4 to 78. For most of the students, this has been their very first time to take lessons. Part of the training is learning to play together as a band.

The music education ministry’s Youth Band performed at the Celebration in their biggest public performance to date. The musicians included Wyatt Kram (age 10) on electric guitar; Dayton Jansky (age 14); on bass, Danna Jansky (age 11) on drums; Grace Parvin (age 13) on keyboard; and Lydia Kram (age 8) and Josie Kram (age 5), and Lora Parvin (age 8) on vocals.

The Youth Band’s cover of “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” had the entire audience joining in the hand movements and wearing BIG smiles. Thank you, God, for the joy we all shared as these young people gave, and continue to give, glory to God in their music.