Moundville UMC marks 125 years of services and service

Moundville ME North Sunday School Class from early 1900s. --Submitted photo

The Moundville United Methodist Church is celebrating both Christmas and 125 years of services and service this December, with 7 p.m. Christmas Program, Sunday, Dec. 21, that's free and open to the public.

The congregation of the Moundville Methodist Episcopal Church North dedicated its sanctuary on Dec. 30, 1883, after years of holding worship services in private homes and the local one-room schoolhouse. These Methodists were the first congregation to have a dedicated church building in the town. The designation "North" was part of the congregation's name for more than 50 years because the Methodist Episcopal Denomination had split into North and South branches prior to the Civil War, and would remain divided for nearly 100 years. Since the 1968 merger of the Methodist and United Brethren denominations, the congregation has been the Moundville United Methodist Church.

The 2008 Moundville UMC Youth Groups and Pioneer Clubs display their shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks to these youth and members of the congregation, 22 gift boxes and delivery funds for this international Samaritan's Purse project are on their way across the globe.

Upon completion of the building on land donated by Nathaniel Kellogg, a balance of $300 was needed to free the church from debt. Pledges to cover the entire amount were received during that dedication ceremony. The Reverend Lattin recorded the 1883 dedication service as follows: "Our beautiful little church in Moundville was dedicated last Sabbath, the 30th. The weather that had been so spring like and balmy suddenly became most unpleasant and the ground slippery with ice, the wind cold and piercing and the whole appearance most discouraging."

Despite those discouraging beginnings and often similar weather throughout the past 125 years, the congregation continues to worship and serve God in this same sanctuary. Members continue to build upon the foundations of those who went before, so that others may know and serve God as well. A series of building and remodel projects nearly tripled the size of the original facilities, enabling the congregation to host services and events for members and visitors of all ages. The United Methodist Denomination has recognized the Moundville United Methodist Church as a Certified Welcoming Congregation for six years in a row, and the Missouri School of Religion awarded the congregation as a 2007 Rural Church of the Year.

Guests are always welcome at any service, project or event. The 9 a.m. Sunday worship service includes a separate Children's Church for those through the second grade, and many people remain after worship for coffee and juice or the 10 a.m. Sunday school classes available for all age groups. Each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.. during the school year, 20 to 30 children and youth meet for Pioneer Clubs and the Youth Groups available to those from pre-kindergarten through junior and senior high. A Bible study for adults also meets most Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

More information about regularly scheduled opportunities for Christian worship, education, missions and social life at Moundville UMC appears each week in the Nevada Daily Mail Church Directory and on the Moundville UMC Web site at www.gbgm-umc.org/

moundvillemoumc.

Any Moundville UMC member or the Rev. Lynn Quist at (417) 499-1137 can share additional details about the congregation and its ministries.