By Debbie Adams
Three Oaks Fellowship United Methodist Church celebrated a new community outreach ministry
on August 25 with the dedication of the new playground, which members hope will be well-used
by not just the children at their church, but by all the children of the community.
congregation gathered to dedicate its new playground on August 25, one of its outreach
ministries to the community. The Rev. Rob Colwell is the church pastor (center, kneeling). (photos by Debbie Adams)
Much of the funding for the project came from memorial donations to the church from members,
friends, and the community when Vinton Volunteer firefighter Benny Powell passed away in
March. Powell had been a devoted member of the fire department since he was a student at
William Byrd High School, first as the mascot and then as a member since 1965. He served as
chief from 1995 to 2011 and remained an active honorary member until his death. He loved all
things outdoors.
The members and guests gathered in the outdoor pavilion for worship before the playground
dedication. Their pastor, the Rev. Rob Colwell, spoke about “being a backyard to the
surrounding community” with the new playground, and other projects such as back-to-school
events, Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat, fall festivals, and more.
He delivered a moving sermon on how people are all connected, using the illustration of a spider
web. A huge ball of yarn was tossed from person to person as each one spoke of the mentor in
their life who had had the most impact on their spiritual development, forming a “web of
reflection.”
Colwell reminded those in attendance of the childhood story book, “Charlotte’s Web” and its
theme of the power of connections, commenting that “we are all connected and part of God’s
purpose in this world.”
The service continued on the playground as the pastor blessed the structure as the congregation
gathered in a circle around the slides, climbing walls, and Noah’s Ark, saying, “God wants us to
pray and to play.”
The celebration concluded with an ice cream social on the church grounds.
Three Oaks Fellowship is located just outside of Vinton on Gravel Hill Road (off of Hardy
Road), headed toward Smith Mountain Lake.
The church has been located on that spot for about 20 years. Towards the end of 2000, what was
Belmont United Methodist Church made the decision to close their church and purchase land (about 21 acres) from the Patsell family. After the church closed, the congregation was able to hold services in the old Hardy Post Office building and worshipped there for the next four years while they made plans to build a new church on the land.
In June 2005 they were able to move into their new church building and selected the name Three
Oaks Fellowship after the three large oak trees in front.
Three Oaks is one of the few congregations that actually increased in number during the Covid
pandemic – mainly due to their determined decision to worship outdoors.
Another one of their outreach ministries is Nannie’s Closet, which distributes babies’ clothing
and supplies to parents “who can use some help with infant needs.” Nannie’s Closet is open on
the fourth Tuesday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m. or until supplies run out. They also welcome
donations of gently used clothes, blankets, along with formula, diapers, and wipes. For more
information, email nanniesclosettof@gmail.com or drop off items off on Sundays at 11 a.m.
