On Sunday, March 12th, we will be celebrating 20 years of the handchimes and handbells music ministry at Sewickley UMC, with music from the SUMC Clocktower Ringers, the Jr. Clocktower Ringers, and the Rainbow Ringers. We launched this music ministry in 2003 with the purchase of 3 octaves of Schulmerich handchimes and a new adult choir called “Labyrinth,” under the direction of Richard Stout. There are quite a few members who have been a part of the ministry from the beginning, including Jenine Furry, Pam Honeychurch, Sandy Kuriger, Alisa Lenhardt, Pamela Mayo, Lou Ann Scott, and Kristine Swaney. Jack Moffett was originally a substitute ringer in the beginning, but soon became a full member of the choir. Two other founding members of the choir were Donna Sawhill and Dana Yant, along with Kim Benjamin, who was another of our early substitutes (and later joined the choir for several years). Within a few months, Richard Stout moved away from the area, and Pamela Mayo became the new director.

After 3 years of ringing the handchimes, the choir decided they wanted to learn how to play handbells, so the
fundraising began. We received several generous donations from within the church and community, held a Christmas wreath sale, and sold hand-knitted scarves, enabling us to raise more than half of the cost of new handbells. We then had a Valentine’s Day “Buy a Bell for a Loved One” campaign and were able to secure the rest of the money needed to purchase 3 octaves of Schulmerich handbells. Each of the bells was sponsored by individuals/groups who “bought” a bell in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one. Those dedications are memorialized on a plaque in the hallway outside the Simpson Room.

Over the years, we have rung for numerous church services, performed in handbell festivals, and given concerts for various organizations in the community—and changed the name of the adult choir to the SUMC Clocktower Ringers. The highlight has been the opportunity to play in the Sewickley Memorial Day parade, as we think we might very well be the only handbell choir in the country that regularly participates in a parade!

Thanks, again, to everyone who contributed to help us cover the cost of refurbishing the bells in 2022 so they’ll be ready for the next 20 years of ringing!