A Church Grows in Hinton

HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) -  Ascension Episcopal Church in Hinton will be celebrating the founding of their church 150 years ago on the weekend of June 29 and 30. They invite everyone to participate.

Here is what they have planned for that weekend.

On Saturday, June 30, starting at 4 p.m. you can explore the church, inside and out, with its fascinating history. At 5:30 that day, they will host one of their famous pancake suppers: eggs, bacon, pancakes and apples. It is offered free to everyone.

Following the supper at 6:30, there will be a Taize service. Taize is an ecumenical service that includes very short Bible readings, prayers, candlelight, meditation and music. It is the music that people are drawn to - music that is repetitive, easy to sing and echoes in your mind for later.

The next day, everyone is invited to join in worship on Sunday morning, June 30 at 11 a.m. It will be a special service, celebrating the Lord that has made all this possible. The Episcopal bishop of WV will lead the service and we hope you can be with us.

Following the service will be the dedication of Shalom (peace) Park, behind the church. The former location of an old house that was torn down, those foundational blocks mow make up a patio area. The floor of that patio is a Celtic cross. The space is offered for use in the community -  to come, anytime, and experience the peace of God and neighbors.

And lunch. With all this activity, everyone will need some food. Lunch is for everyone to share, enjoy and get to know each other.

Church officials said, "We look forward to your presence in this meaningful occasion, celebrating the church. We liken the life of our church to the growth of a tree."

It is the roots that anchor the tree deeply in the ground and act as a foundation. It is the faith of those first people who envisioned the church, and all those who have come since then make up that foundation. That base was strengthened when a basement was dug out by hand after the church was in place.

Growing from that firm base, the tree’s branches reach toward the sky. These are the people that make up the church now, and those who will follow, envisioning and practicing the kingdom of God now. This church is a magnificent piece of architecture, with sweeping wooden arches and stained glass windows.

Like a tree, the church bears fruit in season. People have come, lives have been supported and transformed by the love they have experienced. Like the war bride, Mary Adkins, who took the picture of the angels at the altar one Christmas Eve.

This fruitful tree has gone through times of pruning and change. Like all things in life, churches face problems, go wrong directions and need to change. The physical church that was completed in 1881, was destroyed by a cyclone in 1897. Talk about change! At Ascension, we have also gone through periods of spiritual decline. Now they grow in new directions.

Officials stated, "Trees offer shelter and shade. That is what we aspire to do at Ascension. We want all people to experience the love offered by God. Ascension has been a place for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for 40 years now, giving people hope of change and a new way of life."

This is only a glimpse of what Ascension Episcopal Church is today. The community is invited to come and experience it for yourself!

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