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Dr. Powell also began to experiment with exciting new forms of worship using drama and music. Most of the congregation loved it, even the guitars and drums, and packed the sanctuary for such services. Regular attendance ranged upwards of 700, and to over 1,000 on holidays. There was a rebirth of interest among youth, and music programs flourished under the direction of Mrs. Carol Marty. The youth choir swelled to 80, and put on skillful musical productions with deep religious meaning, carrying them to other churches in the community.

The United Methodist Women, as the W.S.C.S. became known, developed their annual bazaar into a $2,000-a-year money making project and contributed handsomely to the work of the church – a far cry from the days of “thin soup.”

Rev. Nancy Schwartz took over as Minister of Christian Education and established a Sunday School program nominated by the general church in Nashville, Tennessee, as one of the top 10 in Methodism in the United States. Average church school attendance jumped to between 300 and 400 per Sunday.

In 1974, with the church still deep in debt, Dr. Powell did a daring thing. He asked for, and received, approval to install a pipe organ in the sanctuary. Although the organ, valued at $60,000 to $80,000, was a gift from the Morgan Memorial Methodist Church, repairs to the organ and modification of the front of the sanctuary cost $25,000. A special campaign was conducted to underwrite the cost, and the organ was dedicated in February, 1975, with a thrilling concert by Dr. William Haller, professor of Organ at Capital University. A final touch was added to the enriched musical program of the church with the purchase of a set of handbells and the advent of several handbell choirs.

Church membership leveled off at about 1,700, but many of those were active participants in church life. The budget grew to $200,000 a year, and the minister’s salary was upgraded to $15,100 plus travel and utility expense. A record pledging campaign was accomplished in 1975 with each member assigned to “call on” himself for a fair pledge.

“That a church may rise here where the world of God shall be so read and preached that it shall become the Living Word, and the Sacraments so administered that all life shall become a sacrament.”

- Mrs. Nelson Hickman
Secretary, Official Board
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Reynoldsburg Methodist Church
May 17, 1964

Nineteen seventy-six was a year to celebrate and remember. It began with a “Colonial Order of Worship” on Sunday, February 15, with participants dressing in colonial garb. There was a historical review of the Reynoldsburg church’s history through the recorded voices of other pastors, plus a potluck dinner and an arts and crafts display.

Sunday, March 28, 1976, continued the historical theme with “Our Religious Heritage in Song,” an adult choir performance that included the Gettysburg Address in song. There was a display of early American paintings and Civil War photos.

The theme of Vacation Bible School was “Our Nation Under God.” It included the construction of an early American village containing various worship experiences to demonstrate the influence of religion in the early years of America.

But the crowning event was the celebration of the American Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, with a 10 a.m. Sunday outdoor worship service in front of the church. This was followed by an outdoor meal as families spread blankets on the front lawn and opened their picnic baskets. There was a dessert smorgasbord, and in the back there were games and races for the younger set – a tug-of-war, sack races and three-legged races. Later, colorful helium balloons were released in front of the church as the chimes pealed and the church members sang patriotic songs.

Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church was involved in a resettlement program for Southeast Asian families. Led by several dedicated individuals, the church sponsored Vu Chi Binh, 24, who had escaped from South Vietnam in 1975. Binh lamented his war-torn “miserable” country “that has to stand for too many havocs and sorrows showing from the sinful world. And now,” Binh wrote to the church, “I am living in a new, young and energetic country. I think that is the true life to which I will give all my will and effort.” RUMC helped Binh find a home and a job.

The winter of 1976-77 was bitter cold, complicated by a coal shortage and natural gas curtailment. Rev. Powell thanked the congregation for cooperating to conserve energy. “The room and sanctuary have been cool,” he noted. “The parking lot has been jammed. But the pioneer spirit has surfaced and we have been able to continue.”

The pioneer spirit surfaced again during the Great Blizzard of ’78. Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church sheltered marooned travelers and others unable to get home. More than once, hardy men of the church helped to shovel thigh-deep snow to clear paths to the church for worship. The Sunday after the blizzard, attendance was only 238 people – half the normal number.

During the ‘70s. the church had mission speakers, Lenten Bible studies in people’s homes and social issues panels on education, euthanasia/abortion, and the state lottery. The church’s scouting program was strong, sponsoring Boy Scout Troops 271, 277 and 279, Cub Packs 277 and 279 and Explorer Post 277. Recognized for their leadership were Em Richards, Joe Hess, Bill Haines and Carl Gibson.

Struggling to pay off its mortgage, the church finally was able to meet its fair share of connectional ministries in 1977. The following spring, in a farewell message, Rev. Powell expressed these thoughts: “In it all, there has been no moment or situation which the power of God could not meet. As we look to the future, it is always an act of faith….The past is but prologue to the future which lies before you if you will follow where God leads.”

God was leading Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church into the era of the Rev. David F. Frazer, who arrived in June 1978 with the theme of “People Caring for People.” Rev. Frazer was a friendly man who had a strong sense of public relations. He and his wife, Mary Jo, an author, enjoyed leading trips overseas, especially to the Holy Land. Frazer did extensive ministry by telephone to individuals who did not or could not come to church. He also taught classes and short courses in the Bible.

Frazer incorporated the “Circuit Rider” program for pledging, in which the congregation was divided into circuits and each member “rode” a leg of the circuit, relay style, to collect pledges. The program was a success, although it was subsequently worn out through too much repetition.

As the 1970s came to an end, the church property was valued at $1.5 million, its debt was $193,000 counting the parsonages, and the annual budget was $289,261. At a charge conference in December 1979, Rev. Frazer looked toward the 1980s by quoting Revelation 3:8 – “I have set before you an open door that no person can shut.”

“We of the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church congregation look forward to the new decade of the 1980s,” said Frazer. “We welcome the challenges of the ‘80s as a community of the faithful.”

September 1980 brought to Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church John and Mary Kay Beall Carter, and an electrifying music ministry whose legacy still graces the church. The Carters were seasoned directors in choral and church music. They wrote shows for musical theaters and were recognized in regional and national choral directors’ circles. Many of their compositions and arrangements are still part of the choir library and can be heard in worship services: “The Good Lord Made It All,” “I’m a Soldier of the Cross” and “Star Child” by John Carter, and “When I Kneel at the Manger Tonight” by Mary Kay. With Rev. Frazer narrating, the Carters wrote the music for the tape that was used for the Live Nativity pageant until 1996. They also sang and performed some of the dialogue.