Cover Stories: In The Spotlight:
Refresh, Strengthen, and Renew at Yearly Meeting, 2001 A Friend's Perspective on the Earthquakes in El Salvador
 
 
 
 
  Easter Sunrise Celebration a Huge Success 


Bethany Friends in Wadsworth, Ohio, had a vision for reaching out to their community in a special way Easter Sunday. They offered a free "Sausage and Pancake Breakfast" with their sunrise service. "Everyone got behind the idea and really worked hard to see this happen," explained Bill Powell, pastor.

It took months of planning. The youth went out in teams to place 6000 doorhangers on houses around the community. Three weeks before the event, they placed a huge sign in front of the church which stated, "Join us for our Easter Sunrise Celebration! Free panacakes and sausage breakfast. Come as you are --dress warm, bring lawn chairs and blankets."

The morning was cold and cloudy but, God was praised. The worship team used a flatbed truck as their stage (See picture above) while the congregation watched a one-man drama entitled "He Carried My Cross" and Superintendent, Dr. John Williams, Jr. shared the morning message. Everyone was pleased and happy with the result. For a church that averages between 70-80 people on most Sundays, their results were amazing. When it was all through, they had served pancakes and sausage to 246 people.

But, the best surprise happened a week later when Pastor Powell received a thank you note at the church which stated, "I was moved while walking in Riversticks Park (a park which is a few miles from the church) on Easter morning when I heard the songs, 'Christ the Lord is Risen Today' and 'Celebrate Jesus.' Thanks and here's a token of my appreciation." (They included $10.)

Submitted by Pastor Bill Powell

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, had double meaning for the congregation of Fulton Creek Friends Church in Radnor, Ohio. Members celebrated the Resurrection of Christ and a new beginning for the church family which is building a new facility. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Sunday morning despite inclement weather.