07/31/2025
As most have heard by now, Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church has closed its doors. This decision was not made lightly.
For the past year we have had a small, yet strong and faithful group of 15. A true church family. We have striven to uphold a calm and loving face in the midst of adversity as a church and in our personal lives. For almost 120 years, ESM has been a vital part of the community. And in that time there have been many "high highs and low lows."
In light of this decision, we have chosen to focus on all of the good ESM has done in its existence. All of the people that came to know the love of God. All of the people baptized. All of the children that ran up and down the pews. All of the sick that have been cared for. All of it.
Most people don't think of the church as having a life cycle, birth to death, but most churches do. We know that those of us being there to care for ESM during its time of death is no accident. The song "Hymn of Promise" by Natalie Sleeth (pg 707 in the United Methodist Hymnal)* is a beautiful reflection of life and death. Verse 3 reads:
"In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see."
If you have attended ESM UMC in person, or on-line, in the past year, you know we have ended the majority of our services with a praise song. For our last service on Sunday, June 8th, we sang “Thrive” by Casting Crowns. The bridge reads
“Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible”
We all felt this. There was not a dry eye in the Sanctuary.
Yes, we are grieving the closing of ESM, but we are leaving behind a beautiful legacy, and moving forward with unspeakable joy, unsinkable faith, unstoppable love, and a hope for the future of the United Methodist Church.
Remember- God loves you.
Go in peace. Love God, and love ALL of God’s people.
* Discipleship Ministries
