HR0695 LRB094 14859 AJO 49862 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, On September 11, 2005, the congregation of the
3 Scales Mound United Methodist Church welcomed former members of
4 the congregation and community members to the Church's 150th
5 anniversary celebration, which included a worship service and a
6 potluck dinner; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The Scales Mound United Methodist Church
8 describes itself as a family of Christians who worship God
9 under the leadership of the Methodist guidance set forth by
10 Reverend John Wesley; and
 
11     WHEREAS, During the 150 years that this church has served
12 Scales Mound, this farming community has faced challenges,
13 persevered, and progressed through years of hardship, plenty,
14 development, success, and societal change; whatever the nature
15 of the times this congregation has always shown one constant,
16 the heart-felt welcome that Scales Mound Methodist Church
17 members gave to all who worshipped with them; and
 
18     WHEREAS, During 1854, local Methodists organized and began
19 plans to build a church in Scales Mound; the plans quickly
20 turned into reality and in 1855 the Methodists erected a stone
21 church on the site now utilized by Scales Mound Methodist
22 Church; the Scales Mound Church, which cost $1800 and seated
23 200 people, well met the needs of the congregation's 125
24 members; a parsonage next to the church was added in 1860; and
 
25     WHEREAS, In 1883, the stone church was replaced by a
26 simple, but beautiful wooden structure with Gothic stained
27 windows, dignified arches, a tall belfry with spires, and a
28 bell to call worshippers to service; a church hall and kitchen
29 were added in 1929; in 1950, a building renovation was
30 completed; and
 

 

 

HR0695 - 2 - LRB094 14859 AJO 49862 r

1     WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the Scales Mound
2 Methodist Church family welcomed the members of other churches,
3 when those churches closed; the members of the Veta Grande
4 Church, the Mt. Zion Church, the Wiley Church, and the Council
5 Hill Church were warmly brought into the fold; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The Scales Mound Methodist Church was well served
7 by 41 dedicated pastors; beginning in the late 1950's, Scales
8 Mound was served by 3 pastors and a succession of 18 diligent
9 seminarians from the Dubuque Theological Seminary of Dubuque,
10 Iowa, and the Garrett Seminary of Evanston, Illinois; since
11 2002, Scales Mound has been blessed with the spiritual
12 leadership of Pastor Marilyn Nolan; and
 
13     WHEREAS, In the 150th anniversary worship service, the
14 congregation's Homecoming Prayer thanked God: for all the years
15 of worship and witness in Scales Mound; for those who
16 established the congregation, their faith and vision, and their
17 gifts and abilities; for all prior members who gave freely of
18 their time and money and who provided wise guidance to the
19 congregation; and, for those worshipping that day, the prayer
20 asked for the peace that passes understanding; therefore, be it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
22 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
23 we heartily congratulate the members of the Scales Mound United
24 Methodist Church on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and
25 extend our best wishes for the Church's continued growth and
26 service to the community; and be it further
 
27     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
28 presented to the Scales Mound United Methodist Church as an
29 expression of our esteem.