50^th Anniversary Celebration

By Peggy Craig

What is a 50^th Anniversary Celebration? It is everything God has done in the lives of Western Hills United Methodist Church for the past half century. It is the faith of twenty families signing a note to build a sanctuary where they could worship. It is a third-grade Sunday School teacher planting a seed in a young boy’s life to pursue God’s work. It is who we are and what we are doing and continue to do here, within these walls, and out in the world. The most frequent comment this weekend was that no matter how many times they move, how many churches they attend, there is no church that can compare to Western Hills. It is home. It is family. It is like coming home again,” said Jackie Sledge.

 

Friday evening’s festivities were filled with squeals of delight, beaming faces, peals of laughter, and enumerable hugs as we renewed valued friendships. The supper provided was an excellent Mexican fare. Everyone enjoyed viewing the display of our book. We cannot thank Victor Mireles enough for all the dedication and hours spent putting it together. We all sang Happy Birthday to one of the original members, Juanita Earl. Throughout the evening Jim Richard’s instrumental trio provided lovely background music for the symphony of chatter that filled the Stewart Family Life Center.

 

The fellowship continued at Saturday morning’s breakfast. A continual slide show of the past fifty years ran in the sanctuary evoking comments like, “Oh, look at so and so, or there’s what’shisname”, or “Who’s that?” More fun ensued. That afternoon the choir members, former and current – young and old - met to rehearse the music for the banquet and for the Sunday service.

 

The beautifully decorated tables and delicious fare for the banquet Saturday evening were just the beginning of a tremendous experience. Lydia Patterson students helped with serving. A string quartet from Franklin High School entertained us during dinner. Larry Ellzey, chairman of the Celebration Committee, kicked off the event introducing his committee, and our pastor, Dr. Mark Alexander. Mark recognized Carolyn Stewart, as this was the fifth anniversary of Grover going home to be with our Lord. We were all filled with gratitude as we remembered the great gift the Stewarts gave in providing the room where we gathered. We also remembered Betty Alexander, who began serving as a member of the Anniversary Celebration Committee, but too went home to be with her Lord in December.

 

Our Master of Ceremonies, David Dodge, introduced our ministers, staff, and former ministers Jack Wallis, and Russell Parchmen and his wife Barbara. Steve Davis and Steve Stanley told of how Western Hills had been important in their lives and now both are ministers of the gospel. Patty and Stanley Culpepper served many years as Youth and “assistant” Youth Directors. Stanley brought down the house relating tales of their service. Clyde and Barbara Stanfield were on the road arriving just before the event ended. Clyde spoke of his nine years as head pastor then received a standing ovation upon completion. Throughout the evening we were entertained by the reunited FourEver His quartet, choir, and A Sound of Praise. When Charles Stanley was asked to speak, he just let the music speak for him – which he does extremely well. Prizes were given to the person(s) who had been a member of Western Hills the longest, Gene Smith tied with Harold Alexander, and Betty and Jim McCann, and who had traveled the furthest, Larry and Judy Hanks – from Florida.

 

The culmination of our weekend was with the two morning worship services intersected with Coffee Time in the Narthex.  Both services were filled with wonderful music, Western Hills style. What a joy to see a full sanctuary! Bishop Max Whitfield delivered the sermons and he challenged us to know who we are, and what we are doing. We are God’s own people. “Fifty Years and Climbing” is not a slogan but a promise that the best is still yet to be!

 

Man thanks go to Jane LaGrone, Mary Bell Haney, Richard Salome, Charlotte Nobles, and all the other behind the scenes workers who made it all happen. Our gracious thanks go out to Jerry and Nancy Roberts for organizing and providing such marvelous hospitality in the Narthex Sunday morning. The food and drink was wonderful!

Books & DVDs in

the Church Office

If you haven’t already got your memory book or DVD, you may pick yours up at the church office.

Coming Home

Western Hills Celebrates 50 Years—April 20-22, 2007

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