Jill Seaman, Holy Cross UM Charge
Holy Cross UM Charge, made up of three churches: New Buffalo, Hill, and Bucks United Methodist Churches, worship together as one with our minister, the Rev. Gregory Myers. We enjoy meeting together in one worship service on a rotating schedule at one of our three locations each week.
However, for Rural Life Sunday on June 1, we held an absolutely incredible outdoor worship service at the farm of one of our members, the M. W. Smith Farms in Bucks Valley. THANK YOU is not enough to express our gratitude to the most humble hosts, Hunter and Kathy Smith, for opening their generational family farm and their hearts to our congregation and guests!
Our congregation grew to well over 110 with members sharing the day with family and friends, along with invited clergy who had filled our pulpit in early 2024 when we had no assigned minister. Pastor Greg’s service only added to the spirituality of the day and having our former “guest” ministers (all fresh on the heels of attending the Susquehanna Annual Conference for the previous three days) participate in the service was inspiring. Those guests were: District Superintendent Rev. Gary Weaver and his wife, Cindy Weaver, Executive Assistant to the Bishop; Rev. Kathy Kind, Director of Connectional Ministries, her mother and her sweet pup, Periwinkle; Rev. Debbie Heisley-Cato and her husband Randy; Rev. Marian Hartman, Assistant to the Board of Ordained Ministry; and Rev. Pat Woolever, widow of one of our former ministers, Rev. Bruce Woolever.
After the worship service, Hunter shared the family history of the farm and how it grew over the generations to what it is today. Afterwards, a light picnic lunch was served before folks enjoyed tours of the farm. There were also games for the children which culminated in an egg hunt.
Despite the dust and smells of a true working farm, those congregated enjoyed the fellowship and special time of worship with one another.
