@ 4 The Dallas Post@) Trucksville U.M.C. Agpiversary ’ ww ~ Wedndgpfay, October 5, 1994 Sesquicentennial quilt © traces church's history . - As part of its Sesquicenten- nial celebration, the members of Trucksville United Method- ist Church recently completed a pictorial album quilt. Meas- uring 7°'3" by 5'6", it depicts historical highlights as well as a sampling of the church's life and activities. The quilt was actually be- gun as part of the United Methodist Church’s Bicenten- nial observation in 1984, but progress was intermittent during the next few years. Last summer, however, the work was resuemd in earnest. Over the years numerousvolunteers have been involved. Many hours were spent on the initial applique and embroidery work of each block, and the final quilting stage alone took over 220 volunteer hours. Composed of eighteen 12" blocks surrounding a central rectangle (12" x 26"), the quilt is an attempt to illustrate the life of Trucksville United Mehtodist Church from 1844 until the present. Included are Rev. George Peck, Trucksville’s first circuit rider; a camp meeting, the changing church structures, the church school, the United Methodist Women’s organiza- tions and the mission outreach of the church. The central block is the quilt’s focal point — the begin- nings of the village of Trucksville. On the left side a traction car weaves its way downtotheold Carverton Road trestle bridge, while on the op- posite hill are a village black- smith and a sawmill, typical of those that dotted the land- scape in the earlier half of the 19th century. The quilt was formally dedi- cated during the 11 a.m. wor- ship service September 25, at which the Rev. Thomas Clemow preached the sermon. Rev. Clemow was pastor at Trucksville from 1980-85 and chaired the Bicentennial com- mittee meeting when the quilt project was first approved in 1983. The members at Trucksville are particularly grateful to Sheryl Stec, Back Mountain Quilt Works in Dallas and Marianne Williams of the Quilt Racque in Shavertown, who both gave and continue to give valuable advice. PHOTOS/REV. CHARLES NAUGLE These blocks in the Sesquicentennial Quilt depict signifigant events in the church’s history. Top left: the United Methodist Church’s symbol, a cross and red flame; top right: the 1984 kindergarten class; lower left: the United Methodist Women; lower right: Jacob Rice’s first camp meeting in 1825. Special thanks are also due to the volunteers who were not members of the church, espe- cially the Quilters from Trinity Presbyterian Church. The quilt will be on display in the fellowship hall in the education building as part of the Sesquicentennial celebra- tion, open to the public Octo- ber 12-13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. : PHOTO/REV. CHARLES NAUGLE Women and friends of the Trucksville United Methodist Church hand-stitched the Sesquicentennial Quilt, with blocks depicting important events in the church’s history. It was dedicated during the morning worship service September 25 and will be displayed October 12-13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the fellowship hall in the education building. Plans to print and sell note- cards featuring the quilt are underway, with the cards to be offered for sale in the near future. by Morag Michael Sicilian Style PIZZERIA . 4 16 Carverton Road, Trucksville Call Ahead 696-2100 Eat in or Take Out Try Our Wings! Mon.: 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm Fri.: 11:00 am - 12:00 Midnight Sat.: 12:30 pm - 12:00 Midnight Sun.: 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm _ _ .. RIA? ® w w ‘The Dallas Pos: w Trucksville L~M.C. Anniversary ednesday, October 5, 1904 9 ER S/ Pastor sees challenges from modern life Surviving the 150th anni- versary celebration, becoming better acquainted with his new congregation and preparing for the 21st century are high pri- orities for the Rev. Charles Naugle, pastor of Trucksville United Methodist Church, who took over the pulpit in 1993. “Modern churches are now facing a time of transition, with less emphasis on the church,” Naugle said. “In the past, very few people worked on Sun- days and few businesses were open. The ‘Blue Laws’ in Penn- sylvania and other states pro- hibited many activities on Sundays — now it’s practically just another business day. It's a challenge for us.” Noting that life has changed dramatically in his lifetime, with people now becoming aware of multicultural contri- butions to society, Naugle added that the church must also discover its roots and its identity, as many people have begun to do. “Our discipleship and Bible study groups, similar to the old class meetings, can also help provide different settings Congratulations To The Trucksville United Methodist Church On for this,” he said. “In small groups, intensive study of the Bible and our own personal experiences can help us go back to our roots as a relig- ion.” Supporting missions to black colleges, Native Ameri- can reservations and foreign countries is helping members to learn more of people’s inter- dependence, Naugle said. “It isn’t fair to run our gov- ernment based on the beliefs of one church — we must take other, sometimes very differ- ent, belief systems into ac- count,” he said. Naugle is very interested in the relationship between the town of Trucksville and the Trucksville United Methodist Church, which have developed together during the past 150 years. “Trucksville has struggled to exist as a municipality with the expansion of the Back Mountain,” he said. “The gov- ernment tried to take away our address with the opening of the Shavertown post office and the 18708 ZIP code. Larger “businesses and industries its First 150 Years!! Back Mountain Veterinary Hospital B.C. Phillips, & um Bw we we Re ele D.V.M. REV. CHARLES NAUGLE have basically disappeared from Trucksville. It’s very spe- cial that both the church and the town have managed to retain their identities.” The church has also retained its country flavor, with mem- bers truly caring about one another, Naugle said. It has never outgrown its spirit of cooperation and close-knit relationships, a Back Moun- tain tradition. “For example, each Sunday school class adopts a shut-in, a member who is unable to attend services due to age or illness,” he said. “The class sends cards and small gifts and visits them to make them feel that they are still mem- bers of the church family.” Lay leaders perform important duties An important part of the his- tory of the Methodist Church has been the lay leaders, elected by the congregation to be a liason between the con- gregation and the pastor. “During the church’s early days, we didn't have many ordained ministers,” said Trucksville’s lay leader Peggy Johnson. “John Wesley de- cided to have lay people assist the circuit preachers, who often had many miles to cover on their rounds.” In addition to leading Bible studies and worship services, lay leaders of the early Meth- odist Societies discussed spiri- tual life and reminded mem- bers who had gone against Methodist teachings to mend their ways or they wouldn't be allowed to return to meetings until they did, Johnson said. “It was good for the spiritual support and betterment of the people,” she said. Elected five years ago by the congregation, Johnson is a liason with Rev. Naugle, whom she assists in all areas of church work. Each year a nine-person committee nominates the lay leader, whose position is voted on by the entire congregation at the yearly charge confer- ence. (A charge is the church or group of churches served by one minister.) She also teaches Sunday school and is active in the United Methodist Women. “I must be aware of every- one’s needs and make the pastor aware of them,” she said. “Our clergy are here to serve the church, to empower and teach the people, but never to run the congregation.” The lay leader is a very vis- ible expression that the laity are in leadership in the Meth- odist church, Johnson said. A church may have several lay leaders, who share respon- sibilities, she said. Some lay leaders prefer working behind the scenes, while others enjoy working more publicly. Since her retirement from teaching science at Dallas High School, Johnson has welcomed Good luck fo the Trucksville United Methodist Church on their next 150 years! Metzgar Aluminum & General Contracting Bathrooms ° Kitchens « Paneling Replacement Windows « Awnings Manor Drive, Trucksville 696-2924 AN
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