17 minute read
BUMC Keeps Growing
Discovering Life Together at Boone UMC
Story by Joe Johnson Photography by Tara Diamond
Advertisement
Boone United Methodist Church began its journey in the High Country in the year 1866, as Boone Methodist Episcopal Church South, when its members began congregating in the Watauga County Courthouse.
In 1877, as more people joined the congregation, a “barn-like” building was constructed on West King Street for the church. Continued growth in the size of the congregation resulting in the need for the 247-member congregation to move into a new site for the church, purchased in 1918 at what is now 341 East King Street.
For the next 63 years, the congregation grew its ministry on King Street until, in 1981, tragedy struck the 700-member church when a tar pot being used for church roof repairs exploded, causing a fire that destroyed the church sanctuary.
The congregation immediately sprang into action and construction on a new building began in 1982 on the same King Street site.
By 1984, the new edifice was completed at the cost of $1.2 million, a debt which
was paid off by the church within seven years.
The congregation proceeded to grow rapidly between 1984 and 1992, which eventually caused the church to relocate in 2000 to its current location on 471 New Market Boulevard.
By the time the new facility was completed and equipped for the ministry, the overall cost of Boone UMC’s relocation was over $8 million, money spent broadening the church facilities, as well as the church’s capabilities to serve the community, at large. The structure offers over 40,000 square feet of education and recreation space used for various community or church-oriented activities. This location serves as the main hub for all of the ministries and services that the church has to offer the community.
The current Boone UMC church facilities include many pieces of the church’s history not destroyed in the original location’s fire. Six of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary came from the original 1923 church. The horizontal windows along the top of the sanctuary were new to the rebuilt church building on King Street, following the fire. Several fleur de lis adorning the top edge of the chancel are from the old church. The baptismal font at the front of the sanctuary was saved from the fire and has scorch marks to prove it.
The communion rail from a previous church building was fashioned into prayer rails that adorn the front of the sanctuary. Boone UMC’s long journey in the High Country is chronicled throughout the church facilities through various reminders, including the following: The building may be new, but the mission statement and organization are as welcoming as they have always been.
A hiking trail leading toward Howard’s Knob was recentLory Beth Huffman, Senior Pastor, leads worship during Boone UMC’s two Sanctuary services, at 8:45 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Lory Beth Huffman Kelly Broman-Fulks, Director of Communications - Colette Krontz, Director of Children’s Ministry - Vern Collins, Pastor of Discipleship - Jeff McClain, Pastor of Congregational Care - Patti Connelly, Pastor of Adult Ministries
Lory Beth Huffman, Senior Pastor - Laura Beach Byrch, Pastor of Community Engagement
ly built on church property by members of the congregation with passions for trail building and hiking; they got together every Tuesday night with App State students to work on the trail construction.
The trail begins near the back parking lot of the church and is the closest trailhead to downtown Boone, featuring a picnic shelter and a cabin built and used by local Boy Scout troops.
“The trail was not contracted out with a company. It was constructed by the hearts and hands of people who wanted to build an outdoor trail that could be open to the church as well as the community as a whole,” said Kelly Broman-Fulks, Director of Communications for Boone UMC, who added: “When the church purchased the land, the owners expressed a desire for the land to be open to the community in a greater way. That was the vision actually; these trail makers were fulfilling that goal set by the previous landowners. I think that’s another great, unique example of how the church has opened itself up to the community.”
Boone UMC strives to provide particularly helpful ministries and services, not only to its congregation, but to the community, as a whole. While some ministries and services may be available only to members of the church, many of the programs it offers are structured to aid anyone who might need help in the community. The sizeable congregation of 1,590 members allows BUMC to have a significantly wide community outreach.
Among the ministries open to anyone The Praise & Worship service at 8:45 a.m., combines elements from both contemporary and traditional worship. Jeff McClain, Pastor of Congregational Care, greets guests and leads times of prayer for the people . Jeff McClain
The praise band leads worshipful music during the 8:45 a.m. service
The congregation sings worship music adapted from traditional hymns, as well as from popular Christian songwriters. Contemporary music is performed by the praise band. A sign language interpreter makes worship music more accessible to people who benefit from signing.
Boone United Methodist Church strives to provide particularly helpful min- istries and services, not only to their congrega- tion, but to the commu- nity as a whole .
in the community are Thursday night dinners, hosted at 5:30 p.m. every week in the church’s Family Life Center. The dinners are free-of-charge.
“They attract a few church mem- bers, community members and people from Hospitality House. it’s a time when everybody can come together and sit down at the table together,” said Broman-Fulks. “I think that’s a beauti- ful example of really where this church finds its identity. We do have people who regularly come to the dinner who aren’t part of the church. It’s a great opportunity to open our doors.”
Another Boone UMC ministry of- fering regular aid to community mem- bers is the firewood ministry, part of the church’s community missions team.
All throughout the winter, wood is donated to the congregation from vari- ous sources, such as trees felled by tree clearing services or nearby homeown- ers who request the church to pick up wood from a tree they cut down them- selves.
Volunteers from various organiza- tions associated with Appalachian State University then help split the donated wood, which is distributed to communi- ty members who are either supplement- ing their heat or totally existing off fire- wood for heat in the wintertime. The recipient may have to choose between groceries, medicine or heat costs during the wintertime. This firewood ministry aims to help ease the burden of these folks having to compromise on essen- tials during the cold weather months.
Quilts, blankets and lap robes are also provided to community members through this ministry, although the main focus of the ministry is the fire- wood. Over 113 pickup loads of fire- wood have been distributed to the lo- cal community since September, with the ministry ending its efforts at the
Music and light fill the rafters of Boone UMC
beginning of April when the weather is steadily warmer. “We’re grateful for the Lord providing resources for us and directing us to take it out to the community,” said ministry spokesman Fred Fonville. “It’s always a blessing when we go out and meet folks and know that we can spread the gospel to them. It’s always a blessing for us to go and meet new families and see what their needs are, and we have actually attracted folks to come to church through this ministry, which is marvelous! It’s wonderful to have the students out here; the App Wesley group over there, the RUF, which is an independent group, and we have an Eagle Scout fraternity that helps us, as well. They have a real friendly competition when they come out and split with us. ‘My pile is bigger than yours!’ We have young men and women to come out, it’s open to everyone. We give a little basic instruction if they have never split wood before; otherwise, we just watch them to let them be safe and have fun.”
Boone UMC also regularly hosts successful fundraisers, such as the Attic, Basement, and Closet sale on Memorial day weekend, and the Fall Bazaar in September. The Attic, Basement and Closet sale is likened to a miniature version of the fall bazaar; both events feature a large-scale yard sale throughout the church building with profits from the fundraiser benefiting Boone UMC
Colette Krontz, Director of Children’s Ministry, guides children through a message about what the pastor soon will preach. Boone UMC’s Children’s Ministry offers various age appropriate opportunities for learning and worship.
missions and a portion toward debt reduction. “During the Fall Bazaar, every single room of this church gets taken up with yard sale items; it’s huge,” said Broman-Fulks, “This past year, we made about $55,000 during the Fall Bazaar; that money goes back into missions, both in the High Country and abroad. A lot of funny stories revolve around the fundraisers. Someone will buy something they absolutely love and find out their friend donated it!”
Boone UMC’s other services and ministries that fulfill a particular need for the community include a garden gleaning service for local food pantries, and a diaper drive that brings in much-needed donations of diapers.
Boone UMC streamed its first live service on March 15, three days after getting word from the denomination’s district Bishop that in-person worship services would be suspended due to
COVID-19. Since that time, the congregation has gathered online with Sunday services available live at 11:00 a.m., on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Services can also be accessed at booneumc.org/ worship-with-us. **During the suspension of inperson worship services, all worship opportunities moved to a single service at 11:00 a.m. Church Streaming Service
Boone UMC’s Chancel Choir, led by Dana Davis, Director of Worship & the Arts, provides traditional musical worship accompanied by the High Country’s largest pipe organ, piano, and other instrumentation.
The garden gleaning ministry is focused on providing food pantries with some of the hardest-to-get and most sought-after foods: fresh, local produce.
Volunteers from Boone UMC help meet this need by gleaning at the Watauga Farmer’s Market from May through October each year, collecting leftover produce at the end of the day to be given to local food pantries.
While food pantries often have a hefty supply of staples, such as canned food and other nonperishables, the garden gleaning ministry allows the pantries to also have a supply of healthy, fresh ingredients. The diaper drive also fulfills a specific need that community members face; diaper costs add up quickly, and the donations that make up the “diaper wall” at the church are given to local parents who otherwise may not be able to provide diapers for their children.
Boone UMC prides itself on opening its doors to the community, whether those who enter are members of the congregation or not.
In addition to the Boone United Methodist Church Preschool that operated from the church building, Grace Academy has leased space at the church Monday- Friday for several years. Even though Grace Academy is not associated with the church, Boone UMC has welcomed the school with open arms.
“Between those two schools, there are about 220 students here,” said Broman-Fulks, “The relationship with Grace Academy is something the church has really valued over the years.”
Boone UMC is one of several rural communities across the state to host a Summer Literacy Program for rising first graders, which is funded by the Duke Endowment.
The students meet with instructors for six weeks, with three hours of reading instruction each day and different enrichment activities in the afternoon. Students are recommended by their teachers for this literacy program.
“This past summer was the first summer we offered that program,” said Broman-Fulks, “We were really excited to
Crossroads worship service, which meets Sunday mornings at 10:55 a.m., draws families and individuals of all ages.
host it; we feel like it is a great opportunity to use this facility for something that can really make a difference in the lives of children.”
Boone UMC is an organization that fosters interest in the arts, as well; members of all ages are encouraged to pursue their artistic passions within the church community. A fine arts camp is held at Boone UMC the third week of July during the morning hours. It is open to everyone in the community at no charge. Students explore artistic passions, whether it is musical, physical artwork or any other kind of art.
The Fine Arts Series at Boone United Methodist began in 2017 as an intriguing way to reach the community through the arts. It is not all music or dance, but an amalgamation of various performances and art styles. This past year’s series featured The Country Biscuit Jamboree on October 20, during which The Oaks Boys presented an afternoon of fun and devotion in a country music style.
The series also included
Crossroads is led by Pastor Vern Collins, who first began as Boone UMC’s Youth Pastor in 1998
a performance by renowned ballet troupe Ballet Magnificat! On February 9. The group performed one of its most popular and longesttouring ballets, “Deliver Us!” Set to the music of Dreamworks’ ‘The Prince of Egypt,’ this riveting story jumps off the stage and into your life!
Boone UMC and its staff have designed their worship experiences to be a meeting place with God. The church offers a variety of worship options catered toward those who enjoy worshipping in the traditional fashion, as well as different options for those who may not want to worship within a church sanctuary or with the same kind of structure. Boone UMC hosts several worship services at different times, each with a different style of worship experience; some services even extend past the walls of the church building into the Town of Boone.
The 8:45 a.m. “Praise and Worship” service in the Sanctuary features an excellent praise band, plus the best of both contemporary and traditional forms of worship.
Drums and guitar are featured in this upbeat style of praise.
In addition, a children’s worship opportunity is available for ages 3 through 1st grade. Nursery and childcare is also available for children up to 2 years of age.
The 11 a.m. “traditional” service in the sanctuary features what many consider the best pipe organ and choral music in the area; this service is catered more toward churchgoers who prefer to worship in the traditional way that emphasizes liturgy and readings.
The 10:55 a.m. Crossroads service is a free-flowing, multisensory gathering in the Family Life Center, where Vern Collins preaches a powerful message.
“Initially, the Crossroads service was intended to draw in college-aged, young folks, but it also draws in families and older congregation members, as well,” said Broman-Fulks, “This makes for a diverse congregation of all ages in the Family Life Center on Sunday mornings.”
Every Sunday morning at 11 a.m., churchgoers gather at Blackburn’s Chapel in Todd, with Pastor Ben Floyd to praise and worship God in a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere.
Outside of church walls, King’s Street Church is a campus of Boone United Methodist Church that is committed to offering Christian community to those who may have never experienced it before.
KSC members believe that faith is born in the midst of a re
Families with children of all ages worship together at Crossroads.
A High Country family associated for many years with Boone UMC is celebrated before they move to the West coast.
Vern Collins
Pastor Vern Collins preaches from Scripture each week during the Crossroads service, which meets in the Family Life Center.
lationship, which is why they prefer to meet in small worshipping communities at various locations around town, studying the Bible together and applying its teachings to everyday life. Attendees are encouraged to be free in their doubt, questions, and disagreements regarding their faith.
“King’s Street Church brings in the kind of person who may not want to step foot in a church to worship God,” said BromanFulks, “They might gather in Boone Saloon or in a local coffee shop, using poetry, song and scripture to find each other where
Fred Fonville, a member of Boone UMC, leads the Firewood Ministry, which meets weekly during colder months to chop and deliver bundles of firewood to High Country residents who struggle to stay warm. Firewood Ministry Helps Keep The Community Warm
they are in their own faith journey.”
Boone United Methodist Church and its staff are passionate about upholding their mission statement each day: “Loving our community and inviting all to discover life in Christ.” No matter who you are or what your current beliefs may be, Boone UMC, its pastors, ministers, and staff welcome you with open arms during your personal faith walk and journey through life.
The Methodist denomination is the last mainline Protestant denomination to take on the topic of human sexuality in terms of internal governance. The United Method- ist Church is a global denomination with congregations in Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as North America; it is difficult to get people on the same page in the United States, but to get people on the same page globally is quite the undertaking.
United Methodist Church will be hold- ing a general conference in the near future to discuss these matters internally as a de- nomination. “Whatever happens denomi- nationally does not change our mission and vision,” said Lory Beth Huffman, Senior Pastor at Boone United Methodist Church, “We, as a church, are committed to that, even though we have a multitude of per- spectives; we’re okay with that and we’re focused on our mission and vision as the main thing. The denominational conversa- tion is not defining who we are, we’re de- fining who we are. Whatever happens in the general conference, this is a church that loves this community and wants to fulfill our mission statement of loving the community and inviting all to discover life in Christ.”
Boone United Methodist Church up- holds the values of community that have made it a strong local organization since its initial beginnings as a congregation of a couple dozen people meeting in the Wa- tauga County Courthouse during the mid19th century.
As the church has developed and grown to become a large congregation of welcoming churchgoers, volunteers, and staff, Boone United Methodist Church has remained committed to missions and outreach programs that benefit the local community. Boone UMC always welcomes you to join them in your journey through faith. ◆
The trailhead for Boone
United Trail, a 2.5-mile loop that offers downtown
Boone’s closest public hiking, is located in the rear parking lot of Boone UMC and winds up Howard’s Knob through property of the church. Near the trailhead is a picnic shelter used by groups of the church and of the High
Country community.
