April 19, 2008 Top of Utah church excited for move Marriott-Slaterville new site for First United Methodist branch By JaNAE FRANCIS Standard-Examiner staff jfrancis@standard.net MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE A move to a new church in this community will become more real for the congregation at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday as members observe a deconsecration ceremony in their old building at 26th and Jefferson in Ogden. The service will conclude at the new facility at 1339 W. 400 North in Marriott-Slaterville. "A lot of people are nostalgic about leaving but excited about moving," said Bill Wade, of Clearfield. After 80 years in their current building, members can understand their attraction to the facility. Wade, who has attended there since he was born, said he looks forward to expanded opportunities in a facility with ample parking, access for the disabled, ample restrooms and appropriate space. Members of the community are invited to an open house at the new church from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today, which will conclude with a public cornerstone-laying ceremony conducted by the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah. The first regular worship service at the new facility is scheduled for next Sunday and the stained glass will be dedicated the following week. A formal consecration service is slated for 4 p.m. May 18, which will be followed by a reception. "This is a more formal rite of the church," said Pastor Alane Currier Griggs. Members said the move represents a directional change in their congregation, which has become more of a commuter group as more and more members have come from outside the Ogden area. "Visiting church members will be there, as well as dignitaries from our church and from the community." Another public event associated with the move will be a chili cook-off planned for sometime in June. "We want to really encourage the greater community to come and celebrate with us," Griggs said. "We'd invite all the other churches and local wards to be involved with us." Members said the move represents a directional change in their congregation, which has become more of a commuter group as more and more members have come from outside the Ogden area. "It will be faster for most of the members now," said Greg Perkins of Roy, pointing out the proximity of the new church to the freeway. The new church sits on a 10-acre lot that members hope to develop to better serve the community as well as the congregation. "I look forward to the future development," Perkins said. "I want to have a baseball field there." Ginger DeHeer, of Ogden, said the congregation is like a newlywed couple. "We just found out we were having a baby," she said. "We've been in the process of collecting everything. Now, we're start-ing our labor pains. Once we are out there, we will enjoy the building and forget about this part." Members said one part of the move will be doing community outreach in a different way. For years, members have supplied lunches to homeless and underprivileged individuals. Now, they'll supply the lunches to the Ogden Community Action Agency, which will deliver them to those in need. While the move may limit the church's service to Ogden, members believe it will expand opportunities for service elsewhere. "We want to leave something substantial for the future," said Gary Phillis, of Riverdale. "Like when I walked into this building I could instantly find a church family." One challenge the congregation still faces is moving its historic pipe organ, one of the largest and oldest in the state. Members say they will miss the organ at their new location, but they need close to $100,000 to move the large instrument built in 1890. "The congregation is anxious to maintain that organ," said Carl Jeerings, of North Ogden. "One of the last key elements to the move is to move that organ, which is the final symbol of our heritage." More information about the church and its programs, including progress on the building over the last year, is available on the church's Web site, www,fumcogdenut.org. Call the church at 393-5662. 45