One of our members wrote a personal reflection on how Heritage carries out its mission. This is not everything Heritage is or can be, but it truly conveys the rich spirit of the congregation. Come and join us in service to God and make the Heritage experience even richer for all of us and our community.
IN CELEBRATION OF……
a church called Heritage just south of Centerville on St. Rt. 48. It’s a small church – a traditional Presbyterian church with some contemporary elements (the members have been known to shake a tambourine from time to time).
You might not notice Heritage at first – it sits back from the road a bit, just one story tall – and the sign doesn’t blink in brightly-colored neon letters.
If you happen by after dark however, you can hardly miss the beautiful, lighted sanctuary window which faces the road. Carrying on the tradition of Heritage as a servant congregation, the window includes a bowl and pitcher as a central part of its design, along with the cross. A fine, local stained- glass craftsman was engaged to install the window. He was, however, quite elderly at the time he was installing it, and there were a number of times those watching him held their breaths as he climbed his ladder to work on upper portions of the window. The finished product shows his artistic ability and love for his art. Often over the years, those who drive by have stopped in to enjoy its beauty from inside the sanctuary.
In the northwest corner of Heritage Church’s property is a Labyrinth. The Labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in various forms in religious traditions around the world. This Labyrinth is patterned after the one found in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France that dates back to around 1220. As you walk the Labyrinth, you can rediscover a long-forgotten mystical tradition: the walking meditation. Visitors are welcome any time, either individually or in groups.
Some specifics about Heritage….
• Heritage is a friendly church. Members and visitors alike are welcomed each Sunday morning with smiles, handshakes and hugs. And if you stay after worship service, they’ll give you another hug, and as many cookies as you can eat! Many folks like to prolong the fellowship with a “lunch bunch” following worship.
• Heritage is a giving church. This small group of less than fifty members has collected more than 2000 pounds of food in the past year, which is donated to the Dayton Foodbank. And they’re starting on their second ton! They also give generously to several Presbytery-sponsored offerings during the church year. Not to mention sponsoring families who need a little extra help during Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.
• Heritage is a caring church. The time during worship which is set aside for sharing their “joys and concerns’’ is filled with mentions of family, friends and requests for prayer for everything from world peace to help for a family pet.
• Heritage is a supportive church. The Prayer Chain is always ready to offer prayer for anyone hurting and in need. And if someone needs help during illness, the casseroles and pots of delicious soup are prepared and delivered with love.
• Heritage is a family. As in any family, being part of the Heritage family is both a joy and a responsibility. Members embrace this philosophy in many ways, including everything from serving on the church Session and acting as worship leaders, to volunteering to maintain of one of the flowerbeds or the labyrinth, depending on where interests and talents lie.
Heritage’s pastor, the Rev. Karen Cassedy, has been known to make a quick about-face on a particularly busy morning when arriving at her office, to get to the hospital to be with a member who needs spiritual support. Not to mention the fact that she preaches very thoughtful and thought-provoking sermons and lends her voice to the choir. (She’s also very handy when it comes to paper jams in the office copier).
Heritage isn’t big or fancy. It doesn’t have choirs as big as the one in Utah – but the faithful few, led by music director, Kim Denney, are a pleasure to listen to (and they definitely would like to welcome new members anytime!) The worship service doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles, but it’s sincere and heart-felt; and you leave with a very real sense of having been in communion with God – and isn’t that the best way to start each week?
If you’d like to visit (and maybe even join!) a small, friendly, giving, caring, supportive church, where you’re recognized and welcomed warmly when you enter the front door, Heritage just might be the place for you!
Please stop by any Sunday morning at 10:30 and check it out for yourself.