[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          175TH ANNIVERSARY OF BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TIM WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 175th 
Anniversary of Bethel United Church of Christ in Freedom Township, 
Michigan.
  In 1840, a young German minister, Rev. Friedrich Schmid, gathered 20 
German immigrant farm families into a congregation named The 
Evangelical German Bethel Congregation of Freedom Township. Holding 
their first services in a log building, the congregation built a wood 
frame church in 1857. The stone church used today by the congregation 
was constructed in 1909 with members providing the stones from their 
fields.
  Eighteen pastors have shepherded Bethel UCC over the last 175 years, 
during which they have undertaken numerous mission projects for the 
benefit of those near and far away. For example, in the 19th century, 
clothing and blankets were sent to a Detroit hospital and orphan homes 
in three states. In the 20th century, several heifers were raised by 
the church and sent to Appalachia and Germany. The farmers in the 
congregation sent a rail car of wheat to help feed the hungry and 
quilts were made for veterans and those in hospitals. Today, quilts are 
still being sewn and the congregation also helps to feed the homeless 
locally and participates in a variety of projects that reach worldwide, 
keeping with the church's mission statement to ``reach beyond these 
stone walls to impact communities both near and far.''
  In a stone church on a hilltop in rural Freedom Township, this 
congregation of more than 300 still gather to worship at Bethel, the 
``House of God.'' In January of this year, Bethel United Church of 
Christ began their year-long celebration and reflection on 175 years of 
sharing joys and sorrows together. On Sunday, November 8, descendants 
of those early pioneers will gather for a special worship service to 
acknowledge God's many blessings. I pray for a memorable celebration 
and for many more years of faithful witness of God's everlasting love 
in our community.

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