My intention was to begin a series of articles on stores of Conquest. Instead my heart and my head are so full of Holy Week and Easter joy that anything else is trivial. Next month dear readers, I promise!

In many villages and hamlets the little white church and the local fire department are the energy that gives a locality its character and identity. Many of those churches are being extinguished and many fire departments are in desperate need of new volunteers. A revival of religion and community cohesiveness have historically happened in war time, financial disaster time and climate climax time. We are at those places, and we shall see what transpires - fervor or vacuum.

In our little corner of the Methodist world - a successful merger of the Springlake and Conquest churches some decades ago, made history. The further combination of a Wayuga parish was interesting but not as successful. However, in the past few years, the combining of the South Butler, Montezuma, Victory and Countryside churches under shared pastors has garnered the nickname of The Amazing Grace Parish. This week is one of the busiest of the church year, and the shared ministry of our pastor Arlene VanNorstrand and the talents available in these congregations made for significant witness.

On Palm Sunday, each congregation celebrated during their morning services. Then many of us sampled the delicious Conquest Fire Department Palm Sunday chicken barbecue (served by charming waitresses Brooke Burke and Arika Aldrich). That evening a dozen of us gathered at Victory to rehearse for our Maundy Thursday service. It was to be a retelling of the stories leading to the Last Supper - the Exodus Passover, Paul's description of Communion and the literal Last Supper. Monday evening the Countryside Choir practiced its Easter Cantata. At Thursday's (March 20) service a respectable crowd sampled a meal from the first Passover and helped retell the stories of the Last Supper.

On Friday, March 21, evening, at least 70 gathered at Countryside in Springlake for a somber service and accompanying music from Michaela Nicpon, Sarah Heit, Bosti Sidoti, Dan and JoAnne Hempel. We experienced the crucifixion by nailing our sins to a wooden cross only to see them extinguished by Jesus' love and sacrifice.

Very early Easter morning, we assembled at Phil's Hill overlooking Duck Lake for a glorious sunrise service. Phil and Marcia Waterman purchased the bell (made in Troy, in 1845) from Conquest Church, and it is rung every Easter morning. We made an “Alleulia” banner, shared breakfast and then the little ones hunted for eggs. Then on to our individual Sunday worship services.

At Countryside, a wonderful crowd experienced the Good News by sharing worship: “Beautiful Savior” a cantata with an inspiring musical message, dramatic interludes (thank you Elaine Rubenau, Ross Waterman and Carm Reynolds) woven by scripture and readings (thank you also Kristin Roberts and Pastor Marty Robinson). The service culminated with our Liturgical Dancers presenting “Glory.”

Truly an inspiring week -not about individual talents but the sharing of community strength and witness as ambulance workers cooked chicken, worked their jobs and cared for the injured and church workers shared their talents, worked their jobs and cared for their families and friends. It happens.

Joni Lincoln is the town of

Conquest historian