Thrivent (Pedernales County Chapter) Press Release Letter

8/7/2019 Thrivent (Pedernales County Chapter) Press Release Letter

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April 17, 2011

CELEBRATING THE GENEROSITY

OF THE HARPER, TEXAS COMMUNITY******************************************

SEVEN CHURCHES JOIN

THE PEDERNALES RIVER CHAPTER OF THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS

IN BRINGING THE MIRACLE OF MUSIC TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Sunday, February 27th marked the 5th anniversary that the Pedernales River Chapter of Thrivent

Financial for Lutherans has sponsored the music ministry of Dreams Fulfilled Through Music in

Harper, TX. The project to sponsor specially challeged musicians provide music for worship

services which began in 2007 was inspired by the son of the Pastor of Harper United Methodist

Church, Hale Matthews, who introduced Harper to Dreams Fulfilled Through Music, a 501 c3

non-profit agency based in San Antonio, TX whose mission is to bring the joy of making music

to all persons with disabilities.

On Palm Sunday, April 17th, St. James

Lutheran Church celebrated this ecumenical,

community effort which now includes all

seven churches in Harper with the

presentation of a check from Thrivent

Financial for Lutherans for $4,510.75. Over

$2,900 was raised through love offerings

collected at each of the churches - St. Anthony

Catholic, First Presbyterian Church of Harper,

First United Methodist Church of Harper, the

First Baptist Church, Lighthouse Ministries,

Wild Ride Ministries, and of course, St. James

Lutheran.

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[email protected]

P.O. Box 40548, San Antonio, TX 78229

(210) 771-5809 Phone (210) 247-9681 Fax

www.dftm.org

From Left to Right:(Left to right) Edmund and Bernice Jenschke from theCatholic Church. Bill and Fran Dendy, St. James

Lutheran Church, George Menzies, Wild Ride Ministries,Mary Kathryn Archuleta, Director, Pastor Scott Hoffman,Saren Spicer and Gracie Bernardi DFTM BoardMembers. Dewayne Griggs, II is seated in front.
http://www.dftm.org/http://www.dftm.org/http://www.dftm.org/http://www.dftm.org/


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Just as one tiny mustard seed grows and prospers, the seeds of hope planted by Dreams Fulfilled

Through Music through the performance of one student in Harper, Texas have been nourished

with love and dedication by an entire community - to become a shining example of what it

means to serve one another. Now it is time to share with other communities the pricelessmusical gifts given in pure love by the students whose mission in life is only to make others

happy.

The first year several young students

demonstrated with confidence that their special

challenges were not disabilities, but rather

different abilities and special gifts they have been

given to share as they take an active rather than

passive role in a worship service. Through solo presentations on the piano and accordion, the

congregations of St. James Lutheran and the First

United Methodist Churches in Harper came to

love and look forward to their annual return.

By the third year, the ministry had expanded to also include the First Presbyterian Church of

Harper and performances grew to include the Alamo Angels Accordion Orchestra, now

comprised of students with Down Syndrome, other physical disabilities and senior citizens who

became their mentors. Uniquely, several of the seniors also have significant disabilities. In2010, the ensemble was named by the American Accordionists Association as the only one of

its type in the world!

In 2009, the MOSAIC RINGERS, a handchime ensemble comprised of challenged adults

whose needs are served by MOSAIC, the national ministry of the ELCA whose mission is to

provide a life of possibiliites for people with intellectual disabilities, performed at the Harper

Churches for the first time. Through MOSAICs partnership with Dreams Fulfilled Through

Music, this special group has developed their musicianship skills and felt the rewards of

accomplishment by using their talents to serve others.

The performances on Feb. 27th were at St. James Lutheran and including a special selection for

the members of the congregation of St. Anthonys Catholic Church during the 10:30 AM

service and concluding with a performance for First United Methodist Church at 11:30 AM.

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From Left to Right:(Left to right) Kelee Lawn, Hale Matthews,

Randy Harris, Sam Pestello, Richard Naujoks


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On Sunday morning, the 13th of March, The Alamo Angels Accordion

Orchestra opened the service at Wild Ride Ministries for an ethusiastic

congregation of nearly 200 worshippers. Special music for the Lighthouse

Fellowship Chapel followed with inspirational stories from the students and

families who have benefitted so much from the generosity of the HarperCommunity. A new performer this year is tenor vocalist, Mr. Dewayne

Griggs, II presented an outstanding rendition of Ride on King Jesus.

March 20th was the finale of Miracle of Music in Harper - 2011 opening with special music

for the First Presbyterian Church where the congregation sang Amazing Grace as the Alamo

Angels filled the Church with a most inspirational performance during the 9:00 AM Service. At

the First Baptist Church Dreams Fulfilled Through Music was given the greatest of all gifts - the

honor to share the inspiration and musical talents of students and their mentors for the entireservice!

As the interest in and appreciation of the talents of the Alamo Angels and the MOSAIC

RINGERS has grown each year, so has the love and financial support of the Harper Community

to ensure that the musical opportunities for persons with special needs may continue. In 2011,

through the efforts of Fran and Bill Dendy, Congregational Representatives of the Pedernales

River Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Dreams Fulfilled Through Music now comes

to Harper on three Sundays to provide special music for all seven churches in the Harper Area.This inspiring ministry in a community of barely 1,000 whose dedication and love for all of

Gods children is truly a remarkable demonstration that others should emulate.

The Alamo Angels Accordion Orchestra is the only performing organization of its type in the

world, comprised solely of individuals with disabilities and senior citizen mentors. Organized

in 2007, they have competed nationally at the American Accordionists Association Festivals in

Buffalo, New York, Washington, D.C., Memphis, TN, and Hershey, PA where they have

consistently earned Superior ratings. Locally, they have received outstanding ratings in theCrownridge Music Festival for the past three years.They perform for various community

organizations, hospitals and nursing homes, including special events for our Wounded Warriors

and V.A. Hospitals in San Antonio, Washington, D.C. and Memphis, TN.

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Dewayne Griggs, II


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From Left to Right:

Darien Williams, Felipe Gonzales (mentor), Kathryn Archuleta, Mary Kathryn Archuleta (director),

Samuel Pestello, Jennifer Maun, [front, seated] Richard Naujoks (assistant director), Kelee Lawn

[seated], Delancey Pestello (mentor), Gracie Bernardi, Ruby Harris, Randy Harris.

The MOSAIC RINGERS and Alamo Angels Accordion Orchestra with Pastor Scott

Hoffman at St. James Lutheran Church - February 2009.

_________________________________________________________________________

Mary Kathryn ArchuletaExecutive/Artistic Director

Dreams Fulfilled Through Music

Email: [email protected](210) 771-5809

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The Alamo Angels Accordion Orchestra

June 2010
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

Thrivent (Pedernales County Chapter) Press Release Letter