Hicks Chapel Dexter Kansas
HICKS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1909 1985
HISTORY
SEPTEMBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985
September 1985
What I set out to do became a much larger and time consuming task than I had anticipated. I had excellent help, but still there wasn't adequate time to proofread the original copy thoroughly and make corrections and complete the history by homecoming, consequently there are errors. Some insignificant and some very significant.
I stated the incorrect year for the marriage of one couple. For this I apologize, also for misspelled names, incorrect dates, omissions and misspelled words. Whatever the error it was unintentional. firmly believe there is more history of Hicks Chapel to be obtained, even though I gained very little from my research the past year. If any of you have any information that would be helpful write it down and mail it to me. Your efforts will be deeply appreciated.
All who have contributed in any way toward making this history of Hicks Chapel possible, I extend sincere thanks.
The nearest place to God that can be found is sheltered in this country church. May it continue to be showered with God's blessings for many more years.
Mrs. Dwight (Pauline) Mosier, history
December 1909, Christmas Eve, the first Christmas program was presented in the new church to a large crowd. Mr. Dana McGill played the role of Santa Claus in this program.
The latter part of April 1910, a committee of three was appointed to purchase a rug for the chancel floor at the church. Serving on this committee included Miss Stella Snyder, Miss Abbie Hatch and Mr. Loris Foltz. The committee members first shopped at Cedar Vale for the rug, but not finding anything suitable they went to the General Store at Maple City, which was then operated by Mr. G. W. Gilkey, and if nothing suitable was found there they planned to go to Arkansas City to try to make a selection. The records I have available do not state where the purchase was made but there was a rug purchased and it was used until the early 1930's when it became so worn and soiled the Community Club ladies removed it and replaced it with linoleum.
During the 1950's Mr. Elvin Mosier made the standards
for the Christian and American flags. The white cross which is
displayed on a small table at the back of the nave (the chief or
main body of a church, extending from entrance to chancel) was made
by Mr. Loel Moore. The Bible displayed on the same table is a
Masonic Bible and was given to Hicks Chapel by Mr. Jack Jarvis. The
ceramic baptismal basin was made by Lucille Drum, wife of Mr. Harold
Drum, the gentleman who built the altar.
January 23, 1961, Alan Rush as a pre-ministerial student at Southwestern College preached his first sermon at Tisdale and his second at Hicks Chapel at the morning service. Mr. Rush did not continue to pursue the ministry as a profession after the close of the college term in 1961. He later went into the field of electronics.
For the year 1965 Hicks Chapel Methodist Church received a Certificate of Recognition from the Central Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church for acceptance in full of their apportionment of the Faith of Action Quadrennial Program.
Faith in action is the program of World Service and Annual Conference Benevolences of the Central Kansas Conference or the Methodist Church.
July 1965 the annual Ice Cream Social was held with proceeds of $57.07.
September 15, 1968 the fifty-ninth anniversary of Hicks Chapel Church was observed with approximately 75 persons registered. The morning service was conducted by the regular pastor, Rev. Don Schlichting using as his sermon topic, The Treasures of Home coming begin in Your Heart.
The afternoon program was presided over by Alan Rush with Mrs. Norman Christenson of Arkansas City, Kansas as guest pianist, The program consisted of group singing, two musical numbers by the Ross Sherwood family of Silverdale, Kansas; duet by DeGaye Riley and Olive Rush who also sang a request number; reading of letters 0f those who were unable to be present and the Memorial was read by Mrs. Art Metcalf. Brief talks were given by Dana McGill and Dan Rush. Plants were presented to Mr. Marion Martin who had observed his 91st birthday, as the oldest man present, to Orva Asbury of Bellingham, Washington as coming the farthest distance, and to the Ross Sherwood family for having the largest number of their immediate family present. Acknowledgement was made to Mrs. Golden Wiley, who presented the altar a beautiful vase and flowers in memory of her sister, Mrs. Lura Michel. Recognition was extended to those present who had attended the original dedication 59 years ago.
November 1968 the ladies of the church sponsored by the Women's Society of Christian Service served the Otto Reschke farm sale. August 14, 1969 the ladies served the Fred Minor farm sale and October 1971 they served the Mildred Russell farm sale.
March 19, 1972 a large print, King James Version Bible containing The New Testament and the Book of Psalms was presented to Hicks Chapel Church by Rev. Lewis Helsel.
May 1972 Marquita Metcalf, eighth grade graduate and J. C. Riley , Junior College graduate were given special recognition and each received a gift from the church.
During 1972 and 1973 the Women's Society of Christian Service collected rags and sold them to APCO for a money making project.
July 1972 the Women's Society of Christian Service. bought linen for a cover for the communion table. It was hemmed by Mrs. Lucile Metcalf.
December 24, 1973 Fred' Carl Minor passed away at San Diego, California. Funeral services were conducted at the church December 29. Rev. Rex Kelly officiated.
March 1974 in addition to other purchases made by the United Methodist Women, they purchased two box fans to be used at the church. (The Society name changed from Women's Society of Christian Service to United Methodist Women in 1973.)
May 20, 1979, Jennie Newlin a long time resident of this community and a charter member of Hicks Chapel Church was honored with a farewell luncheon, which was held at the church. Special table and altar decorations were brought by Mrs. Nellie Mills of Cedar Vale, a longtime friend of Mrs. Newlin.
A guestbook titled, Jennie, Our Queen for Today was kept and pictures were taken throughout the festivities and added to the book and was later presented to the honoree. Mrs. Elton Pettigrew presented a going-away gift, a grouping of four rural life scenes, as a gift from neighbors and friends in a short service following the luncheon.
Mrs. Newlin had been living in a mobile home in Dexter since leaving the farm in this community in 1977. She left the farm around Easter in 1977, therefore she was presented an Easter lily from the church.
A few days following the farewell luncheon, Mrs. Newlin moved to Lubbock, Texas to make her home, where her son and daughter resided. She was retained as a honorary member of the United Methodist Women. She had served as secretary of the society for several years.
There were two memorials I failed to mention last year, one was to Hicks Chapel in memory of Mr.
Oliver Cox, who passed away in 1974 and the other one was to Hicks Chapel in memory of Mr. Otto Reschke, who passed away in 1979.
August 1984 church services were conducted by Larry and Betty Ankrom of Atlanta, Kansas in the absence of Rev. Helsel The message was brought by Word and Song.
September 24, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Alice Helsel attended a United Methodist Women District meeting at the First United Methodist Church of Winfield, Kansas.
This was an all day meeting with the morning session including business reports, and the recognition of retiring officers.
Following a sack lunch, a kitchen band and Sing-along was enjoyed. The afternoon session included reports, discussion groups and a report by Teri McCorkle, Metour speaker.
A banquet at six o'clock was attended by 150 members and friends. The Rev. Janet Sevier, Winfield district superintendent brought the message of the evening. Installation of district officers for 1985 and communion concluded the evening.
September 19, 1984 Mrs. Olive Rush attended a Winfield district workshop on evangelism at the Oxford United Methodist Church. Rev. James W. Cowell, director of congregational development for the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship led the workshop.
September 30, 1984 annual homecoming was held at Hicks Chapel United Methodist Church honoring the 75th anniversary of its organization with approximately 175 persons attending. Rev. Lewis Helsel, regular pastor and former pastor, Rev. Rex Kelly were in charge of the morning service with Rev. Kelly bringing the morning message. A choir consisting of twelve members of the Fred Rush family, including Fred's sister, Mrs. Bertha Hallman provided special music for the morning service.
Following a, bountiful dinner at noon, the afternoon program was presided over by Mr. Fred Rush. Highlights of this program included the presentation of awards by Mrs. Marie Martin to the following persons: Mrs. Gertrude Yeager for her many years of loyal service as church treasurer: Mrs. Ruth Bryan, 91 years of age as the oldest person present; Ross Latta, 2 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. David Latta as the youngest person present; to Pearl Hicks Sorokowsky of Manaimo, B.C. Canada, as the person coming the farthest distance and to Mrs. Blanch Rush, for having the most members of her immediate family present.
Mrs. Martin also presented awards to the eight couples present who had had fifty years of marriage. The couples included Fred and Olive Rush, Raymond and Marie Martin, Art and Lucile Metcalf, Robert and Lois Hanahan, Ralph and Agnes Daniel, Rev. Everett Vaughan, whose wife was unable to be present, Rev. L. Neal Kennedy and his wife Murlene and Rev. Lyman Burgress and his wife Ruby.
Seven ministers were present, five of whom were former ministers of Hicks Chapel. They included L. Neal Kennedy, quentin Prather, Rex Kelly, Lyman Burgress and the regular minister Lewis Helsel. Other ministers were Don Bryan of High Ridge, Missouri, Everett Vaughan and Henry Murray both of Newton, Kansas. They were introduced and each gave a brief talk and reminisced about past association with Hicks Chapel.
The four charter members present were each presented a book containing 75 Years of History of Hicks Chapel. Receiving these books included Blanch Carroll Rush, Ruth Pettigrew Bryan, Opal Yeager Busby and Jo Pettigrew Rollins.
Laura Hicks and Margaret Hicks Hufham of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Pearl Hicks Sorokowsky of Manamimo, B.C. Canada, nieces of Miss Letita Hicks, the great lady Hicks Chapel was named in honor of, were introduced and each gave a brief talk.
The remainder of the program consisted of several musical numbers which included a vocal solo by DeGaye Riley Latta, accompanied by herself on the guitar; a vocal solo by Ross Sherwood, who sang The Stranger of Gailee, which he dedicated to his father-in-law, Mr. Raymond Martin for his 82nd birthday, which occurred on this day; a song by the Rush family; a violin solo by Bertha Hallman accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Alice Helsel, the Memorial service by Mrs. Olive Rush and a short reminiscence period after which the program concluded with the singing of God Be With You.
Throughout the day books containing 75 Years of History of 'Hicks Chapel compiled by Mrs. Pauline Mosier were available. Also available was notepaper depicting a picture of Hicks Chapel drawn by Ruth Riley and J.C. Riley. An added attraction was a display of pictures and memorabilia for viewing.
October 29, 1984 a Halloween Party was enjoyed at the Fellowship Hall by approximately 40 community members. The party started with a wiener roast followed by games and group singing. Mrs. Jane Badley, Mrs. Ruth Barger and Mrs., Debra Pettigrew were in charge of arrangements.
Several meetings were held during August, September, October and November in regard to Parish Development, These meetings were held at the different churches involved with one being held at Hicks Chapel in November. After months of conversation the United Methodist Churches of Atlanta, Burden, Grandview, Prairie View, Tisdale and Hicks Chapel proposed a plan for Parish Development to their member congregation. The intent of this form of ministry is to provide consistent and strong ministerial leadership and to resource the participating congregations so that they may minister effectively in their community.
Representation of the participating churches propose to do together what individually is impossible for one church to do alone. After further study the above named churches were given the opportunity to vote as to whether they wanted to be a part of the proposed parish.
December 1984 the annual community Christmas dinner was held in the Fellowship Hall with approximately 40 attending. Following a delicious dinner a miscellaneous program was presented with Mrs. Debra Pettigrew presiding. The Program included the movie Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, and some musical numbers. Santa Claus made his appearance at the close of the evening to the delight of the youngster's present and distributed treats to the group.
December 9, 1984 a group from Hicks Chapel visited the Dexter and Cedar Vale Nursing Homes and a few community members and distributed plates of fresh fruit as gifts and did some caroling.
December 23, 1984 several family members of Rev. and Mrs. Helsel attended morning worship service. Instead of a message from Rev. Helsel the worship -service consisted of special numbers from the congregation, representing each family present. Also a special collection was taken to aid the starving people in Ethophia. A total of $186.00 was collected.
December 28, 1984 the Alan Rush family showed slides of their trip to the Holy Land which they had taken earlier in the year.
January 8, 1985 the United Methodist Women met at the home of Mrs. Ruth Barger for an all day meeting. The ladies tacked a comfort which they had pieced from double knit blocks some months prior. The completed comfort was sent to the Urban Ministries at Wichita, Kansas.
January 13, 1985 a second, collection was taken to aid the starving people in Ethiopia. This collection amounted to $182.00. Another event this Sunday was a covered dish dinner and food shower given in honor of Mary and David Short, who had been united in marriage June 12, 1984.
January 20, 1985 Rev. Janet Sevier, district superintendent was present to discuss and answer questions pertaining to the proposed parish. A covered dish dinner was held at noon.
The latter part of January 1985 a petition was signed by 16 persons at Hicks Chapel requesting support for the raising of the drinking age to 21, and a no vote on liquor-by-the drink, pari-mutuel and lottery gambling. The signed petition was mailed to Senator Joe Warren at Topeka, Kansas.
February 1, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush as a layperson representing Hicks Chapel, attended a special session of the Kansas West Conference at Salina, Kansas. The meeting concerned the proposed sale of Wesley Medical Center. The reason for management recommendation to sell was the fear of the economic consequences of the future.
Wesley Medical Center opened its doors as Wesley Hospital October 1912 after the Southwest Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church voted in March to establish a hospital. The hospital expanded greatly during that 72 years but always maintained a relationship with the annual conference.
A letter of intent to sell the 728-bed hospital for $265 million to the Hospital Corporation was signed by the medical centers board of trustees November 20, 1984. This action was greeted by an outpouring of opposition from United Methodist Clergy and laypersons. Bishop Hicks ask the medical center's board of trustees, of which he was a member, to delay making a final decision until a special task force could study specific implications of the sale. These would include switching the hospital from a not-for profit medical center to one for-profit hospital in a chain of such hospitals the proposed buyers own.
Finalization of the sale, which the board of trustees initiated was expected within 120 days of the November 20 letter signing. After the task force studied and set up specific guidelines for distributing proceeds of the sale of the center they recommended to the conference in the special session which was called for February 1 to sell the center.
The guidelines provided for the transfer of the proceeds to the Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation and the transfer of $32 million in cash and grants from the foundation to the conference over a three-year period. They would establish a formal relation ship between the annual conference and the Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation that never existed before. The Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation would receive proceeds of the sale from Wesley Medical Center and hold them in trust for the health care mission and purpose of the conference. In other words the proceeds would be used mainly for health care missions.
675 clergy and 1aymembers from the 400 United Methodist Churches in Kansas West considered the sale during the special session. The voting which was done by secret ballot resulted in the majority being in favor of the transaction. The sale was finalized within the 120 day limit. Mrs. Rush voted against the transaction.
February 20, 1985 the United Methodist Women met at the home of Mrs. Olive Rush.
February 24, 1985 Hicks Chapel United Methodist Conference was held following the morning worship service. The meeting was conducted by Rev. George Gardner, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Winfield on behalf of the district superintendent, Rev. Janet Sevier, who was unable to be present. The purpose of the meeting was to take the vote in regard to the wishes of the church people as to whether they wished to be a part of the proposed Eastern Cowley County Parish. All voting was done by written ballot and the majority was in favor of being a part of the proposed parish.
March 1,1985 a group from Hicks Chapel attended World Day of Prayer which was held at Silverdale Community Church. Other churches represented included Maple City Community Church and the Baptist and Christian Churches of Dexter.
March 5, 1985 the United Methodist Women met at the home of Mrs. Olive Rush. Mrs. Kathy Rogers of Tisdale was a special guest and was in charge of the Quiet Day Service. The lesson she presented was on Women and Work and dealt with the work of women allover the world.
March 15-16, 1985 Mr. Fred Rush attended the Methodist Men's Retreat at Salina, Kansas.
March 19, 1985 the United Methodist Women of Rock hosted a mission study on Peace. The study was led by Mrs. Paulette Rush of Winfield, Kansas. Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Ruth Riley from Hicks Chapel attended this meeting.
March 24, 1985, John Butler a representative of Gideon International conducted the morning service in the absence of Rev. Helsel, who with Mrs. Helsel were on vacation. Mr.' Butler told of some of the work of the society and where Bibles are distributed, with 35% going overseas and the remaining percent staying in the United States, Bibles going to hospital, motels, hotels and prisons. This work is made possible by donations. Hicks Chapel made a donation to aid in this meaning full work.
March 28, 1985 the Atlanta Methodist Women hosted a Bible study of the Book of Ephesians. The study was led by Rev. Jean Wilcox of Leon Methodist Church. Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Alice Helsel were in attendance from Hicks Chapel.
March 31, 1985 a soup and dessert supper was enjoyed by several including the members of the Rejuvenators, a group from the Blessed Heights Church at Arkansas City, Kansas. Featured on drums was Troy Shrope, grandson of Rev. and Mrs. Lewis Helsel. Other program numbers was group singing led by Patricia Whiteman and an original piano solo played by Kay Lennon both of the Timber Creek Friends Church near Atlanta, Kansas.
April 3, 1985 the United Methodist Women met in the home of Rev. and Mrs. Lewis Helsel of rural Atlanta, Kansas.
April 4, 1985 Maundy Thursday Communion Service was held at the Church.
April 7, 1985 Easter Sunrise services were held at the church. The Randy Norris family conducted the Sunrise services, after which a Fellowship Breakfast was enjoyed by all present. The Worship Hour was held at 9:00 a.m. with an attendance of 25.
April 10, 1985 the United Methodist Women of Hicks Chapel hosted a mission study group on Korea. Rev. and Mrs. Jack Robinson of Winfield, Kansas led the study. A luncheon was served at noon which consisted of various dishes of Japanese food. Attending were ladies from the following churches: Cedar Vale, Tisdale, Prairie View, Atlanta, Grace Methodist of Winfield and Hicks Chapel.
During the latter part of April new window shades were hung in the Fellowship Hall by Roy Barger and Orie Riley. These shades were purchased and given to the church by Mrs. Ruth Barger.
May 5, 1985 Mrs. Isobel Sauer of Atlanta, Kansas conducted the morning service in the absence of Rev. Helsel. He and Mrs. Helsel were attending the National Friends Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
May 16, 1985 Hicks Chapel Methodist Women were guests of the Cedar Vale United Methodist Women at Cedar Vale, Kansas for a fellowship luncheon and afternoon program which included a book review by Norma Knowles. Attending from Hicks Chapel were: Ruth Riley, Marie Martin, Nell Marie Pettigrew and Rev. and Mrs. Helser.
May 20, 1985 Rev. Lewis Helsel conducted graveside services for Ella May Metcalf at Hope cemetery near Arkansas City, Kansas. Mrs. Metcalf had passed away May 17, at Wichita, Kansas.
May 21, 1985 the Hicks Chapel United Methodist Women were guests of the Burden United Methodist Women at Burden, Kansas. The lesson was led by Mrs. Alice Helsel, the topic was Ever Since Eve and dealt with the changing role of women in the Methodist Church.
The latter part of May 1985 a new screen to be used with the overhead projector was purchased by Mrs. Ruth Barger and financed from some remaining paint fund. This fund was made possible by donations from the surrounding area.
June 2, 1985 Rev. Lewis Helsel conducted his last worship service at Hicks Chapel as he is retiring after serving the past 14 years as pastor at Hicks Chapel. During the morning service Mrs. Debra Pettigrew on behalf of the church community presented Rev. and Mrs. Helsel a going-away gift which consisted of a money tree and a corsage to Mrs. Helsel and a boutonniere to Rev. Helsel. The corsage and boutonniere both were designed from paper currency. Following the worship service a covered dish dinner was held in their honor in the Fellowship Hall with approximately 40 community members attending.
June 3, 1985 mini blinds were ordered by Mrs. Pauline Mosier for the windows in the nave. They were financed by the United Methodist Women and were hung by Mr. Orie Riley assisted by Mrs. Orie Riley.
June 3-7, 1985 a very rewarding session of Bible School convened under the supervision of Mrs. Ruth Barger with an enrollment of 18. The topic this year was In the Footsteps of Jesus.
Teachers were Ruth Barger, nursery class with an enrollment of 5: Pauline Mosier, Beginners class with an enrollment of 5; Iola Pettigrew, Primary class with an enrollment of 5; Ruth Riley, Middle class with an enrollment of 3. Ruth Riley and Debra Latta were in charge of the music, Rose Ann Riley was in charge of crafts. Other helpers were Donita Pettigrew, Linda Norris, Olive Rush and Nell Marie Pettigrew.
The program was presented the evening of June 7. Attendance awards were presented to each child enrolled. The collection which was taken each day for a missionary project amounted to $40.25 and was sent to the United Methodist Youthville at Newton, Kansas. At the close of the program cookies and punch were served to all present.
June 9, 1985 was the first Sunday for our new minister, also the beginning of our participation in the newly organized parish. After much intense study and many meetings the Eastern Cowley County Parish became a reality. This parish involves six churches and three ministers. Burden and Hicks Chapel share the same minister, who is Rev. Cheryl Peters. She is also education resource person for the six churches. The second Sunday in June, Rev. Peters first Sunday, Hicks Chapel started holding service at 9:30 AM to accommodate Rev. Peters appointment to two churches.
Key parish funds were received to start the parish and to raise salaries. A parish council was organized to provide lay leadership. Mrs. Debra Pettigrew and Mrs. Ruth Barger represent Hicks Chapel on the parish council.
The parish council meets once each month and on June 24, 1985 a meeting was held at Prairie View United Methodist Church. At this meeting a name for the newly organized parish was discussed. There were several name suggested and Sunflower Parish was the name chosen by receiving the majority vote. At this same meeting a fund raising project was discussed. Funds were needed to underwrite the parish budget for the year. The council voted to hold an Auction and Ice Cream Supper to be held at Tisdale August 9, 1985.
June 12, 1985 the United Methodist Women met in the home of Marie Martin. Plans were made for the annual Ice Cream Social and Country Store to be held at the church July 12. Plans were also made to serve a charcoaled Pork burger Supper.
June 20, 1985 the Farmers State Bank of Dexter closed its doors because of insolvency. This bank had been a very important asset to the community for over 75 years. The closing had a great effect upon church and community. Hicks Chapel had been a depositor with this bank for several years.
The first part of July two ceiling fans were hung in the Fellowship Hall by Dwight Mosier assisted by Roy Barger and Orie Riley. One of the fans was a gift from Fred and Olive Rush and the other one was a gift from Roy and Ruth Barger and Dwight and Pauline Mosier and a small amount of remaining paint fund.
July 12, 1985 the social event including the Ice Cream Social, Country Store and Pork burger Supper was well attended. Proceeds from the Ice Cream Social was $190.80. This amount went into the church treasury to be used for church expenditures. Proceeds from the Country Store and Supper totaled $263.75. This amount went into the United Methodist Women treasury to help finance the society's many projects.
July 12-14, 1985 Mr. Fred Rush accompanied by his sons Ralph of Arkansas City and Alan of Winfield attended the National Conference of Methodist Men at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue '85 is the quadrennial gathering of United Methodist Men.
August 9, 1985 several from Hicks Chapel attended the Ice Cream Supper and Auction at Tisdale and participated in this parish project.
August 8-9-10-11, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Wise of Winfield attended the Aldersgate '85 of the United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. Aldersgate is an event which has had a life transforming effect upon thousands of Christians. '85 is the seventh National Conference on the Holy Spirit which was sponsored by the United Methodist Renewal Services Fellowship. Each Aldersgate Conference has been marked by a fresh outpouring of God's spirit in grace and power.
(The three following paragraphs I unintentionally omitted in the order they should have been listed.)
A memorial was established to Hicks Chapel in memory of Rev. Rex Kelly, who passed away October 3, 1984. He will be remembered as one of the ministers at Hicks Chapel who instigated several changes and improvements while serving his pastorate there.
Rev. Willis Bussart passed February 21, 1985. He served as minister at Hicks Chapel for only a few months.
May 1985 James Charles Pettigrew and Michelle Lewis both eighth grade graduates were each presented a gift from the church.
As I bring this history to a close and we come to the end of another year for the organization of Hicks Chapel United Methodist Church, I am reminded of the numerous dedicated caring and generous people who have contributed and continue to in many, many ways, some by gifts of money, some by using their God-given talents and some by just being there. The combination of all of these qualities and God's continued blessings is what keeps Hicks Chapel the monument of the past, present and future.
May our church group be a blessing to future generations, not because we serve in the Methodist Church but in the Church of Jesus Christ.
Country Churches
Beside some quiet road or on some hill
You point your weathered steeples to the sky
Unsought and. all unthanked, you waft us still
Some fragrance of your peace as we go by.
Green pastures stretch away on either side,
An not far off a brook's still water run;
Within your shadow cattle feed, calm eyed,
And all the hills are joyful in the sun.
Here is the word too long forgot of earth;
Crowds and their clamors often but delude--
A chosen few witnessed the Holy Birth,
The crucifixion saw a multitude.
O little gray-white churches, ever may
You point your modest steeples to the sky--
All things save this have changed within our day;
Where two or three are gathered, there am I.
Author unknown.
A few definitions and explanations to help us better understand the meaning and significance of the church and objects with which we work.
The following is taken from (Methodist Altars, revision of Manual for an Altar Guild in the Methodist Church by Dessie Ash Arnett, Lenace Robinette Clark and Betty Issac Stewart)
Chancel - The part of the church building containing the sanctuary and the choir, generally raised a few steps above the nave, and often separated from the nave by a latticework screen or rood beam.
Dossal or dorsel-A curtain behind the altar.
Flowers-Use of flowers is permissible for the adornment of the Altar. Artificial flowers must never be used.
Liturgical Colors-The colors of the Christian Year or seasons. White, red, violet, green and black.
Nave-The chief or main body of a church extending from entrance to chancel. That part of the church which is sometimes wrongly designated as the auditorium.
Sanctuary-That part of the church in which the Altar is erected.
******************************************************************************************************************Churches are sermons in themselves! From the smallest wayside to the largest cathedral, they stand as silent witnesses to man's faith in God. They tell of his belief in prayer and his need for fellowship with other believers.
It is an inspiring sight to see tall church spires as they point toward the sky. They seem to say, lift up your hearts! and our inner response is,' We lift them up unto the Lord.
Many things go into the building of a church; some we can see and some we cannot, but we know they are there. We see the walls of brick or wood or stone, the beckoning doors, the stained glass windows, but not the high purpose, the hopes and dreams, the long-time planning, the prayers, sacrificial gifts and loving service which are as much a part of the building as any material thing. Surely no other building can have so much meaning and significance as the one that is built for the assembling together of people for worship.
Methodism is the church of a two-fold tradition,--the free and the liturgical, each making its own rich contribution to the life of the church. We find these two aspects of worship reflected in two types of church architecture. There are many variations between the extremes of these two types, and some churches combine features of both. There is one characteristic which all houses of worship have in common, however. That is the division of the church into two parts; the nave, where the congregation sits, and the chancel, where the altar is placed and which is occupied by the clergy and the choir.
The meaning of the word nave is ship. It reminds us of the fact that the earliest symbolism associated with the church is that of a ship. It probably goes back to the thought of the ark, and the church in comparison being the ark of safety, it was natural that the early church buildings were in the form of a ship. Indeed, the word worship is a combination of the two words, worth and ship and implies that as the one who was chosen to be the Captain of the ship was worthy of the ship, so the One whom we worship is worthy to be in control of our lives and of the universe. The act of worship is acknowledgment of that fact.
(A) Seasons of the Christian Year
| A. | Advent: The Sunday nearest St. Andrews Day, Nov. 30. The season of expectancy. Preparation for the Nativity. Violet is used on the Altar. |
| B. | Christmastide: Dec. 25th-Season of the Nativity of our Lord. White. |
| C. | Epiphany: Jan. 6th. The coming of the Wise Men. White is used on the first Sunday then changed to green to signify the growing church and the spreading of the gospel. Manifestation of our Lord. Season of the Evangel. |
| D. | Lent: The penitential season preceding Easter which begins on Ash Wednesday and includes the six Sundays between that day and Easter.. Violet is used to signify preparation for the sacrifice. Season of renewal |
| E. | Good Friday: Black The Altar is bare except for the Cross, which is draped with a square of black chi1fon, to symbolize drabness, woe, sorrow. The death of Christ. |
| F. | Eastertide: Joyous resurrection of our Lord. The season follows for forty (40) days until the Ascension. White. |
| G. | Pentecost or Whitsuntide: seventh Sunday after Easter.The descent at the Hob Spirit. The birth and expansion of the Christian Church. Red. |
| H. | Kingdom tide: Season of the Kingdom. of God on earth. This season begins invariably on the last Sunday in August, the Festival of Christ the King, and lasts until the Advent season. Green is used. |
(C) Color Symbolism
| White: | The color of perfection, of perfect glory, beauty, holiness and joy is scheduled for use on the joy days, the festivals of the Godhead-the great days of the year. |
| Red: | The symbol of the Holy Spirit and the color of fire, blood and fervor is used on the days which mark the great events in the life of Christ and for the commemoration of those who have made the good confession, e. g. apostles and martyrs. |
| Green: | The color of abiding life, of peace, nourishment, rest, and constancy finds its use in the longer teaching seasons. Especially during Kingdomtide. |
| Violet: | The color of royal mourning is used during periods of preparation and penitence, is significant at sadness, but at the same ,time is tempered by hope (Advent and Lent). |
| Black: | The symbol of the depths of woe, sorrow, utter darkness, finds but two (2) uses in the Church Year-Good Friday and when the church calls to humiliation and prayer. |
| Where only one color is used in a church, usually it is Red Sometimes Blue is used in small chapels as a year round color signifying truth and eternity. | |
| White is used for Holy Communion, weddings, Baptisms, Thanksgiving, in addition to the regular seasons for WhIte. |
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There are more than fifty forms of crosses, the best known form being the Latin Cross. which was the one used on Calvary. It is the cross that is used on the church altar. and it often stands on three steps which are also symbolic. representing faith. hope and love. |
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The Greek Cross Is square in design. with four arms of equal length. |
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The St. Andrew. Cross is a leaning cross. and is so called because St. Andrew was supposed to have died on such a cross. |
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A Circle having neither beginning nor end is the symbol of eternity.
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The Ros of Sharon is the symbol of Christ,the Mesaiah. |