Fall brings changes to Yankeetown

By Matthew Oates

Yankeetown UMC, Evansville District
The Rev. Reno DeMuth/The Rev. Jerald Boyer
Members: 80
Average attendance: 35-40

YANKEETOWN, Ind. -- This western Warrick County community is where it all began. Well, okay, maybe just this column.

The first country church column appeared in the April 1991 edition of the Hoosier United Methodist News. The first church was Yankeetown UMC.

In 1991, columnist Sally Diaz wrote of how the church was celebrating 20 years in its "new" building, as well as a tale of the pipe-less furnace and carbide gas light system.

Fast-forward to 2002 and there are some big changes going on at Yankeetown UMC. Long-time pastor, the Rev. Reno DeMuth, gave his final sermon at the church on Sept. 8 to go to Hatfield UMC, located five miles away.

DeMuth, who had been at Yankeetown/Hatfield since 1994, says the folks at Yankeetown UMC are a good bunch who not only care for their community, but also the world through their sponsorship of missionaries, paying all conference apportionments and supporting outreach programs.

The community celebrates with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and a worship service at 10:45 a.m. There is a special program on Monday evenings, "The major beliefs of a Methodist Christian," and choir practice on Wednesdays. And being good Methodists, there's a pitch-in dinner once a month.

The church gave a special dinner for Reno and his wife, Florence, that day. "Any time you leave, there's always mixed emotions," says Reno. "There was some shedding of tears."

Reno is an ordained deacon and has served as a part-time local pastor for 42 years, all while serving as an educator. "The teaching and preaching have worked out by accident," jokes Reno. "There have always been churches in need."

One of those churches has been Yankeetown, which has been comforted by observing how to reach out to people through Reno's balanced messages and challenges to go forward. "You still have to tell it like it is in an encouraging way."

One of the favorite parts of the service, according to lay leader Earl Partain, is the sharing of joys and concerns. "We really do share -- we laugh a lot together and we cry a lot together." On average, 10 to 12 people share. "We probably spend about 10 minutes alone on joys."

There are deep family roots at the church, but even if you've been there a while, you do face challenges and you have faith that God will help you as you step out of your comfort zone, says Earl. "It's comfortable, yet it's challenging."

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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