In the Interim . . .
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” Psalm 126:3
This is the theme for the church’s 175th Anniversary Celebration on Oct.11. The Hebrews would sing the words of Psalm 126 as they made their way up the hill to the Temple, recalling the time when their ancestors were in exile and could not gather to worship.
That is why it is important for us to meet at Westmoreland Funeral Home parking lot by 10 AM on Oct. 11 and process together up Main Street and then up the hill to the church, celebrating our time of coming together in the midst of pandemic exile. You do not have to decorate your car, but you do need to be in the procession!
You do not have to put yourself at risk. We will still be following safety guidelines, wearing masks and distancing. If fact, once you get to the church, you may choose to stay in your car and listen to the service on AM 1610.
Back when the shutdown began, I shared a story found by Jennings Bryant in Presbytery notes about the chartering of the church: “Travels in these years was difficult and, at times, hazardous. In October, 1845, the meeting of Presbytery was delayed ‘on account of excessive rain and high waters.’ When a quorum finally arrived and the business of Presbytery could be taken up, the organization of the church at Marion … was reported and they …were taken under care of Presbytery’” (Neill Roderick McGeachy, Confronted by Challenge: A History of the Presbytery of Concord, p. 170).
Jennings observed “We may be experiencing a unique and challenging 175th Anniversary year, but even our birthing pains were extraordinary!"
Indeed this church is extraordinary, and the Lord has done great things for us.
I look forward to seeing your processing cars and masked faces on Oct. 11.
Wanda Neely
