ChurchSearch: Round 1, Week 3

I took last week off after doing a face-plant on the sidewalk during my walk Saturday morning. I decided my swollen and bruised visage needed privacy. Today, with the swelling subsiding and the bruise concealed, somewhat, under an inch or so of DermaBlend, I resumed my search by visiting FUMC Allen, TX.

Distance: 10 miles
Driving time: 17 minutes

Allen FUMC has 3 services, which seems to be the norm here in Texas. The 8:30 service is Contemporary, the 9:45 Blended, and the 11:00 is normally the Traditional service. With the combination of summer informality and the message, today was not exactly Traditional. There was no choir; an ensemble sang the Offertory. The message on the relevance, or lack of, the church in society was preceded by a PowerPoint slide show of 1960's scenes accompanied by the music of the time. The minister was dynamic, the message interesting and thought-provoking, although I sensed a bit of "we need to change with the times and do the new music, etc." which is not my favorite theme.

I engaged in conversation with one of the greeters, a woman about my age who, when she found out I was new in town, was very eager to introduce me to others and even walked me to the room where a recommended Sunday School class meets. As the service was about to begin, another woman asked to sit with me, the first time that has happened. The sanctuary was sparsely populated, possibly because of mid-summer vacationing and several church groups off doing projects elsewhere. I will be interested to see how the attendance is during the fall, after school has started back.

My one real disappointment was with the organist. I realize my expectations are quite high after being treated to the organ and piano skills of Dr. Terry McRoberts, to whom anyone is unlikely to measure up, but this lady (I don't know if she is the regular organist or a substitute) played the congregational hymns so fast it was impossible to keep up. I don't like draggy hymns, but I do like to observe punctuation and to catch a breath now and then. She seemed oblivious to everyone and just plowed through the hymns as if she wanted to get them over with. If she is the regular organist, I don't think I'll be joining FUMC Allen.

I did take a moment after the service to meet the Minister of Music, who was a seminary classmate of my Charlie Overton at FUMC Jackson. He is an affable young man, and I am really happy to see seminary-educated Ministers of Music. From my association with Charlie I know that they have a perspective on worship music that a secularly trained musician may not have.

So, I will return to FUMC Allen at least once more and will attend a Sunday School class. Next Sunday's ChurchSearch will take me to Custer Road UMC in Plano.