Methodist minister uses unusual methods
CRANBERRY TWP — The Rev. Jay Langley of the Dutilh United Methodist Church likes to give his congregation a few surprises by using real-life examples to emphasize his messages and teachings.
During the Easter season, he used the television show "American Idol" to critique the performances of the service, including the choir.
On Easter weekend, when many churches are decked out in flowers, to start the service, everything was black and somber to start.
Langley began by announcing a death, the death of Jesus.
Someone in the crowd, answered that he was not dead, but in fact, alive, and the church was instantly transformed from darkness into a bright, vibrant place complete with the flowers associated with the Easter season.
Most recently, he enlisted the services of the Cranberry Township Police Department to reinforce safety issues in and around the township.
Langley, in his first seven months as the church's senior pastor, has frequently surprised the congregation of nearly 1,000 members with such events such as the police visit to reinforce real-life messages.
"In Cranberry, we're known for our aggressive drivers," Langley said. "We're trying to make an impact on the number of accidents, especially on Route 19."
The reminders from the pulpit began on Palm Sunday and were reinforced with the appearance of township police cars May 6. The reminders included stopping at yellow lights rather than trying to beat the light and never running red lights.
"I asked the police to stop by for a few moments before the services began to reinforce a safety issue I addressed from the pulpit, and this is warning drivers not to run a yellow light," said Rev. Langley. "I'm concerned for my congregation's safety as well as that of all other drivers.
In the township, I've noticed too many drivers pushing to get through a yellow light.
"Yellow lights are four seconds. You're not going to make it. (By stopping,) you're only giving up 20 to 30 seconds," said Langley. The traffic safety talks also had a spiritual message tied to them.
"We found a huge response. Many people have said that they have changed their driving habits," said Langley.
The congregation joined Langley and associate pastor Rev. Tony Fallisi in a special prayer for the safety and well-being of Cranberry Township policemen and all law enforcement officers.
