The Reverend Kimberly Brumm Conducts the “Bless the Church” Service

On September 27, 2015, a warm Sunday afternoon, Reverend Kimberly Brumm of the Richmond United Methodist Church officiated at a “Bless the Church” service at the Heart Prairie Methodist-Episcopal Church at East Richmond Cemetery. Approximately fifty people were in attendance. In addition to Reverend Brumm, others participating in the service were Lisa Bauer (flautist), Alexandra Kestol (Lighting of the Candles), Fox Bauer and Jonathan Kestol (Ringing of the Bells), and Solveig Quinney (a Norwegian Reading). Georgia Kestol-Bauer, the leader and coordinator of the Heart Prairie Methodist-Episcopal Church restoration welcomed those in attendance. She spoke briefly about the history of the church and she thanked those who have helped with their generous contributions of time and money to advance the restoration project.

After the service, refreshments were served outside and a number of attendees followed the self-guided tour of the cemetery. The tour map is included in the program reproduced below.

A few photos of the event follow. Click on any of the photos for a larger version.

Georgia Kestol-Bauer Addresses the Group

Attendees Begin Arriving for the Service

Reverend Kimberly Brumm Conducts the “Bless the Church” Service

Alexandra Kestol – Lighting of the Candles

Fox Bauer (right) and Jonathan Kestol – Ringing of the Bells

Lisa Bauer Accompanies the Singing of a Hymn

Solveig Quinney Reads a Letter in Norwegian to the Group

Bless the Church Program

Program – Cover

Program – Order of the Service

Program – Order of the Service cont’d

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

For the Beauty of the Earth

Doxology and the Lord’s Prayer

Self-Guided E. Richmond Cemetery Tour

Program – Back Piece