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Our Unsung Heroes
There are a few people on our Church Campus who do good things for us. In fact, we would have trouble functioning as smoothly as we do, without them. It is high time we “sing” about them. Please understand, there are MANY people who make our lives better. However, I often recognize them in our services.
1. We want to say, “thank you” to our anonymous donors who are providing a police presence on our campus. They do not want us to put them on “blast;” but they need to know we are grateful! Thank you, anonymous donors!
2. Debbie Allen (11:00 service) hit the ground running even before she officially joined our church. She was once RESERVED and said very little. THIS IS NO LONGER TRUE! She is comfortable with any and everyone! She pitches in when/wherever she is needed; and she works hard. If we don’t have it, and the church needs it, Deb will likely buy it,. There is nothing Deb will not do for the church she has come to love so much. Watch out…she is a trickster! You may find yourself in a “gotcha moment” with Deb.
3. Jeff Bain can be found ALL over the church campus. He is a jack of many trades; so there is never any telling where you will find him and what he will be doing. He, Dagmar, and Jessica are so giving and cheerful in lending their time, energy, and skills to whatever the needs may be. I don’t know which service to assign them to. They may be at one or the other or both (mostly the 11:00).
4. Martha Blevins (8:00 am service) still volunteers in the church office every Tuesday morning. She is faithful in her attendance. Despite no longer driving herself, Martha gets a ride and is at her duty desk, each week. Additionally, Martha hardly misses a Sunday of worship in our 8:00 service. Martha is living proof that even as our seasons change, we can continue to be productive. Thank you, Martha!
5. Matt Burch-(8:00 am service) There are many things we enjoy and do not know that Matt Burch has provided. You have no idea how many times he calls the church to ask, “Do we have enough (you fill in the blank)?” If we do not have enough, it shows up; because Matt supplies it! Our youth have plenty of water for their mission trip because Matt provided us with 80 cases of water! Before VBS began Matt called to ask if we had all of the supplies we needed. Matt Burch is a Godsend! Thank you, Matt!
6. Ralph Cartmell-Ralph keeps attendance records, ensuring that messages from those attending get their messages to the pastor when applicable. He stays after the service every Sunday to make sure his reporting is as accurate as possible. He also sings in the choir and locks the doors to the CDC side of the building once choir members are present. Thank you, Ralph!
7. Sara Charlton-Sara has been our web designer for a little over a year. Yet, Sara wears MANY hats. She serves on committees, serves as recording secretary for Finance and for Church Council meetings, before we had a permanent recorder. She helps edit bulletins and newsletters. She helps with slides when needed. She takes photographs and posts them. She does our audio/visuals when needed. She helps with VBS, fundraisers, etc. In fact, there is not much that Sara is not willing to do. Thank you, Sara!
8. Carol Dugger-Most of you remember when (not so long ago), Carol was our Children’s Ministry Leader. She did a fantastic job in this role. However, you may NOT know that Carol is the South District Lay Leader. Even when Jerry was ill, Carol remained active in the church. Nowadays, she is involved in even more church activities than ever! She is a shining star. Thank you, Carol!
9. Jamie Garrett-Jamie is with us each Sunday, ensuring our (two) services run smoothly and that they are properly recorded. Jaime has a family and a full-time secular job. We are SO thankful that Jamie chooses to serve the Lord, by serving our congregation. Thank you, Jamie Garrett!
10. Michelle Holmes-Michelle will be surprised to see her name here. However, WE SEE YOU, Michelle. You will not find a more CHEERFUL person than Michelle Holmes on the planet! She always has a ready smile. She gladly serves as a member of the choir, and with any/most groups that involve children on our campus (VBS, the Children’s Christmas Party, etc). She is caring and dependable. Thank you, Michelle!
11. Paul and Peg Fleet-Paul serves as worship leader when his name comes up in the rotation for the 8:00 service. He also serves when we a planned leader is out for any reason. He and Peg offer their sweet jams and jellies, as a fund raiser for the church EVERY YEAR! This is not something they HAVE to do. This is something they CHOOSE to do, for our benefit. By the way, it is almost THAT TIME AGAIN. Thank you, Paul and Peg!
12. Bob and Lisa Kure-They would NEVER want a public thank-you, which is EXACTLY why we are thanking them. Bob and Lisa are “at the ready” for everything we may need. They also do things for the church, just because they want to show their love for the members. They too serve in a variety of capacities. Neither wants any horns tooting about them. They are the hands and feet of Jesus in our midst. Thank you Bob and Lisa!
13. Chuck Truesdale-(8:00 am service) Chuck is “at the ready” every Sunday morning. He serves as a greeter and does the attendance for the 8:00 am service. Chuck attends each session of GriefShare, offering comfort and words of encouragement to each new class of members. Chuck can also be found at a small table, playing Dominoes or Forty-Two, on Tuesday mornings! Thank you, Chuck Truesdale!
14. Mike Tuggle-We speak often of the many things we appreciate about Bev. Tuggle. However, Mike can (at times) be quiet (quieter than Bev...smile) and unassuming. Yet, he is a whirlwind, involved in numerous aspects of ministry. You would shudder to hear about ALL that is on Tug’s plate. Yet, he is present for UMM, Trustee Meetings, Finance Meetings, Bible study, Sunday school, etc. I can hardly think of much that Tug doesn’t do for the church. Thank you, Mike Tuggle!
15. We have recognized Charles Thomas and Reyna Guerrero in a previous Newsletter (about a year ago). Today, we want to give a shout-out to Deidra Willis (8:00, now in the nursery during services). Dee has been with us since February 2026; she is a wonderful addition to our staff. When she sees something that needs to be done, she just does it! She is ALWAYS early. Her philosophy is, “If you are on time, you are late.” Dee has just recently agreed to serve in the nursery on Sundays, during worship hours. She always has a good attitude and humble spirit. Thank you, Dee!
16. I am going to lump these folks together, because they all work out in the heat or the cold in order to keep our grounds looking pristine (in no particular order). It should be noted that most of those listed attend the 8:00 service at the church (unless differently specified). Reta Cardinal is lending a hand (and the hand of her brother), to ensure the beautification of our church grounds. She also provides rides for our members who no longer drive. She too, is a quiet storm. Willie and Gabrielle Singleton serve us in countless ways (no really…COUNTLESS ways. I cannot begin to name them all); however, one of the major things they do, is to keep the church and park grounds looking good. Sometimes it is truly “a family affair” as they enlist the help of their adult grandsons. When the Singletons are out of town, we have, “a ram in the bush” in John Karlik. John also does many things on behalf of the church; however, you will often see him on the riding lawnmower, sweating bullets. Colleen Sirmans (11:00 am) seems to have taken a liking for plants and greenery. She has often been seen adding her hands to the dirt on our campus, as she appreciates the beauty of the earth. Johnny Sirmans (11:00) is showing up in all sorts of places around the church as well. Dawn Davis (11:00) is really making this her home as well. Although we sing about them quite a bit, we cannot leave out Colleen Smith-Fey and Marlene Fey, who also care for the grounds (they also do almost everything else you can think of). I am fascinated at how people are taking seriously the upkeep of what is now called, “Rebecca (Caldwell’s) Island.” Thank you to each of these willing servants!
17. We have to give kudos to Rich and Barb Rinehart (usually 11:00 service). Besides singing in the choir, supporting the Nolanville Free Clinic, as a Board Member (on our behalf), Rich does the things many of us do not have the skills to do. He has worked on our sprinkler heads and pipes buried in the soil. Barb serves in many ways, as well, including being chairperson of our SPRC, quilting, and offers, “Painting with Barb.” If you have never come to one of Barb’s painting activities, you should come. It is SO much fun! Even those of us who are unskilled painters can copy Barb’s model and come out with a nice (or relatively so), finished product. If not, just take Debbie Allen’s. She is a great painter, while Yvonne Smith writes in beautiful calligraphy. Just an FYI…Rich Rinehart plays the trombone in the Heights Concert Band. They will be playing THIS SUNDAY in the Killeen High School Auditorium at 2:00. Thank you Rich and Barb!
WE HAVE A LOT MORE UNSUNG HEROES TO SING ABOUT…SO, LOOK FOR MORE “CROONING” IN A FUTURE NEWSLETTER!! WE ARE SORRY THAT WE CANNOT SING ALL OF THE VERSES IN ONE SITTING. Wait for it…wait for it…
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