Dec. 20, 2013 - Jan. 9, 2014
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Northwest Observer! We’ll be back Jan. 10
Church embodies the message of forgiveness, hope Exactly one year after arsonist destroys sanctuary, Gideon Grove United Methodist Church will hold groundbreaking for a new building by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – “Lord, we pray not for tranquility. Nor that our tribulations may cease. We pray for thy spirit and thy love. That thou grant us strength and grace to overcome adversity. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.” These words from “For Overcoming Adversity” were salvaged from a page in one of Gideon Grove United Methodist Church’s hymnal. It was found, burnt but intact, among the ashes and rubble that remained the morning after Harley Kendall Fulp, 18, broke a window, poured gasoline on
the sanctuary floor and lit a match to ignite it. Though more than a dozen fire stations responded on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, they could not save the 118-year-old building from burning to the ground. “It was a difficult thing to watch it burn,” said Rev. Wanda Lancaster, Gideon’s pastor. “I beat the fire department there and stood and watched it most of the night. I saw the hurt and pain of watching something that we all loved for so long just crumble to the ground. There were so many memories there, from baptisms
Photos courtesy of Gideon Grove UMC Church
Gideon Grove United Methodist Church, left, was intentionally set on fire Dec. 22, 2012.
to weddings to funerals.” Even as their hearts broke at the sight of the charred ruins, the message of hope, strength and love from No. 531 of the United Methodist hymnal
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In a Christmas state of mind by LAURA PULLINS
As the holiday season progresses, I’m reminded of the efforts my parents went to in order to get our family in the spirit of Christmas. In temperatures of 20 degrees below zero, we donned our winter fleeces, boots and mittens and piled into our Ford F-150, eager to explore the snowy Minnesota neighborhoods decked in twinkling lights, garland and other festive ornaments.
No stretch limo Barbie car or oversized teddy bear could light up my eyes the way those decorated homes did, or the way the memories still do today. To light up your Christmas spirit, we asked members of the community to invite you to enjoy the winter wonderlands displayed at their homes and businesses. Danielle Jenks, manager of the Gardens at Gray Gables, 4105 Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield, estimates 100,000 lights illuminate the 6.5 acre
property, which includes a historic Victorian-style house and a beautifully landscaped garden and event area. A display of this scale requires the help of three to four employees. To start, they hang lighted globes from branches of the many trees located throughout the property, then string lights through the bushes before adding 25 animated light displays and 30 inflatable decorations.
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IN THIS ISSUE News in brief.................................... 3 Your Questions ................................ 4 Spirit of giving alive and well ........ 6 Summerfield Town Council ............ 8 Dolls of Christmases past..............12 Student Profiles ..............................15 Bits & Pieces ...................................18 NWO On The Go! .......................... 20 Crime/Incident Report ..................21 Community Calendar.................. 22 Letters/Opinions .......................... 23 Grins & Gripes ............................... 25 Classifieds ......................................27 Index of Advertisers ......................31
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