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Page 20 November 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Chur ch W eller United
Spotlight Methodist Church
A Welcoming Congregation
by Theresa Dardanell
When I met with Pastor Bob Courtesy Photo Christian lyrics to create Christian
Kells and several members of Weller parody music and used in skits for
United Methodist Church (UMC), performances at the church, and
I learned that this church is the occasionally at other locations in the
oldest church within the Thurmont community. For the adults, another
town limits. Although that is an social activity is the participation
interesting fact, I agreed with by the Weller team in the Frederick
Dorothy Clever, president of the Christian Basketball League.
United Methodist Women, who said The dedication of the members
that what is going on currently in was apparent during my meeting
the church is more important than with Pastor Bob, Paulette Mathias,
just the history. Dorothy Clever, Pat Alexander,
The church began its history Henry Alexander, Cindy Hart,
without an actual building. and Catherine Pitt. Other hard
Members met in homes for Bible working staff and volunteers include
study. Jacob Weller, a prominent Lay Servant Wes Baugher; Lay
resident who owned and operated Speaker Mark Eyler; Administrative
a local match factory, donated land Members of the Weller UMC Mission Team, with the flood buckets created for victims of the recent Assistant Billie Lookingbill; Organist
for the church, which was built in hurricanes. Lori Eyler; Music Director Debbie
1830. During an expansion project Shultzaberger; Custodian Donny
in 1915, the bell tower and stained flood buckets being assembled for Pat Alexander, co-chair of the Wastler, Jr.; Nursery Assistant
glass windows were added. A final the people recovering from the Mission Team that coordinates Lois Griffith; and Parish Relations
expansion was completed in 1957. recent hurricanes. The buckets these projects, said that the latest Committee Chair Colby Child.
The cemetery has been a part of contain supplies for the initial project is the “tied fleece” baby Trustee Chairman Tom Shaffer
the church since the beginning. cleanup so that people can return blankets, made by the members and leads the team that keeps the church
Jacob Weller and his father are to their homes. The congregation donated to the Catoctin Pregnancy facilities up-to-date and in working
buried there, along with soldiers donated an outstanding $1,490 Center. Along with supporting the order.
who fought in the Civil War, as well for forty-five buckets. Pastor local organizations, the United Two worship services are held
as many local residents. Records Bob said that the congregation Methodist Women’s group pledges every Sunday. There is a traditional
of grave sites are available at the responds generously when there is money to the Baltimore Washington service with organ music and
church. Family members can search a need. It is “an expression of our Conference of the United Methodist song leaders at 8:30 a.m. and a
for ancestors buried there. connectedness as a church and as a Church, which supports the needs of contemporary service with christian
Currently, Weller UMC has people that we give these things in people around the world. praise music at 11:00 a.m. Sunday
about one hundred active members, times of need.” The generosity of the members school for children and adults is
who do a considerable amount The list of ongoing projects is not limited to monetary and between the services at 9:45 a.m.
of community outreach, not only carried out by the members of material donations. Church Lay Easter and Christmas seasons are
locally, but around the world. The the church is impressive. Food is Leader Catherine Pitt said that celebrated with special musical
major project right now is the donated to the local food bank; the Prayer Shawl ministry is very accompaniment by a large choir and
toiletries are collected and donated important. Anyone who is in need bell choir cantata. A very special
to the Religious Coalition in of comfort or healing can request and moving remembrance service
Frederick. Members volunteer a prayer shawl for themselves or is celebrated on All Saints Sunday.
weekly in the classrooms at someone else. Requests are not For each member who has died
Sabillasville Elementary. Annual limited to members of the church. during the previous year, a photo is
projects include the Catoctin area Members create the shawls and the projected on a screen, a candle is lit,
school supply drive, a summer book congregation prays for the recipient. and a bell is rung while the name is
drive for Sabillasville Elementary, Catherine said that knowing that read. A special altar cloth containing
and the Thurmont Ministerium an entire congregation of people is the names of the deceased is placed
Christmas gift program. Children praying for you is very helpful when on the altar on this day. This
who go to the food bank at going through a difficult time. tradition began in 1998.
Christmas and Easter receive Members of the congregation Everyone is welcome to join
special treat bags (350 bags were are not “all work and no play.” Weller United Methodist Church
distributed at Christmas last year). The puppet ministry is one activity for Sunday services. It is located
Members also participate in the in which the youth and adults are at 101 North Altamont Avenue
summer lunch program, which involved together. Paulette Mathias, in Thurmont. Call 301-271-2802
is coordinated by the Thurmont chairperson of the Church Council, with questions during office hours,
Ministerium. During one week in said that the puppet ministry has Monday through Thursday, 8:30
the summer, they enjoy serving been performing for “children of all a.m.-3:00 p.m. Visit their Facebook
lunch, playing games, and working ages” for about five years. The lyrics page or website at wellerumc.com
on craft projects with the children. for popular songs are replaced with for additional information.
