Today I went to two church services. The first was at my normal little rural church when I'm here in Virginia, Marvin UMC. But it wasn't a normal Sunday. The church was filled because the Hounshell family had their annual reunion this weekend. The United Methodist Women (and some Hounshells) then provided a huge lunch for all those people in the "Greever-McIntire Fellowship Hall." I took potato salad, deviled eggs, zucchini casserole, and salt and pepper shakers for all the tables. By the time I got home, I had more food than I had left with - and I thought I had taken a lot with me to church! Fortunately some of it could be frozen! Best of all - no need to cook dinner tonight.
Then I went to a second service, a Service of Leave led by the Va. Synod Bishop, across the road from my house at the Corinth Lutheran Church. Per the local paper, ""When Corinth Lutheran Church organized in the Black Lick community more than 119 years ago, its members were small family farmers. The congregation like the farms dwindled through the years forcing the center of the community to close its doors. With great reluctance but with practical sensibility, the six remaining members of Corinth Lutheran Church agreed to cease services. They found they could no longer bear the financial responsibility of maintaining the operation."
I'd never been to this church before, though I've used it as a landmark in giving directions to my house over and over again. It was a very moving service and many people I have met over the years were there, including some distant relatives. I think most of the past ministers were there as well. Three members of my Aunt Elaine's choir from Marvin Church (who still attend Marvin) participated in the choir at this last service. Jody Brown, now living in Iowa, grew up in this church and his sister's husband was one of the former pastors. Jody played this historic 1896 pump organ beautifully.
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