About Us Our History Church Programs and Organizations
| Church Programs and Organizations |
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Saturday Nite AliveSaturday Nite Alive was organized because Rev. Brown saw a need to serve people who could not or did not wish to attend traditional Sunday morning services. He asked Steve Bidgood to take the lead in planning and organizing a contemporary Saturday evening service. Steve visited other contemporary services in the area, sought advice, and solicited volunteers. He and those who volunteered to be a part of it developed the format we now think of as Saturday Nite Alive. Music plays a major role, with a band and vocalists on stage. There is a large screen for words to the songs and to highlight the sermons. Short dramas are occasionally presented. Saturday Nite Alive started in September of 1999. The original band members and vocalists were Dave Loe, Deann Mooney, Linda Prusha, Tom Pokorny, Rick & Pam White, and Jim Yane. Paul Brown handled the audiovisual duties. Others have since joined. The group occasionally performs at other venues under the name of Mercy’s Gift. S.T.R.U.C.K. (Spending Time Reaching up to Christ’s Kingdom)S.T.R.U.C.K. is a third Sunday-morning service and a second contemporary service. The first service was September 17, 2006. Dr. Henry Woodruff, Linda Prusha, Paul Hagan, and David Fulton are the lead people for this service. The Music ProgramVolunteers lead. Prior to establishment of the staff position of Director of Youth and Music, the music program was handled entirely by volunteers. Esther Johnson was a particularly dedicated volunteer. On June 23, 1983, she was recognized for serving as the church organist for 36 years. Jim and Betsy Anderson provided leadership and added much to the music program of the Church. Jim started directing the Choir in 1974. Betsy handled a children’s choir group (Easter People) and special children’s events. They relinquished their leadership roles when the staff position of Director of Youth and Music was established in 1984. However, they continued to sing with the choir and made noteworthy contributions to other Christian ministries. Jim became the pastor of Colebrook United Methodist Church in 2001. The staff position of Director of Music & Youth was created in 1984. Linda Prusha was hired to fill the position and continues in it today. The music program includes an adult choir, a youth choir, and two handbell choirs. The adult choir is called the Cantoria Choir (which translates as “singing from the balcony”) and is a vital part of Sunday morning services. The choir also performs for special events. About 30 people sing with it. The youth choir is the Deuteronomy Choir. It consists of about 15 junior high and senior high students. There are two handbell choirs with 10 and 11 members each. Youth GroupAs indicated above, Linda Prusha has been Director of Music & Youth since 1984. David Fulton was hired in June, 2006 as Youth and Young Adult Ministries Assistant. The youth program has blossomed under Linda’s leadership. The Youth Group consists of junior high and senior high groups. It meets weekly during the school year – less frequently during the Summer months. The groups focus on worship, study, fellowship, and missions. Special events have included mystery trips, white-water rafting, a visit to a funeral home, and visits to other churches. The senior high group assumes responsibility for Easter Sunrise Services, goes to Youth Annual Conference, and participates in the Appalachia Service Project. It is noted that Jim Vinciquerra, Nancy Ostovic, and Jeff Clemens have offered much help with the Youth Group activities in past years. The Appalachia Service ProjectReverend Richardson introduced the Appalachia Service Project to the Chardon United Methodist Church. Under this program, young people, with adult leadership, repair and build homes for the needy of the Appalachian region. The program was very successful under his leadership, and it continues to grow to this day. Over the years, nearly all of the youth active in the church have participated in the program. Both youth and adults have found it to be a meaningful experience. United Methodist WomenChurchwomen have organized their own groups, made significant contributions, and played vital roles in the life of church families throughout modern history. The women of Chardon United Methodist have done likewise. Their organization has been variously known as “The Ladies Aid Society”, “The Women’s Society of Christian Service”, and since 1968, “The United Methodist Women”. The United Methodist Women are organized into circles. Currently, there are the Polly Benton Circle and the Deborah Circle. There once were more circles, but they combined with each other as their membership fell. UMW continues to play an important role in the church. However, it is doing so with fewer members. A changing society, which now requires most women to work outside the home, has drawn membership away from such organizations that meet during normal working hours. The circles play a smaller part in the life of the church than they once did. Bible study groups and small groups that have a particular focus fill some of the void. United Methodist MenIn earlier times, men’s groups have traditionally taken care of the business and maintenance of churches. More recently, the primary responsibility for these duties has been delegated to formal committees such as the Administrative Board, the Council on Ministries, and the Trustees. The United Methodist Men are still available whenever help is needed. They meet monthly and have one or two events a year that are open to spouses. They meet for devotions, fellowship, and an evening meal. Their meetings usually include a speaker. They help families in need as a mission. Although there must have been a men’s group for nearly all of the church’s history, Dr. Paul Secrest (Superintendent of the Akron District) presented a Charter of Methodist Men to Wayne Phipps (president of the local men’s club) in 1954. Lay SpeakingThe lay speaking program was started in the East Ohio Conference about 35 years ago. Training is required to become a lay speaker, and additional training is required at least once very three years. Speakers can be qualified on two levels. Local lay speakers may speak at their home church, and certified lay speakers can speak at any Methodist Church. The Chardon United Methodist Church is blessed to have an abundance of lay speakers. Lay speakers substitute for the pastor when needed. They provide regular services at Heather Hill, and they give most of the services at Saturday Nite Alive. The certified speakers are often called upon to speak at other churches during the Summer months when pastors are at conferences, on vacation, or in transition. Until his death in 2008, Earl Vansant was our senior lay speaker. He started in 1986 and has provided extensive leadership for the program. Earl served as the District Director for the Painesville District, now the Western Reserve District. Men’s Time OutMen’s Time Out was started by Reverend Marvin Brown during his first or second year. It meets every other Saturday morning for devotions, discussions, and breakfast. Needs and DeedsNeeds and Deeds was started by Nancy Hart as a widow support group and has grown beyond its original mission to include fellowship activities. Cub ScoutsThe church has provided a home for Cub Scout Pack 92 since 1994. The pack was organized and chartered at that time largely through the efforts of an adult scouter, Brenda Cvanciger. The pack started with 55 boys and 10 adults. Stan Zupon was the first Cubmaster. The pack currently has 60 boys and 10 adults leaders. Mark Hinesley is the current Cubmaster. Vern Kempf served as the liaison between the church and the pack (Charter Representative) until 2002. Lisa Zupon now fills that role. It is noted that Board minutes from the mid-fifties to mid-sixties indicate that a Boy Scout troop was using the second floor of the parsonage barn at that time. There is also mention of Cub Scouts. Church / Community
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