News article 11/26/13
The summer of 2013 saw the beginning of a new chapter in the story of the Copper Hill United Methodist Church. Established in 1816, this little church in the countryside of East Granby, is growing again and actively serving its community and the surrounding towns of Suffield and Granby. Weekly services are on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
The new chapter began last spring with the District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church New York Conference receiving an application from the Reverend Doctor Kelvin S. Jones for the part-time pastor position that was open. Although Rev. Jones comes from a Wesleyan background, based on his resume and the fact that Wesleyans and Methodists are kindred denominations, it was determined that he would be an asset to the Methodist Church. He was planning to semi-retire with his wife, JoAnne, and wanted be nearer their daughter and family, who live in West Hartford.
The Copper Hill Church also began a new chapter with the separation from its sister church in West Granby, with which it had been yoked for many years. It was time to be on its own and determine its own path.
Pastor Kelvin, as he prefers to be called, and Copper Hill, along with the approval of the DS, came to an agreement, and the Joneses moved into the West Granby parsonage in July. The church’s story continues.
Mrs. Jones, who is also an author, now provides organ, piano, and harp music at Copper Hill. She also plays with the church’s praise team, providing a more contemporary sound for the congregants.
After their successful Fall Rummage Sale Copper Hill held a sold-out, highly-anticipated Pork Dinner. The annual Holiday Bazaar, held on Nov. 22 and 23, featured homemade baked goods as well as homemade soups and casseroles for sale. A luncheon, held on Saturday, featured soups and pulled pork sandwiches.
As the “little church in the country” steps forward into the New Year and the future, it continues to raise funds for the missions of the Church. Copper Hill helps seminary students in Africa, supports a young student in South Africa, and donates to the food banks in Suffield, Granby, and East Granby, and to the East Granby Ambulance Service. The church also supports the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which helps wherever tragedy strikes, such as in the Philippines, New Orleans after Katrina, New Jersey after Sandy, and NYC after 9/11.
The Pastor Kelvin can be reached at (860) 653-2891.