TODAY, A MESSAGE OF HOPE

200 Faithful Fill

Pews In Solidarity

District Superintendent:

Congregation Will Endure

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

MILFORD – The Rev. Sylvia Barrett, pastor of the First United Methodist Church here that burned last Sunday night, rallied more than 200 people who gathered this morning from four congregations with a message of hope.

“When our eyes flood with tear,” she prayed, “raise our heads so we can see Your rainbow of promise.”

Methodists from Schuyler Lake and Fly Creek, and 32 members of First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, packed the Upper Susquehanna Cultural Center – a former Presbyterian church – two buildings south of the gutted remains of Milford’s First UM.

Among attendees were the Rev. Everett Bassett, the Oneonta-based district superintendent, who said from the pulpit he had no doubt the local congregation will endure, but whether it will rebuild its church remains to be seen.  He called for a “season of prayer” before a decision.

Throughout the Bible are examples of “leaps of faith” – from Abraham to the Israelites in Egypt, said the superintendent, who oversees 57 congregations in communities along I-88, said this is the time for the Milford Methodists to take such a leap, with assurance things will work out as they should.

The Cooperstown Presbyterian pastor, Elsie Rhodes, and the Fly Creek Methodist pastor, Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd, also addressed the worshipers.

Coincidentally, Bassett had delivered a sermon last Sunday just up the street, hours before fire departments were summoned from around the county to fight the night long blaze.

And the  combo from the Schuyler Lake church – Tim Peters, Patsy Lyons, Dan Buell and Tim Peters – were also at the service last week, and ended today’s service with the same hymn, “Lift High the Cross.”

And at the organ was Dot Weir, 96, who has been at the keyboard weekly at the old church for 67 years.  She said the UM church’s organ may be saved.