"It had been many years since this had a facelift," finance chair Charlie Eggers commented as he looked around the unfurnished sanctuary at Mount Nebo United Methodist Church (UMC), 673 Martic Heights Drive, Pequea.
The vast room had been built circa 1832 and boasted a tin ceiling and tin-covered walls. While updates had been made over the years, it had been several decades since the carpet had been replaced, and the paint was starting to show its age. The facility also lacked air conditioning. Thus, the congregation hosted a capital campaign, moved the worship services into the fellowship center that was built in 2004, and started renovation of the sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the paint that had previously been used in the sanctuary was lead-based, so remediation steps had to be taken to safely remove it. That added time and expense to the project, but the painting is completed, new carpet has been laid, central air was installed, the wiring and the sound system have been updated, and work has begun on the stage at the front of the church. The project is slated to be completed in early 2020.
Church members have supported the project wholeheartedly, Eggers said. A group of foodies sold cookbooks and soup. "They're small fundraisers, but very much appreciated," he remarked.
"We just do it for the fun of it, and whatever we get, we get," added Deb Drexel, who has been involved in those fundraisers and has coordinated a vendor fair and a holiday bazaar with Heather Fellenbaum. "We have a bunch of good helpers here."
The church had hosted a vendor fair in time for Mother's Day in May, and it was successful, Drexel said. "People asked if we'd do it again," she said. "We had 17 vendors, so we've nearly doubled (in size for the holiday bazaar)."
The holiday bazaar will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the fellowship center. Thirty vendors are slated to sell crafts and direct sales products, including essential oils and clothing. A blacksmith, a woodworker, and a crayonmaker will be among the exhibitors.
"We have quite a variety," Drexel commented.
Each vendor will donate a product, and there will be opportunities to win these items in prize drawings.
The bazaar will also offer baked goods, hot dogs, and snacks.
The proceeds from the bazaar will be used to pay for finishing touches in the sanctuary. The first thing on the list is to replace the pew cushions.
"They were not included in the base plans, but we definitely need to take care of them," Eggers said.
Readers who would like more information about the holiday bazaar may call Drexel at 717-725-0590.
Guests are welcome to visit Mount Nebo UMC on Sunday mornings. Adult Sunday school is held at 9 a.m., a time of fellowship with coffee and sweets is offered at 10 a.m., and the worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school for children is offered during the service. Visitors are also welcome to attend "Christmas Around the World," an interactive event, on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will feature an international theme and include snacks and games. To learn more, readers may visit http://www.mtneboumc.org or call the church at 717-284-4331.
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