Church celebrates opening of new wing: Emphasis placed on social activities

From left to right: Senior Pastor J.C. Kelley, charter member Darlene Bolton, Pastor Kay Scarbrough, and Overland Park mayor Ed Eilert during ribbon-cutting ceremony.

From April 28 through May 6 the congregation of the Valley View Methodist Church celebrated the opening of its 27,000-square-foot Family Life Center wing that cost the congregation $5.75 million. The new Center has a spacious full-size gym, many classrooms and additional office space. Adjacent to the gym, four classrooms will offer opportunities for aerobics, craft classes and other recreational activities.

Pastor Kelley informed the media that three stained glass windows depicting the Trinity will be installed in a bay area outside the sanctuary.

The New wing of Valley View United Methodist Church includes the Family Life Center.

The additional space will be used not only for existing activities, but also will allow adding an adult day-care program, an expanded community youth program, and English as a Second Language classes that will be offered by the Johnson County Community College three nights a week. A series of three benefit concerts were held by the Doug Talley Quartet in the church’s sanctuary. Proceeds from the concerts (tickets were $5 at the door) and $5 of the sale price of $15 for the new CD will go to the church’s building fund. From 7am to 1pm on Saturday, May 5, there was a Boy Scout pancake breakfast. At the same time, the church’s annual plant sale took place.

After a 5pm contemporary worship service, the congregation held a celebration dinner and balloon drop.

The church is also planning to extend religious services. Donna Voteau-Meesier, an ordained United Methodist minister, will serve as a full-time recreation and youth minister beginning in the second half of the year.

The last addition to the church’ building was a fifth phase of the church’s development, but not last one. A new sanctuary and more classrooms are on the list.

"We want people," said Pastor Kelley, "to come to see Valley View United Methodist as the heart of the Overland Park." This means that this church is not only place for worship, but also a place for social and family activities.