Suncreek United Methodist Church

Suncreek United Methodist Church of (Allen, Texas) is part of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. The church was started in 1995 and was officially constituted as a United Methodist Church on September 22, 1996. [cite web
url = http://www.suncreekumc.org/history/history.html
title = History
publisher = Suncreek UMC
accessdate = 2008-04-20]

The church was made momentarily notorious on February 19 2005 as the location from which Republican 3rd Texas District Congressman Sam Johnson proposed attacking Syria with nuclear weapons in response to his assumption that Syria was harboring many of Iraq's supposed WMDs. The claim that Iraq initially had such weapons served as a pretext for the United States to invade and occupy that country.

This event was attended primarily by older veterans from Plano, Allen, and McKinney. Many laughed and clapped after this statement and interpreted it as humor. Part of the humor centered on Johnson, a senior adult, saying that he tried to convince George W. Bush that he should let Johnson pilot the plane for this mission. Some responded with silence and later expressed that they found the statement offensive; although, they knew that it was intended as a joke.

Suncreek United Methodist Church also received considerable media attention following Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball's, Senior Pastor, experience with stage 4 cancer in early 2007. She shared this diagnosis openly with the congregation and continues to preach most Sundays. Instead of responding with sluggish caution during this crisis. The church experienced what some called a spiritual awakening in which many persons reflected on what really mattered to them versus what was trivial. Many committed to live out their lives with a greater sense of gratitude for loved ones and to nurture a faith that can weather a major crisis.

The church experienced unprecedented membership growth and worship attendance. It moved forward with several construction projects. It heaped love and support upon its pastor. Many grew closer to their pastor. There was a sense that Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball faced this illness with great courage, faith, and integrity. Many noted that she really was practicing what she was preaching in a bold way.

Palmer Studies in the Faith

Suncreek United Methodist Church offers an annual lectureship entitled "Palmer Studies in the Faith" that has featured nationally acclaimed preachers including Zan Wesley Holmes Jr, John Holbert, Scott J. Jones, Richard B. Wilke, and James W. Moore.

References

External links

* [http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/003628.html Johnson's Syria Comments]
* [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/DN-baskinball_21met.ART.North.Edition1.42acead.html Dallas Morning News- Cancer Story]