Written by Gladys Gunsauls

Remember the words of our Master, when He said "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him". This is the power of the gospel of Christ showing interest, concern and compassion for those in need. The Children's Home in Binghamton, New York is Christ's gospel in action, serving boys and girls orphaned or from broken homes. For years the Harvest Festival has been the main means of securing food and funds, but in 1969 this was discontinued and there will be held one joint offering for the Christmas appeal and harvest festival. This will be held on the last day of November and will be called Thanksgiving Advent Offering. This home is very near and dear to all Methodists of Wyoming Conference and is such a happy place for children bereft of parents and home. Particularly close to Carbondale Church for years was Clara Lesher Burdick and her sister Carloine Lesher Swingle, both of who grew up in this church and were active in so many ways. Carrie was Financial Secretary. For a time both were employed at the home and gave the same dedicated service there as in Carbondale. We were all saddened at the sudden death of Carrie on April 20th, 1971.

It is a sad thing to grow old alone with no family and friends. The Wyoming Conference decided to do something to alleviate this condition and in 1959 opened their first home for the aging in Scranton, Pennsylvania. One of the first guests there was Mrs. F. D. Hartsoct, wife of a former pastor. Since 1959 three other homes at Narrowsburg, New York; the Elizabeth Church Manor, Binghamton, New York and one at Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, have been opened and are filled to capacity. An anonymous donor has given the initial gift toward a new home in the Oneonta district. This is truly a wonderful enterprise, wherein women and men have a homey atmosphere with others near their own age and a Christian environment. Here is where Methodist women from various churches and particularly our own, bring sunshine to the guests of these homes, celebrating the guests' birthdays and enjoying programs and social hours. This work of care and love is the project of the Women's Guild to which every woman in every church is a member. We should all count our blessings for the foresight of the pioneers who inaugurated this plan for these splendid homes for the aging, remembering the lines 'grow old along with me, the best is yet to be'.

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Carbondale Church has been blessed indeed in having so many dedicated Christian members, who give so lavishly of their time and talents. It would take volumes to list them all, so we can mention only a few. God knows what each and everyone has done, and He loves us. and understands our every deed and someday we will hear Him say, "Well Done".

It has been said, that no one else can do the work God has marked out for you, and that is the sentiment concerning Miss Ruth Maters, who was Church Secretary from 1946 to 1950, serving Rev. L. W. Bouton and Rev. R. B. Glazier. She organized in 1942, with the help of Rev. J. N. White, a high school student choir, which rendered excellent service. She also organized a children's choir and served as its leader, resigning in 1969, when Mrs. Joan Cosgrove took up the reins and has given good service, with Mrs. Ethel Britton, serving as pianist, until her resignation, when Mrs. Ruth Caporelli took up the work. She resigned in December, 1973 and Mrs. Harry Cox is filling the position up to and including 1974. Ruth Masters has been a member of the senior choir for over forty years doing a great deal of solo work. Just as a rose gives out its fragrance, so Ruth, by her patience, sympathetic understanding and willingness to give her time and talent, has made her life like the flowers, pouring their fragrance on everything and everyone with whom she comes in contact.

Especially worthy of mention is our most efficient Church Secretary, Mrs. Maybelle Mahady, who has served faithfully since September of 1950. She is really a walking encyclopedia of information. One has but to ask and the information is forthcoming. She is a port in a storm, a guiding light and truly hers is service with a smile. Maybelle retired in September of 1971 and Mrs. Lenore Mather, wife of the pastor was appointed. She held the position until November, 1971 when she resigned as the work was too much for her. While she was secretary the office was moved from the Church to the parsonage for her convenience. After her resignation applications were received and one Sunday morning slips were passed out to the congregation for voting on three applicants with the resultant winner, Mrs. Dorothy Tyson. She held the position until 1975 when she resigned and the position in now being admirably filled by Mrs. Marion Barhight. Incidentally the office was again moved from the parsonage to the Church.

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Then there is Mr. Alvin Roberts, Chairman of the Property Committee, Treasurer of the Trustees, official board Member and general all around Church worker. There is a saying " let George do it" but in this day it is "ask Alvin". He does so many things over and beyond his assigned duties with no thought of prize or pay. Truly the Church would be a much poorer place without Alvin. His personality is his real capital. The friendly word, the kindly deed are the coins of life that have given him his rating.

Another person worth mentioning is Mrs. H. L. Lake. She is Official Board Member, and in 1957 organized and headed the Methodist Quilters, who have given countless dollars into the Church Fund. The work of this group of women who meet in the Church social rooms, each Wednesday is truly outstanding and the quilts they make have been sent all over the nation and there is always a waiting list for these exquisite creations. Mrs. Lake was called to her Heavenly Home on April 16th, 1971. Mrs. J. L.Varker took over the leadership and her ability and dedication to this worthy cause is limitless. She is an artist and does exquisite work. We were deeply saddened when she became ill and more so when she passed away June 11th, 1974. She is sadly missed. The work is now being headed by Mrs. Margaret Nakonenhsy, who resigned in 1976 and it is being capably filled by Mrs. Ruth Wagner. The women who comprise the group are: Mrs. Meta Campbell, Mrs. Ruth Wagner, Mrs. Lillian Faatz, Mrs. Estella Ogborne, Mrs. Mima Lloyd (who passed away February 2nd, 1973), Mrs. Mae Wallis, Mrs. Eloise Snedeker, Mrs. Marion Barhight and Mrs. Mary Ellen Mitchell.

Another bright and shining light in the Methodist Church is Mr. David Stephens, a member of Trustees, Official Board, Choir Member, Wyoming Conference Officer and all around Church worker and most generous as to time and talent. "Life needs us all, the splendid few who rise to fame, with all their skill, your place and mine could never fill" is especially applicable to Dave. He is always ready to lend a helping hand, to do more than his share and to go that extra mile.

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We would be sadly remiss, if we failed to mention Mr. Ralph Dunn, who for years has master minded the every member canvass; been Lay Member; trustee Board Member and President of same; chairman of the Renovation Committee, which is a job of great proportion and responsibility, but to him a challenge is what makes life more interesting.

Also, we must mention the following: Mr. Carl Camin, Lay Leader; former Church School Superintendent; very active in Triple M's; The Perry Family, Donald Sr., Financial Secretary: Triple M's President; Church School Worker; Usher; His wife Beverly does such yeoman service at all luncheons and dinners with always a happy smile. Daughter Barbara is active in MYF and choir; Donny Jr. who, we understand, expects to enter the ministry and last but not least Chuck, Assistant Usher.

Mr. William Tyrell does such an excellent job as Church Treasurer, which is a most exacting and responsible position. He goes about his work in a quiet, self effacing manner, but so efficiently. Mr. Tyrell resigned in June 1972, due to the press of his own business and some controversy, and Mr. Robert Tyson, husband of the Church Secretary, was appointed Church Treasurer with all matters pertaining to money to be handled by him. Mr. Tyson resigned in 1974. Mr. Donald Perry, Financial Secretary was relieved of all work excepting the collection of the pledge envelopes each Sunday.

Dr. John Keyes was appointed the Board of Trustees to fill the vacancy created by the untimely death of Mr. Robert Reeves.

We could go on and on listing scores of good people, who have built their lives into the Methodist Church. There are so many who richly deserve to be mentioned, but space will not permit our listing them all, and so to each and every member, great or small, thank you for everything and God Bless You.

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In 1972 the Carbondale Methodist Church became one hundred and forty years old. One hundred and forty years is a long time. Of course Methodism officially came to Carbondale in 1828, when a few dedicated people, feeling the need of more religious life, met at the homes of the members for worship and prayer. This custom continued until 1832 when the first Church was erected. What a time of rejoicing. This was not a pretentious building, being only one story and the entire building 36 x 56 feet. How different from the magnificent structure of today, but the pride and dedication of those early Methodists in their little building was greater than we of today who take so much for granted. But we can all rejoice that the Methodist Church has made its mark in the community of Carbondale down through the years. We do thank God for the past years and pray God to guide us in the years to come. We are not a monument, because if we just wanted a marker where the first church stood, we could close the doors, and with a little maintenance, keep the building in good shape for centuries. However, we are a living message, a heritage, the carrier of good news and as such we often falter, make mistakes and fail to live up to the high standards we know to be right. This has been true down through the past one hundred and forty years and yet the Lord heard the prayers of those first Methodists and they came through and He will hear ours as we pray, believing that He can use us in the years to come, not as a building, but as people willing to serve. Ours is a Christian Church founded on the principle that Christ died that we might live.

God has given His Children memory, so that in life's garden there might be June roses in December. It has been said that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step", and what has been written is the first step toward furthering the continuing history of the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

I have counted it a joy and a privilege to have been able to write these pages of the history of our beloved Church.

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Gladys M. Gunsauls