Bishop Minor, the original study group and the current Building Leadership Team, and  Rev. Ben Sharpe preparing to break ground at the site of our new church

Bishop Rudiegar R. Minor, the Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Russia, reads the liturgy  from the United Methodist Book of Worship as the Building Leadership Team breaks ground for our new church.

Harry Anthony, Bill Corey, and the Rev. Ben Sharpe

The first group of people to break ground consisted of the original study group, the current Building Leadership Team, and the Finance Team.  As they broke the ground, they filled a can full of the first dirt that begins the construction of our new church.  This earth, a piece of God's Holy Ground, will be kept as a memorial to today's blessed event in the history of our church. 

We then raised our voices in joyful song to God as we sang the hymn  "We are standing on Holy Ground."  Dwight Harro again provided wonderful music as he lead the BLT, Rev. Sharpe, the congregation, and all our guests in song with his guitar. This was followed by the Groundbreaking Ceremony itself.

The Building Leadership team as they prepare to break ground for our new church

The Building Leadership team as they prepare to break ground for our new church

The next group to follow consisted of the first members of the church, members who have attended since the very first worship service held at Cornerstone United Methodist Church

The Rev. David Malloy, Fayetteville District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church, breaks ground for our new church