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| Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to plan my marriage through First United Methodist Church of Oneonta. How do I begin?
Planning your marriage celebration demands time for personal reflection and discussion between the two of you. It can also be a wonderful opportunity for you, in consultation with the Church staff, to clarify your religious and personal identity, and the best way to express it in your wedding service. Often this means that those involved must take the time to recognize the differences in persons' expectations, and resolve some tensions with care and sensitivity.
The celebration of Christian marriage takes place within the Community of Faith. If you choose to have your wedding in the Church, it is not because the setting is beautiful, but because you are celebrating your love as a gift of God and an expression of God's nature. Your wedding then, while intensely personal, is also a worship service: a public celebration by the whole Church that God's love is here among us.
Marriage is a life-long covenant, and all of life's questions and commitments can hardly be dealt with fully before your wedding. This is, nevertheless, the time for careful consideration of how you think about love, faith, family, trust, vocation, and other areas basic to human relationships.
A wedding booklet is available through the church. This booklet, and the process it outlines, is designed to give you time for careful thought, to answer some technical questions, and to prompt your own ideas. These preparations are designed to draw from you, your own hopes, fears, dreams, questions and determinations, as you plan this symbol your love and marriage.
Getting Started...- First of all, call the Church and schedule an appointment for both of you with the Pastor. The office number is (607) 432-4102.
- After meeting with the Pastor, schedule your wedding date and time in accordance with the availability of the church building.
- Meet with the Director of Music Ministries of the Church.
- Only after the above, should you proceed to arrange for your photographer, reception, etc.
Who participates in the Handbell Choirs of First United Methodist Church of Oneonta?
The choirs are members of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., and have participated in National and Area II Handbell Festivals in the Eastern United States and Canada. The Klipnocky Klangers have received special recognition by performing at the National Festival in Hartford CT, Wayne NJ, Niagara Falls NY, Portland, ME, Greensboro, NC, Riverside Church in NYC. The Handbell Choirs of First United Methodist Church are the Buckingham Ringers (adults), Klipnocky Klangers (high school students) and Asbury Ringers (elementary grades 3-6).
What is the history behind the stained glass windows at First United Methodist Church of Oneonta?
In the Middle Ages when many persons could not read and Bibles were not available to the worshipers the great churches used stained glass window pictures to tell the Bible stories. The artist who planned the windows at First Church has included the life and ascension of Jesus with the prophecy of Isaiah and the ministry of St. Paul to bring to mind the whole sweep of the Judeo
Christian tradition in which the Church was built.
The grisaille or gray monochrome of the windows is strictly Gothic in character and lends to the wonderful lighted gray of the whole nave and chancel.
In the chancel window we see Isaiah on the left prophesying "for unto us a child is born, unto us a song is given." Isaiah 9:6. This is our tie with the Jewish foundation of the Christian faith. The risen, crowned Christ is in the center calling all who will to "Come unto me," Matt. 11 :22. On the right is St. Paul proclaiming the word "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Romans 1:16. Here is represented the whole history of the Christian faith, background, founding and development.
At the other end of the nave is the Ascension, Jesus rising in the view of his astonished and
marveling disciples. Acts 1 :9 12. This is just after the directive in Matt. 28:9 20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.."
The windows at the sides and transepts carry the story of the birth, life, ministry , teachings, agony and resurrection of J esus. Beginning at the southwest comer with the birth, Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2, they move to the temple when Jesus was twelve talking with the learned doctors, Luke 2:42 52. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan as recorded in the three synoptic gospels is followed by the Call of Matthew, Matt.9:9 l3 as representing the call of all the apostles and, of course, through them the Call of Christ to every follower.
The transepts cover two characteristic and heartwarming incidents from Jesus' teachings. The west transept window shows Jesus blessing the children as they gathered around him, as related in the three synoptic gospels and the east window shows the Good Shepherd as told in John 10:1 21.
Moving to the east side of the nave we see the Rich Young Ruler and Jesus, Luke 10:25 37 ,
then the Consoling Christ, best remembered as the parable of the forgiving father, Luke 15:11 32. The Crucifixion and its agony is sensed through the scene in Gethsemane with the cup of bitterness and comfort as told in all four gospels. Finally the resurrection is portrayed as an angel meets the women at the open and empty tomb. The resurrection too is told in each of the gospels.
So, here in the sanctuary is portrayed the greatest story ever told. It is a story of yesterday, today and forever. It is for beauty, comfort, strength, inspiration and service. It is the glorious good news of God, the Father of Jesus Christ and what God has done in Christ for us and calls us to do what we can in Christ for each other.
(By Rev. Roswell W. Lyon) |
