Bill Adams Jr. was over at the Wesley Foundation. One day they had the cut the water off to do some repairs. Well a good hearted person didn’t know why the water was turned off but decided to help and get the water back on. Unfortunately the water damaged the new carpet, which was part of the repairs.

The Wesley Foundation didn’t have insurance to cover the damage.

So I, Charlie Williams, called a special meeting of the Methodist Men. It was decided that “we have got to do something.” Like all good Methodist, we planned a meal and had a chicken supper. Franklin Beacham, had some outlets to get cheaper chicken, and it was one of the most successful chicken suppers they ever had. They ran out of food early on. Someone called and said they were out of peas. I went to get more, and they prepared more food. Then, after purchasing even more food, they over sold so much, they ran out again. The Methodist Men offered a refund to those who had purchased food, but no one would accept the refund; they gave as a donation to the Wesley Foundation. Once all the bills were paid to cover the chicken supper expenses, the Methodist Men raised almost $600 to help pay for the damage that was done at the Wesley Foundation.

Charlie Williams

One day during worship, Carswell Williams had a seizure during the service. I ran to get the car, whileOne day during worship, Carswell Williams had a seizure during the service. I ran to get the car, while others tended to him. Speed Thompson and Emmett Scott got Carswell and his wife, Sue, situated in the hospital. But Sue was so worried about their car being left at church; she knew they would need their car at home, when Carswell was able to leave the hospital. I asked Sue to describe their car to me. She did and gave me the keys. Once Speed and Emmett arrived to Pittman Park, they found the car and drove it to the Willams’s home. Church was still in session after they arrived back to Pittman Park from delivering the car. The hospital decided not to keep Carswell and sent him home to rest.

Church was over, and this is when the story gets humorous. Speed Thompson called me and said the police are looking for us. Apparently we stole an automobile. The keys that Sue Williams gave Emmett, Speed, and me as well as the description she told us, matched the car of a choir member. The choir member remembered where she parked and her car was not in its location. So she called the police to report a stolen car.

I had to call the police department and tell them we knew where the car was and explain the whole story. Needless to say that was one eventful Sunday at Pittman Park.

-Charlie Williams

The relationship of Les and Kathy Kicklighter with Pittman Park United Methodist Church has been one of many years. As a member of the Reidsville United Methodist Church and its Youth Group, I (Kathy) attended several Sub-District MYF meetings at PPUMC in the mid to late ’60’s. I remember the beauty and the reverence I felt in this special place. In 1972, as a young, married couple of one month we moved to Statesboro to attend Georgia Southern College. During that time, we made Pittman Park our church. After Les graduated in 1974, we moved away for a job opportunity. In 1982, blessed with three children, Les-8 years, Ashley-5 years, and Shanna 3 years, we relocated back to Statesboro for Les to accept a job at ITT Grinnell. The first question our oldest son asked when told about our move was “Where is my new church going to be?” The week we moved, the first thing we did was to call the church office of Pittman Park to inquire about the times for Sunday School and Church. Denise Conner, Diaconal Minister, answered the phone and welcomed us to the community and relayed the information regarding the services. She also informed Rev. Billy Oliver that we planned to attend. That Sunday, he was waiting for us in the parking lot when we arrived for Sunday School and Church. After introductions, he took us to the Sunday School Classes for each of our children and led us to a Young Adult Sunday School Class led by Norman Wells. That afternoon, Bennie Herring came to visit us, bringing a pan of her delicious, homemade cinnamon rolls. I still remember that bright beautiful smile and her warm, friendly welcome. It was a wonderful day for our family. The next week at dinner one night, Les and I begin discussing which church we would visit on Sunday. Our oldest son emphatically said “We already have a church, and it is Pittman Park.” Les and I smiled and looked at each other knowing that PPUMC was where our family needed to be. We joined the church that summer and each of our children were confirmed at age 12 at PPUMC. From the beginning, we felt God’s love through the many members of our church family. We have enjoyed great fellowship and unconditional love. They have rejoiced with us in the good times, walked with us in the blessing of ordinary days, and helped to carry our burdens in the not so good times. They have been steadfast in their support and love. They helped to teach and guide our children in their faith and helped Les and me to grow in ours. They have been a constant source of encouragement and joy to our family. Our daughter, Shanna, was married in our Sanctuary, celebrating one of the most sacramental moments of her life, in the same place she began singing in the children’s choir at age 3. Our sons participated in the Boy Scouts at PPUMC, starting out as Cub Scouts and both achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. They had their Eagle Scout Ceremonies in our Sanctuary, in the same place they began singing in the children’s choir at ages 8 and 5. Les and I started out in the Young Adult Sunday School Class and are now Senior Citizens! Our memories and blessings are too many to count, and for that, we are forever grateful.
One last, special memory I would like to share. In 2013, after losing our home to fire, we had to find a
new home. As we were settling in, Kathy and Butch Barnes gave us a gift for our new home bringing
us to tears of joy. The mirror that had hung in the Parlor for many years; had been the mirror countless brides had gazed into on her wedding day, was destined for the UMW Garage Sale when it was no longer needed after the remodeling. Kathy and Butch bought that mirror as a gift to us. It hangs in our foyer, a daily reminder of our abiding love for our church family and the wisdom of our loving God in guiding us so many years ago to PPUMC.

Hubert (Clark} and I have so many happy memories of PPUMC during the 7Os and Zachary and Marjorie Henderson …. Charter Members of PPUMC.

Marjorie and Rosemarie were members of the Senior Women’s UMW …. where we shared a love for music ministry … We often visited the local Nightingale nursing home (over near Statesboro High School) to share the love of Jesus with residents. Marjorie played an accordion (expertly). I played an
Autoharp (still have my autoharp—not very expert anymore) … We walked up and down the halls of the nursing home … playing, singing .. .teaching joyful scripture songs …. Ex … “This Is the Day” …. “This Is My Commandment” … “! Will Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving in My Heart” …. we also taught scripture songs throughout the church …. UMW and Sunday School classes.

Note: At the time, Dr. Zachary Henderson was recently retired PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY …… The university library is the Zachary Henderson Library. (I have served on the Henderson Library Advisory Council since my retirement from GS in 2008).

The history of Pittman Park United Methodist Church is intimately connected with the history of Georgia Southern University.

Rosemarie Stallworth-Clark

Because my parents, John & Irene Boole, were charter members of Pittman Park UMC, I have many memories of my home church. The first that comes to mind is when I received my own Bible which was given to me on my birthday in 1962. The Rev. Lawrence Houston was our minister and he admonished me to read it faithfully so the pages would be well worn and falling out. I took him at his word, because my Bible has been so well used that it’s literally falling apart!

Our youth group, the UMYF was closely knit with a youth choir, and many weekly activities. We often had “Afterglows” after Sunday evening services when we would go to someone’s . home to share in refreshments and fellowship together. Eltck Bullington was our pastor during my youth years and his
family became a big part of my church memories. The Bullingtons were big supporters of the youth and encouraged us to be involved in sub-district, district and conference activities. Youth weekends at Epworth by the Sea were real treats! One memory that comes to mind is when the Bullingtons took the youth group to Magnolia Springs for a campout. Our youth group had embraced a special friend named Glenn who also attended the camping trip. One afternoon we decided to take Glenn on a snipe hunt (thinking the joke would be on him) when in fact, after a while as he worked to flush out the snipe, he finally yelled “I got one!” We all came running to see his “snipe” and the joke was on us!!

We often had serious discussions about civil rights and the fight for equality. One Sunday evening during the evening service, Rev. “B” allowed our youth to discuss these important issues with the church leaders. It was obvious by their questions and our responses that we weren’t always on the
same-page. I remember Rev. “B” saying how it’s so much harder to love the bigots and haters than to love those who are being discriminated against. Our discussions helped us to be more tolerant and understanding of the differences of others as we dealt with the challenges of desegregation.

Our adult leaders (including Robert and Anita Wiggins) and others of Pittman Park UMC helped me to grow into an independent thinker and hopefully a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.

Connie Boole

Several years ago (I can’t remember how many) the church asked me to be Stewardship Chairman. I was a young laymen at the time and didn’t have a lot of knowledge of what it meant to be Stewardship Chairman. I had served some time on the Finance Committee so I had an inkling of what the job entailed.

I immediately went to the GSU Library and researched stewardship and fundraising. In that search I stumbled on a program called “Miracle-of-the-Dime.” {That tells you how old the book must have been.)

The “Miracle-of-the-Dime” program inspired me to try a similar program in our stewardship campaign. It was updated and called “Miracle-of-the-Dollar.” I went to the bank and and got 300 one dollar bills. I had assumed that that amount would suffice for the morning service (11 :00 only at that time.) Each of the bills was placed in a small envelope labeled “Miracle-of-the-Dollar” and each person in attendance received one of the envelopes. They were to take the dollar invest it in some way-business {lemonade stand), bank, stock market. … Whatever the dollar earned was to be given back to Pittman Park stewardship drive.

I have no memory of the financial success of the program. I do remember that we had a good time with the program, and I think that everybody got some stewardship thoughts in their heads.

Norman Wells

Dolly and I moved to Statesboro when I was 40 years old, and now I am 78 – 38 plus years a member. Our family picked Pittman Park because our son Marion said “I like Mr. (Walt) Campbell.” So that was it. Rev. Larry Roberts was the pastor, so that makes seven or eight pastors I’ve had the honor to be led by.

I’ve had three kids to grow up influenced by PPUMC, married our daughter, sadly buried a wife, and I have prayed at its Altar more times than be counted. The Fellowship Class has been a big part of my (and Dolly’s) life. The Woody Powell sharing group a strong force in my life. I’ve seen many good
things like missions outside and inside the country, to Back Pack Buddies, Food Bank, and the best would be Pittman Park Education Center for kids, or the building of the Fellowship Hall.

I have had the pleasure and honor of being the chairperson of many groups within like Council, Board, Sunday School class and count it a blessing to have served.

I’m now just a member, but the Sunday School class, Woody Powell Group, Life Group, and Membership continue to guide me.

Thank you PPUMC

-Franklin Beacham

Todays “Youth,” used to be known as MYF, or Methodist Youth Fellowship. The same age groups as now, grades 6-12, would meet at the church at 5:30 for a snack supper, study, and fun. The suppers consisted of everything from hot dogs to pizza and chips, or sandwiches. Parent volunteers
coordinated and served the meal, which had a cost of fifty cents to one dollar per person.

Games and competition were often part of the fun, and included everything from broom hockey to volleyball, and basketball, to capture the flag, and water balloon battles. Study was held most usually in the Youth Room, but could be outdoors as well.

There were Youth Directors, MYF Counselors and chaperones, and occasionally summer interns assisting in the effort. There was also Afterglow.

Afterglow, so named for the “glow” or heart- warming experience felt after MYF and evening worship, would take place at least once a month. Church members would host the entire group at their personal homes, providing a relaxed atmosphere of fellowship, and of course more food!

While actually just hangin’ out, but there was no such term at that time, and lasting for an hour to an hour and a half, time was spent laughing and talking, perhaps playing pool or swimming in a pool, pingpong and maybe even watching Sunday night television.

Sunday nights with Afterglow would have a larger turnout than most others, and youth friends outside Pittman Park often joined in the festivities.

Hadley Campbell