The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Churches-Heartland Treasures

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

When I traveled to San Diego several years ago, I went on the trolley around the city and they told passengers the history. The founder of that city gave several blocks to different churches, because he knew if it did, the people would come to build their homes and their businesses.

Churches are the treasure in each of our communities for it is where we build the foundation of our faith. It is where we learn the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and about the one who created us and all things.

I enjoy visiting the various churches in our communities and I thought it might be nice to start a feature on each one I visit. Bill and Ann Deisher live in Kirkwood, Illinois and travel each Sunday to Burnside in Hancock County to pastor the congregation of this beautifully landscaped United Methodist Church. Bill is a retired veterinarian of the Kirkwood and Stronghurst area. He and his wife lead a Bible study in our home around 1982.

When I arrived at their church Sunday, it was a beautiful fall day and the white church with its red doors was so inviting. It is two story with a basement and almost every single person welcomed me into their worship service.

Ann was leading the singing this day as the organist had obligations, so she brought a bass guitar. It was a nice effect to be singing a familiar hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" in a different way. Pastor Bill read from Luke, Proverbs, and James teaching the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom is tender and considerate and reasonable, thinking of the needs of others. Wise people are always teachable, full of mercy to people who don't deserve it. It is not partial, he explained.

Worship is at 9:30 am with fellowship following in the basement. Sunday school, 10:45 am

At the Burnside United Methodist Church Sunday, Ann Deisher tells Lea and Mariah Brodie and Tristen and Kaitlyn Rea what they can do when they are scared or worried. "You can always pray, no matter where you are." Her husband, Pastor Bill, listens intently during the Children's sermonette, before he gives the message.