Trinity United Methodist Church in Lilly Chapel chose their new pastor, Jon Osmundson, as grand marshal of the 2014 Homecoming parade. Pictured here are Osmundson and his family: (from row, from left) Lilly, Isaac, Katherine, Jacob; (middle row) Kendall; (back row) Jon, Jennifer and Phoebe.
(Posted Aug. 10, 2014)
Trinity Homecoming
Saturday, Aug. 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8530 Lilly-Chapel Georgesville Road
11 a.m.—Parade
Noon—Opening ceremony and silent auction opens
1 p.m.—Kiddie pedal pull
2:30 p.m.—Music by Don (including karaoke)
4 p.m.—The Posse band performs
5:30 p.m.—Silent auction closes
6 p.m.—Live auction
All day—Food, crafts and goodies tent, and bake sale
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By John Crutchfield, Staff Writer
The Trinity United Methodist Church in Lilly Chapel has chosen their new pastor, Jon Osmundson, as grand marshal of their 2014 Homecoming parade.
Having been at the church only a few weeks, Osmundson is getting immersed in the community through his involvement in the homecoming celebration.
Osmundson recently transferred from Salem United Methodist Church in Circleville where he was pastor for the past five years. He has been in ministry for 10 years and is from Hopewell, Va., near Richmond. He studied theater at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, but his life’s work took a different turn.
Osmundson said he felt the call to ministry before his Army reserve unit left for Afghanistan. It was during his seven-month tour that he accepted what God was doing in his life.
“I identify with the story of Jonah in the Bible, also with the wilderness experience of Jesus,” said Osmundson. “The time away from home and family gave me the time and space I needed to hear God’s calling. I don’t regret my time in Afghanistan and the experience, but I wouldn’t want to do it again. It has opened a lot of doors for me.”
Osmundson said his experience as a soldier gives him common ground with the veterans he ministers, too.
Military service in Afghanistan is not the only time Osmundson traveled overseas. The past two summers, he and his wife made missionary trips to Nicaragua. Osmundson said they worked on maintenance and service projects, helping people who really need it.
“Mostly though, it is about building relationships,” he said.
Osmundson recalled a particular occasion when he played soccer with some school kids. Occasions like these also gave him the opportunity to witness Christ.
“I will continue to do missionary work,” he said, adding that several members of his new congregation approached him about joining his next missionary trip.
The Trinity congregation has welcomed Osmundson and his family into their church and their hearts. He joked that his sizable family has provided a boost to the membership roll. Osmundson and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters, Lilly, Katherine, Phoebe and Kendall, and two sons, Jacob and Isaac.
For more information about the Trinity Homecoming, to set up a craft booth or to participate in the parade, call the church at (614) 879-8007 or contact Connie Ballah at (614) 329-8199.
