Officials at Memorial United Methodist Church of Clovis have been busy planning ventures designed to strengthen its identity in the community.
It's a tough task.The congregation has been known for many things, including its Mission Thrift Store and community garden. It also provides services in English, under the Rev. Denice Leslie, and in Hmong, under the Rev. Kham Dy Yang. And the congregation is home to another congregation, Fresno Korean United Methodist Church.In September, Memorial United Methodist Church will add a progressive service in English, hoping to appeal to younger people."We're in the process of establishing a community identity because that's what's been missing," says Max Cannon, co-chairman of the church's worship committee. "We want to try to appeal to a greater segment."On a recent Sunday, people say the congregation appeals to them because they have opportunities to get to know others.During the English service's "Prayers of the People," Roger Grams says he and his wife, Barbara, recently visited another church, but they left without the warm feeling of being with family."We have that feeling here," he says. "And we thank God we're here."Then others show just how comfortable they feel with each other.After birthdays are announced for Richard Emmick, 84, Floyd Eckert, 90, and Betty Skidmore, 98, everyone starts singing, "Happy Birthday/God Bless You." And when the singing stops, someone shouts out, "Hey, it's Lorraine May's birthday tomorrow."May yells out, "I can't com- pete."Youths also are presented opportunities to get to know others. Hannah Martin, 5, and Erin Pacheleel, 16, carry offertory plates to the altar. And Uchechi Uwaoma, 9, extinguishes the altar candles signifying the service's end.Here are other notes from the visit:What's the first thing you notice from your pew? The sanctuary has 18 stained-glass windows, including seven transferred from Academy Church.What might you see here that you can't other places? One of the church's retired pastors, the Rev. George Elgin, substitutes for vacationing Leslie.Who's the behind-the-scenes hero? Minnie Elder has been a member for 50 years."I have no intention of changing until my room is ready up there," she says, pointing to heaven.The basicsLocation: 1726 Pollasky Ave., ClovisContacts: (559) 299-4615; mem-umc.org; mumc@clovismumc.orgServices: 8:30 a.m. (Hmong) and 10:30 a.m. (English) SundayChild care: AvailablePastors: The Revs. Denice Leslie (English) and Kham Dy Yang (Hmong)Congregation: 250 membersHistory: Founded by Academy Church; current sanctuary built in 1963Religious affiliation: United Methodist Church and UMC California-Nevada ConferenceMission statement: "We show and tell Jesus' love everywhere," according to the Web siteKey ministries: Children's, Sunday school classes, youth group, healing service first Tues- days monthly, Wednesday morning Bible study, Thursday late-afternoon prayer group, Thursday night Diners, Friday Night at the Movies, Mission Thrift Store, Sierra Villa Rest Home, grief recovery team, praise and choir teams, chaplains, prayer chain, Special Friends, church pantry, Reaching a Younger Generation committee, community garden, annual yard sale, Fresno Korean UMCOf special note: The church holds an annual boutique in November, with proceeds going to missions.