The service at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, June 23, was one filled with gratitude, memories and a few parting tears as the congregation marked its final meeting.
Lake South District Superintendent Audrea Nanabray of the United Methodist Church Northern Illinois Conference performed the rite of deconsecration.
Albrecht show the hymnal their family donated to St. Andrew United Methodist
Church. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“This building having been consecrated and named the St. Andrew United Methodist Church, together with the land on which it stands and all objects remaining in it, we now deconsecrate and release for any honorable use,” she said. “This congregation named the St. Andrew United Methodist Church was organized as a part of Christ’s Holy Church and of the United Methodist Church. It was God’s gift for season. … It has accomplished its purpose.”
Remaining members were joined by a number of past members who grew up in the church and hold fond memories of its role in their lives.
Methodist Church. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
Several people said they left the congregation years ago for a variety of reasons, some to follow a spouse to another church or because of other life changes.
For Cheryl (Buckingham) Van Naarden Boers, who was there with her husband, her sister and her brother-in-law, said the return brought back wonderful memories.
“This was my childhood church,” she said. “My parents were part of the group that used to meet in the village hall in 1962. Being here today is very emotional for me.”
pronounces the St. Andrew church deconsecrated. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
She recalled walking to the church on hot summer days, arriving sweaty, because she loved the pastor and all the things she was learning from worship and her studies.
“I love this church. The reason I’m not here anymore is because my husband loved his church also. So I went with him,” she said. “But this has been a wonderful church, and I’m so sorry that today is its ending. But the things that people have gotten from this will never, ever end. And I’ll carry it with me forever.”
United Methodist Church. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
The church’s pastor, the Rev. Linny Hartzell, offered words of comfort to those at the service.
“I hope that all the memories that you hold near and dear to your heart will be of healing for you,” she said. “In the midst of grief and amidst the anxiety and fear, remember, you are the church. So take it with you everywhere.”
She said the church’s decline in membership was the main reason for the closing, much of it part of the general decline in traditional Christian churches, but the COVID-19 pandemic was a blow from which the church never really recovered.
and Karlene Mooney for their long service to St. Andrew United Methodist
Church. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“This is one of the harder farewells I have to do,” she said. “We’ve gone through a lot of struggles. We’ve survived through so much, and we buried so many in such a short time.”
During the service, four congregation members were recognized for their service to the church. Don Dudley, Don Pigg, Karlene Mooney and Jerry Scrutchions. Dudley was part of the church his whole life. He was baptized in the church in 1964.
About 30 people attended the final service in person and an additional five or so attended by video conferencing.
