Methodist church to host service
By Sam Waller
Albany Methodist Church will be among local congregations conducting Ash Wednesday services, but details are still to be worked out.
This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 22.
Lance Thomas, president of Albany Methodist’s board of trustees, said the transition from former pastor Tim Tremble to pastor Bob Heidecker has led to some changes.
Thomas said Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations as it falls on the first day of Lent.
“We recognize our mortality and that we are participating in the suffering, death and ultimately resurrection of Jesus,” Thomas said. “The Lenten period is often marked by giving up something, making some kind of sacrifice in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. Ash Wednesday is the inauguration of that season and then there’s the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at the end.”
On Sunday, Feb. 19, Albany Methodists will have a special program during its 11:00 a.m. worship service with a video address by Mike Schafer, president of the West Plains Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Albany Methodist was one of hundreds of Texas congregations that voted last fall to disassociate from the United Methodist Church and is currently unaffiliated.
“It is an inspiring message about heading a new direction as Methodists in West Texas, but it will also parlay into the Lenten season, which is a time of reflection,” Thomas said. “We will be participating in spiritual reflection, prayer, and fasting, and asking God which way we should go from here.”
Mexican Pile On
Albany Methodist’s chapter of Methodist Women will hold a Mexican Pile On lunch at noon Sunday, Feb. 26 as a fundraiser to support local missions.
The event is open to the public and will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
Donations will be accepted to help Methodist Women continue supporting local mission work, which includes Chelsey’s Project diaper ministry and Albany Ministerial Alliance’s Christmas basket campaign, among others.
The lunch is basically a make-your-own nacho plate. Diners will receive a plate of tortilla chips which they can top with a variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces.
