Brownsboro F.U.M.C.
by Glenda Elliot

It is with sadness, and joy, I write this article. I'm sure some have heard the rumors that we are leaving and the reasons vary depending on who's telling it (not that we gossip here in Brownsboro).

The truth is, we are retiring to go "home" to Texarkana and be with our children and family after 25 years of ministry in the two conferences, Arkansas and Texas. It is considered early retirement since Ernest is not 62 yet, and we had hoped to stay here for two more years, but God opened doors for us to go early, so we are going to walk through them.

Our time here has been swift it seems; we love our church and wish it well, as well as our beloved community. If we had not had a home and family in Texarkana we would have considered this area for retirement.

The people here have been awesome, and the area churches are wonderful, so we have been truly blessed and will miss you all greatly.

When we left Maud, one of my youth gave me the following poem and I wanted to share it with you. I'm not sure if it's original, but it is appropriate:

Two ships embarked on a journey

That would take them to places untold,

One never leaving the other behind,

Out in the cold. Till one day a storm hit And they were torn apart, But on they sailed

With joy in their heart.

This story is not just about two ships,

It's about you and me;

We are about to go our separate ways,

But please remember me.

I didn't just lose a leader,

I gained a friend.

Many miles will be put between us,

But we will stick together till the end.

We have gained friends and even though many miles will be between us we will stick together in prayer till the end. Our last Sunday will be May 25th and we'll move around the 30th. God bless.