March-2024 Cooperative Living-Choptank - CH21

Betterton Methodist Church
lavender, green, beige, and sky
blue, each panel is topped with a
stylized fleur-de-lis. They had not
been touched in years and had holes
in some of the panes. All windows
were restored to their original shape
and then protected by plexiglass,
the front doors were replaced and
ceiling fans were installed. This
really helped the energy efficiency
of the church, keeping folks cool in
the summer, warm in the winter and
allowing more light in. They opened
up the interior of the church to make
it more inviting and began replacing
lightbulbs with LEDs. Doing a little bit
at a time was starting to work.
The church was making due with
whatever they had. " A lot of stuff that
you see happen here, it's happened
because the community makes it
happen. Choptank included, " said
Pastor Bill. Church members helped
out in any way possible by reviving
and painting the cross, replacing
all the gutters, restoring the bell
tower, cutting the grass, landscaping
and snow removal. With no air
conditioning, Pastor Bill even found
and revived old oscillating electric
fans from the '30s to keep folks
cool. Still, the church needed more
resources, especially for the exterior.
" The Lord works in mysterious ways.
A family enjoys the Betterton Beach
One day you are without, while the
next you have plenty, " recalled Pastor
Bill as his face still lights up with
astonishment. Choptank published
a story in Cooperative Living in
June of 2021 about the church's
renovations. From that, anonymous
members found out about the effort
and sent them a handsome check
with a note that said, " if you need
more let us know. " the church replied
with a thank-you card and was sent
another generous check and the
renovation was able to continue.
The exterior renovation ensued
and the church was restored to,
as close as possible, its original
form. The restoration has been a
success. Sunday mass is now held
every Sunday instead of every other
and attendance has increased
dramatically. A celebration was held
recently, with live music and catering
to commemorate the completion.
" Betterton Methodist Church has
served the community for nearly 150
years. Choptank Electric Trust looks
to support organizations who serve
their community as well as respect
the history of the area. With the support
of the Choptank Electric Trust
and much fundraising, Betterton
All stained glass has been restored
Methodist Church was able to complete
much-needed repairs to their
facilities and continue to support the
community in and around the town
of Betterton, " said Kent County Trust
Board Member Sharon Redding.
When asked what the church's
renovation means to the people of
Betterton, Pastor Bill Carroll had this
to say. " A church is never designed
to draw on the community. It's
always been designed, by Christ,
to help the community. Choptank's
gracious donations are a big part
of us reaching our goal to restore
our church. Aside from the fact that
it's now very energy efficient, the
safety and overall look reassures
our community that when they are in
need of help, the church is here for
them. "
To learn more about our Operation
Round Up
®
Trust program, go to
> www.choptankelectric.coop/
operation-round-trust-fund
To learn more about the church, go
to > www.stillbetterchurch.org
| WWW.CHOPTANKELECTRIC.COOP | 21
http://www.choptankelectric.coop/ http://www.stillbetterchurch.org http://WWW.CHOPTANKELECTRIC.COOP
March-2024 Cooperative Living-Choptank

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