Ellsworth church becomes non-denominational

By LINDA M. LINONIS

religion@vindy.com

ELLSWORTH

There are variations on the saying, “God doesn’t close one door without opening another.”

The idea applies at Ellsworth Community Church, formerly Ellsworth Presbyterian Church.

As Sandra “Sandi” Bates, a member, said, “We’ve closed the Presbyterian door but our doors are still open.” It is now nondenominational. The decision evolved over time, involving prayer and thought.

Recently, Bates, a member for a dozen years, and Ruth Blevins and Nellie Drevna, both members for more than 50 years, discussed the change at the church near the intersection of Ohio Route 45 and U.S. Route 224.

Members cited finances. The church, with a membership of 45, did not have the funds to meet monetary obligations to Eastminster Presbytery. Not enough money was coming in to pay for a minister, utilities and other expenses.

“We just didn’t have the money, and it wasn’t feasible to continue,” Drevna said.

The congregation contacted Eastminster Presbytery about its intention. Meetings between the church and presbytery took place. The church retained an attorney, Forrest Norman of Cleveland, to guide them through the process because of his experience in such cases.

A few years ago, he was the lawyer for Struthers Presbyterian Church, now Struthers Parkside Church, a nondenominational congregation.

The Ellsworth church was asked to produce various documents including a clear title.

“There was a title search, and it was difficult,” Bates said.

The church will mark its 200th anniversary in two years. Copies of membership lists, pastors in its history, financial records and minutes were given to the Presbytery.

Drevna said the congregation said it would make a $500 donation to One Great Hour of Sharing, a mission of the Presbyterian Church. It provides relief to those affected by natural disasters, gives food to the hungry and helps empower the poor and oppressed.

“We’ve participated in that mission for some 20 years. ... We’ve given as much as $1,500,” Drevna said, adding the contribution made was $504.

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Kahaian, interim general presbyter of Eastminster Presbytery, said Ellsworth was dissolved as a Presbyterian church. Ellsworth began as Presbyterian and Congregational congregation. The service to end the affiliation was April 3 this year.

“The church began before God,” the Rev. Ms. Kahaian said, adding a worship service is part of the life of the church. A service to bring a conclusion is appropriate, she said.

Addressing financial issues, the interim general presbyter said, “Every congregation in the presbytery is invited to pay ‘per capita,’ which is a per-member assessment in support of the services the congregation receives from the presbytery and the denomination. The presbytery receives the ‘member number’ from the church itself, when they file their annual statistical report.” She continued that there are “many options for small congregations with part-time ministers” and that there are “always options to address the ‘inability to pay’ that some churches experience.”

Ellsworth Community now has visiting preachers; its service is at 9:30 a.m. Sundays. A Bible study takes place at 1 p.m. Mondays. Paige Yeager leads junior church for preschoolers to fourth-graders.

A book club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, takes a break in July then resumes in August. Spiritual and secular books are chosen.

Kings Daughters, a women’s group, sponsors fundraisers that include chicken-and-biscuit dinners, nut roll at Easter, sale of pot pies and a rummage sale planned June 24 and 25.

Blevins said she wanted to see the church continue because it “means so much” to her. Drevna agreed; she noted her late mother, Doris Weingart, paid for a carillon in honor of her husband, Wayne, when he died. It plays three songs at noon and 6 p.m. and chimes the hours until 7 p.m.

Bates said the congregation is “still adjusting.” Committees on education, mission, stewardship, Kings Daughters and deacons and trustees were established. The bylaws will be rewritten. The church also has made some improvements, including new carpeting, chair rail, paint and windows.