An ancient farmer has brought new life to First United Methodist Church’s Outreach Program. This farmer is depicted in a centuries old stained glass window, entitled the Sower, which has found a new home in the Narthex of First United Methodist Church on the corner of Church and Road Streets.

Jesus said that when a farmer sows grain it lands onto perhaps four different types of soil. The first is packed hard making it difficult for the grain to gain roots; another has shallow soil above rocks where some initial rooting takes place but soon the roots hit the rocks and nourishment cannot take place and the plant dries up; a third is filled with fast growing weed seeds which outgrow the grain and choke it out; while other seeds hit fertile ground and the harvest far exceeds the grain planted and a bountiful harvest results. Thus it is with our Outreach Programs. We must continue to plant and seek fertile soil.

In our Gospel Lesson today, Jesus had been healing and carrying out miracles in the Galilee but now has started teaching to his followers and to all who would listen. One of the effective means He used in both getting attention and making His messages clear to everyone, was the use of parables or easily understood examples.

In this instance, Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, talking to the people who had gathered to hear Him and maybe see what new things or miracles He might perform. The crowd had become so thick that He could no longer be heard by anyone except those closest to Him so He got into a boat and moving a little way out from shore, continued His lesson. In this lesson He used his earliest parable, found in all three of the Synoptic Gospels including the version in Mark 4:1-8.

Jesus often used parables to explain His message to the people. One such begins in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, verse 3. The Parable of the Sower inspired an early stained glass artist to create the glass panel that is now located in the Narthex on the first floor of First United Methodist Church. Thanks to Edward Fearing and Clay Foreman, who notified Laurie Jennings, Chairperson of the Church Historical committee, FUMC purchased the panel from Parkers Antiques located on Highway #17 S. Mr. Parker advised that the panel was sold to him approximately 10 years prior by a man who found it stored in the basement of the Perry Apt. Building, which was the church home of First United Methodist Church prior to the completion of construction of the present church in 1921. According to our resident stained glass experts, Randy and Marcia Phillips, the panel is likely part of a set. Unfortunately, this one only remains, to our knowledge.

Marcia Phillips surveyed the panel and reported that a substantial portion of the glass was missing. She recommended to the Trustees, that the panel be sent to Stained Glass by Shenandoah, Inc., located in Front Royal, VA for repair. After some research, that company determined what was missing and prepared a repair appraisal, which was accepted by the Board of Trustees. The restoration was completed and the panel returned in remarkable condition. In order to properly display the panel, the Phillips recommended that it be installed in a display cabinet and illuminated. Terry Daniels agreed to design, construct and install such a cabinet, which is now in place. Thanks to all who have participated in the preservation of a piece of First Church history!

Antique Window Serves to Revitalize outreach Program