09-19-2019 A look back at the 175-year history of the Coloma United Methodist Church Open house to

A look back at the 175-year history of the Coloma United Methodist Church Open house to celebrate milestone is Saturday

“Remember, Rejoice, Reach Out” Coloma United Methodist Church is celebrating their 175th anniversary as a Methodist congregation this year! To mark this occasion, an outdoor Community Open House Party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. They are hoping for good weather so this event can be outdoors with food, history, games, music, and a time capsule burial; Then on Sunday, September 22 at 9:45 a.m. a Covenant Renewal Service will be held. All are invited as they look forward to celebrating this anniversary with community members!

Continued from last week… The year 1991 brought another pastoral change in the form of Richard Rossiter (Lucinda). One of his many gifts was encouragement and leadership of adult study groups. He initiated Disciple and Covenant Disciple groups as well as spiritual gift identification groups, laying the groundwork for the spirit-centered and dedicated lay leadership that results from intentional Christian study. Consecration of the building addition and refurbishment took place October 17, 1993. Pastor Rossiter’s personal journey took an unexpected turn when he recognized and acknowledged his homosexual orientation, an event that ruptured the calm of the congregation and the community. Watervliet First UMC’s Pastor Len Schoenherr (Jan) helped with lay assistance and led small groups in the United Methodist “Study on Homosexuality,” which helped, but did not prevent the disagreement among members. Many folks left for a few years, some permanently as the lay leadership chose to stand with Rev. Rossiter until he left in 1996, at which time Pastor Schoenherr was appointed to serve both churches. From 1996 to 1999 Pastor Len’s impartial ministry among us, calmly meeting the substantial controversy made him a fitting pastor to follow Rev. Rossiter, once again providing a healing environment. Disciple and other adult studies continued to be well attended. Watervliet First and Coloma UMCs were yoked once again as a two-point charge. Lakeland Healthcare Systems instituted the Congregational Nurse program, providing much appreciated health care services and advocacy to members and friends of this and two other area congregations. Registered Nurses Susie Blough and Caroline Duncan served until the program was discontinued a few years ago. In 1999 Pastor Schoenherr was reassigned and Pastor David Hills (Claire) helped to move the congregation to new worship patterns featuring updated music with the newest UMC hymnal, “The Faith We Sing,” mission trips to Haiti and Waveland, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina). During the three-year Transformation initiative facilitated by West Michigan Conference staffer, Susan Gray, much spiritual growth was achieved as well as a mission statement, Called to Create a compassionate Christian Community. Pastor Hills also initiated CUMC’s entrance into the Kids’ Hope mentoring program where individual elementary children are mentored by a personal adult mentor one hour each week during school hours. Prayer Partners and many others in the congregation support the program, still in service to date. The appointment of Rev. O’Ryan Rickard (Joan) in 2007 brought more challenge to the congregation with the abandonment of the Transformation program, decline in lay leadership and a worship style vastly different from former pastors, resulting in reduced attendance. Pastor Rickard was followed by William Chu (Julie) who worked to bring healing to the struggling congregation with, among other pleasantries, his Sunday afternoon teas at the “House of Chu.” His ministry was well received and many who had left returned. Once again small group opportunities like Companions in Christ were well attended. Several new young families joined under his pastorate but most did not remain when he was appointed to lead MSU’s Wesley Foundation after only two years at Coloma. Early in 2011 before Pastor Chu had left, the Watervliet congregation was given a difficult ultimatum to either join with another UM congregation or the Kalamazoo District UMC would assume ownership of their properties. Earlier efforts to unite the two congregations had failed, but in a renewed act of faith, both congregations voted to unite and the transition was made with no small amount of physical and spiritual labor for both congregations and Pastor Chu just as he was being reassigned in June of 2011. The work of unification caused an added element of challenge for incoming Pastor Ron VanLente (Kathleen), having little awareness of who came from where, who was new and who needed attention. In spite of the confusion caused by the simultaneous changes, unification was accomplished symbolized by the presence of a new bell tower, erected in summer of 2013. Bells of the former Watervliet and Coloma congregations now hang, topped by a third Unity Bell commemorating the intention to be one cohesive congregation. The bell tower has impacted not only the congregation but the whole community that seems to appreciate its presence. Pastor VanLente brought with him a rich musical performance background and passion as well as dedication to becoming a more visible presence in the community beyond the church. During his tenure, a second, more contemporary worship service was added as well as the Backpack Program, providing selected Watervliet and Countryside Academy students with needed food each weekend. Summer Sonset Services at Hagar Park were initiated by Pastors VanLente and David Hasse of Riverside UMC. Collaboration with Freshwater and other local churches for a Sunday worship service during Coloma’s Glad-Peach Festival was begun, as well as the church’s Irish Stew dinner during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. In 2018 Pastor Christine Beaudoin (Mike) was appointed to serve the Coloma congregation. She also brings a rich musical experience, sincere spiritual focus and many new insights to add to the various ministries already in motion at CUMC. Sunday worship services at 9:45 and 11:15 continue under Pastor Beaudoin’s leadership. Hope Resources, the food pantry whose roots go back to the 1970s at Coloma UMC with volunteers from several Coloma churches and organizations will move into its own space on Main Street in the fall. Under the direction of volunteer Carole Sternaman for ten years the pantry has grown into a larger resource for people in need of food and other assistance, now guided by Carole and other community members. Carole was honored as Grand Marshall of the 2019 Glad-Peach Festival in Coloma. In preparation for the celebration of its 175-year presence in Coloma, many members and friends have been interviewed on video, sharing their memories. One of the most prevalent comments heard is that congregants have been attracted because of the caring people who make up this body of Christ. The frequently expressed hope is that this church will be able to continue into the future as it has in the past, working together for the betterment of all.