Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC breaks ground for new church building
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS The three crosses bearing the names of the three churches that are uniting into the Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Across with stones at the base that bear the names of communities in Buffalo Run Valley and names of “faithful servants” of the church.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured are the “Guiding Lights” or “Getter Dones” gathering a scoop of dirt for the pile. These individuals are responsible for leading, directing and inspiring the project.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS District Superintendent Rev. Brenda Leigey is pictured giving the benediction at the end of the event.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS At left, children of the congregation prepare to gather their scoop of dirt to add to the pile.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured is the “unity circle” made up of members of the congregation, community and guests as they get a final scoop of dirt on the pile and sing the hymn, “We Are The Church.”
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured are the three pastors covering the three crosses to symbolically tie the three churches to one another, in no particular order; Eddie Grubb, representing the former Fillmore United Methodist Church; Barry Ishler, representing the former Valley View United Methodist Church; and Jerry Dunkle, representing the former Buffalo Run United Methodist Church.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS The three crosses bearing the names of the three churches that are uniting into the Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Across with stones at the base that bear the names of communities in Buffalo Run Valley and names of “faithful servants” of the church.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured are the “Guiding Lights” or “Getter Dones” gathering a scoop of dirt for the pile. These individuals are responsible for leading, directing and inspiring the project.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS District Superintendent Rev. Brenda Leigey is pictured giving the benediction at the end of the event.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS At left, children of the congregation prepare to gather their scoop of dirt to add to the pile.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured is the “unity circle” made up of members of the congregation, community and guests as they get a final scoop of dirt on the pile and sing the hymn, “We Are The Church.”
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured are the three pastors covering the three crosses to symbolically tie the three churches to one another, in no particular order; Eddie Grubb, representing the former Fillmore United Methodist Church; Barry Ishler, representing the former Valley View United Methodist Church; and Jerry Dunkle, representing the former Buffalo Run United Methodist Church.
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BELLEFONTE -- The former Fillmore United Methodist, Valley View United Methodist and Buffalo Run United Methodist churches have finally broken ground on the lot of their new church building.
The construction of the new church building has been decades in the making, with chatting about the project beginning in 1999.
"Many years ago, God gave us a vision that this valley needed a facility where people could worship, grow in their faith, find fellowship and acceptance," said Gloria Lohr, congregation member.
When the opportunity to purchase land came about, the church members jumped to secure the space.
"If everything goes as planned we hope to be in place by the end of the year," said Lohr.
The groundbreaking ceremony began with Pastor Jim Jacobs and the children of the congregation.
Though the weather was poor -- with rain coming down in near sheets -- everyone was still positive about the event and excited to begin.
"This has been a long time coming. There's been a whole lot of work done by a whole lot of people," said Pastor Jacobs. "There's a story in the Bible about Jesus -- he made mud to heal a blind man. I think we can take this mud and build a church."
"Children are the lifeblood of our church," said Lohr, "We believe that by teaching them to love each other as Jesus has directed, they may truly change our world! May this church serve them as their spiritual home and as a place where they will worship with their children someday."
Jacobs and the children each added a scoop of dirt to the pile, and the next guests were asked to come forward and also add their scoops to the pile.
The following individuals are the "guiding lights" otherwise known as the "getter dones." They are the ones responsible for leading, guiding, directing and inspiring the project.
These individuals are, District Superintendent Rev. Brenda Leigey; Pastor Jim Jacobs; Chair of the church corporation, Dale Dixon; Will Houser and Blair Free, Building Committee co-chairs; Omar Stoltfus, Johnathan and Amy Everman from Central PA Timber Frames and Lifetime Outdoor Arrangement, the builders and site development contractor; Penn Terra Engineering Representative; Rev. Gene McCallips, representing the UMC Conference; Benner Township Representative.
"It's been a blessing (to work with them). They've done well to get to this point," said Leigey, who's been in close contact with individuals in the church. "The three churches, when they first came together, it was a new season for them. Now is also a new season -- a new beginning."
Eddie Grubb, representing the former Fillmore United Methodist Church; Barry Ishler, representing the former Valley View United Methodist Church; and Jerry Dunkle, representing the former Buffalo Run United Methodist Church all came forward to put their scoops of dirt on the pile to symbolize their contributions to the foundation.
After their contribution, Pastor Jacobs welcomed them forward to cover three crosses -- each one bearing the name of a church being combined into the new facility -- to symbolically tie them to one another.
Everyone in attendance -- friends, congregation members, community members and honored guests -- was then invited to form a "unity circle" around the three crosses, the stones with names of communities in Buffalo Run Valley and the sacred pile of dirt.
Pastor Jacobs held up one more scoop of dirt before adding it to the pile, symbolizing that day as a day of new beginnings.
After the dirt was added to the pile, everyone in the unity circle sang the hymn "We Are The Church."
The congregation welcomes any interested party to join them at their current worship location, 1667 Buffalo Run Road, Bellefonte.
Sunday services begin at 9:45 a.m. with Children's Church also being offered during that time. For those who cannot attend in person, Zoom is available. Please email greaterbuffalorunvalleytreasurer@aol.com or call the office at 814-355-1208 for a Zoom invitation.
Services are recorded and are available on YouTube @gbrvumc, and more information can be found on the church Facebook page by the same name.