[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN CELEBRATION OF AIRLINE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S FIFTIETH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 1998

  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Airline United 
Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, on its 50th Anniversary. On August 
30th, Airline Church will celebrate fifty years of faith, love, and 
friendship. My family has attended Airline Church for many years now, 
and I want to personally thank the entire congregation for their 
fellowship and their contributions to our community.
  In 1948, forty-four Houstonians gathered under the leadership and 
vision of Reverend C.E. Clark to form Airline United Methodist Church. 
Airline today has expanded from its humble beginnings in surplus Army 
barracks to become a multi-structure facility with a membership of 700 
individuals. While Houston and the United States have changed 
dramatically in the past 50 years, Airline has remained true to its 
original mission: to be faithful to God and to provide for the 
spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the community.
  The strength and longevity of Airline United Methodist comes from its 
people, their faith, and the relationships they build within our church 
family. The United Methodist Women encourages its members to study how 
the Methodist Church is at work in the world and the United Methodist 
Men participate in several service projects. Planning for the future, 
Airline youth fellowship seeks to instill Christian values in our 
younger members in order to prepare them for the challenges that 
today's youth face.
  Airline United Methodist Church believes that its mission extends 
beyond the membership to the entire community. In collaboration with 
other Houston food programs, the Society of St. Stephen's operates a 
food pantry and serves as a food distribution point. At Thanksgiving, 
Church members furnish meals to local families, and at Christmas, both 
children and adults provide presents and meals for families identified 
by the local school district and for children whose parents are 
incarcerated. Today, church members have established a multicultural 
program designed to reach out to a rapidly changing community and our 
church services are translated into Spanish. In recognition of its 
evangelism efforts, Airline United Methodist Church has twice been 
presented with the Copeland Evangelism Award by the Texas Annual 
Conference.
  Airline United Methodist's 50th Anniversary is both a milestone and a 
beginning. This celebration provides us the opportunity to review what 
has been accomplished through faith in God and to look forward to all 
that lies ahead.

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