Church starts bell choir, has first show

Nearly two and a half years ago, Linda Mott had a dream for First UMC, Laredo—to acquire handbells as a new music ministry. She searched the used handbell market and made several inquiries but was initially unsuccessful.
In November 2007, Christ Episcopal Church in Laredo lent First UMC a partial two-octave set of hand-bells. An invitation was extended to members of First UMC, Christ Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian church to evaluate the interest level and determine if it could support this new ministry.
Dec. 4, the first night of rehearsal, four beginning ringers (Lucy Chavez, Rolinda Lawrence, Michael Mora and Leigh-Anne Williams) appeared with enthusiasm, ready to take on a new challenge. By the end of the first rehearsal, they mastered basic handbell techniques. The group gained two more ringers, Amanda Freeman and Jan Little. That gave it the ability to ring music arranged for two full octaves of handbells.    
The First UMC Memorials Committee approved the allocation of $5,000 to acquire handbells, and group members were able to purchase a two-octave set from our Schulmerich Handbell. Members named the choir “Memorial Bells,” in honor of those who came before them and in whose names the memorials have been given.
The group’s first concert was played during the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Feb. 5 in the church fellowship hall.