STORIES OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON
At First United Methodist Church Richardson, we live life together in a vibrant, grace-filled community where each person’s story adds depth and richness to our shared journey. Some stories are bold and visible, while others unfold quietly behind the scenes, but all are woven together by God’s Spirit at work among us. I consider it a great blessing to hear many of your stories about your families, your faith, your struggles, and your celebrations. I truly believe that in sharing these stories, we form meaningful connections with one another. As we celebrate 140 years of impact in our community, I’m reminded again and again of the stories that affirm who God has called us to be in this place and in this moment. I invite you to prayerfully consider your upcoming commitment to the Annual Campaign. Your financial gifts, no matter the size, help sustain our ministries and create spaces where connections can grow across all ages and stages of life. It’s my prayer that our generosity will continue the story God is writing through us. In Christ,
Clayton Oliphint
In the past year, our church has welcomed more than 200 new members, each bringing their own unique story, background, and gifts. Every person who walks through our doors adds value to our faith community, enriching our shared life in ways both seen and unseen. Leslie Allen and Sarah Gillette met 27 years ago as young educators of deaf students. Over the years, their paths continued to cross both professionally and personally, and they forged a deep connection that grew into a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. They have shared weddings, the births of their children, great joys, and deep sadnesses.
Throughout all of this, FUMCR has been a constant presence. Sarah and her family have been members for about 15 years, and Leslie and her boys often attended with them on Christmas Eve and Easter. A year ago, Leslie began sharing her gift of sign language interpreting with an FUMCR member. Although she initially attended in a professional capacity, she found herself deeply moved each week by Pastor Allison’s messages. After a long and meaningful conversation over coffee, Leslie decided to join the church a few weeks ago. Sarah was overjoyed, feeling that 27 years of friendship had come full circle, thanks to the warmth and grace of FUMCR and its people.
We’ve been proud to partner with RISD to connect with talented high school students and give them a platform to explore ministry as interns at FUMCR. Clara Lindh is finishing her senior year of high school, and last fall, she served as our Modern Worship intern, working closely with Val Czechowski. Clara brought creative ideas, intentionality, and an excitement for ministry along with her musical talents.
“If I had known in high school that leading worship could be a career path, then I might have pursued it immediately instead of as a third career! I was so excited to mentor Clara, so that she might have an opportunity to learn about career possibilities that at her age I didn’t know existed!” - Val Czechowski
Zion Davis interned with our Media Team a year ago, and we celebrated his high school graduation last May. As he continues his education with college classes in the local area, he can still be seen on Sundays or throughout the week behind a camera (and even sometimes in front!)
Both students have been a delight to have around the halls of FUMCR, and we look forward to seeing where their next chapters take them!
Each week, individuals and families walk through the doors of FUMCR for the first time. Some come for a wedding or memorial service, others for an ESL class, a community concert, or one of the many opportunities we offer. Our doors are open to all, and our spaces are filled with unique stories and experiences as people discover their place at FUMCR.
“Whether we are reflecting on our tour of FUMCR’s preschool, our daughter’s experience in three classes over three special years, or our ‘trial’ period in which we began attending worship as a family, what consistently stood out to us was the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. There are no strangers at FUMCR. It made our decision to become official members and call FUMCR our church home incredibly easy. Finding ways to connect beyond worship is easy! And connecting in the right ways for our life stages has made our connection to FUMCR stronger. We love picking Nora up from Sunday school, seeing her creations, and hearing what she learned. Michael is reengaging with an old love, the violin, and joined the orchestra. Our family especially loved this year’s Easter Egg Hunt and Advent Workshop. There really is something for everyone.” - Kylie and Michael Patti
WHEN SCREENS ARE
SACRED SPACES Ann Adams first joined FUMCR in 1989 and quickly became a foundational part of the community. Through the Apostles Sunday School Class and her cherished role in the Chancel Choir, she found not just a church, but a true sense of home. Her decades of service as a principal in Richardson ISD further deepened her connection to the life of this community. About 15 years ago, retirement and family needs led Ann to move to Houston. Then, in 2020, the pandemic reshaped how the church gathered, and Ann found herself reconnecting with FUMCR from hundreds of miles away through a screen. Suddenly, distance was no longer a barrier. Today, even while living in Oregon, Ann remains a devoted member of the FUMCR online community, joining in worship every Sunday. Though spread across states, this community continues to be united by faith and a shared sense of belonging.
“Mary and I became members of FUMCR in April 2018. We weren’t exactly newcomers to the church, as we had visited often with our daughter Katie Barron and her family. From the beginning we felt welcomed, accepted, and loved. We loved watching our grandsons growing up in a church that had so many grand things to offer them. The preaching, teaching, music, and fellowship were wonderful. In the late summer of 2019, we had to return to our family home in Wellington, Texas. Health issues made it difficult for Mary to attend worship, so I started learning how to livestream the FUMCR service. By early 2020, we were already old hands at online worship. The chat gave us the opportunity to interact with our fellows across the continent, and we came to recognize names of those who logged in each Sunday. We are all learning how to share our lives in community with one another in this very 21st century way. Mary passed away last March. Because we had two church families over the years, my children and I planned two memorial services: one in Wellington and one at FUMCR. When I saw Mallory and Rohini at the Wellington service, I felt like all the online folks were there with them. They had driven 250 miles to minister to me and my family; not just as personal friends, but as representatives of our online church. That’s what church is. I am grateful to be a part of it via our online community.” - Jamie Johnson
Our youth ministry is rooted in a caring, supportive, and inclusive community where faith is lived out together each week. These values shape not only special experiences like mission trips, but also the everyday moments of learning and belonging. “The summer mission trip to Santa Fe was my first big church trip, and I didn’t know a lot of the people going, so I was terrified. But on the very first day, once we were all together, I immediately started bonding with two girls who I now call two of my best friends ever. I truly love everyone in Youth, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Youth has blessed me with some of my favorite people ever, and that whole week made me feel like I finally had a place there, like I was wanted and belonged. Youth has given me some of the best experiences and memories, and I would love for everyone to get to experience it the way I did. I wouldn’t want to spend my Sunday mornings anywhere else!!” - Campbell
“The time I felt the most loved and like I truly belonged was during the closing circle on the last night of our mission trip to New Mexico. We all sat in a circle and shared a memory or thought about what the trip had meant to us. I remember sharing that FUMCRYouth truly feels like a family in every way. From the inside jokes to the late nights, the tears shed and conflicts resolved, I’ve never experienced such a close-knit group of people in my life. Looking around the huge circle at all these people I love, and who love me, I felt so safe, knowing that I will always have this church to come back to.” - Savannah
THE STORY CONTINUES
COVER ARTWORK
Jonesy McConnell and his wife, Joan, have proudly called FUMCR their church home for over 50 years. From singing in the Chancel Choir to preparing prayer blankets behindthe-scenes, the footprint of the McConnell Family can be both felt and seen throughout the church, including Jonesy sharing his talented gifts as an artist.