Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 120, Number 49, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 3 December 1997 — Page 3

Keeping spirits alive in downtown Nappanee

By Merrie Chapman (Note: This continues the series of articles dedicated to taking an intimate look at our local churches. Whether you are anew member to the community or lifelong resident, I invite you to join me as I visit each House of God and discover what make's it unique. Perhaps you will find anew place of worship, or gain insight into the other branches of Christ’s family. Whatever you seek, I hope you enjoy the visits. Keep watching—your church may be the next featured!) The United Methodist Church, known for its beautiful carillons, is keeping spirits alive in downtown Nappanee. Everyone has heard the carols filling the air for blocks in every direction of the church. What the community may not know is the other vast musical resources of the United Methodist Church. To its credit is a 50-member choir which lifts up songs of praise each Sunday. Ralph Jerles adds another level of beauty to worship with his organ interludes. “We have pianists and trumpeters and so many gifted people,” says Pastor Doug Hadley. Housing it all is a historic site that restores a bit of the old church to accompany the newer remodeling efforts. The center of the church maintains the original walls but has been added onto three times and renovated for unity. Matching the structural blending is the church’s history. The building combines the lineages of both the United Brethren and United Methodist faiths. The two religions merged on that site in 1968. Since then “the church has made a conscious effort to remain here

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY —According to Pastor Doug Hadley, one of the most unique aspects of the United Methodist Church is its cultural diversity. Hadley says the church embraces people from all backgrounds, creeds and cultures, learns from them and grows as a church because of each one's contributions; See related article for more information on the United Methodist Church. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

[o'T2* ff/oil?/*& ffflUHtetl M to s Annual OPEN HOUSE sfre? Friday, December 12 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday Refreshments Pick up your gift from FBCU-The popular dated Christmas ornament “Santa’s Workshop” will be open at the Main Office and the Wakarusa Office only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the open house. The little ones can enjoy refreshments, receive a gift from MCi fc ■ * Santa, and have photos taken with Old St. Nick. The free pictures will be available before Christmas. f iEIm. FBCF MM BUREAU CREDO UNION Main Office Colege Green Office Mffierabug Office Wakarusa Office 301 W. Lincoln Ave. 1501 Colege Am. 113 W. Washington 666855.R.19 \ 534-2506 533-8290 642-4009 862-2450

(downtown)” says Hadley. He recants that many discussions have taken place and the members always choose to maintain their central location. That decision has brought many blessings. Due to its unique location, the church is host to the many visitors that pass through town. After admiring the unique outer structure travelers will wander inside for a closer look. Some return for worship services, others tour the building a bit and ask questions of the staff. The tourist season brings an added facet to the services as visitors to the area join the congregation from all walks of life. “We have had people from all over the country, and several from other countries, stop by as they were traveling through Nappanee,” says Pastor Hadley. “They join our church services and mingle with the people here. Afterward I have many tell me how welcome they felt.” That is just a sampling of the church’s cultural meltings. According to Pastor Hadley the reason visitors feel so at home is because the congregation itself is so diverse. “We have unity with diversity,” says Hadley. While the two major faiths in the church’s background are Brethren and Methodist, the church has welcomed people of every faith. Pastor Hadley shades that a large number of former Mennonite and Roman Catholics have converted to the United Methodist faith. “We don’t always agree on every point, but we can all come together and worship,” says the minister. ifr addition to diversity in faith

backgrounds, members range “from newborns to the chronologically gifted,” says Hadley. He adds that the the age mixture is what helps the congregation blend harmoniously. To minister to all the ages the church has developed several programs. Roxie Elphick is in charge of the Christian Education Department and serves as the church’s receptionist According to Elphick, the Rainbow Kids program which meets each Wednesday evening, embraces children through the fourth grade. Fifth and sixth graders unite each week in a group called Rock. And teens enjoy the junior and senior high youth groups. All join the adult members and Pastor Hadley in welcoming the public to join in worship each Sunday morning, at 9:30a.m., with Sunday School following at 10:40a.m.. Another unique feature of the church is the TThrift Shop located on the west side of the building. The United Methodist Women began the Thrift Shop in the 1960s on a donation and consignment basis in order to raise funds for missions projects and special activities. Anyone interested in visiting the Thrift Shop will find the doors open from 10a.m. until 4p.m. each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. And remember, the church doors are open everyday. So the next time you drive through downtown Nappanee and hear the carillons, or pass the beautiful architecture of the Methodist Church, you may want to pause a moment and peek inside...or perhaps join a service.

CRAFTS FOR KIDS First Saturdays are special at the Nappanee Public Library. Crafts for Kids will feature anew craft December 6, from 9a.m.-sp.m. Supplies for the craft will be available in the children’s room.

Library tour offers wealth of information^ Interested in a basic introduction to the Internet? Nappanee Public Library Director Linda Yoder meets the second Monday of every month with those who would like to become familiar with the Internet. The next session will be held Monday, December 8, 7p.m. Following the Internet session, new cardholders and those interested in learning more about library services are invited to attend a guided tour of the library, at Bp.m. In addition to discovering where to find current bestsellers or the latest business information, participants will be introduced to many special services. These include NapCAT (the library’s computerized catalog), Books In Print Plus with Reviews, Magazine Article Summaries, phone disc, computers and typewriters for use* in the library, and art prints, cameras and compact discs for loan. For more information, contact the Nappanee Public Library, 7737919.

SPIRITUAL BLENDINGS—In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist Churches united. Locally it meant that both facilitated the current United Methodist Church, US6 East. This cabinet sea-

School menus

WOODVEEW ELEMENTARY Thursday, December 4—beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, California blend, bread and butter, banana tart, applesauce, milk. Friday, December s—sloppys—sloppy joe sandwich, conique potatoes, oranges, cherry crisp, cookie, milk. Monday, December B—sausage and macaroni and cheese, lettuce salad, apple juice, grapes, muffin, milk. Tuesday, December 9—chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, gravy, com, bread and butter, pineapple, shapeup, milk. Wednesday, December 10— cheese pizza, peas, applesauce, orange wedges, Rice Krispie treat, milk. NORTHWOOD MIDDLE Thursday, December 4 —fish tots ’ cherry whip 1 With pmcappferpice bar, milk. Friday, December s—ravioli, com, cheese bread, pears, applesauce, milk. Monday, December B—burrito

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, December 3,1997

tures stained glass from the original church building and has survived three renovation projects. See related article for more details about this church's spiritual growth. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

with cheese, tossed salad, mixed fruit, peaches, Rice Krispie square, milk. Tuesday, December 9 —chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and buttee* applecrisp, pears, milk. Wednesday, December 10 — hamburger sandwich, French fries, pickle spears, pudding tart, applesauce, milk. NAPPANEE ELEMENTARY Thursday, December 4—beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, California blend, banana tart, applesauce, butter bread, milk. Friday, December s—chicken sandwich, crispy cubed potatoes, pineapple, peaches, milk. Monday, December B—hot8 —hot dog, curly fries, peaches, cherry crisp, milk. Tuesday, December 9—chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes with gravy, shape-ups, bread, mi#.!' TANARUS,, . " Wednesday, December 10— cheese pizza, peas, applesauce, orange wedges. Rice Krispie square, milk.

MO! HO! HO! Where Do You Want To Go? TRAVEL ApEFCY.t**' Let Us WpVok'Kup’Yaur Bogs Packed Located at 301 North Elm St. Nappanee, Indiana 219-773-2443

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