Words to Ponder… The Beauty and the Beast – Loving the Unlovable
Do you like Disney movies? I don’t care much for the Disney shows, they’re just too silly but I like the movies because they make me feel good and sometimes have a good theological message. When I was growing up I looked forward to Sunday nights and “The Wonderful World of Disney”, followed by Bonanza with Ben Cartwright and the boys (another good family show). You never had to worry about Ben slapping the boys around or cursing, even the hired hands (the good and bad) watched their language.
My favorite Disney movie is Reverend Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. It has a typical theme: good against evil with good winning out in the end. It had guns, horses, fight scenes, and drama; everything a seven year old
boy in 1964 wanted in a movie.
I like happy endings and Disney always came through. Even as a child I realized life doesn’t always have happy endings; I guess that is why I like Disney, it gave me a weekly escape and it brightened my world. We all need a little light once in a while to brighten our world. Another story that Disney transformed into a fun movie is Beauty and the Beast. The original story by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve was published in French in 1740 and translated into English in 1757. It was a little darker then the Disney version but the theological point is the same: a person must be loved before that person can be loveable. The English essayist and poet, G. K. Chesterton said that is the lesson of the story of Beauty and the Beast, that a thing must be loved before it is loveable.
Chesterton said, “Some of the most unlovely people I have known got that way because they thought that nobody loved them. The fact of the matter is that unless and until we feel ourselves loved, we cannot love. That's not only a principle of theology but of psychology and sociology as well. Just as abused children grow up to abuse their children, loved children grow up to love their children. Loved persons are able to love. Unloved persons are not. Christianity says something startling. It says that God loves and accepts us ‘just as we
are.’
Therefore we can love and accept ourselves and in so doing, love and acceptothers.”¹
I still like to escape every once in awhile by watching a happy ever after movie, but I feel even better when I step out into the real world and share the love of Christ with my neighbors. I don’t always succeed; the darkness of life sometimes gets in the way. It is good to know that God loves us in spite of our failings, so I keep trying. Have you shared the love of Christ with someone today?
Ed
¹ Donald B. Strobe, Collected Words
This page last updated:
November 1, 2009
Reverend Dr. Ed Judy, Senior Pastor Morrow First UMC
Ed was appointed to Morrow First UMC June 2007. He is married to the former Julie Shafer from Berlin Center, Ohio. They have one daughter, Lauren.
Ed enlisted in the United States Army when he was eighteen years old. He served 42 months and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, Signal Corps.
While on active duty in the United States Army Ed served in Germany; Korea; Japan; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Fort McPherson, Georgia. Ed retired as a Major from the Army Reserves September 1, 2002 after serving 231/2 years.
Ed has a Doctorate of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West South Carolina, a Master of Divinity from ‘Emory University, Candler School of Theology’ and Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Norman Oklahoma.
He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, North Georgia Conference. He served as pastor to New Hope UMC June 1996 – 2001; to Forest Park UMC 2001 – 2006; and to Saint Paul UMC 2006 – 2007. He was appointed to Morrow First UMC June 2007. Ed has also served on the district committee on finance, Hispanic ministries and the North Georgia UMC homeless council.
Julie has a Bachelor of Social Work from Marshall University; she is a Certified Pharmacy Technician and has worked for twelve year at Henry Medical Center. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Georgia and currently in her second year at Candler School of Theology of Emory University where she is working toward a Master of Theological Studies.
Administrative Assistant
Jean Peacock
Administrative Assistant for Morrow First United Methodist Church has served in this position since 1972. Professionally, she is a member of the United Methodist Association of Church Business Administrators, the Professional Association of United Methodist Secretaries (PAUMCS) and the Georgia Chapter of PAUMCS.
As a staff member responsible for the finances of the church, she is a member of the Committee on Finance, Administrative Council, and an ex-officio member of several committees. Among her varied financial duties and responsibilities, she is the church's registered agent for the State of Georgia Corporations Division and the primary purchasing agent for the church. In her administrative capacity she is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the church office, researching, preparing and maintaining all permanent records, liaison for church and non-church sponsored groups using church facilities, and supervising hourly paid employees.
Secretary
Pam Foust Rich
Pam is the key data input person for the computer. She prepares office correspondence, bulletins, and mailing lists. She is also the content manager for the church Web site. Although born at Frances E.Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne , Wyoming (family is from Tennessee ), Pam has been a resident of Jonesboro since 1970. She currently holds several leadership positions in her church including Sunday School teacher for the Searchers Class, Member of the Joy Sunday School Class, Sunday School greeter, Chair of the Visitation Ministry, Member of the Administrative Board, Member of the Council on Ministries, Member of the BBQ Committee, Member of the Mary Alice Boyd Scholarship Committee,the Co-Chair of the Bereavement Committee and a Wedding Hostess. Pam has previously been an acolyte and the Family Care Chair. Her hobbies include bowling, cross-stitch,reading.
Director of Music Ministries
Donna Weeks
Donna Weeks has been the Director of Music Ministries at Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1995. She is also the choral director at East Coweta High School. Donna has sung with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus for the past twelve years, giving performances at Carnegie Hall and one at Avery Fischer Hall in Lincoln Center.
Donna performed a concert series with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in March 2007 in conjunction with the American Choral Directors Association national convention in Miami, Florida. Donna has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus since 1990. She was one of 40 women chosen from the association to perform the Debussy Nocturnes at the convention. Donna has traveled numbers times to Carnegie Hall to sing with the Association. She also spent eight days in Berlin, Germany with the Association singing with the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2008, Donna will again sing with the Association at Carnegie Hall in April and in Berlin, Germany in May. Way to go, Donna!
Church Accompanist
Jackie Davis
Jackie returns as Church Accompanist in February 2005. Previously, she served as church accompanist from 1984 to 1998.
Jackie has been a member of Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1987. She has a Masters Degree in Music with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy. Jackie and her husband, Don have two children, Casey and Luke. She has taught many piano students in private and studio settings and continues to share her talent with us, her church family. Jackie and her husband are the parents of two teenagers.
Nursery Attendant
Nannette Dooley
Nannette has been a nursery worker for Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1997. She is active in the United Methodist Women, the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir. She is a member of the Administrative Board, Class of 2008. Outside of the church, Nannette does clerical work. Nannette has one son who deployed to Bahrain in July 2006.
Elizabeth Lee
Elizabeth has served in the nursery of Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1995. She has kept the nursery in her own church for since 1965 and for the Homemakers Club since 1977 at their meeting places. Elizabeth, married since February 16, 1952, has eight children, 16 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her hobbies include crafts. Taking care of children is Elizabeth's ministry. She loves children, as they are a joy to her.
Custodian
Tracy Holland
Tracy, a newly wed in May 2007 has served as a part-time custodian at Morrow First United Methodist Church since 1998, and previously from 1988-1992.. He has been a full-time custodian for the Clayton County School System since 1983, currently working at Jonesboro Middle School. Tracy is active in his church and enjoys his hobbies, which include football, basketball, bowling and pool.
Cook
Ray Cox
I have been the church cook for a very short time, although I have been cooking for church-wide events for last 7 or 8 years. I am married to the former Diane Crane for 38 years and we have one son, Andrew, who is married to the former Anna Wiley. We are expecting our first grandchild in August. Diane, Andrew and I have been members of the church since the early seventies. Diane and I were raised in Rome, Ga, where I received a BS from Berry College. In the past, I have served our church in many capacities, serving on finance, pastor parish, cons. of ministries and the administrative board. I have been an usher in our church for over 32 years. I have been a youth leader for many years and have cooked for the youth on retreats to Florida, the mountains and everywhere in between. I have worked the church bar-b-que for many years from the pits to the kitchen. I have been the fellowship hall host for several years. I am also the church auditor.
Morrow First UMC Historical Highlights
- 1800’s: 1865 Brush Arbor - served by circuit and lay preachers. Named “Arbor Place”
- 1870 Williams Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church built
- 1881 Williams Chapel replaced by white frame building
- 1900’s: 1930 erected brick building on Old Rex Morrow Road. Renamed Morrow Methodist Church
- 1967 Present building completed. Named Morrow United Methodist Church in 1968
- 1969 Fellowship Hall built
- 1973 Addition of Education Wing and expanded parking lot
- 1997 Stained glass windows installed in sanctuary. Major renovations to grounds and facilities
- 2000’s: 2000 Name changed to Morrow First United Methodist Church, Inc.
- 2000 Storage room added to Fellowship Hall
- 2006 Began a two-phase investment plan to Retain Sacred Valuable Property (RSVP), our inherited responsibility to maintain our buildings and grounds for posterity.
- 2008 and beyond: To fulfill the first words of the church’s Mission Statement: “Morrow First United Methodist Church is a community of faith with a passion for Jesus Christ and all people” through a ministry of intentional and authentic evangelism that glorifies God’s call for the church’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I expect on my first visit?
You can expect to be greeted by all of the friendly people who are part of our congregation at MFUMC. They all have a love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our church. Tell an usher that you are a first time visitor, and you will be given a Visitor Packet that tells all about Morrow First. Also inside the packet is a complementary ticket for our Wonderful Wednesday Night Supper.
- How should I dress?
That is totally up to you. We are much more interested in the time you spend in worship and fellowship than what you are wearing.
- Where do I park?
Visitor and handicap parking are at the front of the church and to the right side.
- What if I have trouble hearing and reading small print?
Assisted hearing devices and large print bulletins are always available. Just tell an usher that you need one.
- What if I don’t know the words to the hymns and other congregational responses?
The page numbers are listed in the bulletin after each hymn and congregational response.
- Do you have a nursery?
Yes, we do. Our nursery attendants, Nanette Dooley and Elizabeth Lee, each have over 10 years experience as nursery attendants. Please ask an usher for directions to the nursery.
- How do I know what Sunday School Class to attend?
The Sunday School greeter, Pam Rich, and our pastor, Rev. Dr. Ed Judy, are standing in the hall of the Sunday School wing each Sunday morning. They will be happy to assist you in determining what class would be appropriate for you.
