HC Faith Magazine 2019

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Celebrating Our Mountain Churches

SPRING 2019

Banner Elk Presbyterian A Cornerstone Of Banner Elk’s History

Contemporary CHURCHes Merging Tradition with Contemporary Worship

Deerfield United Methodist Dream Team Heroes Watauga Relay for Life

Mt. Bethel Reform Church Oldest Church in Blowing Rock Renovations Underway

Catholic Campus Ministry 45 Years of Service to App State Students

Featuring People and Stories of Faith Spring 2019

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The mission of Faith Magazine is to celebrate local churches across the High Country. In our third issue, we continue to discover the ministries and movements of faith within churches, large and small from around the High Country. We see how churches, regardless of size, location, or denomination influence and change the lives of many through faith and dedication. We hope you enjoy this year’s issue as we continue to celebrate the people and stories of Faith.

Faith INSIDE

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Photography by Tara Diamond

CONTENTS 8

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4 Reba Moretz Many Years As Organist

Reba Moretz has spent the last 50 years making snow in the winter and being a seasonal organist in the summertime.

8 Christian Floats for Christmas Parade

Baptist Churches Organize Floats for Boone Christmas Parade to help remind folks “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”

14 Mt Bethel Reform Church

Mt. Bethel Reformed Church is the oldest church in Blowing Rock, organized in 1886. Thanks to restoration efforts led by Andrew Critcher, the church building is now standing proudly again after a number of years of neglect.

23 The Beauty of Church Steeples

Church steeples are a long-standing tradition of Christian religions, dating back to the fourth century. See our photo essay of some of the beautiful steeples found around the High Country.

What’s Inside Our Issue

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26 Contemporary Churches Flourishing

Contemporary worship is taking front and center stage, literally, in some churches across the country these days, and has gradually emerged in recent years in and around the High Country.

38 Banner Elk Presbyterian Long History

Banner Elk Presbyterian sits in the middle of Lees-McRae College’s campus and is a silent sentry to the passing of time.

50 Deerfield Methodist Supports Relay

Deerfield United Methodist Church and its parishioners continuously dedicate their time and resources toward making positive impacts on the surrounding community.

58 Catholic Campus Ministry at App State

The Catholic Church Ministry in Boone started in 1973 and is dedicated to providing a place for App State students to celebrate and learn about their faith together.

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fai t h Celebrating Our Mountain Churches

HIGH COUNTY PRESS

A Note From The Publisher

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Magazine A Publication Of High Country Press Publications Editor & Publisher Ken Ketchie

Associate Editor Sherrie Norris Photography Editor Tara Diamond Contributing Writers Life will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer and tte Deerfield Dream Team will be ready!

The Appalachian State Catholic Church Ministry has been a place for students to enjoy fellowship, homemade meals and conversations about their faith for nearly 45 years. Their building is located on Faculty Street.

We also packaged together several stories on what has become known as Contemporary Churches, numbering in the dozens around the High Country. Some have a history going back 40 years, with many being planted in just the last few years.

You won’t find most of the Contemporary Churches in traditional church buildings. These churches are finding spaces to worship in schools, multi-use venues, and rented commercial spaces. The use of a stage setting is important for their services because music, art, and performances are a focus of their gatherings. The settings are relaxed and have an energy that lifts you up as soon as you walk through their doors.

Although the audience is youthful, the congregations include people of all ages. The Bible shapes their message, and the love and praise of God and Jesus is foremost. Check out what this new generation of churches is doing to express their spirituality in a setting that could be called... Contemporary.

VISIT HCPress.com H i g h C o u n t r y fa i t h M a g a z i n e

Fa i t h

Art Director Debbie Carter

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elcome to our third annual spring edition of Faith Magazine. This winter we were out again visiting a number of churches in preparation for this year’s issue, and once again, it was a wonderful and inspiring experience as churches welcomed our writers and photographers to their churches to share their stories.

We begin this issue with the story of Reba Moretz who is closing in on 50 years of being the organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Linville. Her winters are busy with the family business at Appalachian Ski Mtn., but come summertime, she looks forward to her duties as the church organist.

For the last few years, a number of the member churches of Three Folks Baptist Association have been organizing church floats for the Boone Christmas Parade to help acknowledge that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”

And we have a story on Blowing Rock’s oldest church that has been getting a facelift over the last few years thanks to the efforts of Andrew Critcher. Along the way he discovered an incredible historic journey of his family’s connection to the church that was located in his back yard as a little boy growing up.

Then we travel over to Banner Elk to discover the historic Presbyterian Church that was founded by the same man that established Lees McRae College and the town’s first hospital, and whose membership today is still an important supporter and fundraiser for ministries and non-profits across Avery County.

When it comes to Watauga’s Relay for Life, Deerfield United Methodist Church has led the way in their fundraising efforts, contributing greatly to the cause. Relay for

High Country Press

Spring 2019

Jan Todd Tim Gardner Elly Murray Nathan Ham Hailey Blevins Joe Johnson

Cover Photo By Tara Diamond Our cover photo is of the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church located adjacent to the Lees McRae College Campus. This building was constructed of native stone and was completed in 1914. The structure was inspired by Reverend Edgar Tuffs, who also founded Lees McRae College.

High Country Press Faith Magazine is published by High Country Press Publications of Boone, North Carolina. All content © 2019.

All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.

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Reba Moretz Closes in on Five Decades as Organist Playing at All Saints Episcopal Church Story by Nathan Ham • Photography by Tara Diamond From Making Snow to Making Music

Reba Moretz, who is co-founder of Appalachian Ski Mtn., has two passions. Her winter passion is making snow and her summer passion is making music. She has been the seasonal organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Linville, North Carolina for nearly 50 years. Being able to maintain her passion for music at this special church synchronizes perfectly with ski season because services are held late May through late September.

“All Saints is unique in that outstanding ministers from throughout the country are invited each summer to conduct the weekly services,” Moretz said. “There may be as many as 18 ministers from many states, such as Texas, Florida, Maryland, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, as well as North 4

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Carolina and South Carolina.

A Brief History of All Saints Episcopal

All Saints Episcopal Church was designed by architect Henry Bacon, who is famously known for designing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Bacon was a family friend of the MacRae family and designed this church and several other buildings in the Linville area as the resort town was growing. A member of the MacRae family, Agnes MacRae Parsley, even donated the money needed to build the church.

The church was commissioned in 1910 Reba at her home with her Allen Organ that is a Two Manual Theater model. The levers across the top of the keyboards allow her to produce hundreds of sounds for her music.

All Saints Episcopal Church was designed by architect Henry Bacon, who is famously known for designing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is located in Linville just a short distance from the Eseeola Lodge. and saw construction completed in 1913. This was also the final project completed that was designed

by Bacon. He died 11 years after the church was built. All Saints Episcopal is famous for its American Chestnut wood and the roof beams that can be seen against the open ceiling inside the sanctuary. This “Linville Style” featured unstripped logs and walls covered with chestnut bark shingles.

The lore of the church being built from American Chestnut wood has passed down from generation to generation. That type of wood is almost impossible to find these days after blight killed most of the native trees in the 1920s and 1930s. This church structure and the American Chestnut wood inside it

have survived over a century and has allowed for several generations to get to experience its beauty inside and out.

“Many of the people that come to the church are members of the Linville community. There is a lot of heritage in the community. I have watched generations of families attend church here and they have grown up coming to their homes in Linville during the summer time,” Reba said.

How Reba Got Her Start in Music

Reba Moretz practically grew up on the campus of Appalachian State University after her father, Dr. Wiley F. Smith, was hired to head the psychology

Reba playing the organ at All Saints Episcopal Church.

The church was commissioned in 1910 and saw construction completed in 1913. This was also the final project completed that was designed

by Bacon. He died 11 years after the church was built. All Saints Episcopal is famous for its American Chestnut wood and the roof beams.

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department at Appalachian. together,” Reba said.

The department is now named after Dr. Smith.

All Saints Episcopal Reba developed her Comes Calling love for music at an early As the ski area continued age. As her brother headed to grow, so did Reba’s love off to college, Reba said her and passion for music. She parents bought him a car, had her own home organ and in turn bought her an and now had two children, electric organ. daughter Brenda and son She says she was Brad. fascinated by the instrument “All Saints Episcopal because you had to use your Church needed an hands and feet to produce organist and after getting a sounds. recommendation from my When Reba began college piano teacher, I became the at Appalachian there was not organist there,” Reba said. an organ teacher available “All Saints does not for organ lessons. have a church choir but Reba is performing here at the 1953 Senior Recital at the college “I had taken piano but I we do have voice students auditorium at Appalachian College as it was known then. Her recital really wanted to learn how to from Appalachian State included music from Chopin, Bach, Beethoven and others. play an organ,” she added. sing solos before and “One of the kindest during the service. We She continued teaching music at Parkway things my family ever did for me was and Cove Creek Elementary Schools until usually practice at my house on Saturday taking me to Charlotte every two weeks ski business became an important part mornings. I enjoy working with the for organ lessons,” Reba said. “I think that of her life. “Grady had taken over the soloists and they certainly add to the really increased my love for organ music.” management at Appalachian Ski Mtn. and church service,” said Reba.

After receiving her Master of Arts needed my help at the ski area,” Reba said.

Reba took a little time to share degree in Music Education at Appalachian, “Teaching music ended as I became more some of her favorite memories of organ Reba taught music in Charlotte for 2 years. involved in the ski business.” playing throughout the years. She said In 1955, she returned to Boone where “The ski business was challenging and we that she played for weddings over the she and Grady Moretz Jr. were married. worked very hard but we enjoyed working years, and that some interesting things 6

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Reba has been collecting sheet music over the years and has a file cabinet full of classical and sacred music as well as theater and popular tunes.

have happened.

“The electricity went off at one service. When that happened, there was nothing I could do but sit there on the organ bench.

As the bride and groom started down the isle, the minister started singing “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” and the whole congregation joined in. That was a special moment I remember.

Another wedding involved some confusion between an usher and the minister before the wedding was about to begin.

“An usher came up to the window beside the organ and told me not to play the wedding march yet, so I kept playing other music.

The minister and the groom were in a side room and gave me the signal to start playing the wedding march.

What happened was the usher didn’t realize the minister was already there, they were waiting at the front of the church for him and he had come in a back door,” said Reba.

With so many other memories and people from the church that have become a part of Reba’s life, she has enjoyed these years spending time in Linville.

“I have met countless friends playing at the church. It has been a real privilege and a pleasure to be part of their services,” said Reba.

She plans on being back there this summer when services start again in May. t

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“Jesus is the Reason for the Season” Baptist Churches Organize Floats for Boone Christmas Parade Story and Photography by Jan Todd

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to the Christmas parade. everal years ago, But it always bothered me Carla Propst attended that there was such little the annual Boone representation for our Christmas parade and Lord, Jesus Christ.” said she was heartbroken.

A fellow member of “I noticed that there was Mount Vernon Baptist, nothing about Jesus in the Kandy Taylor, had similar parade, with one exception concerns. Said Taylor, “A — a small placard on group of us had a similar the truck from Watauga desire to see the story Building Supply.” of Jesus being shared in Its message? “Jesus is Boone, and we thought, the reason for the season.” what better way than the Yet from what Propst saw Christmas parade?” in the parade, the themes of Mount Vernon, Brushy the floats portrayed a much more secular message, with “Heavenly hosts” from Union Baptist Church offer a welcome into the “gates Fork, and more than 30 other of heaven,” the final float in the Three Forks Baptist Association display.

Baptist churches in the High Santa Claus, candy, snowy Country are part of Three scenes and Jingle Bells.

“I was completely convicted,” Propst said. The day after the Forks Baptist Association (TFBA) region network. The association parade, Propst went to her Sunday school class at Brushy Fork provides support for its members in leadership development, Baptist Church in Vilas and told the class, “Guys, this can’t happen. training, mission partnerships, and local ministry projects.

Taylor and Eller decided to reach out to the TFBA to produce We’ve got to get the name of Jesus back into Christmas.”

The next year, Brushy Fork Baptist entered a float in the parade, a coordinated effort by many churches in the parade. “We got together with interested participants and brainstormed about the with a Biblical theme and a group singing Christmas carols.

“We feel like we’re a family at Brushy Fork,” said Propst. presence of Jesus in the Old Testament, beginning with the story “We want to try creative ways to get the word out about Jesus of creation in Genesis, through the very end of the Bible.” into our community.”

Propst wasn’t alone in her observations about the parade.

More Than a Nativity Scene Peggy Eller, a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Eller explained that while many consider Christmas simply as Boone, said, “I’ve lived in Boone for 42 years, and “I love going the celebration of the birth of Christ, it is actually part of a much bigger story.

Pastor Seth Norris, of Perkinsville Baptist Church, explained. “Our culture associates Christmas with Jesus as a baby, the animals in the stable, angels and wise men.

We want to broaden people’s understanding, visually, of how they see Christmas, as an important but just one part of the narrative of Scripture.

The planning team came up with a number of stories within the Bible to display God’s plan of salvation through Jesus, each story to be represented on an individual float: • Creation – All that God made was good. (Gen. 1) • The Fall of Man – Sin entered the world. (Gen. 3) • The Birth of the Savior – God sent his only son to save the world. (Luke 2) • Jesus’s ministry to the woman at the well – Salvation to those who believe. (John 4) • The Good Shepherd – Jesus searches for and lays Parts of the life of Jesus not traditionally included in a Christmas display — such down his life for his sheep. (John 10) as the Resurrection — are included in the annual lineup of floats by the TFBA • The Last Supper – Jesus is the Bread of Life. (Matthew 26)

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Five participants from Mt. Vernon Baptist Church prior to the parade in 2018.

Glenn Davis in his role as Jesus the Good Shepherd, prior to the parade in 2018.

Mike and Denise Smith, life-long members of Union Baptist Church, dressed as the lion and the lamb for the “Heaven” float in 2018

Pastor Vernon Eller and his wife, Sharon prepare to ride on the “Heaven” float.

Pastor Seth Norris from Perkinsville Baptist Church, lining up for the parade in 2018.

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• Jesus loves the children – The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matthew 19) • The Crucifixion and Resurrection – Jesus sacrificed his life and rose from the dead.

(Luke 23) • Heaven – All things are new again.

(Revelation 21) Each year, depending on the number of participating churches, floats are added or subtracted to produce a visual representation of the story.

Each participating church takes on responsibility for a float, depicting part of the Biblical story. Smaller churches team up to share in the construction and execution of some floats.

Kandy Taylor said they try to keep the elements of the story simple, so that even people unfamiliar with the Bible can follow the story. “For instance, we have everyone portraying Jesus dress in a similar costume, so as the different floats go by, people can make the connection.”

In the 2018 parade, Glenn Davis, a member of Mount Vernon Baptist, portrayed Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He walked down King Street, dressed in a robe and carrying a shepherd’s crook. “I wanted to demonstrate that Christ is always looking for his lost sheep,” Davis said.

Davis, who teaches a Sunday school class at Mount Vernon, recited Bible verses as he spoke in the voice of Jesus during his portrayal. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,” he said, quoting from John 14. “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

As the Christmas parade has evolved in the past few years to include more spiritual demonstrations, Davis credits this to God’s hand at work. “He is omnipresent, he is everywhere. He saw the way the parade used to be and he wants people to know that he is everywhere and in everything.”

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Thanks to the impending snow storm the night of the 2018 parade, the Three Forks Association float presentation received national exposure when the Weather Channel was reporting live as the parade was in progress. Here, Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel reports just as the parade was beginning.

A United Effort

Taylor said the coordinated effort of so many churches is part of the magic of their parade display. “This project has united believers who want everyone to know that Christ loves them. As followers of Jesus, we have to be unified, and we have to love one another.”

A float by Mount Vernon Baptist led the procession in the 2018 parade, depicting the story of God’s creation.

Church members dressed in various animal costumes, riding on a float decorated with the sun, moon, stars, and a mountain complete with a waterfall.

Farther down the line, Perkinsville Baptist and Rutherwood Baptist collaborated on the Crucifixion and Resurrection float. Perkinsville’s pastor,

Boone Drug seeks to honor God by providing for our community the pharmaceutical, medical, nursing, and health needs through personal, caring, and professional services to our patients and their caregivers.

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Seth Norris, described their float as particularly unique in the Christmas parade. “Most people associate the Resurrection with Easter, so seeing it as part of this expanded view of Scripture is pretty cool,” he said.

Norris said, “Perkinsville Baptist is committed to seeing the Church — not just our church, but the greater Church — strengthen in the High Country. Our vision is to partner churches together to start new churches, revitalize existing churches, and awaken disciples.” He cited the parade project as one example of a cooperative outreach.

Peter Vandernberg, pastor of Rutherwood Baptist in Deep Gap, joined several members of his church in walking beside the Resurrection float, handing out candy canes with the gospel message.

Serving you since 1919

Christmas on Parade The “Creation” float, presented by Mount Vernon Baptist Church, led the Three Forks Association procession in 2018. Various church members dressed as animals.

The “Fall of Man” was the second float in the Three Forks procession, depicting when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Mount Vernon Baptist designed the float representing the birth of Christ, with a nativity scene and heavenly host.

Following the nativity scene, the Three Wisemen rode on horseback.

Jesus the Good Shepherd was represented by children dressed as sheep, and Glenn Davis walking beside the float, reaching out to individuals along the parade route.

Oak Grove Baptist Church, located just west of Boone, populated the “Children of the World” float. Sarah Critcher said, “Jesus wanted the children to come to him.

We’re out here celebrating the birth of Jesus, and sharing the love we have for each other.”

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2016 Parade Floats A few of the floats from the last parade

Members of the “heavenly choir” followed the Three Forks Baptist Association floats, singing Christmas carols.

Union Baptist Church, Zionsville, our children and grandchildren. In portrayed a picture of heaven on the High Country, we celebrate with their float. Mike and Denise Smith, Christmas trees and the mountains life-long members of Union Baptist, and all creation. “The Lord placed were dressed as a lion and a lamb. us in the most beautiful place on “In the future kingdom, animals this earth to celebrate his birth, will be at peace with one another,” right where we are, and to know explained Mike. “We’re getting the that our future lies in his presence in heaven.” Kandy message out, what Taylor expressed heaven is going to be “I’m going to be 70 gratitude from like, and what Jesus years old in January, the hundred-plus has done for us.” and this is the first volunteers involved Also on the float, the parade the “heavenly gate” time I’ve ever been in a in was depicted, and parade, so I’m excited.” presentation. “We had people of all yet another Jesus Sharon Eller ages, constructing figure was seated on a the floats, dressing throne, crowning two of his followers as played by Pastor up to play parts, riding on the floats or walking beside them.”

Vernon Eller and his wife, Sharon.

Peggy Eller, who worked with Sharon said, “I’m going to be 70 years old in January, and this is the Taylor on the planning committee, first time I’ve ever been in a parade, said, “It was with the cooperation and support of this wonderful giving so I’m excited.”

Vernon described their role in the community that we put together display, “We’re celebrating the birth the story of the life of Jesus, to tell of Jesus. Our greatest hope is to join how the impact of His life changed him in heaven, because he promised the world and can change every where he is, we can be there also. Our individual’s personal life, just like He life on earth is temporary, getting changed mine.” t ready place for eternal life in his presence where all things are good, all things are possible.”

Thirty-five of the hundred-person congregation from Union Baptist joined the Ellers in the celebration. Vernon said, “Our people are all excited. Almost everyone in the church is younger than us, and they’re like 12

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“Resurrection” float provided the opportunity for parade-goers to see the “expanded view of Scripture,” including the event in the Christmas narrative said Pastor Seth Norris of Perkinsville Baptist Church.

The “Heaven” float, presented by Union Baptist Church, included Jesus crowning his believers, and the golden gates of heaven.

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... the story of

Mt. Bethel Reformed Church of Blowing

Rock

Restoration Efforts Under Way Led By

Andrew Critcher Story By Hailey Blevins Photography by Tara Diamond

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Mt. Bethel Reformed Church is the oldest church in Blowing Rock, organized in 1886. It will turn 133 years old this year, and thanks to restoration efforts led by Andrew Critcher, the church building is now standing proudly again after a number of years of neglect.

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ount Bethel Reformed Church is beginning to look brand new after Andrew Critcher’s dedicated work to restore the oldest church in Blowing Rock. The church, organized in 1886, will turn 133 years old this year.

While Critcher has worked to restore the church, he has grown in his faith and returned to his childhood memories.

One of those early memories that came back to him was when him and his grandfather used to go every Saturday to Craig’s Grocery, a small, local store in Blowing Rock.

“They had two different sized Cokes. I used to earn the money during the week to have a Coke. When I finished the bottle, I put it in the back and got a nickle back for deposit.

I’ll never forget when I was about five and a half, my grandpa said ‘Son, you’re big enough to have a big bottle now.’ We’d always drink about half and pour salted peanuts in it and have

a real Coke float.”

Growing up around the church and helping take care of the graveyard as a child, Critcher says he’s always had religion around him in his life. He was saved in 1996 and was married in 1998.

He never knew his family’s ties with the church had a religious link until he began researching.

Once he was around the church again, the pieces began to fall together, both for Critcher’s spiritual life and for the church.

“The doors have just opened. Every-

thing I’ve done with this church, everyone said what are you going to do for money, and I said it doesn’t matter. I’m supposed to do this,” he says.

With this obedience to God’s will, Critcher hasn’t experienced any nerves or worry about fixing the church, instead he has felt confident.

“Everywhere I asked, it was a yes.

It’s confidence: ‘Hey, I want the church back! When can I have it?” He knows that this is what he has been guided by God to do.

History

Critcher grew up near the church. His great-great grandfather, Jacob Kluttz, gave the property for the church and the Reform cemetery and started the church. He says his family has lived there all their lives looking after the reformed cemetery and keeping an eye on the church.

Though he’s learned a lot about his Spring 2019

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Many Hands Have Pitched In For Many Renovation Projects In place of a damage deposit for holding a wedding in the church, the folks from Come Back Shack offered to send 15 volunteers from their restaurant to work helping with church renovations for a day.

The volunteers worked on preparing the inside walls of the church to be painted. family history and the church’s history, Critcher says that he never had any interest in history before.

“I was into World War II; I liked stuff like that, but all this hit me in the last two or three years. It’s very exciting. I learned we were actually famous violin makers in Germany once. There’s a statue in the town, and our violins are on Ebay for a lot of money. That’s where my ancestors came from,” Critcher said.

The church is now back in the Kluttz family’s name, having previously been owned by the Assembly Grounds since about 1991. Over the years, the church and services were passed down through the congregation. It wasn’t until four years ago that Critcher saw the state Mount Bethel Reformed Church was in and realized something needed to be done to help restore the church, so he went to the Assembly Grounds about the matter.

“The church needed a lot of work, and I was standing right over there and it was just like someone hit me in the head with a hammer. So, I went to the previous owners.

I was just furious for some odd reason. I explained to them that the church needed more love than it was getting.”

After leaving, Critcher says that he couldn’t believe he had done it.

Critcher has always had close ties with the church, not remembering a time when it wasn’t a part of his life.

Before leaving for a trip to Boston with 16

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his family, he found out that Bobby Higgins had some of Critcher’s late uncle’s stuff and wanted to know if he wanted it. When he went over to look at it, Bobby reached up and what happened next Critcher says was like fate.

“This book falls down, hits him on the head and lands in my hands,” he said.

The book turned out to be a book

Andrew Critcher says it’s been an amazing journey discovering his family history with the Mt. Bethel Church .

Critcher had been trying to find a copy of that talked about the descendants of the Kluttz family.

“Some things are meant to be.”

Spring 2019

On their trip to Boston, Critcher and his family took the southern route through Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. To their surprise, they found the oldest German church in America there and learned that Blowing Rock’s church wasn’t the only German Reform Church. They also learned that their ancestors had went to the church in Boston. On their way home from Boston, the family visited two more churches in Rowan County, NC. One of the churches in Rowan County turned out to be where the church in Blowing Rock derived from.

“I go to these churches in Pennsylvania and there’s my family name. My whole family back to 1630 is there,” Critcher said.

Critcher pointed out several places in the graveyard where his family rests. He says the amount of family he has in the graveyard got him into researching why there’s a German church in Blowing Rock.

“I didn’t know there were any roots about it. I just thought there’s a church here because he gave the property after the congregation had services in local homes for five years, no big deal. I had no idea there’s a religion to it.”

He started searching records and found churches his family started or were with in the very beginning of German churches in the U.S., even finding some interesting facts that hint at tension in the first church before it split.

“Lower Stone in Rowan County, that

church is exactly one foot bigger than the Oregon church, where they used to go. And I guess they had a split of ways, and they made this church exactly one foot bigger, so the Oregon one would fit inside for bragging rights,” said Critcher. “That is a story an old man told me.”

But that was just the first of many surprises Critcher has found during his time restoring the church. When a neighbor got really sick, Critcher was led to figure out what spots in the graveyard were still open for burials.

“I knew there were some gravestones missing over here, but I had no idea how many. I figured there were 12 or 15 missing that I remember from growing up,” Critcher said.

“He got really sick, and I was like, if he gets buried over here, I’d hate to bury him on someone else, so I went to the funeral home in Boone, and Mike Austin said ‘Call Keith Seramore. He found all those graves at the school.’”

That’s when Critcher got the surprise of a lifetime.

Together, Critcher and Seramore found 104 unmarked graves in the cemetery across from the church. These graves were first marked with flags, then Critcher marked them in his own way as well.

“That’s what all these little stones are. I’m a masonry contractor, so what I did was, I made a headstone and a footstone for each soul laying there. Some are facing east, some are southeast. We went ahead and marked them the way they laid. That cemetery has brought a lot of publicity.

WBTV News and several others have been here about it,” Critcher says.

Though Critcher didn’t expect to be reforming the church or looking into its history, he’s excited about where it’s brought him.

“It’s just something you’re thrown into. It’s been an amazing journey,” he said.

Growing up, he wondered why Jacob had put a cemetery there when there was one already, but he found that the first cemetery was full. The Elrod-Greene cemetery is a family cemetery. Critcher says it was always just another cemetery that just happened to be across the street. When the Assembly Grounds took over the church, they ended up with the church and both cemeteries. When Critcher got the deed to the church, he asked that he would also get the Elrod-Greene cemetery.

“I met with them and we went back and forth, and I think in October they signed all three deeds to my company, Kluttz Preservation,” he said.

In this way, the church’s history was preserved and put back into Jacob Kluttz’s name. Critcher said that he first tried to name the company Kluttz Properties, but changed it after the government wouldn’t approve it. The company is now a 501c that Critcher, his wife, and Ted (the director of the Assembly Grounds) are on the board. Critcher says his daughter has been added to the board recently, as well.

Critcher found two points in the old cemetery where they believe Revolutionary soldiers were buried. They’ve always known Ed Sullivan was buried in the cemetery from the 1700s. Critcher believes Sullivan is buried under one of two side-by-side logs in the cemetery. Because of this grave marker, they believe that there’s another Revolutionary soldier buried next to him. They are currently looking into that to find out if it is, indeed, another soldier.

“The family is working on it right now. That will be

Getting The Church Ready for a Fresh Coat of Paint The Mt. Bethel Church is pictured here just before a new coat of white paint was added.

Critcher and volunteers removed the old paint that was peeling and chipping.

Critcher noted that these pictures are close to what the church looked like before he started the restoration process a couple of years ago.

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Ted Wilson, Director of the Assembly Grounds, Andrew Critcher and Andrew's two daughters and wife, Eryn, Ashlyn and Emma. interesting,” said Critcher.

Since finding the unmarked graves, Critcher has looked for leads for who may be buried in the cemetery.

“I put the word out as much as I can.

We’ve come up with maybe 32 people that we know are there. We don’t know where they’re at, but we know they’re in there,” he said.

Though the church hasn’t had regular services in a long time, it has still received some visitors since then. The church has some services in the summer and The Assembly Grounds had services, but it is mainly other churches in the area.

This summer, Critcher says that Lower Stone, the church that Mt. Bethel branched

from, is visiting. Lower Stone visited twice in 2018 and plan to come twice this year, so Mt. Bethel is starting to receive some more visitors.

“It’s not a full-bodied church or anything, but people are visiting,” says Critcher.

As the church’s renovations have progressed, it’s visitors have increased.

He’s noticed that a lot of neighbors come over and walk around, and he is happy to see that. He also says that there have been two weddings and three funerals in the church since, with another possible wedding coming.

The last time the church held full services was in 1920. Critcher says that

people came and went and “from the 60s on, it was always called a summer church.

People came here and visited and stuff like that in the summers.”

The majority of the visitors are from sister churches, but Critcher noted that two of the visiting churches that have been coming to Mount Bethel Church have been coming for 50 years. “It’s just something they do,” he says. “They come here, donate money and have a little service here.”

Critcher went on to talk about the visiting churches, commenting on the differences between their home city and Blowing Rock. “They were talking about tomorrow having to go back to reality to our computers and about how pure it is up

This chair, which sits behind the pulpit, was donated from a sister church in the 30s.

The stained glass windows cannot be replicated and will remain as they are until “the birds can start flying in.”

The crucifix now sits at the back of the church where everyone can enjoy it.

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After fixing the floor, the church’s piano sits with the front right leg off the floor from years of the floor being uneven under it. here on the mountains. They said that’s where they see God. It must be bad to be so wrapped up in life that you can’t just look up and see the stars and see the trees, you know?”

Though the church itself hasn’t changed much throughout the years, its surroundings have. Critcher says he remembers the road during his childhood that has since changed.

“I remember riding on the old road when I was younger on a bicycle and going through the neighbor’s yard up through there and coming back down and out towards Possum Hollow,” he said.

But Critcher hasn’t just heard and read about the church’s past. He says he’s found evidence of the life the church used to contain. With several of the pews, he says you can see actual finger marks in them, alluding to the fact that the good Lord must have really been in the presence of the members back then.

He also noted how God’s presence is still working on visitors to the church.

“We had a church here from Thomasville, and I always sit in the back because I don’t like people sitting behind me. A man was sitting right there. He was talking a time or two during service, and then he just absolutely stood up and started crying, ‘I give my life to the Lord!’ So there’s a man who got saved in this church, another man who got saved in this church, and a woman got saved in this church,” said Critcher.

Critcher went on to say that that was when it hit him. “This isn’t my church, and this isn’t my building. This is theirs. I’m just the keeper. That was very exciting. God was in the house, and it was really good.”

The church’s bell was restored by Critcher and a neighbor. It can now be rung loud and clear after some sanding and repainting. Donated to the church in 1952.

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Inside the Church

When Critcher started working on the inside of the church, the walls were black and the paint was falling off. There were bad Spring 2019

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cracks in some of the walls that Critcher said had to be caulked.

He also ran a dehumidifier to help remove mold. After some hard work from him and some volunteers from Come Back Shack, who volunteered their time for a day in place of payment for holding a wedding in the church, Critcher was able to finish the walls and start on some of the other issues, even focusing on tiny details.

“These turnbuckles used to be white, and I decided to paint them black, and everyone just absolutely loves them because it’s part of the church,” he said.

Another aesthetic detail of the church that Critcher pointed out inside was a crucifix that was made in 1988. The previous owners voted to put the crucifix on the side wall so it didn’t stand out since it was a gothic cross, but Critcher says he moved it.

“I had a service over here and everyone kept turning their heads, so I took it down and moved it here so everyone could see it,” he said.

WBTV visited the church once and ran an article. The maker of the cross called Critcher saying he had seen his crucifix on TV. When he asked if he could carve a plaque to put his name beside it, Critcher had no objections.

A lot of people have asked about the crucifix, but not everyone

has liked the addition of it in the church, with some commenting that “you shouldn’t have a crucifix in a German church.” But Critcher firmly stated that “it’s a family church, and they’re buried out here. We’re all family, and if they want to make something nice to put in the church, I’m okay with that.”

Then he moved onto restoring the windows, which had been painted around so many times that they were painted shut.

“It took days for me to get them working again. All the paint, we had to go outside and inside and chisel to get the windows to start working, but we got them all working,” Critcher said.

Unable to find anyone that could duplicate the glass in the windows, he decided not to replace them.

“Every glass here has got a crack or a break or a hole in it.

Until the birds fly in, I’m going to leave it the way it is because they’re so authentic.”

When he was restoring the sill plates in the back of the church, he found blocks dating back to the 20s. These were added on later, though Critcher isn’t sure exactly when.

Critcher is trying his best to leave the church with as much of its original parts as he can. He decided to leave the pews as they were. He says that he doesn’t know any history about

The Story of Two Cemeteries

The cemetery behind Mt. Bethel has always been the church’s cemetery and is where many familiar local town folk’s family names are buried. Grover C. Robins is buried here, as well as his sons Grover Jr. and Harry. The names of the Kluttzs, Greenes, Critchers, Holshousers and more can be found on the cemetery’s tombstones. The cemetery had a recent burial last year, and the cemetery is now full with the recent placing of the last spaces.

The Elrod/Green Cemetery is located the across the street from the church and is much older. It had been established as the town’s cemetery. A revolutionary war soldier is buried here. Deeded to the church two years ago, the cemetery had only a few tombstones visible when it came into Andrew Critcher’s care.

Puzzled if there were any burial spots remaining in the cemetery, Critcher had folks at ASU with a ground 20

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penetrating radar come out and was surprised to discovered 104 unmarked gravesites. They were marked with flags, and Critcher was later able to mark those sites with headstones and footstones.

them, but knows they go back, noting that they have oval nails in them, and they have little pieces of wood that are put in to hold everything together.

One part of the church that Critcher is dedicated to replacing is the pot belly wood stove that was removed years ago. “I made a plate there. When we put the stove back in, that’s where it’s going to go. The stove always sat on the floor. It had a piece of metal under it, but regulations won’t let me do that. I have to have two inches of noncombustible material under it. Underneath this rock, the floor is stained from the original stove pan, so I got a rock and set it there. I’m going to set the stove on the rock and put it back exactly where it was and how it worked,� he said.

Critcher has tried to find the original wood stove that sat in the church, or anything that looks like it, but hasn’t been able to find the original, and the ones that are similar turn out to be rusted or broken. He says he’s likely going to put an identical, but modern, stove that is a replica of what stoves used to look like in 1880. “Unless I can get the original one back, any stove I put in there’s not original anyway, so it really doesn’t matter as long as it looks the same,� Critcher said.

The church has come a long way from it’s deteriorating shape, which Critcher says pleases him. Some parts of the church have been a bit harder for Critcher to restore to their original form.

Critcher says the floor joints were rotten, so a lot of the bottom needed to be rebuilt. This led Critcher to a few more surprises.

The floor joints were taken out and replaced before he began jacking it all back up. However, once the underneath was even according to the lasers he used, he found that above it “looked like a snake.� So again Critcher had to use the laser to get the floor even, knowing the bottom of the floorboards would be different because they were hand-sawed.

Underneath the center of the church is a 10x10 that has notches in it. In a couple places where the floorboards go across, there’s a notch and they shimmed it up, which got Critcher’s attention. “Why would you spend so much time to match a notch then shim it up? Well, that center piece came out of something else, and they rouged it and brought it here and put it under this church.� He’s unsure how far it dates back, but says the square ax marks in it suggest it’s older than the church.

The final surprise came during a church service following this according to Critcher. “Church service was here Sunday, and I’m standing here talking to them, and the piano leg is an inch and a half off the ground.� After the piano had sat in the same spot for 50 years on the floor that was now jacked up, it had settled to the floor’s shape,� he said.

Critcher said that the piano’s leg being off the floor didn’t affect the pianist. “She never missed a lick. I have a picture with my hand under it where it sat cocked on the screwed up floor all those years.�

One issue he says he’s run into is that the church used to have a pump organ in it. “I’ve had one donated to me, possibly. The problem is, a lot of visiting churches don’t know how to play the pump organ, so we’re debating doing it or not,� Critcher says.

The hymnals in the church aren’t the church’s originals either, but Critcher says they add a history all their own to the church’s. “These hymnals date back to the ’40s, so obviously they’re not the original, but they are very different and a lot of them are very Germanish. Some of them I’ve never heard of before,� he said.

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Steeples The interior of the church after being restored. The pews remain as they were while the walls were repainted, the floor leveled, and window sills replaced, and the crucifix moved to the back wall. has put 88 tons of gravel down for the parking area.

Though the church’s renovations are mostly finished, Critcher says he will still continue the upkeep of the church.

Outside the Church “We will still keep mowing the grass At the start of Critcher’s work on the and washing the stones. There’s outside of the church, the paint was just lots of odds and ends,” he chipped and the bottom foot of the said. walls had rotted and was missing The church originally had a in many spots. The sill plate had chimney. In addition to replacing also rotted away. They had to go the stove inside the church, he says all the way around the church and he also wants to put the chimney redo the bottom with the help of back. He joked that his retirement carpenters who volunteered their one day will include him visiting time and supplies. the church on Saturdays to stoke Critcher hired out the exterior the fire for Sunday services in the painting, knowing it was too big of winter. a job.

A bible donated to the church by the original preacher.

Critcher has received a lot of “We didn’t do that part, but help from the community to get we’ve done everything else. We’ve the church to where it is now. got everything put back together a lot of limbs in the trees and they are His aunt, his uncle, his wife and two the way it was,” he said.

Now that the outside of the church hoping the trees will survive and come daughters, carpenters, and many others has been painted, Critcher says they are back in the spring. At the advice of a have volunteered their time and donated going to focus on landscaping around the neighbor, Critcher trimmed up some of money and materials. The community in immediate building and restoring some the flowering trees in hopes they will Blowing Rock has come together to help preserve a part of their history. remaining details of the church. Trees come back.

For now, he’s focusing on putting it Four trees have been removed to around the church need to be trimmed down and one needs to be removed. One provide room for a parking area. Critcher back the way it was, little by little. t from visitors, according to Critcher. With the inside of the church restored, Critcher is now able to focus on finishing the outside.

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such tree is starting to lean and is hollow inside. Critcher noticed a squirrel that went into a hole in the tree and ended up coming out at the top. He says they are planning on removing that tree this summer. The ice storm this winter broke

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Steeples

C

hurch steeples are a long-standing tradition of Christian religions, dating back to the fourth century. Historically, the tallest building in each community was designed to be a church as it commanded the most respect and displayed the most important values as the town’s biggest structure.

Photography by Tara Diamond

Foscoe Christian Church

First Baptist Church of Boone

Church of the Holy Cross, Valle Crucis

Meat |Camp Baptist High C o u n t r yChurch FA IT H M a g a z i n e

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Steeples

Tallest Steeple in the World – 530 feet

Ulm Minster, Germany Oldest Still Standing Steeple – 1220

Chartres Cathedral, France Tallest Steeple in the USA – 392 feet

Riverside Church, New York City

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church

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Boone Baptist Church

Valle Crucis United Methodist Church

Mount Bethel Reformed Church

Poplar Grove Baptist Church

H i g h C o u n t r y fa i t h M a g a z i n e | Spring 2019

N

o one has ever really pinpointed what the purpose of a church steeple is. Some historians suggest that the steeple is constructed as pointing towards God and Heaven. Others say that the steeple was originally built to be the home of the church bells that would ring for each service. The higher the bells, the louder they would be and the longer distance the sound would reach. Still yet, some suggest that steeples were built as the tallest structure where a crucifix could be placed to put the church congregation closer to God, and to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that evil spirits could not enter the church if there was a steeple.

Middle Fork Baptist Church

Perkinsville Baptist Church

First Presbyterian Church, Boone

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Spring 2019 | H i g h C o u n t r y FA IT H M a g a z i n e

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C

Merging Traditional with Contemporary Worship

ontemporary worship is taking front and center stage, literally, in some churches across the country these days, and has gradually emerged in recent years in and around the High Country as the choice of many people — the young and young at heart, alike.

Merging with traditional beliefs and values, some churches have begun integrating a more relaxed “feel” in their worship centers, allowing and encouraging a more ‘come-asyou-are’ atmosphere with a far different approach than that which many of us grew up.

Jeans, T-shirts and shorts have, in some cases, replaced the three-piece suits, ties and starched white shirts, skirts

and matching heels; coffee cups and water bottles are brought into the sanctuary and even provided, along with morning snacks, for attendees prior to the start of service. In some locations, the organs and pianos have been pushed to the side, making way for “the band” — smaller keyboards, guitars, drums and microphones. And elaborate sound systems, not just a microphone that gets passed around the stage from one vocalist to another, amplify the sounds to a few decibels higher than ever before heard in a church setting. And what about the robed choir members? Most of those are a thing of the past, as well. Hymnals?

You can now see the words

on the big screen. And what about those sacred hymns of the ‘good old days?’ While some are still honored and revered in their original format, many have taken on a life of their own, becoming repetitive praise songs with more modern arrangements, minus the four stanzas followed by the chorus.

And the Bible? It’s not just the time-honored King James version in some churches, anymore.

Most of the contemporary churches are considered nondenominational — the signs out front don’t display a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist or other familiar denomination.

In fact, some of the churches don’t even look like the

Intimacy With God 26

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By Sherrie Norris

churches, as we have always known them, with brick, mortar and steeples rising into the sky. Some meet in strip malls, former car dealerships and other businesses with storefronts — and even in schools.

Yes, times they are a-changin’ in churches across the land.

We’re told it’s to keep the younger generation active and involved and to make welcome those from other cultures, as some provide translators and specific ministries.

While many of the older generation are struggling with the changes, some are jumping on board, with the assurance that the core values of Christianity are still being taught in most of these churches and worship centers here in the High Country. The presentation is just a little different, perhaps.

We’ve visited some of them

and find the energy, the excitement and enthusiasm and love for God, for Jesus and the Holy Spirit as one, is still honored — and worship is very much alive and well. We’ve seen the uplifted hands, the tear-stained faces. We’ve heard the pastors and worship leaders delivering the convicting, life-altering message of salvation. We’ve seen the results of the altar calls, the heartbroken individuals making their way unashamedly down the aisles to find a place to fall at the altar in prayer and repentance.

We’ve seen the broken become whole again. We’ve seen contemporary worship at its best.

But, is it best, you may be asking? Who are we to judge?

The Bible itself easily covers this subject and many others with one verse: “Judge not lest you be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) We are also reminded of the

scripture in Psalm 98:4:“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

The goal of our Faith magazine this year is simply to introduce you to some of the area’s contemporary and/or nondenominational church families.

They include people we see every day, people we love and admire. People who love God and Jesus — and you.

With the old adage comes some sage advice, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The message is still very clear; the package is just a little different, perhaps.

We hope you enjoy reading and learning more about these unique places of worship and the people therein, as well as others that are keeping close to their roots, and one, in fact, attempting to revive an important piece of local history.

the Heart Worship Director, Erin Deuel. Photo © Paul Sherar

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Contemporary Worship. Why? W

hen our team began contemplating our annual Faith Magazine late last year, it became clear that we needed to take a bit of a detour from the “norm,” and to think “outside the box” just a little.

In earlier issues of this magazine, we have focused on longstanding churches in the area, the deep roots of local religious faiths, congregations and individuals therein.

At the same time, we began to realize there was an untapped Christian community of nondenominational/and or contemporary churches that has risen in recent years and deserved to share the space.

Thus, we reached out to a few of the more well-known churches that seemed to fall into that category, and are pleased to present a few of them to our readers in this issue.

Alliance Bible Fellowship, The Rock Boone, theHeart and Harvest House are among those that have become established, respected churches in the High Country area; they are considered contemporary by most and are attracting large numbers of members into their fellowship of Christian believers.

HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE SENT THEM Your church name, address, (including physical location) contact info, service days/times, etc.

Church pastor/key leaders: Church History: Current mission/core belief/vision: Ministries, outreaches/evangelism efforts: Membership/attendance: How do you want your church to be known/seen in the community?

What makes your church “special?”

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Scott Andrews

Darrell Roberts Michael Gragg

ALLIANCE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

Jason English

We were pleased to learn about their churches — their core beliefs, their mission, values and outreach to the community and beyond.

Rather than send someone out to each of them with pen and pad in hand, we decided to devise a questionnaire, of sorts, to hear directly from each of these churches and their leaders, just what it is about them that makes them stand out: What do they believe and what do they hope to accomplish as a “new” church in a community surrounded by the old-timey way.

There were few surprises, really, because these churches have a firm foundation in the Christian faith as we know it and are sincere in their worship, in reaching out to others and spreading the love of God throughout the High Country and beyond. They might do it a little differently than others, as they don’t all meet in a building that we recognize as a church with a steeple, but they are offering a message of hope and redemption, a message of salvation upon which the Christian faith is founded.

We hope you enjoy reading about these churches and come to a deeper understanding of God’s love through the message they share.

Churches as a Safe Haven

I

t has become a sad time in America when churches have to implement security measures to protect their staff and congregate members. Shouldn’t church be a sanctuary, a safe haven, in itself?

We read the headlines and see breaking news on TV more often than we need to — of evil penetrating the walls of God’s house, of menaces and massacres infiltrating our holy places.

As we began talking with local churches about security, and the fact that we can take nothing for granted anymore, we realize the need for safety measures is real, unfortunately.

Gone are the days when the doors are open to anyone at any time, night or day. We no longer have the freedom to randomly drop in for a few moments of solitude, prayer or repentance during the week without clearance from the office or church staff.

Sadly, acts of violence toward the church, in general, have resulted in policies that we never would have considered necessary, at one time.

Today, some type of security system is in place in most of our local churches. In some cases, it is a visible presence of a uniformed officer that brings a sense of comfort to the church family on Sunday mornings; in others, it is handled so discreetly that many parishioners are not aware that security measures are present or even needed.

Some precautions include surveillance of the parking lot and outer parameters of the churches, to the entrances/ex-

The Role of Social Media in Today’s Churches

A

t one time, and not so long ago, if you wanted to know what was happening in a church, you had to be there for services on Sunday mornings, maybe Sunday evenings and/or on Wednesdays. Or ask a friend. Or call the church office.

In addition to changes in the way some churches are transitioning from traditional styles of worship to the more contemporary, modern technology is also playing an important role in today’s worship opportunities through various social media outlets.

While social media — ie: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — provides an almost effortless means of reaching

its, the corridors and offices, and most importantly, perhaps, killed as the result of domestic spillover.

“The most disturbing thing about these numbers is the childcare areas and worship centers. Additionally, most have policies and procedures in place to insure the well- many of these violent acts were between people who had being of children and youth, in all related circumstances, some relationship with the church and/or its members/ both on and off church property. Even Granny can no longer employees. Most of these attacks happened when church stop by to pick up the little ones without prior approval and was not in service and church employees and volunteers let their guards down. The statistics proper identification. are alarming and warrant a closer look One church we spoke to is perhaps at how churches safeguard their memindicative of the others in responding to bers, volunteers and employees,” the our questions about the issue. writer stated.

“We take church security very seriHowever, we all recall the 2015 ously. All of our ministry leaders and Charleston shooting when nine unsuschildcare workers must undergo a backpecting individuals were murdered and ground check and thorough training in several others were wounded during a how to recognize signs of abuse or neprayer service. There have been others glect in children. Our classrooms always before and after that senseless event have at least two adults serving simulta—including those in Texas, Tennessee neously. Additionally, we have installed and elsewhere — that shook our Chrissecurity camera systems to monitor the Lance Wills tian faith to its roots. entrance, exits and hallways.”

Sadly, too, recently in the news, and even locally, we’re Other churches, too, have security “teams” in place, with members having completed extensive training requirements hearing from adults who are coming forth with painful alleand assigned to various stations and observance posts to moni- gations of abuse which occurred during their younger years — and at the hands of church leaders they trusted. tor for unusual activity in and around the church building.

Yes, the church is a sanctuary and should be held as a According to an online source, Smart Church Management (in providing tips and information about church se- holy place for everyone, a place where we can go safely curity), In 2016, 65 violent deaths—defined as homicides, to worship, free from all care, as a familiar hymn imparts. suicides and aggressors killed in action—took place at Thankfully, our local leaders realize that and are doing evchurches or ministries. As well, a disturbing 25 percent were erything they can to make sure that happens.

outward into the greater community, in general, it also serves as a reminder to the church family of special events and opportunities therein.

Not only is it eawsier for members, especially, to keep track of local church happenings through these relatively new communication avenues, churches are also reaching out through live streams, taking worship services far beyond their borders.

For those who choose not to partake in corporate worship events, or are not members or participants in a church setting — or for others who are sick or just decide to take a Sunday off — it presents an opportunity to still hear and enjoy a church service in the comfort of home or wherever one might be at the service hour. Or at another, more convenient time.

It also presents a chance for those who might have been

in the actual church service to return to the scene, perhaps, if a subject matter, comment or song needed additional contemplation, clarification or reflection.

As one evangelist, Matt Brown, wrote, social media gives churches a broader platform – taking ministry to a new level, allowing valuable content to be posted that not only encourages people in their walk with Christ, but also with the possibility of impacting countless lives, in the meantime. For some, social media may be the first place they learn about your church or maybe, even, God. Another has said, as well as becoming part of church practice, social media is taking church activities back out into the online world. Faith is a full-time activity and social media is part of our everyday lives, so it is not surprising that the two can overlap.

(The Conversation, May 5, 2016)

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Photo by Tara Diamond

THE HEART ...

Church History • Founded in Boone in 2001 • Richard Miller, founding pastor • Church was originally planted by five families • Has grown from 30 weekly attendees to an approximately 750 weekly attendees

Current Mission/ Core Belief/Vision • Mission: Reconciling people to God and each other through Christ’s Love.

Simple.

• Beliefs: God/People/Bible/Salvation/Life

• Staff and attendance has grown significantly since 2014

• Vision: theHeart wants to live out a visible and active ministry of presence throughout the High Country with a simple focus on reaching the displaced church where we live and work.

How Do You Want Your Church to be Known/Seen in the Community?

What Makes Your Church “Special?”

We want to simply love our community, neighbors, and friends in a Christ-like way that actively draws us all closer to God and one another.

Though we are attempting to be and do church in a simple way, the body of believers known as theHeart is just like any faith community that is trying its best to receive and share God’s perfect love.

• Formally named Shepherd’s Heart Ministries, nicknamed theHeart • Jason English named lead pastor in 2009

Watauga High School, 300 Go Pioneers Dr., Boone NC, 28607 Office: 191 Howard St., Downtown Boone www.theheart.us • 828-264-3415 • info@theheart.us 30

Love. Simple.

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Service Times

Worship: 9am and 11am

Church Pastor/Key Leaders Jason English, Teaching and Vision Pastor Josh Anderson, Community Life Pastor

Jason English

Graham Aitken, Relational Care Pastor Erin Deuel, Worship Director Ethan Hardin, Next Generations Director Terri Miller, Ministry Support Director

Membership/Attendance

Josh Anderson

We do not have formal membership. However, we gather together and worship with approximately 750 people at Watauga High School on a weekly basis.

Ministries, Outreaches/ Evangelism Efforts

Graham Aitken

• Sunday gatherings • Small groups • College internship • Youth group • Sunday kids ministry • “Love In Action” community outreach initiatives

Erin Deuel

• Missions trips

Ethan Hardin

Terri Miller

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Photo by Tara Diamond

Harvest House Church What Makes Your Church “Special?”

Church History

H

arvest House Church (HHC) was established in 1977 by a church-planting team from Anchorage, Alaska. Sent to the High Country, this team strived to create a body of believers dedicated to living the Word of God. Since the beginning, our desire has been to help people discover the next step in their spiritual journey. We are a family of believers in Jesus Christ who earnestly study God’s Word, embrace creativity in worship, and minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.

• We care deeply about: relationships, creativity, encounters with God and community.

• We love people no matter their background.

• We cultivate authentic community.

• Our Bible teaching is relevant and relatable to the culure in which we are ministering—inviting believers and skeptics alike to take the next step in their spiritual journey with God, whether through salvation, baptism, or discipleship.

• At Harvest House, we love creativity in worship. God, the Ultimate Creator, created us in His image. (Genesis 1:27) We love seeing different forms of worship, whether it comes out as computer code, a brushstroke, a dance or song.

• Children are well-cared for in our loving, quality nursery and fun-filled Harvest Kids classes. Our nurseries

247 Boone Heights Drive Boone, NC 28607 (Between the Bowling Alley and Goodwill)

Phone: 828-367-3716 Email: info@hhcboone.org

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Service Times Sunday Worship Service – 9:00 am and 11:00 am Youth Sunday School – 10:15 am New Member’s Class – Sunday at 10:15 Spring 2019

are clean, safe and staffed with loving trained workers. We offer Sunday School for preschool through elementary aged children called Harvest Kids ,as well as life-changing groups for students from junior high through college.

Our facility, known as the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue, is open to all groups within the community to use for their event or program.

We value the performing arts and believe in restoring the creative arts within a ministry context, so within our facility, we have an art studio and dance studio that offers dance classes to all ages.

For more information about our dance programs see www.boonedance.com Through our Harvest Heart outreach, parents are invited to come to any events free of charge. The Harvest Heart outreach is open in the Harvest House facility each Wednesday from 10 am - 2 pm and the first Saturday of every month from 10 am - 1 pm.

Youth Group – Wednesday, 6 – 7:30 pm New Life Campus Ministries – Thursday, 8:30 pm in the Linville Falls room in the ASU Plemmons Student Union.

Prayer and Worship Nights – The first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm

HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

Darrell Roberts

Church Pastor/Key Leaders Darrell Roberts, Senior Pastor and Executive Director of Harvest Equippers

Kim Roberts

Kim Roberts, Harvest Host Director Charlene Oley, Financial Director Marshall Daniels, Worship Director Courage Carr, Associate Pastor

Charlene Oley

Aaron Shuford, Youth Pastor Janelle Shuford, Harvest Kids Director Lucas Hicks, Video Ministries Director Brett Queen, Technical Director Dave & Emily Shack, Elder Team

Marshall Daniels

Jey & Katie McMurray, Elder Team Tyler & Cortney Brunson, Elder Team

How Do You Want Your Church To Be Known/Seen In The Community?

We want Boone to know the love of Jesus by seeing our love for Jesus, one another, and all people. We want to be known as a Christ-centered community that equips each member of the body of Christ to discover their God-given purpose. We desire to be relevant and relatable to our culture in which we serve and minister.

Current Mission/ Core Belief/Vision

Courage Carr

Aaron Shuford

Janelle Shuford

Harvest House exists so that all people would: 1. Know God, 2. Experience freedom, so that they will 3. Discover their purpose, and finally to ...

Lucas Hicks

4. Make a difference

Membership/Attendance Attendance: 385 – 400 Membership: 250-300 Brett Queen Photos by Tara Diamond

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HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

HARVEST HOUSE CHURCH

Ministries, Outreaches/ Evangelism Efforts

Local and Regional Outreach

Harvest Equippers: The mission arm of our church

Locally and regionally, we provide many outlets for outreach and advancing the kingdom of God.

• Harvest Equippers began as an outreach in Sighișoara, Romania in 1994. After that mission, we sensed God leading us to take the passion, unity and compassion we experienced in Romania and impart it to the next generation of missionaries.

• Since 1994, we have equipped missionaries to serve in 22 nations. Many local and foreign missionaries have been trained, and well over 100,000 people have come to know Jesus as the Lord of their lives.

• Our goal is to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 9:37-38. We desire to both send missionaries into the unreached lands of the world and equip them to minister effectively by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Each Sunday, we provide opportunities for people to experience the love of God. • Multiple times a week, our college ministry (New Life Ministries) ministers on the campus of Appalachian State University. Our weekly meeting is on Thursday evenings at 8:30 in the Student Union Linville Falls room • We help people in need of practical or financial assistance through our Benevolence Fund.

• Each summer, Harvest Kids hosts a summer camp dedicated to showing children the love of God. • Yearly, we join with national ministries to carry God’s love to broken places.

• Multiple times a year, we connect with other churches to build unity within the body of Christ.

• Our youth group supports local ministries and takes a yearly missions trip.

• Harvest House supports new church plants, community development projects and local ministries that are making an impact in the High Country.

• Through our Performance Arts Venue, we provide a place for the arts that connects Christ followers with the broader community.

• Through our Dance Studio, we create a safe and encouraging atmosphere to ensure that each student has a fun and enjoyable experience while learning the art of dance.

• Through our Harvest Heart outreach, young moms and children weekly receive free clothes and

baby equipment (cribs, strollers ...)

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Photos by Tara Diamond

Photos by Tara Diamond

The Rock W

Church History e were planted in March 2015,with a vision to help others grow closer to God and His grace.

Current Mission/ Core Belief/Vision Helping people find God.

How Do You Want Your Church to be Known/Seen in the Community?

As a place where imperfect people can go and grow with God and each other.

Church Pastor/ Key Leaders Pastors Michael and Casey Gragg Family Pastor Mike Bozeman

Ministries, Outreaches/ Evangelism Efforts

Michael Gragg

We have partnered with a ministry in Nicaragua as well as A Child’s Hope in Cincinnati.

Casey Gragg

Mike Bozeman

215 Boone Heights Drive, Suite 301, Boone NC 28607 Sunday Service: 9:00 am and 10:30 am www.therockboone.church • therockboone@gmail.com Membership/Attendance: 180 Spring 2019

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Alliance Bible Fellowship O

Church History

ur journey began in 1978 when a handful of faithful believers began a small church plant in the Holiday Inn in Boone. They had a vision for a new church that would place a high value on scripture, missions, and making disciples.

By 1982, they outgrew the Holiday Inn and purchased the bus depot building in downtown Boone. Over the next 20 years, they would continue to reach and build disciples.

In 2001, they outgrew the Depot Street building and moved to our current facilities. In two short years, we grew from 400 to 700.

After 25 years of incredible ministry, the same vision that sparked seven couples to start a church in Boone caused Alliance to look again for a solution that allowed for continued growth.

In 2008, with worship attendance approaching 1000, we began our Growing for God’s Glory building campaign. Through this campaign, we were able to complete much needed parking, site renovations and construction of the exterior of our new building. The new 32,000 square foot building will house a new worship center, large foyer, adult education space and additional early childhood space.

1035 NC Highway 105 Bypass Boone, NC 28607 Phone: 828-264-8312 Website: www.abfboone.org Email: abfoffice@abfboone.org Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM 36

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Sunday Services 8:15, 9:45, 11:15 AM Membership/Attendance 1,200

Current Mission/ Core Belief/Vision We are called by the grace of God, for the glory of God, to become and multiply fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

What Makes Your Church “Special?”

We are a culturally relevant, multi-ethnic and multi-generational congregation that shares a love for God and people.

How Do You Want Your Church to be Known/Seen in the Community?

Alliance is a gospel-centered church that gathers for worship, studies God’s Word, and impacts communities through service in Boone and around the world.

Scott Andrews

ALLIANCE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Doug Cheshier

Church Pastor/ Key Leaders Scott Andrews – Senior Pastor Doug Cheshier – Outreach Pastor Steve Collie – Administrative Pastor Josh Hayes – College Pastor

Steve Collie

Seth Hooper – Youth Pastor Michael Talley – Discipleship Pastor

Ministries, Outreaches/ Evangelism Efforts

Seth Hooper

Children, youth, college, women, men, small groups, discipleship classes, special needs, Celebrate Recovery, adoption/foster care, food pantry, benevolence, missions (local, domestic and international).

Michael Talley

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Banner Elk Presbyterian Church

“We are the Hands of God” T

By Tim ucked in Avery County’s small yet largest town, there stands a beautiful old stone church with a shining cross atop a steep roof.

This church, Banner Elk Presbyterian, sits in the middle of LeesMcRae College’s campus and is a silent sentry to the passing of time. Its church family is united by God’s love and empowered by the Holy Spirit to worship, serve others and share that love with their own families, their community and their world. Continue reading to learn more about this unique and landmark church with a big heart for all.

“Banner Elk Presbyterian is a ‘roll up your sleeves and go to work church,’” according to Dr. Janet Barton Speer, a long-time church member and Lees-McRae’s Summer Theatre Artistic Director. “Our founder, Rev. Edgar Tufts, used to say that church work is worship.

And our work in, and through our church to tell others about God and to help needy people is indeed how we worship,” she said.

Gardner

young seminary student, Edgar Tufts, assisted in mission activities in a wide mountain area which included Banner Elk. With his encouragement and supervision, the first Presbyterian church building in Banner Elk, said to be one of the prettiest little churches of its kind ever seen, was completed and dedicated in 1896.

When he graduated from seminary, Rev. Tufts returned to the area and was called to be pastor of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church and four other small churches. As soon as the church was established, its work extended to include several outreach locations, including Beech Mountain, Pigeon Roost, Hanging Rock Chapel, and an active Sunday school at the foot of Bald Mountain which was later to become Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church.

Blowing Rock, Cove Creek, Pineola, Boone Fork, Linville, Newland, Blevins Creek and Hanging Rock all had churches or mission outposts created, in part, through the energy of Edgar Tufts.

As church membership grew, Tufts shared Church History his dream of building a church of native stone Few churches have as rich, storied and in Banner Elk. Many of the local mountain comprehensive history as does Banner Elk men were skilled in stone-craft, but rockwork Reverend Edgar Tufts Presbyterian. previously had been used only for chimneys The church dates its beginning to 1893 and foundations. when 22 people made their professions Rev. Tufts mobilized the community of faith in response to the preaching mission of a Presbyterian to help build the church out of native river rock. Nowhere in evangelist, the Rev. Dr. R. P. Pell. For the next few summers, a the immediate area had the beautiful and plentiful native stone

Left - Banner Elk’s first Presbyterian church shown in 1896. Right - The stone church as built in 1915 across the street from the first church. The stone building was finished in 1914, complete with stained glass windows, the first that many people had ever seen.

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Photography By Tara Diamond Banner Elk Presbyterian Church in 2019 with its shining cross atop its steep roof. Many observers say the church is not only one of the most beautiful in the North Carolina High Country, but also anywhere on Earth. For scenery and charm, it cannot be surpassed. been used for an entire building. The congregation was said to be small in number and material wealth, but great in faith and dedication. Offers for materials and labor came from many sources, and much work went into raising funds to purchase property and begin construction in 1912.

Stories are still told of the community spirit which developed as local men of

all denominations assisted in the church construction, coming together each Saturday to help with the “new” idea of using native stone, instead of wood, to construct the building. Men and older boys would haul loads of big rocks in their wagons, often pulled by oxen. Children, including those who lived at Grandfather Home, carried water and collected piles of small rocks to be used in the cement. The

children, knowing they were assisting in important work, also found creative ways to earn and save pennies for purchasing two small stained glass windows which were built into the front wall of the sanctuary.

Each week, women brought picnic baskets of food to feed the workers and generously contributed their energy and talents to help. Building the church

Above - A bronze marker near the church’s entrance proclaims that it was organized in 1893, the current building constructed from 1912 to 1915 ‘By The Grace of God’ and under the leadership of Rev. Edgar Tufts, Pastor and Dr. W.C. Tate, Treasurer.

Right - The Christian cross is the center focal point of the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church’s chancel.

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became a community event as many eagerly assisted. The stone building was finished in 1914, complete with beautiful stained glass windows, the first that many had ever seen.

Fast forward several years: Under the auspices of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church and with the constant ability of Rev. Tufts to recognize and respond to need, Lees-McRae Institute (now LeesMcRae College), Grandfather Orphanage (Grandfather Home for Children), Grace Hospital (now Cannon Memorial Hospital) were established.

Jim Swinkola, another area resident and a Banner Elk Presbyterian Church member since 1983, echoed similar sentiments to Dr. Speer’s about Rev. Tufts. “It’s obvious that Rev. Tufts was a great visionary,” Swinkola noted. “He had a keen ability to draw people to him and ensure that when things needed done, they got done and were organized and managed in the proper way. His contributions to the church and the town are monumental.”

The church in more modern times has continued to recognize need and be an incubator for new and growing missions, including the birth of the program now known as Yellow Mountain Enterprises, the early incarnation of Habitat for Humanity, and part of the early foundation of Feeding Avery Families.

“Rev. Tufts felt like a church was the hub of a community and that it could help get so many needed businesses and happenings in the Town of Banner Elk. And he was right as it did just that,” noted Dr. Speer.

Throughout the years, the original stone church building has been enlarged and renovated many times as the congregation has sought to meet ever-changing needs. The sanctuary was remodeled extensively during the 1940s, the educational building added in the 1950s and the fellowship hall and kitchen have undergone many upgrades with the most recent one in 2013. In 2003, a major expansion and renovation also was completed throughout the building to provide additional classrooms and offices.

In 2016 the church purchased a large nearby plot of land, and in 2017 completed the construction of a much-needed parking lot, filled to capacity on summer Sundays, and offered during the school year as able to Lees-McRae students. The new parking area permitted the repurposing of another small parking area behind the church into a modern preschool playground.

Also located on the church grounds and adjacent to LeesMcRae is a columbarium known as The Dwelling Place. The granite units match the color and character of the church building and surrounding rock structures. Each occupied niche is marked with an inscribed bronze memorial plaque.

In the center of a memorial garden is a rock planter over which the “scattering of ashes” may be performed when preferred.

A bronze tablet memorializes the names of those scattered.

A second tablet located at the archway entrance is available to honor and memorialize those buried elsewhere. Additional units may be added around the raised garden of wildflowers, creating a cloistered place with a vista of the mountains.

The Historic Stone Pulpit

One of many historic and distinguishing features of Banner Elk Presbyterian is the iconic stone pulpit around which the church was built.

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Over a century ago, a most unusual and long-lasting gift was given by a Methodist minister to a Presbyterian minister. The story goes like this: On the east side of Beech Mountain, in a village called Rominger, there lived a “circuit rider” preacher. This Methodist minister preached at the Piney Grove Church near his home. He also ministered to neighboring village churches and to many rural families within a day’s horseback ride. He was always on call, day or night, when sickness or some other need arose among his parishioners. This Methodist minister, Wesley Smith Rominger, and his family had lived several years in the area, thus the name given to the village.

Rev. Rominger was a small man, who had difficulty mounting his horse. So, each time he needed to travel, he led his horse to an enormous rock, stepped up on the rock and mounted with ease and rode to his destination.

Rev. Tufts’ responsibilities and duties were similar to those of Rev. Rominger, and he also traveled on horseback to Blowing Rock and Cove Creek to preach, or to one of the many families throughout Avery and Watauga counties who called upon him

The sheer beauty and mystique of the Banner Elk Presbyterian sanctuary is evident in this magnificent panoramic view at the beginning of a winter worship service. for help. The paths of these two preachers crossed on many occasions and they became friends. On a visit to Rev. Rominger’s home, Rev. Tufts saw the giant rock. It was about as high as his head and as wide as his shoulders. The rock stood upright and alone, reminding him of a pulpit. He thought it would be an appropriate and attractive one for the new church at Banner Elk. Rev. Rominger agreed. He not only donated the stone to Rev. Tufts and the new church, but also had it delivered.

The large stone was loaded on a sled and pulled by a yoke of oxen over the up-and-down, curving Laurel Creek road all the way from Rominger to Banner Elk—eight miles. The trip was slow. It probably took the whole day to make the trip with such a heavy load. Perhaps with the assistance of other local men, those who delivered the huge rock were Rev. Rominger’s youngest son, Coy Rominger, and his older grandsons, Charlie, Clyde and Grady Rominger. The latter three are brothers of Howard Rominger, who provided details of this occurrence.

Due to the size of the stone, the placement in the church was difficult. The large stone was set in concrete on the ground under the new church and the sanctuary’s platform was built around it.

A smooth, rock slab was placed on the top for a more level surface and to hold a Bible. This sturdy, solid rock will forever be an

Above - The church’s long-time music director Diane Rydell plays a hymn on the organ. Left - Winter choir members make music an important part of the church’s worship service.

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inspirational symbol of man’s giving, for the love of God and His church.

to its surroundings, resulting in a compact organ that looks as though it has always been there.

Swinkola told this most interesting story about the pipe organ and how it was provided for the church: “Banner Elk Presbyterian Church benefits from the superb pipe organ that adds a special element to our music program. But that was not always the case.

In the early 1990s, it was determined that

the existing organ needed to be replaced.

A committee was formed to study the question of acquiring an organ that could Pipe Organ be used for decades to come. The choices Another popular feature at Banner Elk were to replace the existing organ or Presbyterian is its pipe organ. A fairly recent upgrade to a pipe organ. A pipe organ felt addition to the church, it was installed in like a dream. Could such a large amount 1993 and dedicated “to the glory of God of funds be raised from the church family? and in memory of Reverend Edgar Tufts.”

The ensuing discussion was endless.

The organ was designed by George L. “Finally, one member in the Payne, President and Tonal Director of congregation gifted $50.00 for a pipe Lewis&Hitchcock, Inc. Two organ, hoping the gift would concepts became important inspire others. However, as Payne worked with the pipe organ fund raising church organ committee. didn’t reach its goal, and The cross was to remain the the $50.00 donor was asked focus of the chancel. Payne to remove the pipe organ designed two freestanding restriction, so the funds organ cases, oriented to draw could be used to purchase the eye to the center of the the smaller organ. chancel. These cases contain “The donor declined, all the pipe work and are believing that the church structured so that most of was ready for and would the sound passes through the benefit from a pipe organ. A archway into the sanctuary. large, anonymous donation The other concept was to unexpectedly came forth and have the organ match the was added to many smaller other church furnishings: no gifts. The end result was that easy task. But Payne located a magnificent pipe organ enough chestnut lumber with was installed and is still The breath-taking, majestic and towering stained glass windows which to build the cases. The one of the most prominent add a special splash of color and unyielding reverence to finish was matched carefully furnishings in the church.” the Banner Elk Presbyterian sanctuary. Photos by Tara Diamond

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Left - Church Beadle Bill Cocke delivers the Bible to the front of the sanctuary during the Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans program, an almost-Scottish-American tradition, generally considered a rededication of clans and others to God’s service.

Right - The Blessing of The Tartans concludes the annual Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans.

Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans - The History Behind It

A unique and special program held at Banner Elk Presbyterian is the Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans, an almost-Scottish-American tradition, generally considered a rededication (of clans and others) to God’s service. Of the estimated 28 million folks around the world who claim Scots ancestry, North Carolina has the largest settlement of Scots, and large numbers are still right here, including many in the North Carolina High Country.

On this Sunday, worship begins as the piper plays from the rear of the church and the Beadle (a church official) delivers the Bible to the front of the sanctuary. Then the piper processes to the front, and two members of a color guard deliver the United States flag and the flag of Saint Andrews. Tartan bearers of the Scottish clans unfurl their banners and process down the aisles to the swirl of bagpipes. The tartan bearers, many wearing kilts, place their banners against the front of the church and are seated.

Hampton Funeral Services 'VOFSBM $SFNBUJPO 4FSWJDFT 683 Blowing Rock Rd. Boone, NC r IBNQUPOGVOFSBMOD DPN Spring 2019

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Lees-McRae College’s Theatre Play: From the Mountaintop - The Edgar Tufts Story

T

he 2019 Lees-McRae Summer Theatre season will feature a production that celebrates local heritage—From the Mountaintop - The Edgar Tufts Story. The musical, written by Dr. Janet Barton Speer, with songs and lyrics by John Thomas and Tommy Oaks, (composer and lyricist) is the story of Presbyterian minister, the Reverend Edgar Tufts, who first came to the region in the late 1800s to organize a church.

Reverend Tufts’ love and admiration for mountain people called him back to an extraordinary life of service that forever changed the complexion of the area. With remarkable purpose, Tufts founded a number of institutions in Banner Elk: the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, Lees-McRae College, Cannon Memorial Hospital (later consolidated with Sloop Memorial Hospital and relocated to nearby Linville) and Grandfather Home for Children.

The play follows Reverend Tufts from his earliest struggles as Bronze statue of Rev. a motherless teenager, through his Edgar Tufts on the Leeshardships and ultimate triumphs in McRae College campus

Regular elements of the church service follow, until the end of the hour. At that point, the banners are retrieved, presented to receive the official Blessing O’ The Tartans, and recess from the church, again to the sound of the pipes.

Banner Elk. They will see how the church grew from a small wooden structure to the present building, with locally harvested stones and ornate stained glass windows.

Reverend Tufts’ story continues to the college’s beginnings as “fireside readings” before becoming a school for young mountain women whose chances at success were minimal without an education.

Audiences will see Reverend Tufts’ heart torn apart by the abandonment and mistreatment of children and other people suffering who needed, but did not have medical attention. As a result, Reverend Tufts established an orphanage and a hospital in Banner Elk. In addition to the show, the Town of Banner Elk and the institutions Reverend Tufts founded there will celebrate his life in a variety of ways.

Performance From the Mountaintop - The Edgar Tufts Story will be held July 11–17 in the Hayes Auditorium and the Broyhill Theatre on the LeesMcRae College campus. Learn more about the show by logging online at lmc.edu/summertheatre.

Dr. Janet Barton Speer

forgives, humans should do the same.

At the close of a worship service in the fall of 2014, Banner Elk Presbyterian’s congregation joyfully witnessed the marriage of Rev. Russell and long-time

Not Just a Preacher, But Also a Pastor

Known for his friendly and genuine demeanor as well as his extensive knowledge of the Bible, Rev. Feild Russell has been Banner Elk Presbyterian Church’s pastor since 2012. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, Rev. Russell served as an installed pastor or co-pastor at churches in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Valdese, NC. When one of his flock or anyone else he finds out about needs help or comforting, Rev. Russell is always there. He is very much in step with the principles of the Golden Rule, and steadfastly believes that we all are our brother’s and sister’s keeper.

And while he appreciates the fundamental tenets of the scriptures, Rev. Russell is not too rigid as he follows Biblical teachings that because The Almighty 44

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Rev. Feild Russell the church’s pastor since 2012 leads a recent worship service.

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church member Laura Banner Carringer. Laura has two children (Hogan and Amanda), from a previous marriage, as does Rev. Russell, Kate and Anna, whose mother, Rev. Jenny Russell, passed away unexpectedly shortly after Rev. Feild Russell began serving Banner Elk Presbyterian as interim pastor.

Rev. Russell, who also is a member of the Lees-McRae College Board of Trustees, is elated about his pastorate at Banner Elk Presbyterian.

“I’m so excited because everyone who attends the church is together as family, receiving blessings, meeting challenges, and encouraging one another as heirs of God’s grace through Christ and recipients of the Holy Spirit’s power. Life and ministry among God’s children is filled with meaning and delight,” he declared.

“Our church members always find ways to get things done, year-after-year. Our flock wants to help, bless and share God with others as much as any church I’ve ever witnessed,” he said. “And as a result, God is honoring them and our church in a wonderful way.”

Besides Rev. Russell, Banner Elk Presbyterian has various other church officials and staff members. Its elders

Ministries, Missions and Charities

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Supports Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM)

Banner Elk Presbyterian members consistently support the work of this local agency. RAM consists of a food pantry and thrift shop. Gifts of food, good used clothing, household items and money are contributed to assist those in need in this area. Items always in need are soups, canned vegetables and fruits, meat substitutes (ravioli, hash, etc.) and disposable diapers. These items can be left in the box in the office vestibule of the church at any time.

Banner Elk Presbyterian also supports these other programs coordinated through RAM:

*Thanksgiving Food Boxes

This provides a way for members to assist families who are identified by RAM as being in need of food for a Thanksgiving meal. The church supplies frozen turkeys; individuals donate and pack generous boxes of food items not just for the one meal, but for several days.

*Avery Project Christmas

Donations of toys, gifts and money are given by members to RAM, which coordinates a program to help selected, needy families at Christmas. A “store” is set up for two days so that parents can select and wrap gifts for their children at no charge.

* “It’s Time for a Change”

Outreach Committee members work with RAM to help provide diapers and powdered formula for low income young families who cannot afford these items. The request is for diapers that will fit babies of 15 pounds or larger. Those interested can help by purchasing disposable diapers and /or powdered infant formula or by submitting donations to Banner Elk Presbyterian Church with the notation “It’s Time for a Change.”

Feeding Avery Families

This ministry provides weekly distribution of food to those in need in Avery County. The church congregation provides donations of food items, funding and volunteers to make this program work. Besides food donations from Manna Food Bank in Asheville, local grocery stores, especially Food Lion and Lowes Foods, generously and regularly give items such as meats, bakery, and canned goods.

Habitat for Humanity

Approximately two homes each year are built in partnership with the families who will own and live in them.

Volunteers from the church work regularly to advance the goal of providing affordable housing for those who qualify. Each spring, some women from Banner Elk Presbyterian participate in a National “Women Build Day.”

Yellow Mountain Enterprises

This program, begun in 1980 in Banner Elk Presbyterian’s basement, provides vocational, residential, social and support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide a variety of work and living opportunities, scaled to the abilities of each client, believing that all people deserve the chance to lead productive lives and to earn a paycheck. A thrift store provides work opportunities and receives donations of clothing, furniture and household goods. Yellow Mountain programs are located in Newland.

New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW)

Operating in conjunction with Lees-McRae College, NOSW provides education, counseling and mentoring for women from this region. These services help improve career and social skills, thus benefiting both the women and their families.

Lees-McRae College

Lees-McRae College has enjoyed a long relationship with generations of members of this congregation for over 100 years. The church’s outreach to students takes several forms including providing service opportunities for Presbyterian Scholars, organizing an outdoor worship

service to begin the school year and preparing and serving spaghetti suppers to students prior to exams at the end of each semester.

Rob Clemmer Benevolence Fund

The Rob Clemmer Benevolence Fund exists to assist people with housing related needs and other emergency situations, including ongoing needs such as rent, utilities, transportation and health issues as well as other crisis assistance.

This fund is named after a former staff member and church member who for years oversaw the distribution of benevolent dollars and ministries of the church, doing so with a compassion and love that epitomized the mission of the church. The Rob Clemmer Benevolence Fund is supported mostly through special gifts from church members and friends.

Blue Ridge Partnership for Children

This organization began in 1993 as a public-private partnership which continues as a merged entity with Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties, staffing an office in Newland. It provides age-appropriate programs, assistance and funds to families of children who are under five years of age with the hope that these children will be better prepared to begin school ready to learn.

SCOTTIE Bus

SCOTTIE is a mobile pre-school classroom, staffed by a certified teacher, which delivers educational opportunities for young children in Avery County who are unable to participate in traditional programs. It’s funded as a part of the Avery County School system, with additional help from private donors.

All Kids Need a Little Help, a Little Hope and Someone Who Believes in Them.

OASIS

Providing both emergency and non-emergency assistance to victims of domestic abuse, OASIS has been in existence since the 1980’s. The church provides financial and volunteer assistance, as well as contributions of needed products.

www.ChildrensHopeAlliance.org

Contact Madison Cornwell at 828-406-2424 to learn more about Grandfather Home.

Volunteer Avery County

Volunteer Avery County provides emergency food, fuel and funds to those struggling with poverty. This program seeks to help people who have fallen through the holes in our system’s safety net. Among many other varied services, the program also coordinates construction of handicap access ramps for those in need.

2019

Local

Grandfather Home for Children

This 100-year-old ministry, founded by Reverend Edgar Tufts during the same era as the beginning of our church, continues to provide both residential and non-residential support, counseling and treatment for abused children from across North Carolina.

Mamma Mia!

Missions Committee Discretionary Fund

June 27–July 3

From the Mountaintop: The Edgar Tufts Story

This fund is designed to provide flexibility within the budget structure to deal with unanticipated mission outreach needs.

The committee oversees its benevolence and outreach programs, continuously educating the members of its congregation about its activities and the opportunities available for service to others. School student grants, disaster relief, support of the church’s sister church in Guatemala are some committee recipients.

July 11–17

Newsies

June 30–August 4

Hayes Auditorium Broyhill Theatre

National and Global Missions Presbytery of Western NC

The office for our Presbytery is located in Morganton, NC. Eighty-five percent of the funds given to Presbytery remain with the Presbytery for its work in Western North Carolina; 1.4 percent is forwarded to the Synod of our region and 13.6 percent goes to the General Assembly, the governing body for the Presbyterian Church USA.

828.898.8709 | lmc.edu/summertheatre Spring 2019

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include: Bill Ferguson, Murry Haber, Travis Henley, Nancy Owen, Steve Hill, Carol Larson, Debi Tornow, Mae Weed, Connie Addison, Bob Blalock, Lyndsay Ennis and Bob Todd. Susan Carter serves as the church’s clerk of session.

Rev. Russell is amply assisted in the many daily church functions by an efficient staff, including: Alisa Ballard, office administrator; Diane Rydell, director of music; Dedy Traver, office manager; A.C. Marriott, children/youth coordinator and pre-school director; Mary Whiteacre, youth leader; and Margaret Trivette, housekeeper.

Current Congregation

In this early part of the twenty-first century, Banner Elk Presbyterian’s congregation finds itself growing and consisting of both full-time and affiliate members, who are actively engaged in fulfilling the roles of the church. Visitors to the church have often commented about how welcomed they are made to feel.

Increasingly, the lovely and scenic area of the North Carolina High Country attracts numerous seasonal residents and vacationers whose attendance and support greatly enhance the church family and its service to others. Long-time residents and newcomers from diverse faith traditions unite in spirit and dedicated commitment to Banner Elk Presbyterian’s mission to call all people to a personal acceptance of and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Seasonal resident Mary Dickinson commented that she and her husband, Chuck, of Germantown, TN, thoroughly like attending the church. “When we entered Banner Elk Presbyterian for the first time twelve years ago, we felt like the words of the hymn ‘Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place.’ We are now members and active in the church during the five months we live in Banner Elk each year,” she said.

Another seasonal resident, Mark Polderman of New Smyrna Beach FL, who attends the church with his wife, Pat, shared similar remarks. “As summer residents of Sugar Mountain for the past sixteen years, we have enjoyed being affiliate members of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church,” he noted. “Friendship of the parishioners, inspiring sermons, a meaningful service and a wonderful men’s choir, combine to have us look forward to the first service every Sunday when we are in the area.”

Additionally, seasonal resident Betsy Godbold of St. Petersburg, FL, offered the following comment on behalf of herself and her husband Bo, concerning their feelings about attending Banner Elk Presbyterian: “We love doing so and every Sunday we attend there starts our week off on the right track.”

The latest figure Support staff member from the 2018 Margaret Trivette is yet another church statistical valued member of Banner Elk report shows that Presbyterian’s staff. the church has 196 46

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Banner Elk Presbyterian Church has a highly-professional and efficient support staff, which includes (left-to-right) Office Administrator Alisa Ballard, Administrative Assistant Dedy Traver and Director of Music Diane Rydell.

Rev. Feild Russell and church member Jim Swinkola during a meeting at the church offices. “Our church members always find ways to get things done, year-after-year,’ says Rev. Russell. Photos by Tara Diamond

Quilters Luana Anderson (left) and Martha Burns (right) show off one of the amazing pieces of work they helped construct. The church has two ladies groups-The Comfort Makers and the Prayer Shawl Group- which make comforters and shawl, lap robe or hug rugs, respectively, for anyone who might appreciate receiving such a gift of love, concern and remembrance.

Guatemalan Partnership

Since 1996, our church has been in a covenant relationship with Arca de Noe, a small, rural church in Guatemala, as part of a larger partnership relationship between our presbytery and two presbyteries in Guatemala. Members of the Banner Elk congregation have visited regularly, providing assistance with education, housing, drinking water and simply deepening the relationship. Additional monies support educational scholarships totaling $5,000 to $10,000 per year.

One Great Hour of Sharing

This special offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Self Development of People program, all coordinated by the General Assembly.

Nickel-a-Meal

The last Sunday of every month, a special offering is collected to help alleviate hunger in the presbytery, locally, regionally and internationally. Families bring in their pennies and loose change that they put into a canister at meal time, remembering those who do not have food.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Taken on the Sunday of professional football’s Super Bowl, this special offering is used to alleviate hunger locally and throughout the world. Each year, young people help collect funds at the end of worship. All funds are matched by the Presbytery’s Hunger Committee to increase the impact on local hunger needs, given to RAM for their use in Avery County.

Christmas Joy Offering

This annual offering is part of the Presbyterian Advent tradition and helps provide assistance to PCUSA church workers and their families at times of significant financial need. Part of this offering also goes to Presbyterian-affiliated racial-ethnic schools and colleges.

English Language Institute of China

In-home health care for short and long-term needs

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Compassionate care from trusted health-care professionals

In-House Ministries

Locally owned and operated since 2003

Banner Elk Presbyterian is a financial partner with Gordon Causby, a child of our church, and his wife Hui, who serve in a non-profit organization that teaches English in Asian universities, building relationships, one student at a time.

When natural or human-caused disasters impact communities, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is poised to respond and work closely with congregations and local mission partners to bring Christ’s love and healing. Often PDA is among the first to respond to disasters worldwide and that support remains in place long after other groups have departed.

Comfort Makers

The Comfort Makers piece together comforters for those who can use a lovely, warm blanket. Dozens of women have worked on these beautiful creations over the years, unique in design and colors. All are made from fabric contributed by members and church friends. They may be given to Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM), to new Habitat home-owners, and sometimes to a person who is ill or alone or who might just need a gift of love. More than 350 comforters have been distributed since the group began in 1990.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Group consists of women who enjoy a time of fellowship while creating beautiful, useful items for anyone who might appreciate receiving such a gift of love, concern and remembrance. Each shawl, lap robe or hug rug is dedicated with prayer and symbolizes not only the warmth and caring of friends, but also represents our being surrounded by God’s love. Members of this talented group knit, crochet and weave to fashion their creations.

Shepherd Program

The Shepherd Program is a means of helping nurture, encourage and support members of the church family. Two people volunteer each month as Shepherds. Working closely with the pastor, they seek to convey God’s love and our church’s concern in ways they think will be helpful. This ministry may include phone calls, notes or cards, visits or gifts of food during times of celebration, illness, stressful family situations or bereavement.

The Freezer Campaign

Banner Elk Presbyterian has a freezer that is set aside solely to freeze meals that can go to recipients who need them. Anytime there is someone who needs a meal, members feel free to “raid the freezer” to provide.

The Meal Train

This is an online program that organizes and reminds others of the opportunities to serve meals to those who need them. Meal Train members can sign up for a date to take a meal to a recipient, with information about where that person lives, special food requirements and other pertinent information.

Prayer Ministry

The Prayer Ministry Team is comprised of dedicated, discerning individuals praying daily not only for church and world-wide concerns, but also for every church member throughout the year.

Walking with Shadows

Walking with Shadows is a support group that meets to discuss, share resources and discover new ways of coping with family and friends who have mental challenges.

This subject is seldom discussed but mightily felt and should be addressed by people of faith. An important part of the group is to find ways that members can place themselves in a healthy mental state so they can better serve their loved one.

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active members.

Rev. Russell said the church’s average Sunday morning attendance is 110 during the winter and spring months and approximately 270 in the summer and fall months. He added that two Sunday morning services have to be held during the latter time periods to accommodate the large crowds when seasonal residents are back in the area.

Work With Many Ministries, Missions and Charities

The Banner Elk Presbyterian flock has The SONshine Playground is a favorite activity center for children who are students in the church’s a deep compassion for Pre-School, an outreach program for the Banner Elk community and adjacent area that others --especially those less provides developmentally appropriate Christian Education for those enrolled. fortunate. The church helps a multitude of worthwhile causes on local, regional, state, national and international levels with their prayers, service and participation, as well as financial assistance.

In the church’s 2019 over-all budget, some 15.86 percent has been set aside to be used for benevolences and mission work.

The list of various ministries, missions and charities Banner Elk Presbyterian Church supports or sponsors is seemingly endless. Local ones include: Reaching Avery Ministry (also RAM-sponsored Food Boxes, Avery Project Christmas and It’s Time For a Change), Feeding Avery Families, Habitat for Humanity, Yellow Mountain Enterprises, New Opportunity School for Women, Lees-McRae College, Blue Ridge Partnership for Children, SCOTTIE bus, OASIS, Volunteer Avery County, Children’s Hope Alliance, and the church’s own Rob Clemmer Benevolence and Missions Committee Discretionary Funds National and Global Missions supported The Dwelling Place columbarium at Banner Elk Presbyterian provides

by Banner Elk Presbyterian are: Presbytery of niches for ashes and a rock planter over which the “scattering of ashes” Western NC, Guatemalan Partnership, One may be performed when preferred.

Great Hour of Sharing, Nickel-a-Meal, Souper Bowl of Caring, Christmas Joy Offering, English Carter, whose membership in Banner Elk Presbyterian is the Language Institute of China and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. longest of any current member, added: “Our church makes a And the church’s in-house ministries include: Comfort difference in people’s lives through our sharing of God’s word Makers, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Shepherd Program, The Freezer and our efforts to bless and help others. One of the most lasting Campaign, The Meal Train, Prayer Ministry, Stephen Ministry, and rewarding ways we do so is through our outreach work to Walking with Shadows and The Permanent Funds Ministry. help those in need. It’s the difference we’re making that makes me Swinkola commented about helping others through so many so proud to be one of the church’s members.” different means: “Banner Elk Presbyterian has been rewarding for me, spiritually. This church has found the sweet spot balancing faith Banner Elk Presbyterian Pre-School and works. The congregation not only studies scripture, but also The church operates a pre-school for two, three and four takes action. The financial support of benevolences is sweetened by year-olds. This outreach program for the Banner Elk community good works that directly impact the well-being of people.”

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Left - Libby and June enjoying a book in the 4-year-old’s reading center in the church’s Pre-School.

Right - Alden, Riley and Jasper exploring with counting manipulatives in the 4-year-old’s classroom. Photos by Tara Diamond and adjacent area provides developmentally appropriate Christian education for the children enrolled.

Held in the church’s classrooms, the pre-school runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Its foremost goal is to provide for the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual developments of its students through creative means.

At the start of this year, the pre-school had 28 students.

For more information about enrolling a child in the pre-school, which is known for its modest and reasonable tuition rate, visit the pre-school or phone its office at: (828) 897-1467.

Besides Marriott, who also serves as three-year-olds lead teacher, the pre-school staff includes: Kerri Ledford, four-yearolds lead teacher; Lucy Corning, three-year-olds teacher assistant; and Marti Dodd, two-year-olds teacher assistant.

rather than neither happening.

Our church will never rust down from either not happening,” Carter succinctly stated.

Banner Elk Presbyterian’s flock extends a special invitation to all who will to attend its services or programs. Regular worship service is held every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. during the winter and spring months with an additional 8:30 a.m. worship service in the summer and fall months. Adult Sunday School commences at 9:30 a.m. and pre-school, middle school and high school Sunday School classes A.C. Marriott, Church Pre-School Director and start at 10:00 a.m. The church is Eastin focusing on math and cognitive skills equipped with a T-Coil Hearing during a patterning activity.

Loop system for hearing aid users.

Many hearing aids have a special setting that connects directly to such systems.

For further information about the church and its many functions, write: Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, 420 College Drive, Banner Elk, NC 28604; email (bepreschurch@ skybest.com); phone (828) 898Summation 5406; or visit its online web site Small town churches provide a (bannerelkpresbyterian.org). t fascination to many. The folk who -Tim Gardner is a freelance worship there truly are the salt journalist for the High Country of the earth. Classic examples of Press and its publications. His both can be found at Banner Elk articles have also appeared in Tiffiny Ledford, Assistant Director and Two-year Olds Lead Presbyterian Church.

Teacher at the Banner Elk Presbyterian Pre-School, preparing national, regional, local and It’s been said that a church is specialty publications. her students Lucy and Eloise for Kindergarten classes. only a church if its members love *Special thanks to Jim said that he had rather see a church ‘Wear God and all his children, and Swinkola, Dr. Janet Barton Speer, help others. Banner Elk Presbyterian IS down than to rust down.’ What he meant Susan Carter and Claire Fortune for was he liked witnessing a church being historical information and pictures used in a church.

“My paternal grandfather, Dr. W.C. Tate, used for God and for the benefit of others this story.

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Deerfield Methodist Church Making Positive Impacts

By Joe Johnson

D

“It comes from all the different families that come together, people from all stations and walks of life, just a deep, deep faith and a deep caring for other people.”

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eerfield United Methodist Church and its parishioners continuously dedicate their time and resources toward making positive impacts on the surrounding community of Boone, North Carolina. Throughout the year, each year, the parish of Deerfield comes together to host various events and fundraisers for the purpose of helping community members and bettering the community at large. “It’s really amazing to me when I sit down and do reports for our denominational offices about just what this church does,” said Deerfield Pastor Wes Austin, “When I start thinking about it and listing out all the little pieces, it’s just amazing, this church is always so busy! They all just do it, and I get to watch! It comes from a history, and part of it is the history of Watauga County, the kind of people who have been here and are still here, generation after generation.

It comes from all the different families that come together, people from all stations and walks of life, just a deep, deep faith and a deep caring for other people. So much of it is done very quietly as well. It just gets done.”

Deerfield organizes dozens of events each year, many of which are dedicated to raising funds for the American Cancer Society and its annual Relay

Dreamers Beating Cancer Deerfield Dream Team

For Life event in Watauga County.

“We do have some team members who give us nice donations, so that’s a part of it too,” said Jeannie Caviness, parishioner of Deerfield, “Church members who say ‘my daughter is in California, she’s had cancer, and here’s some money I want to add to the cause.’ Selling the luminaria that are placed on the track has always been the biggest money raiser that we have though. We’ve also had a concert here called ‘Night of Dreams’ because we are the ‘Deerfield Dream Team,’ during which we sell barbecue sandwiches and invite musicians from the community to perform. That’s been very successful for seven or eight years now. We’ve had so many wonderful groups that have performed for us that we have been very thankful.

We sell concessions at Relay; we have a booth where people can come buy

“The strides that folks have made ... we see good things happening from what we’re doing, and I think that’s why people are so dedicated to sticking with it.”

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Photo by Colin Murray their supper as well. We’ve had donations in the box. Afterward ‘Pasta Pallooza’ which was an they’ll come in here to buy a Italian meal we served. We’ve hot dog or whatever and the had a ‘womanless fashion show’ people who are looking at cars with the scariest looking men give donations too. Then we you ever saw dressed up as do a little thing at the end of women, it was just great! We set the car show, ‘vote for your 3 up a runway at Deerfield and we favorite cars’, where we hand all ate an Italian meal while the out a voting sheet to everybody models came out and paraded who’s there and provide them a for us on Valentine’s Day a little box for them to cast their couple of years ago. There were votes. After the votes have been a lot of lovely women out there turned in we count them up to that day! We’ve also sold pans; see who has gotten the most we’ve sold donuts, one year we votes. The last 3 years I’ve given sold nuts. Anything that the out little trophies that say ‘Relay Members of the community bring their antique cars to the team members can think of to for Life Car Show Fan Favorite’ Deerfield parking lot every July to see who can win ‘Relay for Life and every year we have different try, we’ll do it.”

Car Show Fan Favorite’ during the car and craft show.

The Deerfield parish team’s winners and different varieties Relay For Life fundraising of cars people like the most!” events culminate each year with Deerfield’s craft and car show a craft show accompanied by an incorporated a unique element antique car show in July. The into the craft portion of the craft and car show has since 2018 event: a quilt show. Parish become a major fundraising members of Deerfield donated opportunity and one of the main quilts to be draped over the reasons Deerfield continues to sanctuary’s pews and displayed raise enough money to place in for the event’s attendees. “There the top 10, and most recently, was a lot of history,” said Lori 1st place overall of Relay Williams, Deerfield parishioner, For Life fundraising teams in “There were a lot of old quilts, Watauga County. “The year a lot of traditional quilts, some we started the craft and the very modern quilts, and we car show really kicked us over wrote up a description of each the top,” said Caviness, “We’ve one, who had made it, and the been second for years and years. name of the quilt so that people the American Cancer Society, the parish Relay for Life is always in June, but you can of Deerfield makes sure the events are could come look at the history of each continue to fundraise until August 15th or accessible and enjoyable for the local quilt and learn about them. People came in so, so we started talking about what we community. “We just want to raise as much as reverently as I’ve ever seen; it was very could do after everyone has finished all money as possible,” said Ken Murray, moving to watch them experience it.” the hubbub of it that might be of interest lifelong Deerfield parish member, “For the The quilt show was incorporated into to people. So we came up with that July car show, there is no entry fee for anyone last year’s craft and car show because fundraiser and it’s just been fun to do!” to just bring their cars; it’s all donations. of the passion for quilt-making many Although the focus of Relay For We set up a donation box out there and all Deerfield parishioners share with each Life events is always raising funds for of the car owners wind up putting some other. “I cannot remember any time in my 52

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July 2018 Quilt Show Parish members of Deerfield donated quilts to be draped over the sanctuary’s pews and displayed for the event’s attendees.

“There were a lot of old quilts, a lot of traditional quilts, some very modern quilts, and we wrote up a description of each one, who had made it, and the name of the quilt so that people could come look at the history of each quilt.”

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Families of parishioners line the pews of Deerfield Methodist Church’s inner sanctuary during a Sunday morning service. Light from the stained glass window emanates throughout the sanctuary. Photos by Tara Diamond

Members of Deerfield have their names added to this tree quilt hung up in a community area of the church. A quilting circle started by former parishioner Dorothy Abbott created the tree quilt.

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life that I didn’t have a quilt to lay under, ever,” said Williams, “My mother made quilts and she taught me how to sew when I was a little girl. I thought everybody knew how to sew! I learned about quilting firsthand at my Granny’s house.

Someone will have pieced a quilt top and then it would be neighbors or aunts or cousins, and they would gather and Granny would have set up a quilt in a frame. They would come and they would quilt. Roll it, and quilt some more, roll it, and quilt some more! I remember playing under the quilts as a child too. Quilts are family!”

Many Deerfield parishioners also share another common experience; they and their loved ones have been directly affected by cancer. The personal impact cancer has had on the lives of Deerfield parishioners led them to actively make a difference by organizing events that directly help fundraise to further cancer research. “My mother died of cancer,” said Williams, “I have a large family; my mother was 1 of 12 children.

There’s been cancer on that side of the family a good bit. My mother had breast cancer, one of her sisters had breast cancer, that same aunt had two daughters who also had breast cancer. One of their daughters had breast cancer. Their brother’s daughter had breast cancer. Another first cousin from another sister had breast cancer. I have an aunt who had colon cancer… Cancer.”

“My history is my mother’s family’s,” said Murray, “My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer, my aunt and uncle have both had colon cancer, and I’ve had a melanoma. So all of the fundraising we do is for a very good cause.”

“I was a breast cancer survivor,” said Caviness, “So every time you look out and you say ‘I’ve got another day Lord, thank you!’ it’s because somebody did some research that gave us a chance to be here. It seems like everywhere we turn in our church family there has been devastation from the effects of cancer.”

Speaking among the parishioners of Deerfield, it is clear that the church members have been able to observe a significant improvement in their own lives and the lives of their loved ones due to new advancements in cancer treatments. The parish of Deerfield is confident their efforts toward raising money for the American Cancer Society have been contributing toward a better future for those diagnosed with cancer. “Treatment is getting better,” said Caviness, “I can feel that happening; I know when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, when I first started my treatments, I got home from work one day and there was a little box on my front porch. I went and opened it and it said ‘From The American Cancer Society’. When I opened it, it was a little quilted pillow they had made that they give to women who were going through breast cancer surgery. You’re supposed to keep it under your arm so that when you’re sore after the surgery you have something to cushion you. They wrote ‘We’re with you every step of the way— American Cancer Society.’ So, that was my introduction to the kinds of things that they

25th Anniversary of Watauga County Relay for Life Happens June 14 J

une 14 will mark a major milestone in the fight against cancer in Watauga County as the 2019 Relay For Life returns to Watauga County High School for its 25th annual event.

For the last two and one-half decades, this annual event has not only raised more than $4.5 million dollars locally as part of the American Cancer Society’s signature event, but it has brought notoriety to the area in more ways than one.

Watauga County gained attention in the national spotlight, having ranked in the Top 10 Relays in the U.S. for 12 years, and claiming the No. 1 spot for five consecutive years for the most money raised in its population group.

Also, for five consecutive years, Watauga received the Power of Hope award in its No. 1 spot for survivor participation.

It’s all about a community coming together in its efforts to find a cure for cancer, and nowhere has that message been any stronger than right here in The High Country.

Those behind the scenes know it wouldn’t be possible, however, without the ongoing efforts of individuals, teams, team captains and corporate sponsors, including many volunteers who come together each year to make it happen — and, of course,

those who donate so generously on a regular basis.

Various and unique Relay for Life fundraisers are scheduled practically year ‘round, and will especially be in full force from now until the main event in June.

The purchase of luminaria offers one of the easiest ways anyone can support Relay — by honoring or remembering someone special who has battled cancer or continues to be affected by cancer. Each of those luminaria is illuminated around the track during Relay for Life and casts a heartwarming glow as part of a special tribute.

With a full evening of events, currently being planned for the June 14 event, Brian Barker, returning event chair, encourages the community to get involved this year, whether through a team, sponsorship, as volunteer and/or donor.

Barker rallied his troops during the official 2019 kickoff in early March at Deerfield Methodist Church, at which time he recognized last year’s top fundraisers, provided information about this year’s event and reviewed overall success of Relay for Life in Watauga County. The local fundraising goal for 2019 has been set at $70,000.

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do, and I thought ‘this is an organization that has a special kind of caring about people!’ They had gotten my name from Watauga hospital I guess, and they didn’t ask anything in return, other than a call I got from a lady here in Boone who said ‘I work for the Cancer Society and Deerfield Dream Team was recognized as the top Relay For Life fundraising team of 2018 I’m a breast cancer survivor; you’ve got in Watauga County (First row left to right) Margaret Sigmon, Jeannie Caviness, Landin enough time under your belt now that Murray, Joyce Wynns, Kathy Moorman. (Second row left to right) Lori Williams, Colleen you probably have some questions,’ So Murray, Colin Murray, Nancy Cooke, Lawrence Caviness, Ken Murray. she met and sat with me on the couches doing and I think that’s why people are so them lively and energized. Loneliness can upstairs and told me, ‘These are some be such a hard thing for folks, so they just questions that you need to ask when you go dedicated to sticking with it.” keep caring and offering hope or whatever Deerfield organizes different types for treatments.’ Afterward they connected me with somebody in a cancer support of events year-round, not all of which people need. It’s inspiring to me watching are dedicated to fundraising for cancer all that they do. Various different people group which was great too!”

“We keep having success stories,” said research. Parishioners of Deerfield regularly offer Sunday School at Deerfield Ridge Caviness, “Karen Hastings had colon and volunteer their time and services to help every Sunday as well. They go and they sing liver cancer and it looked like a really other parish members and members of the and offer a devotional. All of that happens, scary prognosis, but since then she’s been surrounding Boone community as a whole. and when they come back you can see that through some very amazing treatments. Her “One of the things that I love is that there’s they have been uplifted in the process of husband, Jim Hastings, also dealt with colon a significant group of folks at Deerfield who offering that service to those older people; cancer last year; he had some surgeries that have lost spouses somewhere along the way; people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to he was back out of so quickly we couldn’t they all pull together and keep each other get out and go to church anywhere else. believe it! Just because of the strides that busy and encourage each other,” explained The volunteers probably get more out of folks have made in treating cancer, we see Pastor Austin, “If somebody withdraws, it than the people at Deerfield Ridge do; good things happening from what we’re they will pull that person back in and keep it’s just amazing! The parish is extremely

D

Deerfield Methodist Church Finished in July of 1961

eerfield Methodist Church was initially conceived by a group of lay people and Reverend Jack Caudill on September 16, 1960. After meeting for prayer in worshippers’ homes, the organization felt the need for a new church and came together to start the process of building one with the first two members of the congregation: Mrs. Malcolm McGhee and Elmer Wood. Less than a year later, on July 16, 1961 the newly built church was opened for its first service and the young minister Joe McMurry preached his first sermon to a new congregation in the Deerfield Methodist Church building.

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generous with the use of this you turn your life around, building, as well. There are so just come on in!’ many different groups and Deerfield parishioners community organizations cherish the community that that use the Deerfield surrounds them and hope building: the children’s that the events Deerfield council has parenting classes holds in the future will here, Cub Scouts, Boone continue to bring members Service League, and various of the region together to other groups that are here participate, “We try to be long-term. They show up open to the community and periodically to use this certainly the community has building and the church supported us so beautifully doesn’t require any payment with so many things,” said whatsoever. These groups Caviness, “We just finished make up such a wonderful a memorial brick walkway segment of Watauga County and a fire pit which paid that comes through this off an area of the church building regularly! I actually and helped us retire that Deerfield allows the church building to be utilized by various different have to hide somewhere debt. We hope to use it as a groups and community organizations. Community areas like to get work done at times, community worship center the one pictured above are regularly used by local because it gets so busy with in the future.” organizations for meetings and events. all of the different active Pastor Austin agreed with groups here.” these ideas, adding his own for up to 19 people and the Red Cross “The first Thursday of every month we has given us cots that are ready to go. We thoughts about the events Deerfield may be feed a meal at the Hospitality House,” said are also a covenant church with Habitat holding for the community in the future, Caviness, adding to the list of events held for Humanity and we work with them on “I have a couple of different ideas floating

by Deerfield Church, “We also participate building houses. We started working with around,” said Pastor Austin, “The thought in Santa’s Toy Box. Our Methodist men App Faith Health as well; they’re getting off the top of my head, is something called do a lot of fundraising through the ham ready to have another training session for ‘Burning Questions’ because fire always and chicken supper that we host every CPR and AED education in a week or so. creates an intimate setting for a gathering; year and through wreath sales. We give We have a drive-thru prayer tent where the fire pit can be a place where people support to the Wesley Foundation, which people can just pull into the driveway gather and talk about the larger questions of is the Methodist church organization on and come and ask for prayer or leave a life. Maybe where we can all come together campus at Appalachian and understand together State University; we actually how faith intersects with just did a food drive for those bigger life questions. them last week. We have There is a lot in life we don’t a Benevolence Committee always have the ultimate that responds to calls every answer for but our faith day to help with housing helps inform us and helps us or food or medical bills or to find those answers as we transportation or whatever go along. Really, it’s all about the person’s problem might working as a team to do this be; the committee usually together.” responds to those requests Deerfield’s consistent within the same day, too. endeavors to help those in We sell Moravian chicken need and organize events pies as a fundraiser for the for the local community Benevolence Committee and are a testament to the we have that order coming hardworking, optimistic in right now! Deerfield attitudes exuded by its also works with the Red parishioners and pastor Deerfield Church recently finished constructing a memorial brick Cross holding blood drives every day. The people walkway that leads to a fire pit, which Pastor Wes Austin hopes to here twice a year. We are a behind the scenes, such as use in the future as a community worship center. disaster shelter too, Deerfield the Deerfield Dream Team, can provide shower facilities put forward their best efforts little note with a request for prayer. We when there have been major power outages always laugh because people come out to to make sure that Deerfield is not only a around town. If people had to be brought Deerfield all the time, turn around in our place of worship, but also a beacon of love in from, say, Deerfield Ridge or any other driveway, and go back to Boone. We like to and generosity that serves as an example nursing facility, we can provide shelter say, ‘Deerfield Church is the place where of what the power of faith can do. t Spring 2019

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Providing a Tight-Knit Community for Students for Over 45 Years Story By Elly Murray Photography by Ken Ketchie

Wednesday night reflections are held upstairs in Becky’s Room.

Once a student graduates, they paint their name and graduation common joke on college campuses is that year on the wall as everyone says prayers for them. students only attend church because their parents pester them into doing it. However, this is not the case with the members of Catholic of the members attend, as well as a few other small groups, like Campus Ministry, an Appalachian State University club dedicated a rosary group. to providing a place for college students to celebrate and learn about their faith together.

Tuesday Night Men’s and Women’s Groups The CCM in Boone started up in 1973, and its first minister On Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., Men’s and Women’s Groups meet was Sister Ann Griffin. The CCM building, located behind the separately at the CCM building to discuss faith-based topics.

IHOP on Faculty street, was built in 1985. David Patrick Moses, “Those groups are really nice because they’re usually smaller a member of St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church, groups, and so they’re a was the architect who great chance to get to know designed it. He explains people on a deeper level,” why the CCM was begun in said Erin Kotlowski, the the first place: Catholic Campus Minister.

“They (the members “We talk about different of the church) wanted to topics of the faith, we interact with the university,” share our faith, we support he said. “A lot of Catholic each other in prayer, and churches and universities in we just enjoy each other’s towns did that... Trying to company.” get the parish involved with Mary Alice Faunce, 19, the kids that come to the just joined CCM last fall and university, and are lonely; is from Rutherfordton. She they don’t have family plans to be an elementary (up here). They might be education major, and she nervous about coming is an active member in someplace new, and that Women’s Group. kind of thing.”

App State’s Catholic Campus Ministry, located behind IHOP “There are a lot of things There are two big events on Faculty Street, was begun in 1973 that I love about CCM, but every week that the majority

A

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Tom Rokoske was a member of St. Elizabeth’s when CCM first started up, and he says that Sister Ann Griffin was the one who came up with the idea for Wednesday night dinners. He remembers how the Wednesday night dinners were just as important back then as they are now.

“It was the Wednesday afternoon meals; that was the draw,” Rokoske said. “You will not believe how important food is to students... It wasn’t just Catholics that came; there were a lot of different faiths that came there because of food.

“Sometimes we would invite faculty and students, I think, would find it interesting to find out that a particular person that they have in class is a Catholic. So that was another draw.”

Father Matthew Codd, Kenny Schneider and Mary Alice Faunce celebrate their February referred to by everyone at birthdays with cake, happy birthday singing, and close friends.

St. Elizabeth’s and CCM as

I think that my favorite part is probably Women’s Group,” Faunce said. “I just love the women that are in that group; they’re really wonderful and I’ve really found a supportive community with them. Most of my friends have come through being in that group.”

Wednesday Night Dinner and Reflection On Wednesday nights, most of the members gather for a nice homecooked meal and for the chance to catch up with their friends.

“That’s a great chance for people to have fellowship, to get to know each other, to chat about their weeks and to break bread together,” Kotlowski said. “After that we have music and then we have a reflection.”

Kotlowski explained

that the reflection is often student-led, so students pick topics and share them with each other.

“There can be a wide variety of topics, from Catholic Doctrine to saints to a personal experience of faith that they want to share,” Kotlowski said. “It just depends on the week.”

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‘Father Matthew’ often comes to these Wednesday night dinners. Sometimes he leads a reflection, and sometimes he just comes to help with any questions the students may have.

Although this is not the first CCM he’s helped out at, this is the only one that he’s gotten to be so involved with.

“I helped with Lenoir Rhyne, but there were only three Catholic students there, maybe four... and before that I helped at Davidson too, but there wasn’t very much organization there, either,” Father Matthew said. “I would see them just on Sunday evenings for Mass. So this is the most formal thing I’ve had.”

Jonathan Seith, a 23-year-old exercise science major from Apex, has been involved in CCM for four years.

Since Wednesday night dinners are often the nights that draw new students in – who can resist free food – Seith makes it his and CCM’s mission to provide a welcoming atmosphere.

“I like introducing myself to the new people who come into CCM,” Seith said. “I don’t like anyone to be left out of conversations ,so if someone doesn’t feel comfortable, I’ll go over there and talk to them.”

Father Matthew said he has a very positive memory of his first impression of CCM. “I remember I liked it, and there were lots of students here, and it was a happy place,” he said.

Alaina Swick, a 22-year-old psychology major from Charlotte, was actually one of those newcomers, once upon a time. Swick has been a member of CCM for five years, making her one of the “old timers,” and she also leads

Eloise Blueberry, or LuLu, is Alaina Swick’s dog and CCM’s “mascot.” She quite likes her good friend, Father Matthew.

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Edward Bynum, Mary Alice Faunce, Father Matthew Codd, Jonathan Seith, Erin Kotlowski, and Alaina Swick. Seith and Swick will soon graduate and put their names up on the wall.

(From left to right) Mary Alice Faunce, Ana Engeman, and Dani Ramkissoon hang out in downstairs CCM where Wednesday night dinners are held.

After saying grace, the members of CCM line up to eat some delicious chicken pot pie.

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HISTORY OF

Catholic Campus Ministry

T

he App State Catholic Campus Ministry has been around since before St. Elizabeth’s of the Hill Country was built up on Pilgrim’s Way. Now, the church up on Pilgrim’s Way was not the first St. Elizabeth’s, as many locals know. The first church, built in 1958, was located on Faculty Street, where the Domino’s and IHOP are now. For unknown reasons, the first church burned down in 1984; the second was built in 1988.

Tom Rokoske was a chair member of the parish council, a faculty representative for the CCM students, and a member of on the building committee for the new church.

“Father George Kloster was the first Diocesan pastor in 1973 when CCM was begun,” Rokoske said. “He said ‘We need a campus minister.’ So he set up the mechanism.”

CCM was originally held in the lower level of the church on Faculty Street, and the first minister was Sister Ann Griffin.

“She was a Dominican nun from Adrian, Michigan, and she was the first campus minister... for ten years,” Rokoske said.

Sister Ann has since passed, but a quote from her was saved in the church records: Sister Ann Griffin, a Dominican nun from Michigan, “The gradual growth of the A.S.U. students in Catholic Campus was the first campus minister in 1973.

Ministry gave me occasion for great joy and satisfaction.”

David Patrick Moses was a member of the church and the architect who designed both the CCM building and the new St. Elizabeth’s. However, instead of creating an entirely new building for CCM, he used part of the original church offices that were located across the street.

“It was a shame to throw that building away: it was perfectly good building!” he said.

When they got to work on building the CCM Center in 1985, Moses and the building committee, which included the new pastor, Father Frank Connolly, decided to approach it in a very strange way. Instead of building on top of the one-story offices, they decided to build the first floor underneath it.

“We were able to pick (the The main part of the first St. Elizabeth’s Church burned down in 1984, but the side part ground floor) up... and we were of the structure was saved from the fire, That part of the building was moved across the able to lift it and carry it across street to become the second story of the current CCM building that was designed by David the street and set it up,” Moses Patrick Moses. You can see the same windows structure in the photo below. explained. “Then we built the foundation to it and made the downstairs work as a gathering space...and the upstairs stayed pretty much the same.”

Once the CCM Center was finally constructed, students finally had their own place to come and celebrate their faith. Sister Carol Symons, the second campus minister, believes that the center was especially beneficial for the students.

“The CCM Center has served us well,” she said. “We had planned it as a welcoming place for students, a sign of our mission to A.S.U, but it proved itself a haven for students and parishioners alike.”

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Taylor McCulloch and Kenny Schneider lead the music committee on piano and guitar, and Isabella Swic plays viola. Before Wednesday night reflections, the members of CCM sing a song or two.

“I went on a Wednesday night... and I Friday, rain or shine. the Women’s Group. She remembers how immediately fell in love,” Seith laughed. “I that first impression of CCM went.

“It’s been a really special experience “I was little overwhelmed at first, just loved the community atmosphere there, for me to create that and to also see because there were a lot of people and I (and) I loved the camaraderie they have how the other members who are coming felt like I was going to be the odd one out around there.” consistently have taken the lead on that as because I wasn’t Catholic,” well,” Swick said.

Swick recalled.

“But In addition to events at everybody was really, really the CCM here in Boone, friendly, and immediately there are also a few big welcomed me in. I really events every year that all of enjoyed getting to know the CCMs in the Charlotte people here and making Diocese participate in. some great friendships right These include the fall off the bat.” retreat, the March For Life, Edward Bynum is a Eucharistic Congress, and 19-year-old philosophy Give Your Heart Away. and religious studies major Swick has attended several from Raleigh. He joined of these events, and she CCM last fall, and he had a spoke to the powerful similar first experience at a impacts of each one.

Wednesday night dinner.

“During the fall we go “My first impression on a fall retreat, which is was probably a little across the entire Diocese,” Wednesday night reflections are often fairly laid-back. At this bit intimidated because Swick explained. “All of one, Father Matthew answers in-depth questions about the faith. everyone knew each other the campus ministries come really well,” Bynum said. together and have a retreat “But also optimistic.” where we reflect on a specific passage Other Events When Seith first attended, he wasn’t so Alaina Swick also organizes CCM’s on- from the Bible, and have featured speakers much overwhelmed as enchanted. campus rosary group, which meets every from the different campus ministries doing 62

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Story Of C

Becky’s Room

CM once had a very kind-hearted member in Miss Rebecca “Becky” Spinetto. Becky joined CCM when she was diagnosed with brain cancer and moved to Valle Crucis to live with her mother.

Erin Kotlowski, the current CCM minister, was a bit younger than Becky when they were both members. She said that when Becky moved to Valle Crucis, she came to CCM to make some new friends.

“She didn’t really have any friends in Boone because she didn’t grow up here,” Kotlowski explained Although she was a little older than college age, Becky immediately became a part of the CCM family, and was extremely loved by everyone there. “(The members of CCM) just adopted her, and she passed away while she was part of the group here,” Kotlowski said. “And so when she passed away, they dedicated the room to her.”

To this day, the CCM members honor her by hosting their Wednesday night reflections in “Becky’s Room.” There’s singing and laughter, just as there must have been when she and her dear friends gathered for those same nights.

Becky’s parents, John and Sally Ann Spinetto, still host a dinner every year for the CCM students, carrying on Becky’s legacy of kindness. reflections on those particular topics.

“It’s really neat because it gives a lot of time and opportunity to not only engage with peers from across different campus ministries, but also to have Mass with other students on location, to get away and just be in a new environment, and to have a lot of time for prayer and self reflection. I’ve been to fall retreat twice now, and it’s been a really special experience for me.”

Swick was actually a featured speaker at one of the fall retreats. She spoke about her battle with Lyme disease and how she was healed.

“I gave a reflection on my healing experience and tied that in to how we relate to God and relate to others,” Swick said. “How we can learn to trust in God

A picture frame with photos and mementos from Becky’s days at the Catholic Church Ministry where she was surrounded by friends.

and that He will heal us not only physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.”

The March For Life is also a huge event every year that the CCM students love attending, although Kotlowski notes that is not technically a CCM event: they just go with their parishes The March is the largest pro-life event in the world. It has been held every year in Washington, D.C. since 1973, when the decision of Roe v. Wade was reached.

“It was a really big, united event where we were among so many other people.”

Swick said. “People who all were fighting for the right to life... specifically for the unborn. So, for me, that was a really incredible experience.”

Eucharistic Congress is also held every fall in Charlotte, and Swick describes it as

“sort of like Catholic-Con.” “It’s just been really neat to see the Catholic community from the whole Diocese of Charlotte come out and fill the streets with Jesus and with our faith,” Swick said. “It’s focused on some sort of aspect of the Eucharist that we’re reflecting on. And there are featured speakers who talk about different topics that are related to our faith.

“Especially being new to the faith, it has been a really cool experience for me to go the last couple of years just because there’s so much I haven’t been exposed to. Like having adoration all the time, or seeing the Eucharist come forward and everybody in this entire conference center dropping to their knees. I feel like it’s just all the highlights of our faith compressed

Events at CCM from years past look every bit as lively as they are today.

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into one weekend.”

And finally, Give Your Heart Away is a service retreat where students are assigned to different volunteer tasks throughout the day. It was just recently held over the Valentine’s Day weekend.

“You get randomly assigned to one of the service projects that they do,” Swick said. “It’s usually done in such a way that you’re with people from other schools across the Diocese, so you get to know some strangers or people that you’ve met on other retreats.”

Service Although many students participate in service-based events like Give Your Heart Away, some of the members at App State’s CCM feel that they could be doing more to help the community.

“I think that if we had more opportunities to volunteer and give back to St. Elizabeth’s and give back to our community that would be a really great thing,” Faunce said. “There are so many people in Boone who struggle just for a variety of reasons who we could reach out to.”

As a result of this desire to give back to the community, a CCM service committee was created, dedicated to organizing volunteer opportunities for CCM members.

“I’m pretty passionate about service: I feel like that’s a pretty important part of our faith that we haven’t done as much with as I would like,” Swick said.

“So I was kind of hoping to start some new ideas and things like that to get (the service committee) going.

“I’m really optimistic about the direction in which we’re moving. I think we have a lot of people who care not only about this group for what it offers them, but what they can bring to it and I just really feel like we have a lot of great things ahead of us.”

What CCM Is Really About Swick and Seith will both be graduating 64

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soon, after so many years of wonderful moments with friends at CCM. “I think one of my favorite memories is a few years ago when I was really sick and had to leave college,” Swick said, “Everybody made a point of celebrating me that night and having a little going away party thing for me. Everyone came and prayed over me, and it was just a really powerful, special time, in a time that was so uncertain and painful for me.

I could really feel, tangibly, not only my

community but I could feel the love of God being communicated through them.”

Seith says that some of his favorite memories were the parkway trips that CCM sometimes takes.

“I feel like the bonding experience is better when you’re away from college, in some ways,” Seith said. “Just being out in nature, having a bonfire with everyone, singing campfire songs, or playing games.

It’s pretty cool doing that with friends... it reminds you why you joined CCM in the first place.”

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Bynum believes that one of the most important parts of this faith is being able to share it with others.

“It’s important to be able to not just walk around campus and wear a Catholic t-shirt, but to actually be able to pray with someone, to go to church with someone, to share the most important part-of or what should be the most important part-of your life with someone,” he said.

Seith thinks being a member of CCM is just as much about what you put in as what you get out.

“It’s kind of give and take,” he said.

“For me, I learned a lot from CCM, but I also feel like I helped contribute to what CCM is, too. Going to CCM was awesome for me because it opened so many doors for me, for my faith and just meeting new people... I guess my first impression was kind of ‘God led me to this, and I hope it’s gonna be really good.’ I’ve enjoyed every minute of it; I have no regrets.

“You should come by and check it out. It’s an awesome community, it’s a great way to make faith a part of your college experience.”

Faunce said that students should consider joining CCM, “especially if you’ve struggled in the past with your faith, or if you’ve struggled (with) making friends. You’ll be able to do both of those things there.”

“It’s hard to keep your faith in college, or even discover your faith in college,” Swick said. “To have a space that feels like home and allows for that exploration of faith is really powerful.

“I had a lot of preconceived notions about what CCM would be like, especially as someone who considered herself an outsider because she wasn’t Catholic.

All of those notions have been dashed over the last five years. It’s been a really beautiful experience where I’ve become more intimate in my faith with God and have met some of the best friends that I’ve ever had.” t

alliative Ca d P re an

Se

G

rvi

ng t

he High

n Cou

od’s word commands us to “love your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mark 12:31 concludes that “no other commandment is greater than these.”

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“Caldwell Hospice serves the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and those they love. We recognize dying as a natural part of living, and we help patients live as pain-free and comfortably as possible,” says Caldwell Hospice chaplain/faith liaison Lance Perry, DMin. Unfortunately many patients are referred to hospice services late in the disease process. Some are referred so late they cannot fully realize the full positive impact hospice is known to have on physical and emotional comfort and overall quality of life. Hospice care enhances a patient’s quality of life and provides support to families and

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Referrals for palliative medicine, hospice care or grief support may be made by the patient themselves, family members, friends, clergy, or physicians by calling 828.754.0101 or 1.844.MY.JOURNEY and speaking to someone in our referral department, or by completing an online referral request at www.caldwellhospice.org.

Let us know who needs help. Don’t worry about having all the details. We’ll talk through things together.

“The end of life is a time when we often struggle with meaning,” continues Perry. “Did my life make a difference? Do my children and family members know I love them? Will they be okay when I’m gone? Where is God in all of this?” The spiritual component of hospice care includes listening to struggles, helping patients and families find clarity and peace, and walking with them as companions for their journey.

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Caldwell Hospice chaplain/faith liaison Lance Perry, DMin

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NEW RIVER BUILDING SUPPLY

Serving Homeowners and Contractors for 4 Decades Whether you are a professional builder or a do-it-yourself homeowner, you’re sure to find the full range of materials for your building or remodeling job ... right here at New River Building Supply & Lumber Company.

In addition to providing a large selection of the best names in the building supply industry, we also have a timber & log division wherein we can assist you in planning and building the log home of your dreams. You can bring your blueprints or proposed building plans in and let our trained professionals advise you on the best and most suitable materials available. We also offer a variety of Sashco log home products in our stores and online to aid in maintaining your home.

Now with 2 Locations to Serve You!

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We Sell Grills, Too! | Spring 2019

H i g h C o u n t r y fa i t h M a g a z i n e

Boone Location Banner Elk Location 3148 Hwy 105 South 2340 Tynecastle Hwy Boone, NC 28607 Banner Elk, NC 28604 828.264.5650 828.898.5660 www.newriverbuilding.com