NORWICH – The Broad St. United Methodist Church will kick-off its 5th annual “Church Has Left the Building” at 9 a.m. Saturday in East Park with a brief outdoor worship service and everyone is invited to attend. Following the short service, the community is encouraged to join members of the congregation in performing an assortment of general public projects transcending denominations.

The UMC is organizing eight separate enterprises Saturday, including work on the Hale Street Community Garden; sewing dresses for Haiti at the Sew Nice in the North Plaza; a choir concert at a nursing home or two; sending cards to shut-ins organized at the Fellowship Hall; working projects at The Place in Norwich; organizing a collection site for First Aid kits outside of the Right Aid on Main Street; and – in cooperation with the county public health department – doing small house projects for seniors and baking for the Norwich community meal at St. Bart’s.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County has given the church a 20’ by 20’ foot plot to garden while produce from the botanical endeavor will be donated to the local food bank. This will be the first year UMC has organized a community garden and there will be a continuous need for volunteers to tend to it throughout the season. At the same time, there are a few exceptional gardeners already in the congregation who will now have a chance to show off their skills.