----- Original Message -----
From: SWilt80858@aol.com
To: BILL.REDDEN@prodigy.net
Subject: Barbara Crockett

Hello friends! Barbara and I chat about 3 times a year since our 40th HS reunion. Unfortunately she doesn't have a computer. She sent me a newspaper clipping about this wonderful event in her life, but it didn't scan well, soo -- here's a condensed version.

On June 2, 2001, a history-making event took place at the First United Methodist Church in Bishop, CA, when the Rev. Jackson commissioned a lay pastor (Barbara Crockett) into service for the local Methodist church.

"This has been a most amazing and humbling journey, but when called by God there was nothing to say but 'yes' and wherever He leads me I will go," Barbara Crockett said, when interviewed.

She explained further that for 4 years since her personal epiphany, and with extensive training and direction from mentor Jackson, she has undertaken classes in Bible and theological studies enabling her to carry out church duties, including the leading of worship, preparing and presenting sermons, making hospital visits, supporting activation of new church programs and maintaining existing programs.

Barbara's personal history began some years ago, having been married and bearing six children, three of which are deceased after having succumbed to the ravages of cystic fibrosis. She has been a resident of Bishop for the past 11 years. She is now a great-grandmother and one of her daughters has relocated to the Bishop area.

Through her interest the Stephen Ministry was instigated at FMC, prior to which a group of people were gathered and trained to become church Shepherds to minister to the church community.

Besides the many formal duties, she feels it is a function of her role as Lay Pastor to be available to those whose personalities call for, say, a woman-to-woman touch rather than an authority figure.

I am so happy for her -- she sounded wonderful on the phone, very content with life and this gives new meaning and clarity to her personal life.

BILL - How about passing the word around to those in Hopedale who remember her. Thanks
Stephanie