Edwin (Ed) H. Thorpe is a 23 year Air Force veteran.  He retired as an Air Force Officer in 1981 at Kelly AFB, having served tours in Kansas, California, Germany, Alaska and Texas.  Ed and his wife Martha have been members of UCUMC since 1976.  They have one daughter and two grandchildren living in Round Rock.  Ed has served on the Finance, Evangelism, Worship, Spiritual Journey, Communications, and the newly formed Campus Ministry Teams.  He also served on a team that started a Praise Service in 2003 and another team formed to train small group facilitators.  He co-founded the Christian Car Club and actively supports church multi-media teams, Candy Jar Visitation, New Member Mentors, Greeters, and Family Movie Night.  After retiring from the Air Force, Ed joined a local CPA firm and served as an audit manager and partner before retiring from that occupation in December 2007.

Sally Friedli has been a member of UCUMC for almost 12 years.  She grew up in East Texas, married an Army officer, and traveled to far away and interesting places such as Germany and Japan, also California, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia.  They retired in Cibolo in 1995 and, after being a stay-at-home mom for many years, she returned to the work force.  She works at the Southwest Texas Conference United Methodist Center in the Leadership Development Office as an Administrative Assistant.  Sally is in the Hosanna Chimes Bell Choir, assistant director of the Children’s Choir, is a member of the Worship Ministry Team, W.O.N. in Christ Ministry Team, Spiritual Journey MT, and an auxiliary member of the Evangelism MT.  She is also a member of the Praise Team, a Lay Speaker, and serves as Worship Leader, Communion Server and Lay Reader at the 11:00 service.  She will be a delegate to Annual Conference in 2007.  She has served as Children’s Sunday School Teacher, Worship MT Chair, Vacation Bible School Music Director, and W.O.N. in Christ secretary.  She has served as counselor at conference events such as Kingdom Kamp and Children’s Camp and attended an Emmaus Walk in January 2004.  She is married to David and they have 3 wonderful children, Kimberly, Brian (and wife, Lora) and Ben.

What is Lay Speaking Ministries?  Leading, caring,and communications best describe what lay speakers do in ministry with The United Methodist Church.  In Leading, Lay Speakers combine words and actions in leadership roles within their churches and communities.  In Caring, Lay Speakers combine words with deeds, they find ways to care for others.  Some are involved in crisis ministries, such as visiting grieving families.  They share a ministry of caring one-on-one with people in times of need and joy, showing their faith by responding to others with care.  Communicating both the Bible and Christian experience by filling pulpits, leading Bible studies, speaking in youth and children’s groups, talking with prison groups and more is the 3rd area of lay speaking ministries.

 What is a Lay Speaker?  A UMC Lay Speaker is a member of a local church or charge who is ready and desirous to serve the Church; who is well informed on and committed to the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of the United Methodist Church; and who has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communications, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries. 

Do you feel the call to be a Lay Speaker at Universal City United Methodist Church?  If so, please contact Lenny Dagg.

Lay Speakers

Bill Bennett

Darlene Bennett

Jerry Beverly

Marilyn Birmingham

Bob Buck

Lenny Dagg

Wayne Hosack

Jim McAden

Alison Buck

Jim Talbott.

Sally Friedli

Bruce Knecht

Heidi Knecht

Chantry Baier

Myron Ricketts Senior Pastor - Co-Chairman

Lenny Dagg, Lay Leader - Co-Chairman

2008 - Steve Stinson, Diane Holbrook, Ed Thorpe

2009 - Sally Friedli, Jim McAden, Dave Wagoner

2010 - Diane Hopkins, Bob Tarleton, Dodie Skladal

Catch the Spirit...Spread the Joy!