Remembering Pete Messick

On October 24 last year, we lost a cherished member of our church and the drummer in the Celebration Band, Pete Messick. Pete’s face became an iconic presence in our worship services. He found so much joy in playing songs that praised the Lord that his face became radiant when he played. I cannot tell you how many times people would comment to me on the pleasure they received in their worship watching Pete play. As I said in the eulogy at his memorial service, Pete was our Little Drummer Boy.

After some interesting years on the rock and jazz music circuit, Pete began to grow in his relationship with God. Through their professional careers, Pete and Buddy Mattei, director of our music ministries, became friends. On the way to and from gigs, Buddy and Pete would talk about the church in McKinney Buddy was involved in. Soon Pete and his wife, Joanne, found themselves in worship at Stonebridge UMC. After one of the services, Pete told Buddy that he liked the music, but the band could use a drummer. From that point on Pete became our drummer boy. If you remember the classic Christmas story, a little boy was trying to find a way to give a gift to the new born Son of God. He finally and reluctantly decided to play a song for him on his drum. This act pleased the Lord more than any other gift. Pete’s playing on Sunday mornings pleased the Lord and Pete came to understand it as his gift to God. That was the radiance you saw on his face.

To honor Pete’s memory, we are installing a prayer labyrinth on the property at the church. The labyrinth came from Greek mythology and found its place in Christianity in medieval times. It symbolizes our pathway to God. It has a clearly defined center which represents our union with God and has one entrance which is to remind us of our birth and baptism. Labyrinths are symbolic pilgrimages where we focus on our growing relationship with God. Its significance faded over time, but its spiritual use has recently experienced a rebirth. Today, you can find labyrinths in churches and parks. We have a portable indoor labyrinth we use for special occasions in the life of our church.

The Pete Messick labyrinth will go on the east side of the church building where the portable buildings used to stand. It has been approved by the church Trustees and it will be paid for from memorial gifts given in honor of Pete. If you would like to honor Pete and make this wonderful addition to our church a reality, make your checks payable to the church with Pete’s name on the memo line. You will also be able to give electronically through the Secure Give kiosk located at the information desk outside Celebration Hall or through our web site by clicking here.

This Sunday, a picture of the labyrinth will be in the church hallway close to the church office. As you imagine people walking the labyrinth, think of Pete’s face as he played. I have no doubt that radiant face will be looking down on us in joy.