From: Joan Hulsey,

Choir Director, Payne Springs UMC

From my earliest childhood, I remember the joy from participating in the music of the church. My sister and I loved doing vocal duets with my mother’s beautiful accompaniment on the piano and, years later, on the organ.

This experience influenced me to major in vocal music at North Texas State University, now North Texas University in Denton. After attaining a Bachelor of M. Ed., I taught vocal music at every level from K through Grade 12 in Texas, Indiana, and Kansas. Fortunately, almost every town in which I taught also had a need for a Choir Director at the Methodist Church. What a storehouse of blessed, priceless memories! Also, singing in the auditioned choir of the First Methodist Church, Lubbock, under the direction of Gordon McMillan added so much to my knowledge and love of the music of the church.

My good fortune came recently, after my husband had been here as Superintendent of Malakoff ISD for a little over a year. I spotted an ad in the Athens paper for a choir director at Payne Springs UMC. I stopped by to see if the position had been filled, and It Had Not! Maybe it was meant to be.

I’ve since met the pastor and members of the Choir and they have welcomed me warmly. I feel that I truly have been blessed! Now, my head and heart is full of beautiful music for the Church via our Choir. I just hope the Choir feels similarly.

I hope that anyone who enjoys singing and learning wonderful new and old music will set aside Wednesdays from 4:50 to 6:00 P.M. as well as Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. and join with us at Payne Springs UMC.

I am so looking forward to making wonderful music for the glorification of God and the sacred services we hold dear in our Church. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours in Christ,

Joan Hulsey

903 451-3129

Cell 903 681-5105

 172 Colonial Drive

Mabank, TX 75156