Geneva Methodists remodel, rededicate 185-year-old church; collect food for Salvation Army pantry
Kathy McNeil came to church Sunday, Feb. 6, and went home with a bouquet of red roses and mixed flowers. The Geneva resident was surprised with the bouquet as United Methodist Church of Geneva concluded a rededication worship for the 185-year-old congregation.
After Pastor Rob Hamilton asked McNeil to come to the altar, church trustees chairman Greg Lower of Geneva recognized her for serving as project manager for a remodeling project that had closed the building since Jan. 3.
Due to the pandemic, services were held online and the sanctuary, library, classrooms and offices were closed to in-person use during remodeling.
The church received professional cleaning the week before for the reopening. Church trustees asked volunteers to help on Feb. 2 to move boxes and other items back to the office and other rooms impacted by the project.
Regular office hours and building use were to resume Monday, Feb. 7. Due to high COVID numbers, post-worship coffee hour fellowship will be postponed to March.
Pastor Hamilton opened the service by inviting congregants to join in reading a litany of rededication for ministry. He said, "We gather with glad and grateful hearts to worship in this refreshed space. We are grateful for the gifts of Ruth Anderson and David Erickson that empowered these long awaited plans to come to fruition."
At Rev. Hamilton's direction, congregants stood and raised hands upward to support ministries for the homeless. Then congregants turned west to envision a music room, south to Fellowship Hall, former sanctuary, to envision work to be done; east to envision library and office space; and finally to gaze on the church cross to offer the building and their lives for service.
After the rededication, Pastor Telomen offered words with children at the altar and preached on "Channeling God's Vision for Peace and Mercy."
Liturgist Nordine read scripture and offered a prayer for the community of faith. Congregant Mike Popplewell sang a solo, "Lord Make Me An Instrument." Sunday school classes resumed during worship.
The service concluded with communion, a hymn and benediction. Food donations for a Salvation Army pantry were collected in the church lobby.
After the worship, attendees were invited to tour the building and visit new blessing tables in Fellowship Hall. Launched Feb. 6, tables will showcase congregants' hobbies and interests.
Inaugural tables featured children and youth games, golf and generation conversation. While youth games will be offered weekly, new and different tables will be offered on following Sundays.
Starting Feb. 13, worship services will be held at 9 a.m., children's and youth Sunday school classes at 9:30 a.m. and adult Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.
Facial masks are required at indoor services to protect children and those that cannot be vaccinated. The church's livestream service is posted to genevaumc.org), YouTube and Facebook. Call (630) 232-7120 or visit genevaumc.org.