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Angel House Stained Glass Ministry

Angel House
A Stained Glass Ministry

Angel House Stained Glass Ministry is located at Cypress Methodist Church in Cypress Texas 

The Purpose of the Angel House

The primary goal of the Angel House at Cypress Methodist Church (CMC) is to donate our time and efforts to give glory to God. This incredible ministry is made possible by the unwavering dedication of our members and volunteers who work tirelessly to create unique items for special fund-raising events within our Church and community.

Through our creative endeavors, we are able to generate proceeds from the items made in the Angel House. These proceeds are then donated to various missions and fund-raising projects, allowing us to make a positive impact on those in need.

While our main focus is on creating beautiful items for fundraising, we also engage in additional beautification projects and community outreach initiatives throughout the year. These endeavors help us to connect with the wider community, spread love and joy, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we encounter.

Joining the Creative Ministry

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Angel House is that we offer lessons at no charge to anyone who wishes to become a part of this creative ministry and join us in our mission. Whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out, we welcome individuals of all skill levels.

By participating in this ministry, you not only tap into your creative potential but also become a part of the social Christian life at CMC. We believe that by utilizing our talents, we are actively contributing to the vibrant life of our Church and bringing glory to God through our dedicated service to others.

If you have a passion for creativity, a desire to make a positive impact, and a heart for serving others, we invite you to join us in the Angel House. Together, we can create beautiful works of art, support meaningful causes, and spread the love of God throughout our community and beyond.

If you wish to join our ministry or make a donation, please send an email to Communications@CypressMC.org  In your email, please request the email be forwarded to Bill Bailey at The Angel House Stained Glass Ministry.

Caveman Glassworks arrives at

Cypress Methodist Church - Angel House

HPD Retirement

As a young lad growing up in the mid-70s, at the age of 12, my father enrolled my brother and me in the Boy Scouts of America - my very first uniform. This marked the beginning of my journey, filled with opportunities to volunteer, serve our community, and help those in need. Little did I know it would lead me to Angel House. Yes, both my brother and I reached the rank of Eagle Scout.

From my scouting experiences, I went on to attend the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. After I graduated, I served our country in the United States Marine Corps and later joined the Houston Police Department, where I had the honor of serving for 35 years. In the years following my military service, I started to learn the craft of stained glass. I enjoyed this art for several years but had to put it on hold due to life's challenges and raising my children. I never imagined that my journey would lead me to Cypress Methodist Church when my son began his scouting journey. For a brief time, my son was a Boy Scout at Cypress Methodist Church, and I served as an assistant scoutmaster. Unfortunately, during this time, life took a difficult turn, and we had to leave the church as my son moved abroad with his mother. Both of us were heartbroken by this situation.

 

After retiring from the Houston Police Department in March 2021, I started Caveman Glassworks a year later. As I mentioned before, I was in uniform at just 12 years old, which meant short hair (back in the 1970s!!!). I went through military school, served in the military, and then worked in law enforcement. So, where was the chance for me to grow my hair long? Upon retirement, instead of buying a motorcycle to deal with a mid-life crisis, I chose to grow my hair out in protest – though I’m not sure what I was protesting! This was a completely new experience for me. I had no idea that growing my hair would lead to so many labels being placed on me. One child even whispered to his mother as we passed, “...momma, that man looks like a clown,” while another person remarked that I resembled Jerry Garcia (the guitarist from the Grateful Dead)... Hmm, interesting. You see, I had no idea how I would look with long hair, nor did I know how to manage and groom the wild mane that was developing. Then one day, the folks from my church said I looked like a cave dweller. That’s how the name 'Caveman' came about, and it just stuck.

Paul Urteaga at Caveman Glassworks

As I began my adventure with Caveman Glassworks, I needed glass supplies and met my friend Belinda from Lotus Stained Glass. We quickly became friends, and she soon turned into my go-to person for glass and other tools necessary to launch my business. It wasn’t long after I met Belinda that she told me about her encounter with Debra Kinsey from Cypress Methodist Church. As you all know, Debra runs Angel House and had invited Belinda to consider volunteering there. Belinda then shared this with me, and after finding out that the proceeds from stained glass sales go towards missions, outreach, and other ministries, I decided to “... take a look” ... perhaps I could learn something new or a technique I hadn’t already known.​

 

On the first day, I was teamed up with Charles Clauder because I wanted to learn how to create mosaic stepping stones for my business and to give back to the church for allowing me the chance to volunteer. When I met Charles, I felt quite humbled by his seriousness and commitment to the ministry. Following Charles was quite a challenge. He ensured that I adhered to his precise steps for making durable mosaics and used his specific mix of cement and mortar – "... no more and no less... take your time and it’ll turn out just right!" He was absolutely correct! I collaborated with Charles for several months and have since absorbed his techniques.​

 

Before I knew it, a year had gone by since I started volunteering at Angel House, and during that time, I’ve made several new friends who share my Christian faith. I can’t express how much I look forward to every Tuesday, where I get to enjoy fellowship with these friends, even if it sometimes means giving a little blood due to a mishap with the glass. It happens, but thankfully, Debra has plenty of Band-Aids on hand. Most importantly, as I mentioned at the start of this page, 'The primary goal of the Angel House is to donate our time and efforts to give glory to God.' Currently, my brothers and sisters in Christ at this ministry include Debra Kinsey, Charles, Clauder, Bill Bailey, Bill Gafford, Gail Liebelt, Belinda De Hoyos, and Beverly Hogle. Thank you, Angel House, Cypress Methodist Church, and everyone else for the opportunity to serve!

Caveman Glassworks Photo

Angel House Gallery

Angel House
The History and Ongoing Legacy

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