Port Republic, New Jersey

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  Recognize the emblem on this headstone? It's the iconic badge of the United Methodist Church, founded half a century ago this week. Recognize the alphabet under the names? It's the Hangul alphabet of Korea. It's a reminder that global Methodism, with its roots in the Wesleyan movement of the 1700s, is larger than the United Methodist Church, which was formed just 50 years ago this week. St. Paul's United Methodist Church Cemetery. [2015]

Earth, Texas

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  What planet has the most United Methodists? Earth. What state has the most United Methodists? Texas. The two buried here must have been members of the Earth United Methodist Church located in Texas. In fact, they were probably members in 1968, when the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal Churches took place. [2016]

Guymon, Oklahoma

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  The two states with the highest proportion of United Methodists are West Virginia and Oklahoma. That's why it is not hard to find the flame and cross in these states' graveyards. The Methodist brand was born with the United Methodist Church fifty years ago this week. Elmhurst Cemetery.  [2017]

Ronceverte, West Virginia

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  A half a century ago this week, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to become the United Methodist Church. Today, West Virginia is one of the top two United Methodist states, with just about 10 percent of its population identifying as Methodists. Riverview Cemetery. [2017]

Lamesa, Texas

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church:  With these words two denominations came together on April 23, 1968: "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church." The union took place when the two bishops shook hands in Dallas, Texas. What were the two denominations that came together? Stay tuned. Dawson County Cemetery. [2018]

Rosswell, New Mexico

A Time to Be Born, and a Time to Die:  Chaves County has a DWI prevention program, and it includes an admonition from the Grim Reaper himself:  Every 15 minutes (symbolized by a clock) there is a tragedy or death related to drinking, drinking and driving, or drugs. DWI should never determine anyone's time to die. "Is your life working risking?" South Park Cemetery. [2016]

Toms River, New Jersey

A Time to Be Born, and a Time to Die:  "To well loved to be forgotten." Presumably that means love is timeless. So why is there a clock on the memorial? Time of death? Indicator of his livelihood? "Self Winding Clock Company" is inscribed at the center: a clue to help us solve the puzzle, perhaps. Riverside Cemetery. [2015]

Abbottstown, Pennsylvania

A Time to Be Born, and A Time to Die:  "This memory is as dear today as the hour he passed away. We did our best - God only knows - to save his life. We could not do." Does the clock show the hour he passed away? Mummert's Church Cemetery. [2017]

Norfolk, Virginia

Mistakes Were Made:  No, they weren't. The Misses just changed her mind and decided he had to do it her way. When he died, only the years of birth and death were put on the headstone. Someone, maybe the Misses or maybe the kids, decided that wasn't enough, so months and days were added. Forest Lawn Cemetery. [2014]

Geneva, Alabama

Mistakes Were Made:  Just ask "Floyd," whose names appears (a) not to be "Floy E." or (b) not to have been "Floy E." Take a look: He may still be alive. He would be 109 years young when this photograph was taken. [2017]

Cortland, New York

Mistakes Were Made:  Just ask Mr. Jorgenson Jorgensen. Even though both spellings mean "son of," the correct Danish and Norwegian version is Jorgensen (actually Jørgensen). Changing the last syllable to "son" almost deprives you of your heritage! Both names mean "son of George." Cortland Rural Cemetery. [2017]

Wilmington, Delaware

'The Twelve' and Their Namesakes ~ All Saints:  Be inclusive! That's the mantra of the decade. Why not honor all saints? Why not include both genders (maybe eventually all genders)? The woman is St. Therese of Lisieux. Can you identify the men? There is a clue in the inscription: "Go into the whole world and teach all nations." Think: all nations. All Saints Cemetery. [2014]

Palmer, Massachusetts

'The Twelve' and Their Cemetery Namesakes ~ St. Thomas:  There were twelve disciples (actually more as replacements were necessitated). Why are cemeteries (and churches) named after only three or four of them? Isn't it amazing that St. Paul, not one of 'the twelve' is honored by so many cemetery names? The same goes for St. Michael, St Patrick, and St. Louis. Can someone identify a St. Thaddeus Cemetery or a St. Bartholomew Cemetery? St. Thomas, though, does have his share of sacred space. What accounts for his prominence in the pantheon of saints after whom cemeteries are named? St. Thomas Cemetery. [2013]

Paradise, Pennsylvania

'The Twelve' and Their Cemetery Namesakes ~ St. John:  Peter and John are the two disciples after whom churches and their cemeteries are likely to be named. Roman Catholic cemeteries are more likely to carry the name of St. Peter, and Protestant cemeteries are more likely to carry the name of St. John. Is that statement true? Why has John become 'the rock' on which Protestant Christianity is built? Or, is it St. Paul, not one of the twelve, that provides the foundation for Protestant Christianity? If you go to church here, there is no waiting. You're already in paradise! St. John's United Methodist Church Cemetery. [2014]

Christopher, Illinois

'The Twelve' and Their Cemetery Namesakes ~ St. Andrew:  Peter and his brother Andrew were the first called of the twelve, but it is far more difficult to find cemeteries named after Andrew. Why do some of the disciples regularly and consistently have cemeteries named after them, while others have few or none? Why are so many cemeteries named after Peter and only a fraction named after Andrew? St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery. [2015]

Columbia, South Carolina

'The Twelve' and Their Cemetery Namesakes ~ St. Peter:  It is not surprising that churchyards and religious cemeteries often take the names of the twelve disciples, or at least some of them. Cemeteries are often named after Peter: 'the rock' on which the church was built, 'the first called,' and the first Pope. The mental image of Peter holding the key to the Kingdom is perfect for those imagining the afterlives of departed loved ones. St. Peter's Cemetery. [2016]