Grounded in our roots at Churubusco UMC

By Sue Lewis

A church renewal added a display of a church's historic roots this year in Churubusco, Ind., 15 miles northwest of Fort Wayne.

When the Churubusco United Methodist Church applied for a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program grant two years ago, the proposed themes for the renewal time were based on John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches . those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit."

After the grant was awarded in 2004, Pastor Christine Newman-Jacobs and a ten-member Renewal Team began planning activities for the church's portion of the renewal that took place during summer 2005.

Churubusco UMC was formed Jan. 3, 1971 when Faith and Evangelical UMCs merged. Faith was established in 1872 as a Methodist Episcopal church. Evangelical was established in 1874 as an Evangelical United Brethren Church. Because many members of Churubusco UMC joined the congregation after 1971, they were unaware of the church's history.

To document and celebrate this history, church members were asked to submit personal stories, telling who or what first brought them to the church along with special memories and joys experienced as part of the church family. These stories were shared throughout the summer during worship and in the church newsletter. Members also were asked to bring in pictures and other memorabilia to share, including the history of oil paintings donated to the church in 1974 by artist John Cockrell.

One of the priorities of Pastor Chris and the Renewal Team was to create a permanent visual display celebrating this history. On Sunday Jan. 15, three watercolors by Dick Heffelfinger of Huntertown were presented to the congregation. The pictures are of the current building as well as of the original Evangelical and Methodist buildings.

A display case purchased with funding from the renewal grant was dedicated. The case contains historical artifacts contributed by church families with scrapbooks created during the renewal. The artifacts and watercolors are on permanent display in church's entryway. Members have expressed that they are proud of their heritage and grateful for the opportunity given to them by the Lilly Endowment grant to share this history with others as the church's outreach ministries move into the future.

Sue Lewis serves as chairperson of the Churubusco UMC Administrative Council and was a member of the Renewal Team.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

Questions or comments: webmaster@inareaumc.org