DECATUR -- Pastor Neil Dye, several members of his congregation at the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church, and guests gathered at the church Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2, to cut the ribbon on a new trail they have opened on church property. The 1.3-mile trail winds through 25 acres the church owns on the hill behind their church building on East Roller Avenue.
Church members have been working for a year on the all-purpose trail which has been opened to the public, and they invite all area walkers, joggers and bicycle riders to come and use it. Inspiration for the trail came from a congregation member, Wes Stabel, who saw a similar trail in California when he visited Weimar College in Weimar, Calif.
Attractive metal signs along the trail are inscribed with Bible verses, and Dye explained that those who created the trail hope that users would not only get good exercise and enhance their physical health but will read the texts, learn about Jesus and also improve their spiritual health.
The trail was at first covered in gravel, but church members soon realized that the gravel would not remain in place long when rain fell on the hilly sections. They regrouped and gave the trail a second covering, this time with a layer of chip and seal paving. It takes a winding course up over the hill and loops back down to the church. Several benches are placed along the way where walkers can rest, meditate and pray and enjoy the beauty of the trees and other works of creation.
Congregation members welcomed visitors near an arch at the head of the trail and served watermelon slices and glasses of lemonade to refresh those who returned from their walk.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Wes Stabel (left) and other members of the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church walk down the trail behind the church past one of the signs inscribed with Bible verses that are placed along the length of the trail. Stabel suggested the church establish the trail and put up signs after visiting a similar trail at Weimar College in Weimar, Calif.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Neil Dye, pastor of the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the church’s new 1.3-mile trail Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2. The trail, located on 25 acres behind the church building on E. Roller Avenue, is open to the public, and Dye and his congregation invite area walkers, joggers and bike riders to come and try it out.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND The first sign on the newly opened trail at the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church is a fitting introduction for trail users. It is one of several sturdy metal signs inscribed with Bible verses and quotes Psalm 119:105, "God’s word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." A ribbon cutting was held at the trail Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2.