Wesley United Methodist Church

Alexandria District

 Virginia Conference

 Dated: 12 September, 2004

 

 

Summary of 50th Anniversary Year-2004

Addressed To Wesley Congregation in  Year 2054

From the WUMC 50th Anniversary Committee

 

 

Christian Greetings from Wesley’s 50th Anniversary Committee-September 12, 2004

Betty Harris & Judy Ferreria-Co-Chairpersons

Sallie Jackson-Decorations and 50th Banner Design

Gayle Besemer-50th Celebration Memorabilia

Watson Pryor -Remembrance Displays

Rich Inlow Power Point Photo Presentation for 4 April, 2004 Luncheon

Jim Sohn and Charles Anderson-

Anniversary

Events and Activities

This document has been provided to pass-on a summary of the celebration of Wesley’s 50th Year and to list the contents of the time capsule. We also extend on behalf of our current congregation our hope for your health, joy and well being in celebrating  the 100th year in 2054.

We are with you in the spirit of Jesus Christ, 

To God Be the Glory

 

       Wesley’s 50th Anniversary Year Celebration Events

.           During 2003, Wesley prepared for the 50th by expending efforts and funds on a grounds beautification projects which was guided by a comprehensive “grounds master plan”.  Granite stones were donated by a member. These stones were engraved for both the “Righteous Paths” and the Meditation and Prayer Garden” (MAP). In addition, new trees, shrubs and plants were planted and older shrubs were removed.  Special worship services were held on January 18 and April 4 commemorating the first service in Jan of 1954 and the April service commemorated Wesley’s charter Easter Sunday in April, 1954. Each of the 50th services were followed by a luncheon and special guests were invited which consisted of past members and pastors. The 50th Anniversary celebration year  ends on 12 Sep. 2004 with the sealing of the 50 year time capsule, 2004-2054.

Righteous Paths Dedication

Dedicated as the 50th kick-off event of Wesley’s 50th celebration in conjunction with the annual event of celebration Sunday, 2003. Celebration Sunday is the kick-off of the Christian education year and back to school  period. Celebration Sunday. This is a walking area coming into the church and fellowship hall from the small semi circle on the north side of the church. Plants and bushes  had over grown in the center and blocked off the views of the entrance ways to the north side, these were removed to add curb appeal by  giving an open and inviting feel to the north side entrance. The area was opened-up and the “Righteous Paths” area was built to cover a rectangle of partial grass and dirt between the two sidewalks..  

Dedication of Meditation and Prayer Garden (MAP)

The idea for this effort came about as the result of a church discernment and visioning process two years earlier. This vision and discernment was supported 100%; had unanimous support.  Monies to complete the project came from memorial gifts and are recorded in the memorial record book(s). It was decided not to put plaques on the bench and wall because it was considered a distraction from the quiet serenity of the garden. One member suggested the MAP gives us a visual reminder that we need to spend time in meditation and prayer dally in our busy world. We can imagine the year 2054 will be no less busy. It is our hope future generations will also be reminded we need to invest and spend time with God in our inner spirit life.

 New Plantings According to Grounds Master Plan

 Several old shrubs and  plants were removed; new plants were planted around the MAP.   New boxwoods were placed in the front of the church as well as other plants. Four 12 foot blue spruce trees were planted on the north side and the west side of the rear of the church grounds behind fellowship hall. Plantings were placed to form a natural wall separating the residential area and the church large parking area on  the south. Also a partition of trees along the children’s play area was planted.

 

Worship Services

The 18th of Jan worship service celebrated the first worship service 50 years prior held in the original Mount Vernon High School (now the Islamic Academy) just a block to the north from Wesley church. The service was followed by a nice luncheon in fellowship hall.

4 April Celebration Service-Apex of 50th Celebration

This service was conducted by the son of a charter member family. He covered the beginning years well and ask us “if we would buy a brick today”. His meaning being, is our faith and future hope viable in Christ, as was that of the founding families. Our retired music director for 35 years, returned to lead the choir. It was a glorious occasion. After the worship, we went to the prayer garden and planted a spiritual commitment tree. Members of the congregation were invited to place their prayers for spiritual growth around the root ball as a reminder of our need for spiritual growth as the tree grows. We then went to the front of the church and had our group photograph taken. A copy of the photograph is placed in the time capsule. Following these activities we gathered at the Fellowship Hall for a catered Prime Rib dinner enjoyed by all. There was a history display in the first Sunday school room, a power point presentation which ran in a loop showing photographs of past and current years, and world class table decorations. The pre-school had made some outstanding wall paintings expressing 50 years of love and service, showing 50 hand prints. The DS and his wife, the longest serving pastor and his wife and the first serving pastor and his wife attended. We also had several former members  attending and it was as if they had never departed. It was a grand celebration and all seem to be in the spirit of the occasion.

Time Capsule Inventory

Item 1. Greeting and Summary from Wesley’s 50th Anniversary Committee

 

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 11/10/2004

INVENTORY OF ITEMS CONTAINED IN THE WESLEY UMC TIME CAPSULE         

" Summary of the 50th Anniversary Year, 2004 from the Wesley 50th Anniversary Committee"                                                 

 Capsule Inentory                                                     

1965-1966 Budget Submittal (Yellow binding)                                                 

"1979 Wesley Pictorial Directory (Wrightson Tongue, Pastor)"                                                 

"1987 Wesley Pictorial Directory (James Godwin Sr., Pastor)"                                                 

"1991 Church Directory (Text - no graphics, Roy Miller, Pastor)"                                                         

"1993 Wesley Pictorial Directory (Roy Miller, Pastor)"                                                 

"1997 Wesley Pictorial Directory (Teresa Singer Smith, Pastor)"                                                          

"2004 Wesley Pictorial Directory (Walton ""Tony"" Forstall, Pastor"                                                     

"4 sheet protectors with church pictures, including a group photo taken at the 50th celebration on 4 April 2004"                                                

50th Anniversary Banner used in the Fellowship Hall (Designed & Painted by Sally Jackson)                                                    

50th Anniversary Bulletin for the April 4th 2004 celebration (Wesley Chartered in April 1954)                                                  

50th Anniversary Coffee Mug Memorabilia

"50th Anniversary Committee Planning Notes and minutes (Green Loose-leaf Notebook, Betty Harris)"

50th Anniversary DVD (Photos on front of DVD)

50th Anniversary felt Banner used in the Sanctuary (Designed and Painted by Sally Jackson)

50th Anniversary Flame & Cross used at 50th Anniversary dinner

50th Anniversary glass used at the April 4th 2004 dinner

50th Anniversary Guestbook (White book)

50th Anniversary Invitation (2 cream color envelopes)

50th Anniversary Napkin  used at 50th Anniversary dinner

50th Anniversary Pencil  used at 50th Anniversary dinner

50th Anniversary RSVP list for the April 4th 2004 dinner

50th Anniversary Suncatcher Memoralbia

A few pages from our Wesley UMC website http://www.gbgm-umc.org/wesley-va

"Advocate, Virginia UMC Advocate dated August 2004, Provided by Eugene Rudd"

"Alexandria Gazette Packet, August 12 2004 (Wesley UMC 4th Annual Peach Festival)"

Ann's Campaign card

Application and associated papers for increasing Wesley's Pre-School & Kindergarten ceiling from 25 to 75

Banner - Long white banner created by Sallie Jackson that hung on the front of Wesley Church during the 50th celebration year of 2004

Banner from the 2003/2004 Kindergarten Class (Hand Prints)

Banner prepared by the Pre-School Children

"Boy Scout Troop 993 material, September 2004 (Troop 993 is chartered by the Wesley UMM) "

CD - 50th Anniversary graphics in JPG format

"CD ""You Have a Friend"" song written by Gary Denick in 2004"

"Christmas Bulletin December 18, 1988"

"Church Bulletin for our official 50th birthday (January 17, 1954 through January 18, 2004) 5 copies"

Devin Loftus Confirmation Pictures June 2003

Drawings from Pre-School Children

DVD from the 50th Anniversary Celebration

"Fall 2004 Neighbors - Jesus said:  ""Let the little children come to me"""

"Hymnal, The United Methodist Church, Maroon"

"Just for your info - Auto Mart, Traveler, Harmon Homes"

Letter prepared by Bob & Jean Wilson

Letter prepared by Don & Betty Harris

LLBean Christmas 2004 Catalog

Memories from Gus and Joan Beach (including a medallion)

Memories from Linda Broerjes 8/29/04 (small black/white book)

Miscellaneous Clippings and Photos

Newspaper - Mount Vernon Voice (2004 Peach Festival)

Pamela Chace Letter dated October 2004

Pew Bear - May you have the fullness of God's tender loving care -

Pre-School Poster

Pre-School T-Shirt

"Sevenfold Amen music submitted by Jane Colgrove, Music Director/Organist"

"Sheet protector ""Because You Are Sons""  presentation at Wesley on March 8th 1980"

"Sheet protector ""Telephone, Address and eMail Listing"" dated June 10 2004"

Sheet protector with a photo of the Wesley UMC charter service on Easter Sunday 18 April 1954

Sheet protector with notes from out of town persons invited to the 50th anniversary celebration

Social Principles 'The United Methodist Church' 2001-2004

"Song Book, The Faith We Sing; Black "

"Submittals from James L. Sohn, Cheryl (Sohn) Marquardt and Debbie (Sohn) Holt - Including a CD with misc Wesley Information"

"Tapes - Farewell to Pastor Teresa S. Smith, Wesley Celebratiion Sunday, Reverend Tony 6-27-04"

The Alexandria and Arlington Districts of the UMC through local mission outreach….

UMM United Methodist Men (two brown envelopes with contents assembled by George R. West Jr. 2004 UMM President

"UMW ""Expression of Appreciation"" recipe book"

UMW United Methodist Women 1954-2004 Letter compiled by Nora Rudd

Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide for September & October 2004

"Washington Post Newspaper, September 12, 2004 (Wesley Celebration Sunday)"

"Washington Post Newspaper, September 14, 2004 (No special significance to this date)"

"We Are Family, One in Christ (Blue loose-leaf notebook)"

"Wesley Church Bulletin for Celebration Sunday, September 12, 2004 (6 copies)"

"Wesley Newsletters, July, August, September 2004"

"Wesley property Plat, Spearheaded by Darlene Spurlock - Pre-School Director"

Wesley trifold bulletin

"Wesley UMC Fixed assets as of 08/31/2004, Audry Pomerening, CPA and Financial Secretary for Wesley"

"Wesley UMC History taken from our Wesley Website, Sept 2004"

"Wesley United Methodist History, Part II (1980-1990)"

Wesley's 2004 Easter week services & celebrations

 

 Wesley UMC 50th Anniversary committee signatures:

Co-chairperson                        _________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Co-chairperson                        _________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Decorations and Banners          _________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Celebration and Memorabilia    _________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Remembrance Displays             _________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Power Point Photo Presentation_________________________________      ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Events and Activities________________________________                         ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date

Events and Activities________________________________                         ____________
                                                                   Signature                                              Date