Centenary UMC's March Bicentennial Celebration Bob Staples, Chair, "Second Sunday in March Bicentennial Committee" Primary focus: 1826-1846. Thanks Be to God for His Bountiful Blessings! The "Second Sunday in March Bicentennial Committee" composed of Gene Maddera, Annie and Aubrey Mehaffey and Bob Staples … supported by numerous others who helped in very special ways … praises God for His grace and gifts bestowed upon us and our beloved church. Here is a summary of our March celebration activities. We recognize CUMC Administrative Assistant, Kathleen Nuckles and Financial Secretary, Cindy Harding, for efforts "Above and Beyond". Their attention to detail, good nature, and just plain hard work facilitated the work of this committee. Frances Unger prepared a beautiful visual display of relevant documents, photographs and artifacts. This was viewable in the narthex during March and will be on display in Fellowship Hall for the balance of the year. Bob Staples prepared a brief Bulletin Insert describing some historical highlights of our church, city, state and nation during the two-decade period. He used materials researched and made available by Terrell Moseley. The committee planned and conducted a highly successful dual-emphasis worship literature fund-raising project. First, we replaced our King James Version (KJV) pew Bibles with the more contemporary, and United Methodist-consistent, New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). This enabled Centenary to contribute 50 KJV Bibles to the rebuilt chapel in the restored historic City Cemetery and over 100 additional KJV's to Rev. Ron Davidson's Gleaning for the World, to be used in hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast or wherever needed. Our goal was to place 100 NRSV's in the pew racks in the Sanctuary downstairs and a few in the Sanctuary balcony and in the Chapel. We ordered 100 Bibles. As of March 15th, we had received payment for 149. Second, we added two copies of the United Methodist Hymnal Supplemental Songbook, The Faith We Sing (TFWS), to the same pew racks mentioned above. We ordered 150. As of March 15th, we had received payment for 159 copies of the pew version; 20 copies of the choir version; and 1 accompanist version. Donors had opportunity to place Bibles and/or Songbooks Honoring or Memorializing individuals. These dedications were noted on custom-made Bicentennial Book Plates, lovingly produced by Cindy Harding and affixed in books by Ann Harper. The original financial goal for all books was about $3,000. Thanks to book-contributors and to others who gave unspecified gifts, to-date we have received over $3,700. We shall place a second order soon for the balance of the books, New Bibles and/or songbooks were consecrated at a special ceremony during morning worship on March 12th. As Centenary's gift to the community, our committee invited former long-time Lynchburg resident, organist and spiritual music director, Rev. Roger Dowdy, to present a 3:00pm service of song and worship, Evensong Festival of Hymns: the Methodists - a Singing People. Roger, in 18th Century speech and attire, came among us as "a friend of the Wesley's", noting that his program represented "the Real Christian's Spiritual Biography in the Hymns of Charles and John Wesley". He offered prayer, Scripture-reading, organ solos and directed the congregation of about 120 in singing 15 Wesleyan hymns. Many of Roger's friends from his earlier time of serving in Lynchburg churches were in the congregation. We experienced an afternoon of wonderfully warm fellowship. Roger and Janie, his wife, now live in the Richmond area where he serves the Virginia Annual Conference (UMC) through his consultative and training services via CROSS-PATHS Ministries, a company he founded in 1997. Finally, in their very special way, Mary Jane Layne and her cadre of helpers organized, prepared, and served a beautiful Reception in Fellowship Hall for Roger, Janie and all our "Second Sunday" guests. God is Good … Amen!