It all started as a dream more than eight years ago for the seven members of the Biggsville's United Methodist Church adult Sunday class (A.C.T.S.).
It all started as a dream more than eight years ago for the seven members of the Biggsville's United Methodist Church adult Sunday class (A.C.T.S.).
That dream was the United Methodist insignia, the Cross and Flame on the front of their church.
Yard sales were held during Heritage Trail Days for several years and an account at the bank was maintained for this purpose.
However, illnesses, operations, etc. came along and the class folded. Now the dream turned into a hope- a hope that someday, somehow, they would have enough money to finish their dream.
This past winter brought a new adult Sunday school class together at the Biggsville church-some new and some former members. The older ones shared their hope with the new Sunday school class, and it soon became their hope as well. With their support and help that hope started to take shapep.
Dave Keane from Roseville volunteered to make the Cross and Flame and donated his time, but he needed a pattern. The class was fortunate to find a young man to make that pattern, Chuck Day, who is gifted in artistry and hopes for a future in design.
The pattern was drawn by Chuck and soon the Cross and Flame became a reality. Dave took the Cross and Flame to Babcock Auto Sales in Roseville who did a beautiful job of painting it.
On August 16, 2003, the warmest day of the year thus far, Shafer's Construction (Mark and Ray) came with their "cherry picker" and started the awesome job of mounting it on the church. They were joined by a very dedicated and excited crew made up of church members and friends. They worked all day in the intense heat to install the Cross and Flame on the tower of the church-United Methodism's official symbol.
Formally known as the denominat-oion's insignia, it has been in use nearly three decades. It is seen in cities, towns and rural areas at every point on the globe.
The insignia is a cross linked with a dual flame. This symbol relates our church to God by way of the second and third persons of the Trinity; the Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame).
Church members appreciate the crew of Mark and Ray Schafer, Cliff Johnson, John Hoskins, Bill Day and Lyle Jones for their hard work and perseverance in mounting this beautiful Cross and Flame.
A dream, a hope and now a reality, members say the Cross and Flame is up in its glory for the church's 135th Anniversary celebration this fall.
"Isn't that the way it is with God. It often starts first as a dream, then a hope, until someday, it does become the reality. Thanks to God's blessings, it has become a reality," explained one of the church members.