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