May 10, 2010 issue
Sharing art, beliefs
University Mennonite Church, State College, Pa.
By Sharon SpicherWe helped with MCC’s relief kit drive for Haiti. With assistance from neighboring Foxdale Village, we had enough money and items to make close to 100 kits.
The Mennonite Women group collects gifts annually for UMC’s college students — this year there were 15. Shopping bags labeled with names were placed in the foyer, and by the end of two weeks they were filled with goodies.
Singer-songwriter Bryan Moyer Suderman led our worship service on March 14. This delightful song service was followed by an all-ages sing-along during Sunday school.
Our Lenten theme, “Holding On and Letting Go,” was expressed in many ways. Each week during children’s time an adult shared a belief they hold to tightly in a series called “This I Believe.” During these weeks a wooden cross stood at the front of the sanctuary, and on Easter Sunday the congregation covered this symbol of death with flowers to help us all understand a bit more the reality of the resurrection. Marvin Hall headed up a pancake breakfast before our Easter service.
The Visuals Committee transformed a small area around the elevator into an art gallery. The first display included paintings by Violet McClane, 90, a resident of Foxdale; pottery by Tamie Veith; and handmade earrings by Erin Sacksteder.
Our congregation has been in transition for several months since former pastor David Miller left to teach at AMBS. We have enjoyed many good sermons by UMC members. On April 26 we invited Marvin Friesen to become our new pastor beginning in August. Marvin and his wife, Brenda, had visited April 10-11.
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