Jean Williams, born in Sioux St. Marie, Michigan, tells about her childhood there and her family. Born 1924; graduated high school in 1942.

Transcription

1 ROBERT J. WILLIAMS. Born JEAN WILLIAMS. Born SUMMARY of OH 1575V A-B This interview was recorded on April 14, 2009, for the Maria Rogers Oral History Program. The interviewer is Anne Marie Pois. The interview also is available in video format, filmed by Anne Marie Pois and Sue Brighton. ABSTRACT: Bob and Jean Williams first moved to Boulder in 1948 and soon after joined the First United Methodist Church. In this interview, they detail some of their many involvements in the church, which have run the gamut from teaching Sunday School to teaching an early sex education class and working to increase equality in the position of women in the church. They also speak about other aspects of First United Methodist Church s commitment to social justice issues, the governance structure of the Methodist Church, and comment on the ways that it has enriched their lives and fostered their personal growth. [A]. 00:00 Introduction. Jean Williams, born in Sioux St. Marie, Michigan, tells about her childhood there and her family. Born 1924; graduated high school in Bob Williams also is from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan Iron Mountain, a mining town. Grandparents, from Cornwall, England, were miners. Meeting at a Methodist summer camp in Story about visiting Jean the day after her senior prom. 06:26 Move to Boulder for Jean s health when doctor recommended a drier climate in Lived in a Chautauqua cottage as their first housing in Boulder, where first son was born. Second house at 1319 Sixth Street; rent of $75 per month was too expensive at that time. Move to a faculty cottage at 900 Broadway, where Regent Hall is now. Second son born while living there.

2 11:11 Joined First United Methodist Church shortly after arriving in Boulder. House currently used by BCAP (Boulder County AIDS Project) was a parsonage, then was used for Sunday school classes. Bob joined the University of Colorado mechanical engineering department in 1948, then left three years later to get experience in industry. Worked at Boeing in Seattle. Returned to Boulder in 1954 and worked at the mechanical engineering department. Birth of daughter Karen in Seattle. 15:50 Importance of church social life in both Seattle and Boulder. Adult education at First United Methodist Church in Boulder. 20:03 New and old buildings architecturally tied together by use of similar rock. Adult education classes held in various buildings before the church was expanded. Active women s organization at First United Methodist Church and in the Methodist church in general. Raising money with the smorgasbord dinners and rummage sales. How money was used. 24:30 Story about shopping for a suit in Boulder in 1948 at Reinerts and being invited to take three suits home to try out as an example of small town, friendly Boulder of those years. Educational program at First United Methodist Church over the years. Teaching Sunday School. Teaching an early health/sex education class. 29:41

3 First United Methodist Church as being on the forefront of social issues. Drama program at the church; high-quality, in-depth work done by Jean Hodges that involved youth and supported work on social issues. Boulder Council of Churches and Synagogues, later the Interfaith Council, as a force in the community. 34:40 Notable ministers at the First United Methodist Church. Minister Calvin McConnell who later became a Bishop. Role of his wife, Mary, in the First United Methodist Church adult education program. Strength of Calvin McConnell in being able to involve people in the life of the church. Love in Action program. 39:19 Julian Rush: talented musician and youth leader in the church who came out as being gay. The process of the congregation dealing with the issue of gay pastors and becoming a reconciling congregation. Mark Heiss: pastor who helped the congregation with the issue of homosexuality in the church by inviting Julian Rush to be part of the life of the church again. His effective sermons that were delivered through the use of story. Frances Bigelow. Pioneering female in the Methodist ministry. 44:55 Organization of Methodist Churches as connectional churches ; being part of a system (conference) that includes other Methodist churches. Movement of clergy from church to church according to the various churches needs. Working with the Peace and Justice Committee. Camping program for children who have parents who are incarcerated. Serving as counselors at a camp for people who are developmentally challenged. 50:02

4 Getting older and the need for younger people to become involved with the church s work. Discussion of various groups that met over the years, such as a men s group, a morning book discussion group. Music program at the church. Community program after the election of President Obama that packed the church. Concern for whether the structure of the church sanctuary could handle that many people, but comments about the joyousness of the event. 55:22 What it was like before and after the building of the church addition. 57:14 End of Part 1. [B]. Church camping trips. Portable organ that came on trips. Outreach efforts: a family from Holland that was co-sponsored by the First United Methodist Church congregation; adoption of a Cambodian family. 07:22 Committee on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW). Working for more equal status of women in the Methodist Church. Higher Education Committee. Work to support campus ministries across the conference (Colorado, Wyoming and Utah). Effect of church on their personal lives through educational opportunities, relationships and community. 12:13 Connections and similarities between Methodist churches throughout the world.

5 Being a non-credo church, which leads to a diversity of ideas. 16:44 Interview ends, but after a pause of about 15 seconds resumes to record some additional thoughts. Stained glass windows designed by Hobart Wagener. Memorial window designed for their son Mark who died in 1967 of cancer during his freshman year in college. 20:50 End of Part 2. End of interview.