CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake Circuit of United Methodist Churches in Lake County announces a special joint service at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in solidarity with sister church Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, whose sanctuary was lost to the Clayton fire.

The special service will take place at Clearlake Community United Methodist Church, located at 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake.

Building on the historic sanctuary began in 1884 and was completed in August of 1885, 131 years ago, though the congregation had been active for many years previously.

The Lower Lake church opened its doors to the many organizations that banded together in the wake of the devastating Valley last year, which also robbed the community of a church fellowship where members found hope, resiliency and healing.

There are seven congregations in the Lake Circuit of the United Methodist Church: Lower Lake, Clearlake, Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, Upper Lake and Lakeport.

Upper Lake United Methodist Church will have a late service following the joint service because it had planned a special musical presentation that could not be changed, and the Lakeport congregation will have its regularly scheduled service because it is a federated church with members not only from the United Methodists but also the Presbyterian Church and Disciples of Christ.

The Clearlake, Lower Lake, Middletown, Kelseyville and Clearlake Oaks congregations will participate only in the joint service with the Upper Lake congregation at Clearlake on this Sunday; however, members from each of the seven congregations will participate in the united service.

The public is invited to join the churches in Clearlake on Sunday as they express grief and find hope.