St. Elmo United Methodist Church has a pastor but no building.
Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church has a building but no pastor.
On Sunday, members of both churches will join in prayer, a move that only could have happened with God’s guidance, the St. Elmo pastor said.
“They were in need, and we were in need,” the Rev. Mark Dowell said. “It was just a perfect time.”
Members of St. Elmo United Methodist have been without a permanent home since fire ravaged their 88-year-old building in August. The church had been worshipping at St. Elmo Seventh-day Adventist Church, but the space was too small, Mr. Dowell said.
The pastor at Lookout Mountain United Methodist was reassigned Jan. 1.
“I’m just thrilled that this was able to work out,” said the Rev. Heidi Bender, the former pastor at Lookout Mountain. “The United Methodist Church is all about connections, and this is one example of a connection that really works.”
United Methodist congregations rotate pastors regularly, and now that the two small congregations are worshipping together, both churches are whole, Mr. Dowell said.
IF YOU GO* What: Combined services of St. Elmo United Methodist Church and Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church* When: 11:30 a.m. Sunday* Where: Lookout Mountain United Methodist Church, 1300 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga.* More info: www.stelmoumc.comMOVING DAY* What: St. Elmo UMC will move the last of its belongings into storage before demolition of the church* When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30* Where: St. Elmo UMC, 4626 St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga
The two churches will worship together for the next 1 1/2 to two years as St. Elmo rebuilds, he said, and he’ll serve as pastor of both flocks for that time.
“There are still some details to be worked out,” Mr. Dowell said. “Like when someone tithes, where does it go? And what do we do when we split up?”
He said his congregation, which numbers about 100 worshippers each week, is mostly positive about the move. The mountaintop congregation, which has about 20 worshippers each week, has been very welcoming, he said.
The only downside, Mr. Dowell said, is that the nearly four-mile drive is up winding Ochs Highway, which many older church members are somewhat put off by.
Shuttle services will be offered, Mr. Dowell said, and the first service is at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.