Fifty Years of Faith: The Bill Slack Years
Northaven Remembers
1973-1977
We look forward to celebrating and remembering the
ministry of Bill Slack on Sunday, August 13th. Bill served
Northaven as pastor from 1973 to 1977. He attended SMU and worked in Dallas
radio, television and theater. Bill and his wife Gloria spent five years in
Hollywood where he worked as an actor in films and wrote TV scripts with Aaron
Spelling. He returned to Dallas and entered Perkins in 1957. While at Perkins,
he experimented with worship set to progressive jazz.
Thus Bill brought a background in drama and music to Northaven, adding to the already strong sense of music and the arts that existed here. As a result, the church implemented many new efforts to add contemporary and alternate forms of art to its services. The first flowering of the cross on Easter took place in 1974 and has become a tradition of that service. A year later, the Renaissance ’75 Arts Festival combined slides, poetry, prose, music and art, along with a Sight-Sound sermon to give Northaven a powerful message and challenge at the time of Pentecost. Adding to the musical richness in services was the Redman organ which had been installed in 1974.
This was a time of great social upheaval in our community and country. The Vietnam War had just ended. Busing had been ordered in Dallas schools. President Nixon resigned. The future of the feminist movement was a concern. With an emphasis on commitment, a task force set Foundational Goals for the community with input from members and suggestions for the future from Dr. Albert Outler.
The Worship Commission began to experiment with both historic and contemporary prayers during the service, and intinction (dipping the bread into the wine chalice) was introduced into the communion service.
In the area of mission, our relationship with Bethlehem Center expanded and has continued through the years. Northaven adopted a Vietnamese family consisting of a couple and their children, the youngest of whom attended the Co-op School on a scholarship. Children’s education was the focus of great attention, and a Director of Children’s Education was hired in 1975. A unique event was led by the Commission on Mission to experience Hunger Day.
Bill and Gloria continue to live in Dallas. Bill retired from Kessler Park UMC in 1992 and was on the staff of Highland Park UMC from 1992 to 2003. Their children, Charlie and Fran, both live in the Dallas area.
Thus Bill brought a background in drama and music to Northaven, adding to the already strong sense of music and the arts that existed here. As a result, the church implemented many new efforts to add contemporary and alternate forms of art to its services. The first flowering of the cross on Easter took place in 1974 and has become a tradition of that service. A year later, the Renaissance ’75 Arts Festival combined slides, poetry, prose, music and art, along with a Sight-Sound sermon to give Northaven a powerful message and challenge at the time of Pentecost. Adding to the musical richness in services was the Redman organ which had been installed in 1974.
This was a time of great social upheaval in our community and country. The Vietnam War had just ended. Busing had been ordered in Dallas schools. President Nixon resigned. The future of the feminist movement was a concern. With an emphasis on commitment, a task force set Foundational Goals for the community with input from members and suggestions for the future from Dr. Albert Outler.
The Worship Commission began to experiment with both historic and contemporary prayers during the service, and intinction (dipping the bread into the wine chalice) was introduced into the communion service.
In the area of mission, our relationship with Bethlehem Center expanded and has continued through the years. Northaven adopted a Vietnamese family consisting of a couple and their children, the youngest of whom attended the Co-op School on a scholarship. Children’s education was the focus of great attention, and a Director of Children’s Education was hired in 1975. A unique event was led by the Commission on Mission to experience Hunger Day.
Bill and Gloria continue to live in Dallas. Bill retired from Kessler Park UMC in 1992 and was on the staff of Highland Park UMC from 1992 to 2003. Their children, Charlie and Fran, both live in the Dallas area.
Posted: Thursday - August 10, 2006 at 04:03 PM |
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:54 PM
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:54 PM