It is almost here – our 150th year! Our 150th
Anniversary Committee has been hard at work for months developing ideas and
plans for celebrations spread throughout the year. Co-chairs Laurel Ulrich and
Bruce Tuckerman, along with Melissa Kirkpatrick, Mary Ann Ledman, Deborah
Panell, JJ Rosario, James Short, Dave Williams, Hannah Yelanjian and I are
excited about all the things we have planned!
We’ll begin the New Year very fittingly with a joyful worship service on
Sunday January 1. Norm Weaver will lead us with the scurl of bagpipes as we
process into our Sanctuary for a service that will feature music reflecting our
history. We’ll also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
On Sunday February 26, we will welcome the Reverend Mary Boyd Click as our
preacher and worship leader. Mary Boyd was pastor of our church from 1998 till
2004. It was during her tenure that we undertook a major renovation of our
Sanctuary that has given us the exceptional worship space we have.
On Sunday March 26, author and scholar Dr. Diana Butler Bass will be our
guest. Dr. Bass is one of the country’s leading experts on trends in religion,
with a special focus on mainline Protestantism. She will preach at both
services, teach the Adult Education class, and lead a workshop after the 11:00
am service. She’ll share with us her insights on trends in religion today and
what the future holds for the church. You can learn more about Dr. Bass at her
website: http://dianabutlerbass.com/
The Reverend Dave Snyder will return to our church as our guest preacher
and worship leader on Sunday April 9, Palm Sunday. Dave was pastor from 1980
until 1996, a time of great change in the life of our church.
The Reverend Nancy Jo Dederer will be our guest preacher on Sunday May 7.
Nancy served this congregation as Associate Pastor from 1991 until 2000, overlapping
the pastorates of Dave Snyder and Mary Boyd Click.
We’ll have an especially festive day on Sunday June 25, with worship
outdoors, followed by a picnic and games played over the past 150 years. We’ll
invite others who have served God and this congregation over the decades to
come join us as our special guests.
Hannah Yelanjian created a wonderful logo that captures our history of
faithful discipleship. You’ll be seeing more of the logo and hearing more about
plans and activities throughout the Fall. And then come celebrate!
Joyfully,
Pastor Skip
