‘A good day’: Northern Kentucky church plant Antioch UMC charters
August 20, 2023
ERLANGER, Ky. – About 100 people worshiped and celebrated Sunday, Aug. 20, as Antioch United Methodist Church – a new faith community that sprang up organically during the Easter season – held its charter service, meaning Antioch is formally recognized as an entity by The United Methodist Church.
“What a good day. What a good celebration,” the Rev. Caleb Wheat, who became the pastor July 1, said during the benediction. The service was held at the Receptions Event Center in Erlanger, where the new congregation has been renting space for Sunday worship since this spring. A short charge conference meeting was held before worship to formally elect church officers and approve other organizational business.
During the worship service, Bishop Leonard Fairley preached the sermon, titled “A Day of New Beginning.” Also among those participating along with Wheat were the Rev. Shannon Boaz, superintendent of the Northern Kentucky District; and the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Pope-Seiberling, the conference’s New Church Development director.
“It is my prayer that as you take up the name Antioch United Methodist Church that something amazingly wonderful, something courageous, has, is and will always happen in this place,” Fairley said during his sermon, punctuated many times with “amens.”
“What a joy. Just a complete, complete joy,” Boaz said before the service – capturing the spirit of everyone present.
ERLANGER, Ky. – About 100 people worshiped and celebrated Sunday, Aug. 20, as Antioch United Methodist Church – a new faith community that sprang up organically during the Easter season – held its charter service, meaning Antioch is formally recognized as an entity by The United Methodist Church.
“What a good day. What a good celebration,” the Rev. Caleb Wheat, who became the pastor July 1, said during the benediction. The service was held at the Receptions Event Center in Erlanger, where the new congregation has been renting space for Sunday worship since this spring. A short charge conference meeting was held before worship to formally elect church officers and approve other organizational business.
During the worship service, Bishop Leonard Fairley preached the sermon, titled “A Day of New Beginning.” Also among those participating along with Wheat were the Rev. Shannon Boaz, superintendent of the Northern Kentucky District; and the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Pope-Seiberling, the conference’s New Church Development director.“It is my prayer that as you take up the name Antioch United Methodist Church that something amazingly wonderful, something courageous, has, is and will always happen in this place,” Fairley said during his sermon, punctuated many times with “amens.”
“What a joy. Just a complete, complete joy,” Boaz said before the service – capturing the spirit of everyone present.
- A full story, photos and a video of Antioch’s charter service are coming Monday, Aug. 28 – when there will be “Joy in the Morning.”