At Saint Matthew United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, we are privileged to have a wonderful staff serving the needs of the church and it's members. We'd like to now introduce these individuals to you.
Not many people can say this any more, but I was raised in the country - privileged to spend the first 20 years of my life close to nature. (That means cows, chickens, trees, and a clear blue sky.)
My home territory is around Kemp, Texas, 35 miles southeast of Dallas. I graduated from Kemp High in 1961, and moved on to the University of North Texas (then, North Texas State). I began teaching high school English and speech immediately upon graduating in 1965.
I entered the ministry 18 years ago when I became aware of a basic human reality: my life is not my own. This realization allowed me to make the difficult move from teaching to ministry - difficult because I was already settled in my career, did not want to change, and certainly did not want to go back to school.
I did change, did go back to school, and began serving a small, dying church in East Fort Worth - St. Matthew. Even during my years at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, St. Matthew began to grow for the first time in years. The growth of this church, hidden off the main road and basically unknown in the community, seemed so phenomenal that that the Bishop allowed me to remain in place. I have now served St. Matthew since 1982.
As we approach the millennium we are looking to complete the building program, begun in 1992 with the "rebuilding" of our sanctuary. The next phase is a badly - needed parking area, followed in the year 2000 by the new educational wing. Even as we work toward the future we enjoy a gracious present - a church focused on the Great Commission and the loving care of others in the name of Christ.
Editors Note: On June 7, 1999, Max will be starting his 18th year as Pastor of Saint Matthew United Methodist Church.
Guadalupe Rivera, Jr., is currently in his third year as Director of Choral Activities at North Side High School, Fort Worth, Texas. His duties at North Side include conducting the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. His choirs have received Superior and Excellent ratings at All-City and University Interscholastic League Choral Contests. Most recently, the North Side Choir has been a guest choir for the services at University Christian Church, the largest Disciples of Christ Church in the nation. Also, Mr. Rivera has had students as part of the ACDA National High School Honor Choir in Chicago. Last year, North Side was the only high school in the Fort Worth Independent School District that received superior ratings at U.I.L. Contest. In May of 1998, the North Side Concert Choir gave a concert at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. In past years, they were invited to sing at the Corpus Christi Cathedral and the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Rivera's choirs are always on call for special performances for local organizations.
Mr. Rivera received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Texas Christian University in May of 1996. There he studied with Ron Shirey and the late Dr. Ruth Whitlock. As a member of the TCU Concert Chorale, Mr. Rivera toured the greater Southwestern United States, South Texas, and performed with the New York Symphony Pops at Carnegie Hall, under the direction of Skitch Henderson, in December of 1993. Mr. Rivera returned to New York City and Carnegie Hall in December of 1998.
He has sung and studied under the batons of the late Dr. Bev Henson, Ron Shirey, Dr. Lara Hoggard, Paul Salarnunovich, Jennifer Whatley, Greg Labus, Rob Hunt, John Giordano, and Dr. Kurt Sprenger. In 1996, Mr. Rivera had the wonderful opportunity to study with the late Robert Shaw at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Mr. Rivera has recently guest conducted the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, under the direction of Dr. Kurt Sprenger, and Camerata Corpus Christi, under the direction of Sharon Pope. Mr. Rivera is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Association Fraternity.
Mr. Rivera is a resident of Fort Worth, Texas and a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also the proud uncle of five nephews; the provider for Brahms, his hyperactive spoiled puppy; and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Guadalupe Rivera, Sr.
Our organist, Julie Bell was born in Oklahoma City and was raised in Tuttle, OK. She graduated from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls with a Bachelor of Music Education with a Piano/Organ major. Julie is currently employed as a private piano and organ teacher as well as an elementary music teacher at Corey Elementary School in the Arlington School District. She became the organist at St. Matthew United Church in 1999 and has been a member here since 1983. Julie is married to Wayne Bell, who is the Cubmaster for St, Matthew's Pack 510. She is the proud mother of three sons, Jon, Jarod and Jackson who are also very active in the St. Matthew scouting programs.
St. Matthew United Methodist Church is happy to have Angie serving as our youth director. Angie's father served in the Navy, so she grew up on the move in southern and northern California as well as Virginia. She attended many schools in those areas.
After finally settling in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a degree in Radio and Television. Angie is also certified to teach social studies. After graduation, Angie taught at Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth before "retiring" to become a full-time mom.
Angie loves working with the youth and being with children while making a difference in their lives. Her goal is to be active and involved in mission work while giving back to the church as well as the east side community.
Angie is married to Jerry, a very talented potter, and they have a beautiful daughter named Edie.
Created and maintained by Chuck and Terry Mencke
smumc@web-connection.org
This file last modified October 7, 2000
URL: http://www.web-connection.org/smumc/serve.htm