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Schuyler Lake UMC celebrates rebuilding after fire

October 3, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

"Good morning, church; it's great to be here for a party," Oneonta District Superintendent Jan Rowell told those gathered on Sept. 27, 2014 at the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church.

The congregation of "The Little White Church" and others who gathered that Saturday were indeed in a festive spirit.

In December 2010, a fire devastated the church, leaving it a mere shell with no roof or windows. But four years later, the faith and determination of church and community members have rebuilt the building, and this service was a time to celebrate.

Long-time member Sue Winne read a welcome message on behalf of her husband, Norm, who was unable to attend due to illness:

"Reconstruction planning of our church building began almost the same day that it was damaged by fire ... however, reconstruction of the attitude and dedication of purpose of the many people involved, has never been needed. Your attendance here today is a testament to that attitude."

Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd, who became pastor at the Schuyler Lake UMC in July 2013, echoed that sentiment, saying that through the rebuilding process, members were always able to see "what the church was going to become" as well as what it was.

Pastor Rankins-Burd told of how it was hard to dismantle the 1880 church to prepare for the reconstruction because it had been so well built.

"It was only one-eighth inch out of square after all this time," she said.

A firm foundation and carrying the best of the past into the future were among the themes of Rev. Rowell's sermon, based, in part, on Joshua 4:1-9, in which the Lord asks that 12 stones be taken from the Jordan River to the place where the Israelites would be staying.

Rev. Rowell offered five "rocks" that Schuyler Lake UMC should be sure to "carry as reminders into the new:"

First rock – "This time has made us stronger."

"It was hard, painful, and challenging, but the fire forced you to figure out who you were outside of this building, and a time of discerning and prayerful figuring out who you were has made you stronger, and I celebrate that with you."

Second rock – "We are the Church."

Referring to the lay people who often preached and otherwise served, Rev. Rowell said, "The gifts of the people were being used ... You began to learn that long before the fire ... you already knew you were the Church."

Third rock – "We don't require a building to share God's love in this community."

"We're celebrating the building, and I'm with you on that, but when the building wasn't here, it pushed you out into the community ... reaching out (and saying) 'we're still here and we'd like to know what your needs are.’"

Fourth rock – "Vital, life-giving congregations come in all sizes."

Final rock – "God is faithful and makes all things new."

"Thank you for traveling this road," Rev. Rowell said, "and learning for yourselves and teaching others what it means to be the Church and to follow God in challenging times."

"Other places have other roles in the community, but this church is the soul. Even if you do not worship here on a regular basis, this soul is still holding you in prayer. ... so many prayers for so many people have happened right here in the soul of Schuyler Lake, and I am so honored to have been part of that for a time." – the Rev. Thomas Pullyblank, a former pastor at Schuyler Lake UMC

Those attending the service had a chance to look through some scrapbooks and photo albums of the church's history. Everyone also received a commemorative magnet with a drawing of the church by Polly Blunk, a member at the Sauquoit Valley UMC.

Lunch and a concert by the Burlington Flats Baptist Church choir followed the service.

During her remarks, Lay Leader Anna Buell offered a tangible symbol of the church's rebirth: two green sprouts growing out of a charred piece of the church's wooden structure.

Buell said they had not identified the plant, but members planned "to cultivate the growth on the top."

"Only God could do this," she said.

Second Sunday Soup returns to the Schuyler Lake UMC on Oct. 12. Members make a variety of soups for this community meal, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A free-will offering is accepted.