Building God’s House

One was on the move all the time and didn’t really need housing; the other needed decent, affordable housing. Two different events to held on the same weekend here in Mason are about expanding and serving God’s house the church and putting God’s word into action through service by building houses for those in need.

Pistol Packin Preachers of the Texas Frontier is the topic for this year’s symposium hosted by the Mason County Historical Commission. Each year the Commission hosts a historical symposium which includes noted western history writers and historians. Sunday at 2pm is the day and time to get over to the Mason High School for this free educational event. www.masonchc.org Some families owned one piece of land for years while others, like families of preachers, traveled all over West Texas. In sparsely populated areas of the United States it always has been common for clergy in many denominations to serve more than one congregation at a time, a form of church organization sometimes called a preaching circuit. Once a pastor was assigned a circuit, it was his responsibility to conduct worship and visit members of each church in his charge on a regular basis in addition to possibly establishing new churches. Because of the distance between churches, these preachers would ride on horseback. They were popularly called circuit riders or saddlebag preachers. They traveled with few possessions, carrying only what could fit in their saddlebags. Their assignment was often so large it might take 5 to 6 weeks to cover the territory assigned to them. They traveled through wilderness and villages, they preached every day at any place available (peoples’ cabins, courthouses, fields, meeting houses). They were always on the move and stayed with church members when possible, slept in barns or under the stars.

Mason County Habitat for Humanity’s Spring Benefit will be on Saturday May 14th. This annual event raises funds for the next build. We have just completed our eighth house. Tickets include the opportunity to financially participate in live and silent auctions, listen to great music, sample Texas wines, and meet the ever so valuable volunteers. It has become a very popular event for the community so get your tickets before they sell out. www.habitatmasonwa.org Habitat for Humanity of Mason County is a faith-based housing ministry partnering with the community to improve, maintain and build affordable quality housing for those in need. It works to help low-wage earners who do not qualify for conventional loans. By engaging the entire community, we offer programs for people in need of affordable home-ownership opportunities and programs for current homeowners seeking to preserve their homes. It is a partnership between families, volunteers and donors working together to improve the living conditions of families in Mason County. Volunteers provide the majority of the labor while individual and business donors provide money and materials to build Habitat homes.

Two great events packed into one weekend. Tickets for the Spring Benefit and lodging for the weekend go fast……..give us a call or email us today.