I LOVE FAUMC!
My name is Tony McLean Brown, and I have been a life-long member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church in Enka-Candler, NC.
Tony McLean Brown circa 1974
As part of their 120 year celebration, my Aunt Veronica asked me to make a video about "What I love most about Francis Asbury?"
Aunt Veronica and Uncle Leonard
I am happy to do so because the answer is simple and immediately obvious:
"Shared memories with some really amazing folks is what I love most about this little church." - Tony McLean Brown, 2025
Tony and Sheena Brown circa 1963
Disclaimer: Lord knows I'm a sinner with a hay wagon full of indiscretions, lifetime of mis-judgements, and less than optimal decision-making. So I do not submit this digital missive from a lofty or pious position ... it's just the church memories shared as a boy fortunate enough to be raised by the FAUMC congregation and neighobors.
Let's go to work.
Folklore has it that the Penley Clan moved to Enka-Candler in 1914. Our grandfather (Lloyd Penley) moved to his old homeplace on Liberty Road with his parents, brother, and sister after their house had burned down in Asheville.
Lloyd's Father circa 1920
Some years later, Lloyd and Laura Penley were married and built their home on a 10 acre farm at the corner of Liberty & Monte Vista.
Lloyd & Laura Penley circa 1920 - 30s
They raised 4 daughters (Patsy, Sandra, Phyllis, Veronica) and Michael Bogle on the farm.
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Penley Family circa Easter Sunday 1957
The Penley family were very active members of FAUMC. GranLloyd was the choir director, was a usher every Sunday, and served on the Board of Trustees.
Lloyd Penley circa 1960s
Grannie Laura was active in the women’s group and served snacks during Vacation Bible School.
All the Penley girls were married in the old white church. My brother Mike and Leigh and my cousin Lynn and Cindy were married there, too.
I won’t even try to list all the Penley Clan members that have been burried at the graveyard on Asbury Road, but I do give a nod to my father every time we drive by.
RIP Bud
I attended FAUMC from the day I was born in 1960 until I left for college. As an infant, I shared the crib in the nursey with my life-long friends Wes Harkins and Ricky Purcell. We went through middle school attending Sunday School and serving as Alter Boys.
During the 1970s, my world revolved around MYF. Led by Mr. & Mrs. Cowart and Bud & Phyllis Patton, the MYF grew to almost 50 high schoolers who went on camping trips at Deep Creek in January, Summer Camps at Chestnut Creek and Camp Tekoa, and even rented a bus to go to Raleigh to see Billy Graham.
We performed a musical “Come Together” and several Christmas performances. It was an amazing time to live in Enka-Candler.
I remember every Sunday we would fill up my dad’s station wagon with my sister Sheena, Joe and Debbie Walker, Jeff Roberts, Mark Henson, Lori and Tami Neely, and anybody along the way to play volleyball and softball on Sunday evenings.
Jeff Roberts, Tony Brown, David Mashburn, Charlie Henson, Mark Henson, Emmit Coffey (RIP), Eddie McGill circa 1977
Music, sports, and positive community kept us all close and safe. It was a unique time in our nation's history, but the lessons we learned were pretty straight foward:
- Jesus Loves ALL the Little Children (BIPOC+, LGBTQ+, Elderly, Disabled, Impoverished, and Other Less Fortunate People)
- Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Self (Golden Rule)
- He Without Sin Cast the First Stone (Forgiveness)
- Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged (Humility)
- Proverbs 31:25 (Women are awesome)
During the 1990s, my grandfather Lloyd Penley served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. During his tenure, he took on several projects, including: parking lot, roof, sound system, air conditioning, pew bibles, pew cushions, Sanctuary carpet, playground, Sawyer house acquisition, and the building of the gym.
FAUMC
He was supported by Mr. and Mrs. Shook, Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Fat Swagim, Mr. Penland, Mrs. Brinkley, Mrs. Early, Mr. and Mrs. Harkins and many others who devoted their lives to the vitality of FAUMC.
Mrs. Harkins might be the happiest person I know. Photo Cred: Wes Harkins
It was an amazing thing to witness growing up, and I continue to be impressed by the stewardship of this congregation over the past 65 years.
Some 5 or 6 generations later, some of our family still call Francis Asbury United Methodist Church home. Every time I receive a monthly newsletter from Danya, I read it cover to cover and still feel connected to this very special place. Thank you for being such an important part of the big beautiful Penley Clan.
FAUMC Methodist Youth Fellowship (#MYF)
Toni and Mickey Buckner, Mike and Jim Moore, John and Walter Russell, Gary Davis, Jimmy Freeman, Lori and Tammy Neely, Jeff Roberts, Mark Henson, Rod Steve and Wes Harkins, Laura Jean and Lisa Ballard, Karen Shuler, Julia Crystal and Becky Sharp, David Leslie and Marsha Cowart, Sheena and Tony Brown, Bobby and Ricky Purcell, Sharon and Brenda Simpson, Cindy and John Futch, Larry Cooper, Jerry Massey, Tami Conley, Danya Glover, Mark Sprinkle, Denise Sparks, Sandy Dixon, Sherry Reese, Dan and Glenda Shook, and so many more.
Please help me by posting names in comments.
Here's today's video clip:
Tony McLean Brown
A Western NC hillbilly through and through, Tony McLean Brown was born in the small town of Enka-Candler outside of Asheville. His parents re-named him when he was 3 years old to Tony (a nickname provided by his grandfather) McLean (middle name of his Uncle Michael) while retaining his legal surname Brown.
Throughout his career, Tony McLean Brown worked as a farmer, computer programmer, and management consultant – in his adventurous years – author, song-writer, bass player, poet, pilot, mountaineer, certified scuba diver, and competitor in professional bull riding, NASCAR late model racing, Toughman boxing, Crossfit Open, Ironman, pole vaulting, marathon and ultra-marathon running, as well as parenting.
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