The charred rubble of the Syracuse United Methodist Church hasn't been hauled away yet, bit the congregation isn't waiting.
Church members are coming together to rebuild their spiritual home, and two fundraising events set for this month will help raise money to replace the church destroyed in a Jan. 5 fire.
An adjacent educational unit also was heavily damaged in the fire, which was caused when old wiring in a chandelier near the front of the church ignited, said Pastor Gary Ganger.
Since then, the congregation has been holding worship services in the Green Room at The 5th Street Centre.
The community and many surrounding towns and churches have rallied to help rebuild the century-old church near downtown.
"The outpouring has been unbelievable in the whole area," said Carolyn Gigstad of Syracuse, one of the fundraising organizers.
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On March 23, the congregation will host a "Hee Haw" style variety show called "Music & Meyhem" at 2 p.m. at The 5th Street Centre.
An 8 a.m. kickball tournament will launch a full day of events at the Kimmel Event Center on March 29. Registration to play is full, but visitors are invited to watch the fun.
Food donated by Dan Masters, Orchard Hill BBQ, Smart Chicken and area churches will be sold beginning at 10 a.m. for $10.
"We are hoping for 800 people to come through and eat," Gigstad said.
The Apple Corps Barbershop singers from Nebraska City will perform at 2 p.m., and a dance featuring area country and rock musicians will be 7 p.m.- midnight.
Gigstad said the major fundraising effort began after several people and groups approached members of the congregation, saying they wanted to help.
Jill Crook was one of the first to step up, and she will donate proceeds from the second annual kickball tournament. Last year, proceeds went for new playground equipment.
Thrivent Financial, a Minneapolis-based financial services company, is also contributing funds to the church rebuilding project, Gigstad said.
No decision has been made by the congregation on whether to rebuild on the same site or elsewhere, Ganger said.
That important conversation will happen after workers remove all of the hazardous asbestos, the site is cleaned up and the amount of the insurance settlement is known, he said.
"I'm guessing it will be a long journey. We don't know what money we will have," Ganger said. "We have a lot of options."
The pastor said the fire has given the 200-member congregation a fresh start, with some past members returning and new people asking to join.
"People have really discovered that they are the church," Ganger said. "We found each other."