Something very profound has happened at
Krum United Methodist Church. Before I tell you the story,
bear with me a minute while I explain how we are governed.
The United Methodist Church is a connectional church.
By that I mean that no one church functions independently
from others in the larger United Methodist connection.
Churches in geographical areas are grouped into what are
called “Annual Conferences” and each conference
is divided into districts which are overseen by District
Superintendents. Krum United Methodist Church is part
of the North Texas Annual Conference, and we are in the
Dallas-Denton District (or, as we on the north end prefer
to call it, the “Denton-Dallas District.”)
Every year, each United Methodist church
must hold what is called a “Charge Conference.”
These meetings, presided over by our various District
Superintendents, are generally somewhat sleep-inducing
meetings where an interminable number of reports are produced,
the business of the church is presented, the pastor's
salary voted on (there are NO secrets where clergy salaries
are concerned!), and the names of those who will lead
the various committees for the next year are announced.
Yawn.
But there was not a single yawn in evidence
when we gathered this past Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Despite
the rapidly lowering outside temperature, the basement
Fellowship Hall in our historic building at the corner
of 2nd and W. McCart was filled. Thirty one others, who
for various reasons could not attend, had indicated they
wanted to vote in absentia. What was going on? Where did
that huge amount of interest come from?
As many who live in the Krum area may know,
there has long been a sign on a ten acre plot of land
on the north side of 1173 between the NorthStar Bank and
Dodd Intermediate School. That sign has read, “Future
Home of Krum UMC.” Well, my friends, the future
is now. After years of prayer, planning, hard work, faithful
and sacrificial giving, and a determination to follow
where God leads, this loving and courageous group of Christians
have said, “It's time to build.”
In early 2008, construction will begin.
So many prayers have been answered here.
The current building is full of beautiful
memories. A loving and generous group of people have met
here for worship and service and education and life together
for over 80 years now since the basement was first built
in 1924. In their words and lives, they have proclaimed
the good news of Jesus Christ to this community and to
the world. Now, we are preparing to do so in a way that
will be far more accessible and hospitable. No more stairs,
lots of bathrooms, light and bright nursery and children's
areas, big and well-equipped youth room—we are grateful
that all this will come to pass. But the same loving and
generous people will meet for worship and service and
education and life together. Come join us. Your soul will
rejoice and be glad.
