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| Plains Church circa 1919 |
By Joan Milligan
Relationships at the Plains United Methodist Church have been building for over 175 years. The members of the congregation and friends came together on Sunday, October 21, 2018 to celebrate this momentous event with a worship service in the morning.
Bishop Jeremiah Park of the Susquehanna Annual Conference and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District Superintendent Rev. Marian Hartman, were participants in the service, as well as Rev. Dr. Paul Amara, pastor. Other participants in the service included, Worship Leader Rachael Lohman, Liturgist Rebecca Milligan Boran, and Angie Stanton who led the children’s time. Approximately 100 people attended the service. Presentations were made by the church youth. They included banners from the church Sunday School, and from organizations who use the church space for meetings and youth activities. Dinner followed immediately at The Touch of Class Catering in Wilkes Barre, Pa.Tait Stahovic, age 11, represented the youth of the church with his observations on how the church serves the youth and welcomes their participation in church services and community projects.
One of the newer church members, Angie Stanton, a native of Puerto Rico, talked about her experience being welcomed into the church family. She and her husband Roland joined the church last year.Visitors to the day’s activities, John and Lois Steadle from Athens, Pa., were married in Plains UMC 63 years ago. They attended with their daughter and son-in -law, Debbie and George Gutierrez of Waverly, NY.
The afternoon program was led by Lay Leader Peggy Fedor and included remarks from Council Chairman Craig Davis. Davis thanked the committee who worked diligently the past several months to prepare for the anniversary celebration. Rev. Dr. Paul Amara, who with his wife Kadie and two sons, Charles and Paul, Jr., moved to Plains almost ten years ago, said his boys grew up in Plains and they feel blessed to be part of the family of the Plains UMC. This church has been home to them since June 2009. Their son Charles is now married and the father of 2-year-old Andrew. Charles serves in the US Air Force. He, his wife Sara and Andrew reside in North Carolina.
The history of the Plains United Methodist Church begins long before the foundation of the building was laid in 1843. The church was known as Methodist Episcopal in 1843. It became The Methodist Church in 1939. With the unification of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren in 1968, it became the United Methodist Church as it is known today.As active members of the community, the Plains United Methodist Church sponsors a Food Pantry with enormous support from the Plains Lions Club, and food donations from our church members and the local community. In addition, Spring and Fall clothes giveaways, Flea Market, Community Trunk or Treat for Halloween, Craft Show, and Cookie Walk are among the other events held on an annual basis.
Church members live out their faith by participating in mission programs such as; ‘Adopt a Family’ at Christmas, and Holiday Treat Bags for Shut-Ins. No one in need is turned away from the pastor’s door. The church membership also sends donations to an orphanage in the pastor’s native country Sierra Leone. Many of these projects were initiated by former pastors including, Rev. Betty Reilly, Rev. David Gallick, Rev. Barbara Roberts, and Rev. Thurston Shumway. Some of whom were in attendance or sent congratulatory notes. Rev. David Gallick and his wife, Colleen, attended the celebration.
The youth of the church are encouraged to serve as acolytes and lectors. These capable young people already show signs that the future leadership of the church is assured. Our future is in good hands and we are confident that Plains United Methodist Church will continue as a dynamic Christian influence in our community. We have inherited a faith grounded in love and service. Our goal is to pass that faith on to generations yet to come. Our Motto is “Living for Jesus Christ through Word and Deed”.
