CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary   Pastor Doug Mellott of The Beacon, 146 South Main Street, Hughesville held the rope for bell-ringing at noon on Easter Sunday, signaling the Holy Day of Christendom. The church is among many using technology to keep in touch with their congregations.  

HUGHESVILLE – Celebrating his first Easter at The Beacon, the Methodist Church in Hughesville, will be different than any during his 12 years in the ministry. An invitation to ring church bells at noon on Easter Sunday was a national directive as a gesture of solidarity and celebration while the world is in the coronavirus pandemic.

“Christ is with us during these trying times,” said the pastor who came to The Beacon in July 2019. Originally from Lewistown, Mellott’s previous career included working with his father in the mill at Standard Steel, serving in the military and as a prison guard at Rockview.

“I was led into pastoral work and had the support of many people during my more than 15 trips to mission fields in Costa Rica, plus several places across the nation. I had also been active in youth groups,” he said.

Prior to arriving here, the pastor served at Runville, a three-charge circuit holding four services per week.

In addition to the pastor, the Mellott family includes wife Jennifer, Shaun, Bryleigh and Henley at home, and eldest son Kolyn and daughter Adazea, a student at Geneva College.

“We enjoy this community especially at Christmas, the town is decorated, with singing at the town square,” he said.

Regarding the church, Alyssa Gochnauer of Williamsport is the “Seek Team Leader” overseeing worship design (music) and membership. As for the pastor, ” I like music with energy bringing out the soul of a good hymn and like equally traditional and contemporary music.”

“This is an active church,” he said, “They do a lot of community outreach including hosting Cub Scout Pack 80 and collecting food for East Lycoming School students in need and much more.”

“Just now we are pre-taping services for home viewing. Members of the congregation stay involved by taking turns reading scripture from home. My daughter Bryleigh puts it all together. She and Shaun also sing in the choir. We plan more ‘live feeds’ for the future and have an average of 200 internet viewers,” he said.

The pastor’s favorite scriptures change over the years. Just now he is drawn to the book of James, Chapter 2: 14-19. “In a nutshell,” he said, “Faith without works or deeds is dead. This is a good time to share our faith and do good to others.”

More information about the church and Mellott can be found at: www.thebeaconumc.org and by searching on Facebook for: thebeacon@hughesvilleumc.