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Page 20 December 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Chur ch
Spotlight Apples United
Church of Christ
Thurmont
by Theresa Dardanell
In 1760, Peter Apple donated Photos by Theresa Dardanell bake sale and yard sale, food
one acre of land for a school is served in the pavilion on the
that was also used as a church church grounds. Everyone works
on Sundays. This location has together to make this a success.
been a place of worship for over Mike Mathis said that people
250 years and is now known as just do whatever needs to be
Apples United Church of Christ. done. LuAnne Ewing added,
A log church was built “Current members deeply
on the same ground in 1765; appreciate the members who
renovations and additions were have passed away who were
made until 1826, when a new an intricate part of Colorfest.”
stone church was built, with Another yard sale is held in
much of the labor provided the pavilion in May; proceeds
by churchgoers. For several from this fundraiser are used
years, the church was known to help a family or person in
as Troxells Church; the name need in the community. Pastor
was chosen by members of the Robeson said that the members
two leading church families: the of the congregation are “a
Troxells and Firors. The original loving, generous group of people
name, Apples, was later restored. who really try to act out their
Renovations continued over Pastor Laura Robeson (front row, right) with members of Apples United Church of Christ. Christian faith in the community
the years and an education beyond just the church.”
building was added in 1965. conversation with Pastor Laura are chosen by the CHS guidance Visit the Apples UCC
The adjoining cemetery contains the Robeson and members of the counselors. Two international Thurmont Facebook page to see
graves of early settlers, as well as congregation when I met with them agencies are recipients of their how important music is to the
soldiers from the revolutionary and after attending a recent Sunday generosity. Through donations to congregation. Videos posted to the
civil wars. Many of the headstones service. They are proud of their Compassion International, they site show that they love music and
are written in German and several list commitment to outreach programs. sponsor a child who is then provided they love to sing. However, during
birth dates in the 1600s. The church Locally, they support the Thurmont with medical care, food, education, the annual Christmas program on
historian, Roger Troxell, is available Food Bank and the Ministerium. mentoring, and access to the gospel. December 23, singing is not the only
to help people with genealogy They also give an annual gift of Donations to Heifer International talent on display. Adults and children
research. $500 each to two Catoctin High over the years have provided six are given an opportunity to get up
Keeping the church history School (CHS) graduates during the ARKs. The gift of an ARK includes on stage, possibly for the first time.
alive was only a small part of the senior awards program; the students two water buffalos, two cows, two Performances are not limited to
sheep, two goats, two oxen, two singing, storytelling, reciting poetry,
pigs, two ducks, two guinea pigs, or playing an instrument. The real
two llamas, two schools of fish, bees, purpose of the event is the guarantee
chicks, rabbits, and an animal vet kit. of “thunderous” applause for every
The ARK provides the community performer.
with milk, honey, eggs, and wool, Apples UCC is located at 7908
and an income from the abundance Apples Church Road in Thurmont.
of goods that they can then sell; it Everyone is welcome to attend the
also sustains farming by providing 9:30 a.m. Sunday service. Once a
livestock to work the land. month, during the service, children’s
Funds to support the outreach time is held. Weekly adult Sunday
projects comes from direct donations, school begins at 10:45 a.m.; Pastor
as well as the very popular fundraiser Robeson said that they focus on the
held on the Friday and Saturday study of the bible, but they also “talk
of Colorfest weekend. Volunteers about how the word transfers to
spend many hours preparing apple their daily life and how it influences
turnovers, apple pies, cookies, and everything around them. It helps
breads for the bake sale. People in to deepen their faith and deepen
the community donate lots of items their ideas about how to conduct
for the yard sale. Along with the themselves during the week.”
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