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Blue Hill UMC members Rethink Church, touch the lives of community members

On Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, the first snow of the winter was falling in Blue Hill as members of the Blue Hill United Methodist Church set out to continue their mission to Rethink Church. The goal was to bring Christmas cheer to the 44 residents of a residential facility, LifeQuest, in downtown Blue Hill. Two Christmas trees, many lights, decorations, decorated wreathes and homemade sugar cookies were donated by members of the church for this event. Other supplies were purchased when donations honoring family members were given.

The fun began with a CD player playing Christmas carols and hymns. The trees were set up and the residents and members of the church spent time enjoying each other’s company while they decorated the tree with lights and ornaments, lighted greenery accented with red bows was hung over the doorways and icicle lights were added to the dining room.

One resident commented, “Wow, you sure made our home nice and pretty!”

Sugar cookies were decorated with frosting and a multitude of sprinkles, popcorn and cranberries were strung and added to the tree, clear ornaments were decorated by the residents using acrylic paint. Several of the residents said they had never decorated cookies before and it sure was a lot of fun. There was not a quiet minute as laughter and stories filled the air. The residents expressed their thanks over and over throughout the morning. As we left that day, there must have been a glow around the LifeQuest facility because we could feel the warmth in our hearts for weeks to come.

When a member of our church went back to help pack up the decorations and trees, many of the residents stopped what they were doing to help take everything down and pack it in totes. The most frequently asked question was when will you be back? “Very soon!” she answered.

As members of the Blue Hill UMC continue to Rethink Church by serving in our community these words from the Rev. Mike Slaughter’s book “Change the World” seem appropriate: “The world will see the relevancy of the gospel when the people of Jesus fully embrace and live the biblical mandate to love like Jesus.”

Photos: Blue Hill UMC members Mark Thallman and Shari Olson work with resident of LifeQuest to make their own individual ornaments. Some of the volunteers who helped decorate at LifeQuest: (back) Mark Thallman, Pastor Steve Marsh and Darrel Buschkoetter (front) Katie Mazour, Lavonne Marsh and Shari Olson.