Bluff Park UMC receives ‘Guardian of Bell’ award

Bluff Park United Methodist Church was presented with the “Guardian of the Bell” award during its Sept. 27 morning worship service.

This award comes from the United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) and signifies Bluff Park UMC’s efforts toward supporting UMCH and those it serves.

UMCH President and CEO Blake Horne has named the 158-year-old bell now at Bluff Park UMC “Windy” in honor of Katherine Tucker Windham. Windham was an Alabama storyteller who wrote about the bell in her book, “Autobiography of the Bell.”

“I am of the strong belief that ‘Windy’ belongs in the care of our United Methodist Champions,” Horne said. “They are the body of Christ that gives the United Methodist Children’s Home life.”

Bluff Park UMC Senior Pastor Mike Holly said he looks forward to keeping and maintaining the bell over the next year.

“Bluff Park UMC is so very honored to be the steward of this bell for the next year,” Holly said. “Our focus has always been to assist in the United Methodist Church Children’s Home’s ministry of caring for children. Each and every life is precious, especially to God, but also to our church.”