By Sunny McKinnon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Pete and Jane Robertson, who moved into Highland Springs in December 2006, have been active in the United Methodist Church for most of their lives. Last December, Pete Robertson celebrated his 50th anniversary as a minister. During these 50 years, he served several pastorates as well as being District Superintendent on two occasions. When he retired in 1990 from the North Texas Conference, he was Director of Church Development.

Over a two-year period, Jane Robertson attended a Spiritual Formation  Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon finishing studies with the Upper Room Academy, she was elected chairperson of a newly designed Division of Spiritual Formation, whose purpose was to encourage and enable each local church in the Annual Conference to develop a program of Spiritual Formation. Jane Robertson was also the motivating force behind a new Prayer Ministry Program at Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. The program has become a model for other churches.

In their honor
To celebrate the Robertsons’ dedication to their ministries, Stonebridge United Methodist Church has recently broken ground on a new building to be named The Pete and Jane Robertson Activity Center.

The honor is fitting considering the Robertsons’ history and involvement with the church. When Pete Robertson was Director of  Church Development, he targeted Stonebridge Ranch as a site for a new church. Stonebridge United Methodist Church was the result. Pete and Jane have been volunteering their time and energy at this church, for the past seven years. Pete Robertson said that they will continue to commute to Stonebridge as their church home.

Having served his entire ministry in or near Dallas, Pete Robertson is well acquainted with all of the pastors and churches, as well as hundreds of laypersons.

Joining the community
While Pete and Jane are still very active at Stonebridge Church, they have developed a passion for the Highland Springs community.