Mortgage note burning celebrated at Eastmoor UMC
Members of Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion gathered Feb. 29 to worship and celebrate the "burning of the mortgage note."
The Rev. Max Clayton, Salina District Superintendent, participated in the service and presented the sermon, "The Man with Two Umbrellas."
Church leaders Bettie Batt, Eugene Enos, Marion Nickelson, David Richmond, and Greg Bowers burned a facsimile of the paid mortgage note during the worship hour along with the Rev. Clayton, senior pastor John Goering, and retired pastor Bob Priest.
Later, the new and remodeled facilities were dedicated "to the glory of Almighty God and for service in this church" in a litany led by the Rev. Goering with responses from the congregation.
The funding drive began in December 1997. In the fall of 1999, Marion Eastmoor UMC broke ground for an expanded facility and recreational area to be called "Wesley Family Center." One wing has handicap accessible restrooms with showers and a patio. The other wing incorporates a covered entrance, large classroom, pastor's study, and church office.
An elevator was installed, the main floor restrooms were enlarged and made handicap accessible, the kitchen was remodeled, and the former fellowship hall was divided into three new classrooms as part of the project.
The total cost of the building addition and remodeling project was $593,742.42. The congregation became debt free within 74 months.
Following the worship service and church school, the congregation was invited to a dinner served by Eastmoor Junior High Youth Group. Participants were seated according to the month of their birthday and a dozen birthday cakes were shared following the dinner. Nearly 200 members participated.
