Oconee Street UMC returned ‘home’ on Sunday, April 13, holding its first worship at its Oconee Street location since a fire destroyed the church’s sanctuary nearly one year earlier. The congregation is temporarily meeting in its recently renovated education building while the sanctuary is being built.
-
- The cross — one of the few items salvaged from the fire in the old sanctuary — hangs in the temporary worship space.
-
- In recognition of Palm Sunday, palms were placed on chairs.
-
- The first floor of the education building of Oconee Street UMC is prepared for worship.
-
- Pastor Lisa Caine and congregation member Linda Burchfield set out bulletins in preparation for the service.
-
- Pastor Lisa Caine welcomes visitors.
-
- Pastor Lisa Caine makes preparations for the service.
-
- Children check out their new Sunday School room.
-
- Children check out the large ditch that will serve as the foundation for the Oconee Street UMC sanctuary.
-
- The Adult Sunday School class met in its new classroom.
-
- Maxine Easom teaches the early elementary class in her new classroom.
-
- Ken Easom greets Joel Siebentritt as he enters the worship space.
-
- Pastor Lisa Caine preaches to a packed house at the April 13 worship service.
-
- The choir sings an anthem during the service.
-
- The first service in nearly a year at Oconee Street drew over 100 worshipers.
-
- Serving as liturgists were the confirmands, who were confirmed later in the service.
-
- The April 13 service not only marked the return to a new home, but also the confirmation of six students into the United Methodist Church.
-
- A sign outside the church construction welcomes visitors.