The former Faith United Methodist Church in Huntington
Change is uncertain, embracing it takes great courage. For three churches in Huntington, change is here.
Back in July, I went to Huntington to report on three churches who were figuring out their future. Like many churches, growth and ministry were not where they had been ‘back in the day’. What to do? Continue as they were – which likely meant decline. Or die so that they might live?
They voted overwhelmingly to discontinue as three separate entities in late September. They came together as ‘Restart United Methodist Church’ yesterday morning.
A full church
They met last night to figure out where they go from here and how they get there. “This whole process, to me, has been an example of God’s grace,” said western District Superintendent Mark Conner.
“This is just the beginning,” said Rev. Tim Conrad, one of three pastors leading ‘Restart’.
I for one, look forward to seeing where they go…and I love the sign!
Starting Over
I read with interest the entry about “Restart UMC” (Great sign!) I am a child of one of the many churches in the past that have come together to form the congregations that are now re-starting. I was baptized and confirmed at Seventh Avenue Methodist — on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Twentieth Street in Huntington. It was one of the downtown churches that had once been a neighborhood church until the members moved out of the neighborhood and then the neighborhood homes became businesses, and then the businesses moved out for the expansion of Marshall. But we were proud of the beautiful sanctuary, with the stories of Jesus told in the magnificent stained-glass windows, and the wonderful music that helped me learn my very first Bible stories.
As an elementary student, I loved that the late Rev. Paul Dippolito (”Rev. Paul” to us) put gentle and humorous notes on our very visible sign on the corner. People knew our church because of that sign, and at least when they passed, they were reminded that we were a congregation worshipping God.
When I was in college in the 70s, after several years of cooperative ministry with three churches in the area, Seventh Avenue UMC merged with Emmanuel UMC, a church two blocks away whose building was being sold to Marshall University. At that time, sadly from my perspective, Otterbein UMC decided not to join together (that would come in the 90s when those two congregations became Faith UMC). Still, it was with great excitement that we became “St. Luke UMC.” Same building, some new people. Recently, at Rev. Dan Johnson’s retirement service, I saw a copy of the newspaper story and the picture of the congregations coming together in the middle of 20th Street. It took an act of faith, particularly for the folks of Emmanuel who were giving up their beloved building and “moving in” with another congregation! It was an time of rejuvenation.
The building on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Twentieth Street is still sometimes the setting for my dreams! Different people may be characters in my dream, but the familiar rooms and the feel of the church of my childhood is the same. I was married 27 years ago at St. Luke UMC (the building is now part of Marshall). For many years, going back there for church was part of “coming home.”
Seventh Avenue / St. Luke have many sons and daughters in ministry — I think we counted 12 current pastors who were nurtured there — most of whom are in the WV Conference. I know I am one of many who is watching the progress of “Restart” with hope. Thank you for being courageous in your new life. The congregations that formed you may have died, but just as when a parent dies, there is part of them inside of you that will always exist. Seventh Avenue / St. Luke will always be my “home church,” but I look forward to seeing what this new church will be in the future! May God continue to bless you all.
Congratulations to the bold leaders — lay and clergy — who helped to make this big step. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you allow God to remold you and remake you into whatever Jesus has in store for “Restart”!!
Judi Kenaston, thank you for the beautiful sharing of the place of “home church”, and expressing the hope for that which changes and dies, and grows into new life. New Start folk, thank you for your courage, and may God continue to guide, bless, strengthen, and inspire you to be open to God’s leading. You are witnessing to the life needed in Jesus Christ. Huntington and the world will be the better! We are all in our very being dying from our birth so that life becomes eternal. Only God through Jesus Christ gives abundant life!
Judi, I remember stories of my home church letting members leave to go start new churches. Just this summer, I attended the last service of my church in its current relationship to the denomination. I couldn’t help spending a brief moment counting the panes of glass in the vaulted dome in the center of the Akron plan sanctuary. It held the same number of panes as it did every time I counted them as a kid. I love to spend time in the memories, but I love even more wondering about what new thing God has for us around the corner.