Corona de Vida Consecrates Building

With those words Dr. Jay Smith, Madisonville District Superintendent, began the Service of Consecration for Corona de Vida. Approximately 200 people came out to be a part of this special occasion. Corona de Vida pastor Dr. Isabel Soberal, along with Dr. Smith and Bishop Lindsey Davis, presided over the service. Greetings were brought by Dr. Victor Perez Silvestry on behalf of the Puerto Rican Methodist Church, Dr. Soberal’s home conference.  

Corona de Vida is one of 16 new churches planted in the Kentucky Annual Conference so far this quadrennium. Of those 16 churches, six are Spanish-speaking congregations, including Corona de Vida.

The service consisted of an official presenting of the building, naming of the building, and the consecration of the building.  One very notable part of the service was the "Procession of the Relics." All the altar items were brought to the front of the church and dedicated for use in the service of God. The pulpit and baptismal font were each consecrated as well, marking each as a holy place within the walls of the church.

Bishop Davis delivered the sermon, speaking from the gospel of Luke 1:26-34. Bishop Davis reminded us that the birth of Christ, pertaining to the trials that Mary and Joseph went through, was not a tidy, tightly scripted affair, but a somewhat messy ordeal with an uncertain future that they endured. Even though Mary was facing an unplanned teenage pregnancy and Joseph had to be at least a little concerned about the status of his betrothed, even in light of the fact they had nowhere to stay on their travels, it all worked to the glory and honor of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  And so it shall be for us as individuals and for Corona de Vida as a church. Even when things seem messy and the future isn't readily discernible, God is still there and it will all work out to His honor and glory.

As the service ended, we were sent forth with "Onward Christian Soldiers." The stirring words of that hymn seem a directive to the congregation of Corona de Vida.

                Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
                Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
                We are not divided, all one body we,
                One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.