Bethel Celebrates 175 Years of Serving Community(posted Aug 17) Bethel United Methodist Church has been serving God for 175 years. The church was dedicated by a Methodist Circuit Rider named Thomas J. Brown in 1832 somewhere in the vicinity of 5252 W. 52nd Street. The August 19 celebration unfolded with a reenactment of the pioneer days. Reverend Andrea Leininger preached a typical sermon about salvation from an outdoor setting . Salvation was a big concern by Methodists during that era because having salvation meant "Methodist Assurance." "A common question asked was how is it with your soul," she said. For Leininger, salvation should still be a concern in the 21 century. She discussed that the youth Sunday School was failing to reach kids. The dwindling attendance spearheaded a committee to examine the issue of how to reach children. Leininger credited Donna Matlik for writing the curriculum that now has an attendance of over sixty with as many as 50 adult volunteers. The children were involved for 14 week curriculum reenacting Jesus' parables. They constructed a boat and the Sea of Galilee. Matlik explained the summer course gave the children a chance to learn about history and apply the parables to their lives. The fall program is focusing on Paul and his missions. The kids will actually be able to participate in a quilting project that will be auctioned September 28 as part of the church's fund raising efforts to support its mission projects. Former pastors Charles Ellinwood and Nelson Steele returned to share in the festivities. Ellinwood served from 1961-1966. "It was lively congregation. Our nursery school was a strong part of our church life and it still is today," he said. He described the 60s as a time where the suburbanites were starting to push out into the rural community. There was an obvious tension as the transition took place. "It was an experience," he said. The celebration continued with a mock old time country store where people could buy homemade jams, jellies, bread, pies and corn. The parish was entertained with a barbershop quartet, square dancing, three legged sack race, and bobbing for apples. |
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