Waelder teacher cited for church, community service

A Waelder teacher was recognized Feb. 15 for outstanding church and community service.
Lawrence Winston Fryer, Henson Chapel UMC, Gonzales, received the 2008 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for the Victoria District during a laity dinner and awards ceremony at Yoakum Community Center.
Fifty-one other individuals and 12 groups were honored as well for contributions to their congregations and communities.
More than 300 people attended the annual event.
“I want to thank my church and God and everyone in my community for this,” Fryer said after accepting the Exemplar Award. “May God bless each of you.”
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gives the awards annually to laypeople selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Fryer was cited for his sacrificial service to Henson Chapel and his contribution to the Waelder school district by teaching high school agriculture for more than 40 years.
Fryer’s students won state and local competitions in Texas and Kansas City, Kan., for many years. He is an honorary lifelong member of the Future Farmers of America. In 1992 the Waelder Independent School District named its livestock show barn for him.
Fryer continues to be involved with the high school and Waelder FFA. He is president of the Lions Club and serves as president of the Edwards Association, a community-based organization in Gon-zales.
At Henson Chapel, Fryer served as pastor-parish relations committee chair for more than 15 years. He supplies more than 400 pounds of fresh fish fillets for the church’s annual fish fry. He keeps the sanctuary clean and is spearheading a campaign to repair the church building.
Fryer was born on “Christ’s birthday” in 1931, the second of eight children. He grew up on a farm and joined the Army upon graduation from high school. After serving the country, Fryer majored in agriculture at Prairie View A&M University.
“Henson Chapel is grateful for such a man sent by God and one who works with Christ’s hands and feet,” said Pastor Marilyn Rice.
Six other Exemplar Award nominees were given Distinguished Disciples certificates:
> Jerome Emmel, First UMC, Columbus.
> Ernest E. Glover, Wesley Chapel UMC, Altair.
> Marilyn Mitchell, First UMC, Palacios.
> Hope Rodgers, First UMC, Edna.
> Joyce Wallace, John Wesley UMC, Victoria.
> Jody Weaver, First UMC, Port Lavaca.
Thirty-four individuals, listed by congregation, received Christian Witness and Service Awards for work in their churches and communities:
> Wesley Chapel UMC, Altair—Lucy Glover.
> Belmont UMC—Clayton Lee.
> First UMC, Bloomington—Daphne Ford.
> First UMC, Edna—Harry Richard.
> Scruggs Chapel UMC, Edna—Ruth Barnes.
> Oakman Chapel UMC, Fla-tonia—Lula Parson.
> Evans Chapel UMC, Gonzales—Eva Smith.
> Henson Chapel UMC, Gon-zales—Linda Wilson.
> First UMC, Hallettsville—Joyce Schneider.
> Johnson Chapel UMC, Hal-lettsville—Maxine McAfee.
> Richardson Chapel UMC, Hal-lettsville—Elroy Johnson.
> Kingsbury UMC—Sandra and Harold Wattson.
> Lolita UMC—Bob and Pat Shoe-mate.
> Nursery UMC—Rhonda Hoo-per.
> First UMC, Palacios—Maxine Kubecka.
> First UMC, Point Comfort—Jane Griffith.
> First UMC, Port Lavaca—Doyce and Carolyn Taylor.
> Rock Island UMC—Wayne Al-len.
> Brown Chapel UMC, Schu-lenburg—Carolyn Newton.
> First UMC, Seadrift—Patrick Hogan Henley.
> First UMC, Seguin—Jane Mints.
> First UMC, Shiner—Adam Brunkenhofer.
> Staples UMC—John and JoAn Jacobs.
> First UMC, Victoria—Allison Whitaker.
> St. Mark’s UMC, Victoria—Johnny and Beverly Hadley.
> Webster Chapel UMC, Vic-toria—Leona Todd.
> First UMC, Yoakum—Kathryn Hairell.
> Waelder UMC, Thompsonville UMC and Freyburg UMC, Schu-lenburg—Ed and Lucille Walters.
Spirit of Christ awards went to church groups that did “outstanding” community service:
> Austwell UMC—Women’s Bible study group.
> First UMC, Edna—United Methodist Youth Fellowship.
> Fannin UMC—Berclair mission team.
> First UMC, Gonzales—Food Box Team.
> Kingsbury UMC—Kingsbury Trio and Doris.
> First UMC, Palacios—United Methodist Women.
> First UMC, Port Lavaca—Pioneer Club staff.
> First UMC, Seguin—Tri-Methodist Housing Rehabilitation Team.
> Telferner UMC—Wednesday Gladness team.
> First UMC, Victoria—2007 New Orleans mission team.
> Webster Chapel UMC, Vic-toria—Webster Chapel Praise Dancers.
Young Disciple awards were given to young people 12-19 who served the community and church:
> LaKarver Ayers, Scruggs Chapel UMC, Edna.
> Devon Dillard, First UMC, Palacios.
> Rachel Galvan, First UMC, Edna.
> Jamie Garrison, Brown Chapel UMC, Schulenburg.
> Jonathan Gonzales, First UMC, Victoria.
> Megan Hall, First UMC, Port Lavaca.
> Jacob Latimer, First UMC, Edna.
> DaJuan Lemon, Richardson Chapel UMC, Hallettsville.
> Amanda Nash, First UMC, Seguin.
> Leon Richardson, Evans Chapel UMC, Gonzales.
> Brieanna Stafford, Henson Chapel UMC, Gonzales.