| 2 | 3 | | |
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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, For 175 years, families have come together to |
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| 6 | 7 | | celebrate their faith at Columbia United Methodist Church in West |
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| 7 | 8 | | Columbia; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The church was first organized as a Methodist |
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| 9 | 10 | | Society by the Reverend Isaac L. G. Strickland in 1839, and it was |
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| 10 | 11 | | formally established on March 7 of the following year; considered |
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| 11 | 12 | | the oldest Methodist congregation in Brazoria County, it first |
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| 12 | 13 | | occupied a brick building, and a subsequent frame structure was |
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| 13 | 14 | | replaced by the present brick sanctuary in 1958; in 1984, the church |
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| 14 | 15 | | was honored with an official state historical marker by the Texas |
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| 15 | 16 | | Historical Commission; and |
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| 16 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Over the years, the church has continued to |
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| 17 | 18 | | flourish; the building was renovated and beautiful stained-glass |
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| 18 | 19 | | windows were installed in the 1990s, and later, a large fellowship |
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| 19 | 20 | | hall, kitchen, and new offices were added; in recent decades, the |
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| 20 | 21 | | congregation has expanded its community outreach programs as well; |
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| 21 | 22 | | and |
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| 22 | 23 | | WHEREAS, Columbia United Methodist has benefited from the |
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| 23 | 24 | | able leadership of many dedicated pastors, and today, that |
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| 24 | 25 | | tradition of service continues under the direction of Dr. Michael |
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| 25 | 26 | | Deaton; and |
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| 26 | 27 | | WHEREAS, Since its inception, Columbia United Methodist |
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| 27 | 28 | | Church has served as a source of inspiration and guidance to those |
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| 28 | 29 | | who worship there, and its continued existence is a tribute to the |
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| 29 | 30 | | unwavering commitment of its members, both past and present; now, |
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| 30 | 31 | | therefore, be it |
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| 31 | 32 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 32 | 33 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of Columbia |
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| 33 | 34 | | United Methodist Church and extend to its congregation sincere best |
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| 34 | 35 | | wishes for many more years of shared prayer and fellowship; and, be |
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| 35 | 36 | | it further |
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| 36 | 37 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 37 | 38 | | prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 38 | 39 | | House of Representatives. |
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