Chapters in the Journey

When I started collecting the stories of First Methodist earlier this year, I never knew what I might discover or where these stories would lead. I never expected to hear tales of cowboys and cattle drives, model Ts and firefighters, lions and monkeys in Beaumont, and POWs at Tyrrell Park. Bob Brandes at 91, is full of memories and he gave me a time traveler’s glimpse into the past. 

His family has been a part of First Methodist for generations with membership in its steeple, dome, and spire churches. Bob was baptized in the dome church in 1929 and married there several decades later. He has been a part of this community for most of his life, and I couldn't help but think of the sermons we have heard these past few Sundays because Bob's journey has included lots of good food shared with many of God's people. These people grew up together, played together, and became God's people together, sharing their stories and their lives along the way. 

There are accounts of beach trips and badminton, coffee club and cake, young love and marriage, of children, work, church and growing older together. The experiences in life that make us who we are, the things that bring us joy and the events that make us sad, the collective memories that make up the narrative of our lives.

Bob spends time in the archive room upstairs at least once a week, and if you haven’t experienced that room, you really should plan a visit. It reminds me of a case file room like the police have on tv. There are boxes on top of boxes all neatly organized and cataloged with their contents, each box a witness to the history and story of our community, a tribute to the people that the Spirit brought together. 

Bob and I talked most of the morning, and he said there really wasn’t anything exciting or unusual about his life, it was just living each day the best that he could. I thought about all that he told me and all that I learned that morning and I realized that each day may not seem exciting, but when you add up the days that make up your life, you understand that each day is another chapter in your journey. A journey as one of God's people, and being a part of that story, well that is about as exciting as it gets.

By Michelle Holland

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Listen in as Michelle sits down with Bob and he tells stories of growing up here in Beaumont. 

The Inspiration of a River

Fred Simon has a booming voice, is an impeccable dresser, and never meets a stranger, but did you know he is an excellent storyteller? I listened to Fred’s stories and I learned about a man who loved his wife deeply, who rose above the racism of the times and made his own way in the world. Fred has been singing “Old Man River” for a long time, and he reminds me of a river. He just keeps rolling along with his big, kind heart and a twinkle in his eye, trusting in God and spending time in prayer. 

Here are some things you may not know about Fred:

He had to play a statue in his 4th grade play because if he sang, he drowned out everyone else.

He traveled with an evangelist to sing and warm up the crowd when he was a teenager.

You did not pick on Fred when his sister was around. She always had his back.

His grandmother sent him and his sister to NY and DC during Beaumont's 1940's race riots, and while playing on a rooftop in NY, he witnessed martial arts exercises for the first time. 

Fred is a 10th-degree black belt and is known as grandmaster Simon.

He attended Huston Tillotson on a choir scholarship where he met his wife, Gene. It was love at first sight.

He shook hands with President Lyndon Johnson at a Beaumont restaurant, and Fred was speechless when the president said, "You have a good grip son!"

Fred and Gene joined FUMC in 1970 and were the first African American family to join the all-white congregation in downtown Beaumont. The day they filled out the membership card, Pastor John Wesley Hardt came to their house to welcome them. The congregation of FUMC embraced diversity with Rosa Dieu taking the lead to make sure everything went well for the Simons. 

Fred and Gene didn’t take the easy road. They followed the Spirit when it led them to this congregation, and they didn't let racism get in the way of serving Jesus. Fred’s stories reveal a man who took the troubles that life handed out, dealt with them and kept a beautiful, positive outlook. He is an inspiration, and I am grateful for his example. Share a meal and some stories with him sometime and I promise you will leave with a smile on your face and hope in your heart.

By Michelle Holland