FAITH IN ACTION: Road work gives church a new start

Canyon Lake United Methodist Church staff members are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the construction on Canyon Lake Drive is completed capping a challenging year and a half of detours, construction equipment and noise.

It disrupted the pattern of cars going through, said senior pastor Eric Grinager. It affected the community and business, and it affected church participation. I think some of them were hastled by the construction and didnt want to deal with it.

In an effort to draw people back, encourage newcomers and get the fall started off on the right foot, the church has put up signs and billboards, letting people know the road is open, and so are we, Grinager said.

We want to be open to people looking for a church home, he said.

Along with many churches around the Black Hills, UMC will kick off its fall semester of classes and activities this month.

A fall kick-off event was held earlier this month that included a bouncy house, games, food and people dressed up as Bible characters. Students were introduced to Sunday school teachers and visited classrooms, and the church offered information on upcoming Christian education classes and activities.

The fall is an important time for churches, Grinager said. In his sermons, he said he talks about how many different calendars are used to start activities.

This really is the start of the Christian year for us in many ways, he said. People start planning their whole year based on the school calendar, and oftentimes, the church follows that as well.

The intent, he said, is to be there for families.

People make commitments now as to what they are doing with their kids and families, he said. We want to encourage them to include this as part of their commitment.

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FAITH IN ACTION: Road work gives church a new start