Grace UMC turns fire debris into art

Looking for a unique Mother’s Day gift? Volunteers at Grace United Methodist Church turned a tragedy into works of art to purchase for yourself or a loved one.

After a fire ravaged the church May 20, 2022, volunteers decided to use pieces of stained-glass windows from the building to create suncatchers. Money raised from this project will help with replacement windows in the rebuilt church.

“I’m guessing we have made over 1,000 and still have plenty,” said Linnet Lowe, project originator. “Our group was meeting monthly, but at Christmas we got ahead. Roscoe slows down after Christmastime, but we expect sales to pick up again this summer.”

The suncatchers are available for a donation of $10 each at Good Boy Bakery in Roscoe Village or the church’s temporary office at 142 N. Fourth St. in Coshocton.

“The new stained-glass windows I think are pretty much paid for,” Lowe said. “Anything else we raise will help with the kitchen or other needs. By the end of last year, we had raised over $15,000. That was just the tip of the iceberg, though, for the cost to finish up the windows.”

She is thankful for all those who have supported the congregation at Grace UMC, especially Brad and Cathy Fuller at Good Boy Bakery.

“They have been so gracious,” Lowe said. “They are really great people who are so community orientated.”

Cathy Fuller said they were happy to help.

“I thought their idea was ingenious,” she said.

Since the fire the congregation has been holding services at The Presbyterian Church, but they hope to be back in their own building soon.

“Things are proceeding well this year,” Lowe said. “Before we get in, we want to do some family-orientated things in the parking lot, like a movie night and ice cream social to help let people know we are moving forward. We will have a big fanfare when we finally get in because it has taken a community to get us through this.”

For more information and photos on the restoration process, upcoming events and outreach programs at Grace UMC, visit www.facebook.com/GraceUMC.