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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2001 |
Country
Church:
Church boasts conference's youngest 'retiree' and a new pastor
By Matthew Oates
- Colburn UMC
- Pastor: The Rev. Mike Ermel
- Members: 33
- Average Attendance: 25
- Location: Corner of Church Street and Tippecanoe County Road, 1000 East
COLBURN, Ind.-- As you are zipping down Indiana route 25 in northern Tippecanoe County, you will notice a trademark blue United Methodist "Welcome" sign that says "Colburn: Left Two Miles."
This country church, whose members range in ages from newborn to 91, is home to a remarkable story and a bright future. For you see, last September, I accepted the call to be their interim pastor.
When you walk into Colburn UMC, you notice you are walking into a place where worship is taken seriously and where heritage is honored. Just past the front door, you pass a marker saying "EUB Church, erected 1876." A few steps up you enter the sanctuary, with its cathedral-style ceiling, complete with peaked windows that almost run the entire height of the wall. The room is lined with well-worn, hand-carved pews that were manufactured in town. The wooden floor is original-125 years. You can still see some of the burn marks where hot coals were dropped when the church was heated with an iron stove. It's not the building or its nooks and crannies that make this church special; it's the people.
There's Minnie Derment and Dorothy DeLong who work hard to organize activities like the St. Patrick's Day Dinner. Did I mention they're both 91?
But Minnie and Dorothy aren't the only ones who work to keep the church going. There's the active UMW that spreads the love of God around the community. There's Leo DeCamp and John Wilson who usher every week. Bob Schnepp and Melvin Miller take turns each week ringing the bell Sundays at 9 a.m.
Then there are the youngsters like Sam and Rebecca Handy, Kendyl Eaton, and T.J. Taylor and Tori MacNeill who keep the congregation feeling young.
My interim status quickly turned into nine months of education. First, don't let their size fool you. I learned that God listens no matter the time of day. I've actually found more peace in my life trying to keep up with them, and they've helped take my faith to a new level. I've also learned that God uses you no matter who you are. They're always checking on their neighbors and sending cards to people who are sick or "just not doing well" to boost their spirits.
Colburn's new pastor, the Rev. Mike Ermel, has a vision and is looking forward to the challenge. I've told him of some added perks. Besides the paycheck, you get all the extra doughnuts; special meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas; and tons of good times.
Mary, Bob, Rosemary, John, Leo, Rosemary, Bernice, Minnie, Evelyn, Sue, Melvin, Alan, Brian, Denise, T.J., Taylor, Tori, Barb, Dorothy, Lois, Alene, Velma, Marilyn, Estherine, Nancy, Jerry, Louise, Tracy, Sheri, Kendyl, Jody, Rebecca and Sam: thanks for letting me spend nine months as your pastor. You can say you're home to the North Indiana Conference's youngest retiree and the home of a new pastor with a great vision.
Last updated on 01/14/2004