It was an altogether different but joy-filled 74th Church Anniversary Weekend this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Despite not being able to gather (and eat) in the ways we are accustomed to for this event each year, we nonetheless came together online and in-person for learning, service, and worship. We are especially grateful to Dr. Brian Blount who led us in learning on Friday night and Sunday morning as well as during our live stream worship. You can find some pictures from the weekend’s events included in the newsletter below. And please be sure to swing by the church office or call to request an official Church Anniversary Facemask if you haven’t already got one!
I also want to take a moment to update you on the progress of our Sanctuary and Ashantilly Wing Renovation. As you can see in the picture above, the installation of new flooring is now nearly complete throughout the entire renovation zone. Lighting, doors, and paint (lots of paint!) are also being installed and applied throughout. In accordance with the master plan, work is now beginning too on transforming the existing chapel space into the new library. When finished the new library will feature lots of natural light, comfortable seating, and shelving adequate to house all the outstanding resources our library contains and serve as a resource both to our church and broader community.
On account of the pandemic as well as several unforeseen issues and delays that have cropped up over the course of this now year-long project, we currently do not anticipate the renovation being fully complete until late January or early February 2021. We will continue to keep the congregation informed as the final timeline becomes clearer in the coming weeks. So be on the lookout for more updates and photos soon. And finally a BIG thank you once again to the members of the Building Committee, Renovation Transition Team, and many others who are working so hard to oversee all the details associated with a project of this size.
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. We will celebrate communion virtually in our livestream service as well as in-person at outdoor worship. Rather than coming forward for communion as is our custom, we will invite attendees to participate from where they are seated using pre-packaged communion packets that will be safely distributed prior to the start of the service. Please know that if you plan on attending the in-person worship this week and would prefer to bring your own elements, that is absolutely okay.
Lastly my friends, in these days when the divisions in our nation and world are on full display, may we continue to find our bearings, our direction, and our courage in the words alone of the One we are so bold as to claim to follow:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
And Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
See you Sunday.
Peace,
