'Abounding grace': Bucyrus Salvation Army charters new women's auxiliary
Major Tom Grace shared a prediction with members of the newly formed Salvation Army Woman’s Auxiliary of Bucyrus.
"Quickly, this will become one of the most influential groups in the community," the Bucyrus Salvation Army commander said as the organization's charter meeting drew to a close Monday evening at Woodlawn United Methodist Church.
Forty-two women were installed as charter members, President Pam Holtshouse said Tuesday. A 43rd joined the group later in the evening.
Other officers are Mary Jane Frye, vice president; Amy Roe, secretary; Linda Efaw, treasurer; and Joanne Weisenauer, chaplain.
Members began meeting more than a year ago and have completed several projects, said Major Debbra Grace, who commands the Bucyrus Salvation Army along with her husband, Tom. But officially chartering an women's auxiliary requires approval from the organization's divisional and territorial commanders, and working through that process took some time, she said.
In addition to the charter members and Salvation Army leaders, the meeting was attended by spouses and local dignitaries. After the ceremony, men's vocal group United in Harmony performed.
Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser said it was amazing to see so many women step forward to become part of the organization.
"This community is nothing without the organizations that are the front lines. And of course, things are different today, right? ... It's an obvious statement, but St. Paul says, 'Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.' And tonight, we're witnessing abounding grace. There's no other way to put it," he said.
Commissioners present resolution honoring group
All three members of the Crawford County Board of Commissioners attended the ceremony. After remarks by board President Tim Ley, Doug Weisenauer read a resolution honoring the new organization.
"We hereby urge the citizens of Crawford County to support and recognize the efforts and accomplishments of this organization and its volunteers, who provide the labor and time to make a difference in the lives of many," the resolution states in conclusion.
In his remarks, Tom Grace thanked the women for all the work they've done so far.
"You are incredible. You're incredible," he said. "What you have already accomplished is absolutely incredible. The flip side of that, or the next side of that, is there's a whole lot more to do. There's a whole lot more to do.
"When children in our community cannot pass the third-grade proficiency, somebody needs to step in. When the cupboard's bare, for whatever reason, for whatever reason somebody's got to step in. When people are hurting, somebody's got to hear them, without judgment. The fact of the matter is the calling on all of our lives, whether we chose to accept it or not, is that we are to love the people that Jesus loves, and guess what? He loves everybody. And so that's our calling."
Major Willie Mae Lyle of the Salvation Army's Divisional Headquarters in Cincinnati spoke before swearing in the new group's first officers.
"We really value the women's auxiliaries. They are a vital part of our ministry," she said. "We could not do all that we do at the Salvation Army without the support of the women's auxiliaries. There is no way we could accomplish our work."
It's particularly encouraging to see the Bucyrus organization form because women's auxiliaries in some other communities are struggling to find good leaders, Lyle said.
"If ever we need a good, strong auxiliary, especially here in Bucyrus, I believe it is today. Because the need is greater than it's ever been," she said.
Holtshouse said the fledgling group is planning some fundraising events and will help with the Bucyrus Salvation Army's anticipated move to its new location, the former Maplecrest Assisted Living site on Rogers Street.
"Getting that set up will be a big project for us," she said.
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This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Bucyrus has charter meeting
