Y1 Filling a Void
Kosse FUMC is providing a choir club for local students and an array of Bible studies for local residents.
When the members of Kosse First United Methodist Church learned there was no choir program for the local high school students, Kosse FUMC pastor, Dr. Rita Sims, asked if the church could offer a Choir Club. Groesbeck High School Principal Keri Allen was excited to work with the church to bring back this missing musical element. This spring, pastor Rita worked with Kristen Curry, coordinator of the after-school program called ACE to incorporate this option for both middle and high school students.
“We had as many as 11 students in the club,” Rita shares, “and we are offering this opportunity to students who would enjoy singing uplifting contemporary-style songs with soundtracks as accompaniment.”
Earlier this year, three Choir Club members entered the high school’s Groesbeck’s Got Talent Show. It was a shot in the arm for the students and brought so much joy to the community.
“In addition to singing solos for the talent show,” Rita adds, “they also performed as a trio.” Student Kiara Rose shares how much she loved choir and promises to be back. Her friend Wyndie Shields is also counting the days. “”I can hardly wait for Choir Club so start again,” Wyndie says.
Kosse FUMC members also invest in the young in a number of other ways. For the last four years, the church has been offering a fun alternative for local children on Halloween. Rita says, “Halloween is just around the corner and we look forward to the 50 children each year that come by car, trailer or foot to receive candy, bracelets, flashlights or toys with Christian messages. Our members often dress up and set the scene for them with festive decorations.”
In addition, the Kosse church has added a children’s element to its annual October Bazaar, which draws hundreds of people from near and far. The Bazaar is held on the first Saturday of October and includes a barbecue lunch, bake sale, country store, crafts, garage sale items, and live and silent auctions. Children enjoy an assortment of games as their parents and grandparents shop or work at the Bazaar. The money from the Bazaar provides for a $500 scholarship for a Groesbeck High School senior who lives in Kosse.
Adds Rita, “Additional funds also go to the Community Center, Fire Department, Mexia State School, church camp scholarships and many other worthy causes.”
Community Bible Studies
Kosse FUMC also draws students and adults into spiritual discussions in places around town. The church is offering a study on the bestseller, The Shack, which addresses God’s role in the area of suffering.
Rita says, “We are announcing the upcoming study through flyers around town, notices in local newspapers, radio stations and television stations and a Facebook ad. Our previous invitational blitzes have brought at least four students from outside of the church to previous studies, so we hope the community will feel welcome.” To attract more attendees, leaders have chosen a Sunday afternoon time slot and a brief five-week window for the study.
“We love offering opportunities that attract people of all ages both inside and outside of the church.”