Memories of Faith
Our Offset 30 Years

This is the history of the first xxx years of Faith, written and published by Joe and Ouida Liber, a married couple who were directly involved in the launch of our church and for whom our fellowship hall is named. The Libers' account of the foundation and growth of Faith demonstrates the energy and mission upon which our church was founded, and records the changes in the structure of the Methodist church since the early 1960s. In this, the story of Faith United Methodist represents the story of many small churches over the past 5 decades. Information technology is a marvelous time capsule and we are pleased to share with you the mission of our founding members, in their ain words.

MEMORIES OF FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Prepared by Ouida and Joe Liber – August 1991

Preface – July thirty, 1991

For many years I have planned to write a book about the history of Faith United Methodist Church. I did not intend for the book to be just a record of dates and events. I wanted it to include enough data, pictures and other papers then that it would stir fallow memories. Thus the reader could relive the joys and sorrows of the early on years and sense the struggles, failures and successes.

 To this end I take been making and saving notes on bulletins and scraps of newspaper; collecting sound recordings, programs, and similar papers: making photographs and colour slides; and building upwardly many memories in my ain mind. Naturally this book will comprise many of my personal memories and ideas. I hope it besides contains yours.

 There is never an ideal time to begin such an undertaking and never plenty time to do the piece of work in a satisfactory manner.

 However, an ideal time to present such a book to our members and former members will exist the Homecoming Commemoration planned at Faith United Methodist Church for Sunday, August 25, 1991. Although that is less than a month away, I accept decided to attempt to put together a history book or pamphlet for that occasion. This will exist briefer than originally planned in order to come across that deadline and may not exist as accurate as I would want.

 PLEASE. if you lot run across obvious errors in events, dates and places. let me know then that the computer data can exist corrected. Perchance at a subsequently engagement, someone else will want to update or expand this history or write their own version.

Irvin S. (Joe) Liber

THE CLERGY

When we think of the clergy we normally recollect of the church pastors. But Bishops and Commune Superintendents are included for they also take an affect on the local churches.

Bishop John Owen Smith, Bishop William R. Cannon, Bishop Joel D. McDavid and Bishop Ernest A. Fitzgerald have served since Faith was organized and in a way have influenced our church. The Bishop's Cabinet makes decisions on assignment of pastors and Commune Superintendents. Our pastors have had contact with them and on occasion our laity have presented their views to the presiding Bishop.

Due to redrawing of commune lines our church building has been in iii districts; Atlanta-Southwest, Atlanta-College Park, and Griffin. TheDistrict Superintendents gave necessary leadership, helped select pastors to meet our needs, and influenced our decisions. Rev. Joseph L. Black was D.Due south. when it was decided to start a new church. He and the district's builders club were instrumental in providing funds for the purchase of the property and structure of our first sanctuary. One-time District Superintendents were:

  • Rev. Joseph Fifty. Black

  • Rev. William C. Bowen

  • Rev. Dumas B. Shelnutt

  • Rev. A. C. Epps

  • Rev. P. Harold Gray, and

  • Rev. James North. Thompson

Nowadays District Superintendent is Rev. W. Melton McNeill. Each pastor was different and brought his ain unique skills to provide leadership in conclusion making, inspiration through worship messages, comfort in times of illness and death, and beloved at all times. Each had a singled-out office in making Faith United Methodist Church what it is today.

  • Rev. James 1000. Varner – May, 1963 - June, 1965

  • Rev. J. H. Allison – June, 1965 - June, 1967

  • Rev. Julian Thompson – June, 1967 - June, 1969

  • Rev. Judson (Jay) Hodges Jr. – June, 1969 - June, 1972

  • Rev. Don C. Nichols (interim pastor) – June, 1972 - August, 1972

  • Rev. Bernard (Bud) L. Harkey – August, 1972 - June, 1975

  • Rev. Ralph W. Watson – June, 1975 - June, 1979

  • Rev. William A. Maxey – June, 1979 - June, 1985

  • Rev. Aleck Thousand. Poolos – June, 1985 - June, 1986

  • Rev. Curtis R. Rivers – June, 1986 - June, 1991

  • Rev. John Dallas – June, 1991 - Present*


WHY Beginning A NEW Church?

Why beginning a new church building? That question has been asked a number of times. Usually the question brings up two other points. Were the founding members a splinter group from another church? Were they disgruntled members of other churches? In the case of Faith U. M. C., the answer to both of these questions is a resounding NO.

Why showtime a new church? Mostly, this is the way a denomination grows. A new church is started with a nucleus of Christians who run across a need for some other church and invite others to bring together them in this venture of faith. Some of the new members will be new Christians, others may exist members of other denominations, some may be members of other churches who have grown lax in attendance and participation, and all the same others may have special problems or needs that a new congregation tin can run into. All are of import to Christ. All have need of a church and a relationship with other Christians. Of such is the household of Faith U.M.C. Population growth is also a reason for starting a new church. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Clayton Canton was one of the fastest growing counties in Georgia and the United states of america. It was recognized by church officials of the North Georgia Conference, Emory University School of Theology, and local Methodist Churches, that new churches would need to exist started to see the needs of the increasing population.

HOW DID IT START?

Three events led to the starting of a new church congregation which became Faith U. Thou. C. The beginning was a study at Emory University which identified areas where new churches were needed. One surface area identified was south of Forest Park and west of Morrow in the vicinity of Vacation Boulevard, Morrow Route and Onetime Dixie Highway. The second result was a search for suitable land by the Commission on Missions at Jones Memorial Methodist Church building. The tertiary was a community religious survey conducted by Morrow Methodist Church and the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church building. The latter had the almost profound effect on starting a new church for it identified Methodists in an area where a new church might be needed. These Methodist were invited to attend a meeting to discuss starting a new church building.

OUR Outset MEETING

The meeting was held in the sanctuary of Morrow Methodist Church on Lord's day afternoon, Female parent's Twenty-four hours, May 12, 1963.

Rev. Joseph 50. Blackness, District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Southwest District, presided. Later a decision was reached to first a new church, Rev. James M. Varner was appointed as pastor of the new congregation in addition to his duties as pastor of Morrow Methodist Church building. The post-obit church officers were elected:

  • Lay Leader---Joe Liber;

  • Stewards--­ J. West. Jones, Ronald Shaw, Jim Wilson, & Jim Yancey; and

  • Secretary---Betty Wilson

Early on MEETINGS AND NEWSLETTERS

The group began weekly prayer meetings in their homes with the first ane being held on Friday night, May 31, 1963, in the home of J . Westward. and Frances Jones. Meetings included scripture readings, a devotional by the pastor (or a visitor, or 1 of the laity), prayers, a review of progress and a business organization and planning session.

Meetings were held in the homes of J. W. and Frances Jones, Joe and Ouida Liber, Paul and Mathalda Cvechko, Jim and Betty Wilson, Bill and Mable Smith, and Rev. Jim and Bettye Varner. Devotionals were given by Rev. Varner, Rev. John D. Maxwell, Paul Cvechko, J. W. Jones, Jim Wilson, and Rev. Roy Hartley. Attendance averaged about 12 and ranged from 6 to fifteen.

A weekly newsletter was started to keep members and prospective members apprised of our meetings, actions and progress. This later on evolved into a monthly newsletter and is at present called Reflections of Faith.

Listed below are some items of involvement from those early on newsletters:

"Jim Wilson will present historical highlights about the Ancestry of the Methodist Movement."

"Ouida Liber read from John Wesley's "Grapheme­istics of a Methodist" and stressed each of the things of organized religion which the Methodist Christian believes."

"Thus, in guild to exist able to telephone call this a "good Methodist gathering" and to have funds with which to SEND THE Proficient NEWS Forth ... the Pastor prompted the taking of an offering. The Secretary reported that $v.08 was received, and will purchase stamps for sending these Minutes with an Invitation to Prospective Members."

SELECTING A NAME

The simply restriction on selecting a proper name was that we would non duplicate the name of any Methodist church within the Atlanta-Southwest District. The thing of a proper noun was discussed at several meetings every bit these portions of the newsletters tape.

The Congregation is pondering and is Praying over a NAME for their new Church.- In seeking GOD'S Will in Prayer, the Group agreed to bring many names and suggestions to this side by side Prayer Meeting... IF 1 of the many names that are suggested seems to spontaneously "grab the sentiment" of the Body IT is to be felt that the Holy Spirit is leading in its adoption... BUT, IF none seems to "stand up out as 'Information technology'" so the Grouping will continue until the follow­ing Coming together.

Bro. J, W. Jones suggested that the NAME of the new Church might be "Ebenezer", proverb that this had been the name of his childhood-church. Bro. Paul Cvechko suggested "Mt. Tabor", telling of his own church building "back habitation." Bro. J. W. Jones suggested "Varner'southward Chapel", just the founding Minister would not hear of such an idea -- with absolute and positive sincerity. The title "Faith Methodist Church" had been used several times as an case and it was listed as a third suggested title. Mrs. Jackie Yancey suggested that the group might consider the title -­ "Philadelphia Methodist Church" and the original Greek meaning of "Brotherly Love" was discussed. Other names discussed were: Good Hope, Trinity, Harmony, Concur, Aldersgate, Sincere, Faithful, Friendly, Gospel, Friendship, Hope, Lighthouse, Venture. It had been agreed be­forehand, that if none of the suggested Names seemed to obsess the wishes of the whole Group, that the affair of a Proper name would exist mail­poned until the next meeting.

Irvin Liber had received a letter from Rev. Joe Black, the D.Due south., which included the Names of Churches in the Atlanta - S.W. -District. The Group discussed the matter of getting a Proper noun and Jackie Yancey asked if the Church building could be called by the name of a Saint. Betty Wilson brought up i of the NAMES which was on the Group's Listing and said she liked the name - Faith METHODIST Church building. Others were in understanding and when Bro. Liber put the question to a vote, it was the unanimous agreement of the Congregation that they designate themselves - Organized religion METHODIST Church.

DENOMINATIONAL NAME CHANGES

Mergers of several Methodist groups on May 10, 1939 resulted in our denomination being known every bit "The Methodist Church building". In 1968, The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form the "United Methodist Church". This certificate attempts to use names that were appropriate at the time. Thus the new church, Faith Methodist, begun in 1963, is the same church now known as Faith United Methodist Church.

ABOUT THOSE DATES AND ANNIVERSARIES

Nosotros met on Mother's Day, May 12, 1963, and decided to organize a new church building. A pastor was appointed and local church officials elected that same day. That same month we began holding prayer and business meetings. Originally nosotros dated our start from that May 12, 1963, date. Therefore, nosotros historic our first anniversary on Female parent's Day in 1964 and began our charter membership bulldoze. Our Certificate of System was issued on June 25, 1964, past Bishop John Owen Smith at the Due north Georgia Annual Conference. Local church officials later decided to use the date on the Certificate of Organization as the beginning of Religion Methodist Church, and to count anniversaries or birthdays from that appointment. We decided to recognize the occasion in some manner every June and occasionally accept a major celebration event. June 25, 1991, was our 27th ceremony or altogether.

Coming together AT THE PHILADELPHIA PRESBYTERIAN Church building

Arrangements were worked out with the pastor and congregation of the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church to allow Faith to see in one of their Dominicus School classrooms on Th nights. This provided the consistency of having a definite place to meet. John and Evelyn Tilghman purchased a minor wooden cantankerous and stand that nosotros gear up each meeting for a worship centre. This cross was later used as a wall ornament in our own first worship surface area and, still later, used past 1 of the children'south Sunday School classes.

It was recognized that Religion needed a Sunday worship service. Philadelphia Presbyterian Church graciously allowed united states of america to hold vesper services at 5:00 PM two Sundays a month. No charge was ever fabricated for our utilise of their facilities.

Two items that were part of our showtime worship or vesper services at the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church remain part of our current worship services: laity assistance in the worship service and intercessory prayer requests. Our founding pastor, Rev. James Varner, wanted the laity to be involved with the worship service and asked the lay leader to assist him. Rev. Varner likewise asked the congregation for prayer requests and these were voiced immediately preceding the prayer. Subsequent pastors have generally followed these same procedures.

With Rev. Varner'due south other commitments, he left the planning of the worship service to lay leader, Joe Liber, and to pianist/organist Jim Wilson. Joe selected the call to worship, opening prayer, and responsive readings. Jim chose the songs to sing and provided other music for the services. Fifty-fifty though Rev. Varner, Joe and Jim worked independently, the diverse elements of the service ordinarily fit together well and complimented each other.

At commencement, nosotros did not have Sun bulletins for our worship services. Pen and ink notes were used by the 3 worship leaders, Rev. Varner, Joe Liber and Jim Wilson, as a format for the service. Later the format was typed but simply the iii leaders had copies. By early 1965, regular bulletin covers (from Cokesbury) were used and the worship format printed forth with the words for the Campaigner'due south Creed, Lord's Prayer, Gloria Patri and Doxology. Details of scripture, hymn titles. etc. were entered on only the copies for the three leaders. By mid 1965, the church directory (listing Bishop. District Superintendent, Pastor, Local Preacher, and church officials) was added to the message but it remained as only a format for the congregation. The bulletin cover featuring Sallman's head of Christ was used for many of our bulletins. Other bulletin covers have been used including several sketches of our sanctuary prepared by members.

THE SEARCH FOR LAND

No firm location had been selected when it was decided to beginning a new church but it was idea that the location might be in the vicinity of Ash Street, Morrow Route, Holiday Boulevard, and One-time Dixie Highway. At that place were several fairly new residential areas, Holiday Hills and Young America, near at that place and information technology was expected that more new homes would be built in that vicinity.

The Atlanta-Southwest District officials helped with the land search merely near of it was left upwards to the members of Faith. We watched newspaper ads and roadway signs and fifty-fifty ran an advertisement in the newspaper. We looked at numerous parcels on Morrow Road, One-time Dixie Highway, Tara Boulevard, and Morrow Industrial Boulevard.

Most land was too expensive. Some was considered unsuitable for a church building. We put some earnest money downwards on a site on Morrow Industrial Boulevard just found that the holding was landlocked and our option expired before we could resolve the affair. Apartment houses now occupy that site. We looked at several sites on what is at present Tara Boulevard, one near the archway to Sherwood Wood Subdivision. Another parcel nearly Battle Creek Road was only near 100 feet deep. Subsequent widening of that road would accept taken upwards a good chunk of that depth.

Things began to fall in place when some of our members were at a ladies night meeting of Jones Memorial Men's Club and sat with a real estate agent, Mrs. Vivian Haynie. She knew about the Nelson property, a tract of vacant land, on Valley Loma Route, SE, that makes upwards most of our present site. Afterward seeing the country, details were worked out to purchase it and the side by side Hatfield property with a small house where the Hatfields were living. This provided the states about xi acres of state, more frontage on Valley Hill Road and a building where we could brainstorm meeting. The Atlanta-Southwest Commune purchased the country for our use at a cost of about $22,000 with Faith contributing about $1,000.

Representatives of Faith United Methodist nowadays a check to one of the two sometime property owners whose land became that of Faith. Identified in this photo are Jim Wilson (far left), Joe Liber (2nd from left), and Reverend Julian Thompson (far right).

THIS Onetime HOUSE

Afterward endmost the land deal, the Hatfield family moved and our members were able to closely examine the business firm. The Lay Leader was unable to run into the business firm on that occasion but received a number of phone calls that evening. The business firm appeared to be in worse shape than we expected and seemed unusable. Members were discouraged. Subsequently inspection proved that the house was not as good as we first idea when we agreed to buy it nor as bad equally we thought at showtime sight. It needed extensive repairs to make it suitable for our needs.

Reverend J. H. Allison standing outside the old house that served as Organized religion's kickoff church building.

Members of the church worked difficult to clean, remodel, and paint the former house. The house had five rooms and a bath. No one room was large enough for the worship expanse. So a wall between two rooms was removed to make a larger room. A raised platform was congenital at one end of this room for the pulpit surface area. The floor was sanded and varnished, and walls repainted. A space heater was purchased for heating.

Remodeling the original building

When remodeling was complete nosotros used the big room for worship and the adult Sun School classroom, the plant nursery and a children's Sunday School class used the other two large rooms and the youth form met in the pocket-size kitchen. Although the edifice was crude by many standards, the members were very proud of it and elated over having our own site and edifice for our apply.

I of the members decided that our edifice had to have a cross on it so he congenital one of woods, painted it white, and hung it above the porch. That cantankerous was saved when the edifice was demolished. Afterwards that cantankerous was repainted red and used in Pat Hussey's Sunday School classroom.

Later, foundation and roof repairs had to be made but the edifice served every bit our only meeting place for over a twelvemonth and continued every bit Sunday Schoolhouse infinite for some other three years. After completion of our educational building in 1973. the old house was no longer needed and was deconsecrated and demolished.

WE MOVE TO OUR NEW SITE

In the Spring of 1966, all was ready and on Apr 12, 1966, we held our start services in the old firm at the new location. There were 17 persons at Sunday School and 31 for the morn worship service. From that time on. all church meetings except a few social events and retreats were held at this location.

Inside Faith'southward original sanctuary, the old homeplace on the loma. 1st Row: Daughter with long pilus TBD; Girl in floral dress TBD; Boy in crimson jacket TBD;2nd Row: Don Wilson, Jr.; Skip (last proper noun unknown); Pam Hawkins; Cindy Helms;3rd Row: Frank Hawkins; Sarah Hawkins; Betty Wilson (now McKinley); Diane Gordon; Woman on far right TBD; fourth Row: Cindy Helms with her youngest child, Cathy; Sara Williams (glasses and pearls); Herb Williams; fifth Row: Johnny Helms; Ouida Liber; Man, Woman and child TBD; 6th Row: Young lady seated in corner TBD; older gentleman in spectacles in front of window TBD; Joe Liber (seated beside entrance).

Members of our earliest congregation included: Herb Williams (far left), Sara Williams (checked clothes), Joe Liber (white hair, red shirt), Ouida Liber (glasses, white coat), Betty Wilson (dark-green dress, belongings cross), Don Wilson (behind Betty Wilson), Don Wilson (back row, sunglasses), Ann Helms (far right).

Nosotros did not accept a piano and a borrowed chord organ was our simply musical instrument.

Jim Wilson, seated at the chord organ, was Faith's beginning organist.

Joe and Ouida Liber with their son Robert, at the chord organ.

The building had many shortcomings. There was no air­ workout and only a pocket-sized fan to help broadcast the air. Paw-held paper fans were obtained from a local funeral domicile and used by individuals to keep cool. In the wintertime, the floor was and so cold that ladies brought rugs or bathroom mats and wrapped their feet in them. An elusive leak in the roof permit rain water baste from the ceiling light in the nursery classroom. The floor in the kitchen gave fashion and had to be re-braced and partially replaced.

A TENT REVIVAL

Our kickoff revival was held in October, 1966. It was decided to have an old fashioned tent revival because there was not enough room in the church building. Nosotros rented tent, chairs. and a platform. We borrowed Donna Liber's piano. Rev. Robert Ozment, pastor of First Methodist Church in Atlanta, agreed to be the revival preacher; and Rev. George Holden was the song leader.

We had good crowds including persons living in the area and visitors from neighboring churches. Nosotros had cracking singing and preaching and great fellowship. Ane person, Ellen Florence. joined Faith as a event of the revival. Later her husband, Bill. and several of her neighbors joined.

It rained one night and church building members had to get shovels and ditch effectually the outside of the tent to keep the water from pouring into the tent and effectually the congregation's feet.

Before the last night, church leaders had met to discuss how much we should pay Dr. Ozment. No arrangements had been made ahead of fourth dimension. Nosotros couldn't beget much but wanted to show our appreciation and did come up with a monetary souvenir for both the evangelist and song leader. Just before the last meeting started, Rev. Ozment handed our Lay Leader a bank check for $1,000.00 to be used towards a new building. New car sticker shock is balmy compared to the Lay Leader's and the members' shock at receiving this gift. This in essence was the outset of a fund for our starting time new building. our sanctuary.

A WEDDING TAKES Identify

One of the immature ladies in the church, Diane Gordon. became engaged and wanted her wedding in the quondam house that was at present our church. A massive effort took place to clean up the building and grounds for the occasion. No church tin match the radiance of a helpmate on her wedding ceremony day but Faith Methodist Church looked nice and was attractively decorated for the marriage of Diane Gordon and Randy Rogers. More than 70 persons attended the wedding. Too many for all to become into the church building so some stood outside on the porch about the open door. A reception was held in the customs room at a bank in Forest Park.

Faith's first Helpmate (Diane Gordon, center correct) and Groom (Randy Rogers, center left), with founding members Jim Wilson (far left) and Betty Wilson (far right) – Betty is Diane's female parent!

THE Kickoff SANCTUARY

The Commune and Conference had promised united states of america a little money to be used for our first permanent building. Nosotros hired William Haynie as our contractor/builder. Although we discussed plans nosotros did not take any blueprints or drawings. When we asked Mr. Haynie what the edifice would exist similar he usually said something like, "It will be just what a fiddling frame church should be." In the edifice procedure Rev. Julian Thompson realized that we had provided for a small porch, but no vestibule. Nosotros agreed to eliminate the porch and employ that area for the entrance hall. Nosotros used a licensed electrician for the electric work and a church building friend, J. W. Jones, and our members helped run the conduit and cables and installed the lighting fixtures.

The new church (on right) begins to have shape next to the house that served as the original church building.

For a curt time there were two church buildings, new and former, at the front of our belongings.

The sanctuary was completed in Dec, 1967. The first event held in the new sanctuary was the children's Christmas Program and Party on Dec 21, 1967. The congregation had decided to help some needy families and some of these children were present. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on December 24, 1967.

The sanctuary was dedicated to God in a special service on Lord's day, May 12, 1968, exactly v years after the decision to commencement a new church building.

PARSONAGE

At first nosotros had no need or funds for a parsonage. Rev. James K. Varner was housed in the parsonage of the Morrow church since that was his primary assignment. Rev. Herman Allison lived in a habitation provided for a retired minister and Rev. Julian Thompson had his own dwelling. Somewhen it became evident that a parsonage was needed. On May 25, 1970, a brick and frame house at 754 Huntingdon Drive, in Sherwood Forest subdivision was purchased for the parsonage. The district provided funds for a sizable downwards payment and Faith borrowed the rest and made monthly payments until the loan was paid off in 1990.

EDUCATIONAL BUILDING

About from the start information technology was known that nosotros needed a Lord's day School or Educational Building. This came to a reality in 1972 and 1973. The Building Commission, chaired by Betty Wilson held many meetings to discuss what was needed, type of construction. and financial plans. Somewhere in the discussion stage. it was decided to place the Educational Edifice nigh the heart of our belongings and movement the sanctuary to a spot side by side to the new building. Betty drew upward a floor plan, a price estimate was prepared, and $25,000 borrowed for construction. On June 24, 1972, the footing­ breaking ceremony was held and construction begun. The contractor, William Haynie, did the main portion of the building, that is, foundation, floor, concrete cake walls, roof structure and roof. Divide contractors were hired to practise the electrical work, plumbing and heating. Church building members put up the inside wooden walls for the classrooms, hung the inside fluorescent lighting fixtures, installed the ceiling grids and panels. put in the ceiling insulation, and did many other jobs to complete the building. Gene Hussey, Chairman of Trustees, was the mastermind behind much of this work. The building loan has been repaid.

Once Liber Hall was complete the new sanctuary was moved from the street down to its present day location on the north side of Liber hall.

Past activity of the Administrative Lath, the building was named "Liber Hall" in honor of Ouida and Joe Liber. The corner­ stone was laid and the building was consecrated to the Glory of God in a special service on Sunday, April 11, 1973.

THE BIG SNOWSTORM

Every effort was made to complete the educational building in time for a Sub-commune meeting of the Youth Fellowship at our church building on Sunday, January 8, 1973. All was in readiness that Sunday merely the heating. The heating contractor worked Sun afternoon and got the heaters operating. But the atmospheric condition did non cooperate.

Report from WAGA Tv set Aqueduct 5 on the worse ice storm to hit Atlanta in a century.

In the afternoon, a snow storm began and the forecast was that the weather would get worse. Information technology was finally decided to cancel the evening's program. Many of our own members were already at the church at that time completing final infinitesimal preparations for the dramatic program. On the way home, Joe and Ouida Liber stopped to buy gasoline at the service station on Old Dixie Highway near the I-75 interchange. They noticed many law cars at the archway ramp to I-75 and found out that the snow storm had moved up from the South and that I-75 was blocked from this signal due south. Many motorists were stranded. Motels and camping grounds were full. After arriving home and a few telephone calls to other members, it was decided to open up the new educational building to stranded motorists. While some of our church folks fabricated sandwiches and other snacks, others kept the building open, and a shuffling procedure began, finding stranded motorists at filling stations along Tara Boulevard and leading them to the church. 1 family parked their motor habitation in the parking lot and plugged into the electricity inside the building. A group of students en route to Florida had bedrolls and slept in some of the rooms. Others sabbatum up all night talking.

STARTING CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

Lord's day Schoolhouse Morning Worship and weekly Prayer Meetings: We started these activities when we moved to our site on April 12, 1966. Omnipresence ranged from ix to 40 the remainder of that yr with an average of xviii. At the aforementioned time, attendance at the morning worship service ranged from 8 to 44 with an average of nineteen. The highest attendance occurred the weekend of the tent revival. Prayer meetings omnipresence ranged from 6 to 14 with an boilerplate of 7.

United Methodist Women: In May, 1965, the women of the church organized a study grouping and began coming together in their homes. On November 5, 1967, these women organized a unit of the Women's Society of Christian Service with 7 members. This group is now called United Methodist Women and is agile in mission piece of work. They sponsor flea markets and broil sales to finance their projects.

United Methodist Men of Faith: Jones Memorial's Men's Gild invited the Faith men to join them for their meetings. This nosotros did for several years. On February 19, 1971, twelve men of the church met and organized the United Methodist Men's Club. The name was later changed to Men of Religion. The Atlanta-Southwest District and its successor, the Atlanta­ College Park District held an almanac Men's Rally with outstanding inspirational speakers. Omnipresence awards were presented and Organized religion won many of them for having the highest percentage of church membership at the rally. At beginning a rotating trophy was used and when all the space for listing the winning church was filled upward, Faith, having won the trophy about frequently, kept it. It frequently sits on elevation of the coke auto. At other times, plaques were awarded and those we won are displayed in the hallway of Liber Hall most the kitchen.

Youth Fellowship: The United Methodist Youth Fellowship was formed in the summertime of 1971. Our youth have been active in local, district and briefing activities and are a vital part of Faith. In add-on to their Sun evening meetings they have participated in many activities of the church. At retreats they took part in worship events that impressed the adults. They have held their ain fund raising events and contributed generously to church projects. Ane example of this is their paying for the materials used for the covered walkway connecting the Sanctuary and Liber Hall. They have held slave sales (ane), auctions, motorcar washes and other fund raising events. One of the most pop is the Halloween Fun Trail. It was started, not so much every bit a fund raiser, but as a project to provide Halloween fun for younger children who would be too frightened if they attended haunted houses and other such activities that are keyed to teenagers and young adults.

United Methodist Children'southward Fellowship: In contempo years a Children's Fellowship group under the direction of Janice Christopher and Linda Pollok has been active. In addition to the Sunday evening programs, field trips and social outings are held.

Children and Youth Choirs: At diverse times during our history nosotros have had children and youth choirs. Recently Rev. Angela Gilreath-Rivers had great success in restarting the children'south choir, teaching them the fundamentals of music and worship, helping them with keyboards and other musical instruments, and presenting music for our amusement and worship.

OUR Tenth BIRTHDAY Commemoration

Our tenth birthday celebration was our first elaborate 1. Information technology was held on Sunday, June 23, 1974. I do non think who planned information technology. I exercise recollect the surprise, joy and beauty of the occasion.

The sanctuary was gaily decorated for a altogether celebration. A large "HAPPY Altogether" banner was on the front wall. Red and white crepe paper streamers and colorful balloons hung from the ceiling. The offering plates were replaced with ii boxes wrapped in white paper and red ribbons to wait similar altogether presents.

Rev. Bud Harkey was our pastor and was assisted that twenty-four hours by Stiles Cobb. Many of our members were involved in the celebration. Sam Vining was the organist and Grace Jones was the acolyte. Joe Liber welcomed the congregation. Herb Williams read the scripture. and Linda Hearn gave the morn prayer. Oreta Hinaman told the children's story. Melinda Cobb, Cindy Helms. and Debbie Hearn provided special music.

Eight big banners had been made depicting Christian themes; two for each of the iv liturgical colors (white, blood-red, imperial and greenish). Afterward these banners were used in the sanctuary by hanging the two with the electric current seasonal color on the front end wall of the sanctuary and remaining ones on the side walls.

SANCTUARY REMODELING

In 1982 it was decided to expand the sanctuary. Worship services were moved to Liber Hall while the work was achieved. Members and friends donated approximately $30,000 to aggrandize, remodel and refurbish the sanctuary. Sara Williams was one of the driving forces behind the financial and memorial effort. Many items were donated in memory or honor of loved ones. Factor Hussey, Chairman of the Trustees, and Bill Millican our "resident contractor" were in accuse of the structure phase. The expansion provided additional congregational seating and more space for the altar area, piano, organ and choir. New pews and other furniture, carpeting and stained glass windows were added. Work was completed and the worship service returned to the sanctuary in October,1982. The beauty of the sanctuary makes an first-class setting for worship services.

WE TELL THE BIBLE STORIES IN MANY WAYS

Of course, the biblical stories and gospel message are told in Dominicus School classes and in the worship services. Lesson plans and sermons echo erstwhile stories and bring the states new ideas virtually biblical characters and teachings. Sometimes new insights are gained by special presentations.

Children's Christmas Programs held annually since 1967 have included a dramatic presentation past skits or tabloids and narration to tell the Christmas story and its meaning.

Esther - A drama: Oreta Hinaman. a member of our Youth Fellowship. wrote a play based on the biblical volume of ESTHER. Our Youth Fellowship decided to present this play for the Sub-district Fellowship which was to meet at Organized religion in January, 1973. An unusual snow storm prevented the program from existence presented on the scheduled date. It was presented later at Faith and also presented for the evening worship service at the Morrow United Methodist Church building.

Puppet Shows: Betty Wilson's Lord's day School class staged a puppet show to tell the biblical account of Pentecost and a story about John Wesley. This evidence was presented as role of the evening worship service. The class used a big cardboard box to make a boob theater and the program was staged in the fellowship room of Liber Hall. Later, Pat Hussey's grade made a wooden frame for a puppet theater and put on a bear witness. Sara Harkey and Janice Christopher also actively worked with creation of puppets and puppet shows.

Radio News Report: One pastor had Tommy Helms and Joe Liber stage a Pentecost scene in the vestibule as a radio news circulate. Subsequently a brief time of confusion, "Peter" used scripture ideas from Acts to explicate to the news reporter what was happening. The pastor used that scene as a basis for his sermon.

Music: has often been used to tell the special stories of Easter and Christmas. Our musical directors, Larry Martin, Dan Doeden, and Kay Ariel, take worked with the developed choirs to present some of the nearly beautiful cantatas. Selections from these cantatas take been used every bit special music for our worship services.

Mock Trial: Gene Hussey and the Genesis Sunday Schoolhouse grade came up with the idea of presenting a mock trial along the idea of "If you were accused of existence a Christian, would there be enough bear witness to convict you?" The script was written by the members of the Genesis class. Experts in the legal profession, Judge Stephen Boswell, Commune Attorney Robert Keller, and Attorney Crandle Bray, took the major parts in the "trial". The functioning was staged in the Sanctuary and was well received past the large audition.

Living Last Supper: Dan Doeden returned from his military bout of duty in Germany with an thought for a Holy Week program, "The Living Terminal Supper". This program featured Jesus and his 12 disciples at the Last Supper. A narrator explains events leading up to the result. Each of the disciples told most their meeting Jesus and how information technology had affected their lives. Jesus serves communion to his disciples and then communion is served to the congregation. The program was presented several years. Sara Williams and Pat Hussey served as narrators and Kay Ariel and Dan Doeden presented special music.

Tape Ministry building: For awhile nosotros had a tape ministry with audio tapes being made of the Sunday morning worship services. Copies were made on Monday and the tapes mailed or delivered in person to shut-in. One couple said that they listened to the tape the day they received it, then played it again at 11:00 AM on Sunday so they worshipped with a tape at the same time our worship service was being held. One pastor used the tapes and then a relative could make a typewritten copy of his sermons. Barbara Peacock fabricated and sold craft items to assist pay for the record ministry building program.

REMEMBERING OTHER EVENTS

Bazaar at Greenbriar: The ladies made Christmas items and decorations and sold them at Greenbriar Shopping Mall.

Spaghetti Dinners: Starting in 1973 our United Methodist Hen have held a Spaghetti Dinner each fall every bit i of their money raising projects. At kickoff a group of men cooked the spaghetti sauce ahead of fourth dimension. Then Lyn Craig took over this chore. Linda Doeden prepared it one twelvemonth, Ilene Yancey did it several years and one year some of the men prepared it. The recipe has at present been standardized and provides a tasty meal. Sam Vining often donated the spaghetti and other donations take helped this be a good fund raiser for the Men of Faith projects. The United Methodist Women broil and sell desserts at the Spaghetti Dinner and this provides funds for some of their projects. The1991 Spaghetti Dinner fix for September 28th is the 19th almanac event.

Fall Festivals and Arts and crafts Shows: For several years a Fall Festival was held in conjunction with the Spaghetti Dinner. Various grouping inside the church building and organizations outside the church were invited to put upward booths, tables, displays, games and amusement. I of the most colorful of these festivals was the i Pat Hussey chaired in 1976, our country'south Bicentennial. Some of the displays like the ane selling Bicentennial tags was colorful and many of the girls and ladies were dressed in colonial dresses.

Some of the booths and tables over the years included jewelry, Christ Time watches and clocks, cake walks, games of skill, Christmas decorations and gifts, and various arts and arts and crafts items. One year the festival was limited to arts and craft items. Another yr virtually all of the activities were sponsored past our church members or church organizations and their income was over $one,000. It has become increasingly difficult to detect someone to spearhead the Autumn Festival and to notice booth entrants, and then this event has fallen past the wayside.

The Birthday Calendar: It is almost impossible to keep upwards with birthdays. Nosotros tried putting them in the church newsletter each month but didn't always have room. And almost ever, someone'southward name was omitted. We started a Altogether Calendar or Birthday Message Board in Liber Hall and this has proven to be an attention-getter. Rose Saxon started it, then Janice Christopher took it over, and now Stacey Mattox is doing it. Each calendar month, a affiche or display is made showing who is having a birthday that month and the appointment. Some of the ideas used include names and dates on hearts for February, or on shamrocks for March, and special decorations such equally flags for July and Independence Day.

Church-wide Birthday Celebration: The congregation of Organized religion United Methodist Church, Riverdale, celebrated all birthdays at a gigantic altogether party on January 24, 1988. Scrap and Donna Nettleton, developed and family coordinators, were in charge of party plans and arrangements.

The fellowship hall was gaily decorated with a balloon tied to each chair, wall decorations, streamers and "Happy Birthday" banners. Party hats and noise makers were given to all persons equally they arrived.

Twelve tables were gear up, one for each calendar month of the twelvemonth, with a cake and tabular array decorations advisable for that calendar month and its season. All persons having birthdays in a given month sabbatum at the aforementioned table. A sandwich and salad supper was provided. Rev. Curtis Rivers gave a devotional about living in the presence of Christ, the light of the world.

Subsequently amusement, candles on all the cakes were lit, the room lights turned off, and everyone sang Happy Altogether. And then the cakes were cut and ice cream served. It was a grand evening of fun and fellowship.

Choir Dinner Theaters: Many fund raisers have been used over the years. Some of the almost entertaining have been the Adult Choir'southward Dinner Theater programs held in our fellowship hall. The start i was held on August 26, 1989, and featured music from 50 years of Broadway plays and musicals. Our music director, Kay Ariel, was in charge of the musical portion of the programme and Pat Hussey and others in accuse of the repast. In improver to singing, choir members served the meal.

The plan opened with a fanfare and the choir coming into the room from the hallway equally they sang Lullaby of Broadway. The singers roamed nearly the unabridged room as they sang. Some numbers were performed on the phase, others in front end of the stage, and others as singers mingled with the diners.

The 1991 Dinner Theater on May eighteen, 1991, featured music from the 1950'due south.

OTHER THINGS YOU MAY Recollect

Some of you worked difficult to plan and behave out special events for the church. Many of you served in leadership positions or on committees or performed many tasks. Others of us may accept been merely on the receiving end, enjoying the music, the preaching, the dramas, the entertainment, the decorations, and the nutrient. Do you recall these:

  • The many years that Herb Williams served as liturgist and as Chairman of the Administrative Council with his excellent ideas, leadership and soapbox.

  • Musical programs by:

    • The Candler Choraliers

    • The youth groups traveling through Georgia

    • Don Wilson's guitar playing and singing.

    • The cantatas past our own choirs.

    • Rev. Bud Harkey singing "The Woman at the Well"

    • The many special solos past our own members:

      • Jim Wilson singing "The Lord's Prayer"

      • Barbara Peacock singing "He Touched Me"

      • Dan Doeden'southward "Little Chantry Boy"

      • Scott Benson'due south "I Believe"

      • The beautiful music of the Ariels equally a family, every bit groups and as individuals

      • Instrumental music by Jim Wilson, Sam Vining, Linda Doeden, Kay Ariel and Judy Blake

      • The musical program Claude and Paula Herbert arranged past the Children for Christ Choir from Shoal Creek Baptist Church. They swayed with the music and set our hands clapping and our hearts rejoicing

    • The human being Christmas trees (Diane Gordon and J. W. Jones) at our showtime Christmas party at the mobile home park.

    • Stan Hearn receiving his Eagle Sentinel Award, our get-go member to earn this rank.

    • When our church was used as a staging area for Operation Christmas and the distribution of food, clothing, toys and other items to needy families in Clayton County.

    • The many dramatic programs that were staged in Liber Hall with scenery designed and constructed by Cindy Helms, Linda Pollok and others.

    • Our "cold turkey" visitation programs and distributing circulars in neighborhoods about the church.

    • The parties we held for special occasions such as Valentine's Twenty-four hours, St. Patrick'southward Day, Halloween and Christmas. The many horrible and odd characters that show up in Oct.

    • The difficult piece of work and planning by Janice Christopher and Chip Nettleton to nowadays our summer programs of Enchanting Tuesdays for the children and Wonderful Wednesdays for the youth.

    • The skilful tape keeping of Sara Williams during the many years she served every bit our fiscal secretarial assistant.

    • The Children's bulletins prepared by Janice Christopher and Deborah Reagin.

    • The many revivals, retreats and special spiritual programs especially the healing messages of Rev. Barbara Brokoff.

    • Liber Hall overrun on Mon nights with children and youth equally the Male child Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies utilise our facilities.

    • The Womanless Weddings... The Singing Midgets... The Lip Sync show... The annual visit by Santa Claus... The luminaries lighting our driveway on Christmas Eve... The Christmas star atop Liber Hall... the Easter Egg hunts.

    • The Poinsettias and Lilies that have adorned our sanctuary at Christmas and Easter times.

    • The many ways nosotros take received communion, including the fourth dimension in Liber Hall when we took communion 12 persons at a fourth dimension at a long table, reminiscent of the time of the Last Supper with Jesus and his 12 disciples. And the time in the sanctuary when nosotros all stood and formed a cantankerous with the top in the altar area, the cross arms in front of the altar rail, and the rest extending downward the aisle into the vestibule.

    • Jim Wilson carefully watching over our finances and expenditures and maintaining fantabulous treasurer's records.

    • Church-wide workdays with the men, women and youth of our church wielding brooms, mops, paint brushes, hammers, saws, trowels, and other tools to lay sidewalks and repair, make clean and paint furnishings, equipment and buildings.

    • Special Holy Week services for Maundy Thursday, the Seder meal, the Tenebrae or Service of Shadows, and our own Easter Sunrise services.

    • Besides many overnice and interesting things have happened to include them all in this booklet. It is hoped that those that were included will stir your memories and help you think other happy times.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER Support

In improver to financial support past the District and North Georgia Conference, Jones Memorial, Morrow, and Jonesboro Methodist Churches provided financial support to Faith during our early years. Lighting fixtures, folding chairs, pews, song books. hymnals and other items were donated by friends. Sunday School classes and other churches. To all who contributed in any style, nosotros are eternally grateful.

It TOOK EVERYONE

The Bible indicates that "unless the Lord build the house, they that build information technology labor in vain." At times, nosotros may have felt like we were trying to do it all alone. Ane member expressed the idea that the commune probably hoped we would dry out up and blow away. The progress made over the years. the ministry building to those in need. and the prospects for the future all betoken that indeed the Lord has had a hand in edifice Faith United Methodist Church building. We hope and pray that is true and that the Lord volition proceed to lead us in service to Him and His kingdom.

Many friends have helped build Faith only the primary workers accept been those that have been members of Organized religion and the congregation of Faith supporting the church with their leadership skills, their attendance, their gifts, and their prayers.

Cypher STAYS THE Same

Many changes in facilities and activities take place over a period of time. We started with prayer meetings in our homes, then held weekly prayer and business organisation meetings at the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, then Sunday afternoon vesper services twice each calendar month. When nosotros started meeting on our ain property we had Lord's day School, Sunday morning worship services and weekly prayer and business meetings. As the needs and capabilities grew, so did our programs to include Youth Fellowship, United Methodist Women, Men of Faith, and Bible Studies. The Valley Hill Homemakers and Boy and Girl Scout units use our facilities for their meetings and activities.

Liber Hall has seen many changes: a stage was added; storage rooms were added on each side of the stage; at starting time there was no ac. and so window units, and later primal air; a infiltrator alarm system was installed; a large storage room added on the back; cabinets installed in the kitchen; the habitation electrical range replaced with a commercial gas range; and wooden outside doors replaced with metallic ones. The choir room, office and plant nursery were moved to accommodate needs. We can expect many more changes in the futurity as we grow spiritually, expand facilities, and change or add together programs to minister more than finer to the community and tell the story of Jesus Christ and salvation.

IMPACT

It is impossible to indicate the affect that Religion United Methodist Church building has had on individuals and the community. Ideas and lives accept been changed. Troubled souls have plant new hope and significant in their lives. Strangers have been welcomed and found new friends. Others have learned more well-nigh the Bible and its teachings. Many have rededicated their lives to the Master.

Three members of Religion have entered the ordained ministry building. Rev. John W. Tilghman. Jr., one of the lease members entered the Methodist ministry in 1964 and is at present a Baptist minister. Rev. Stiles Cobb, a pastor in the Assemblies of God denomination, became a member of Faith and in 1974 decided to become a United Methodist minister. He is now an ordained minister serving in the North Georgia Conference. Rev. Glen Tieman entered the ministry building in 1979, studied at Emory University, and returned to his home state of Illinois to begin his ministry building.

Information technology is our hope and prayer that all who take entered our doors accept been blessed. For some, Faith U. M. C. was their last church building domicile before parting this life.

Information technology is difficult to discover words to describe the members of the congregation of Faith. Loving, kind, friendly, willing, capable and many other terms come to heed. But mayhap the words that depict the congregation best are loving, caring concern. This has been demonstrated over and over in so many ways… participation in projects that aid others, financial back up of worthwhile causes, contributions to missions in many means, assist to needy families, visits to the sick and the shut-in, nutrient after a family member has been hospitalized or a death has occurred, prison visits, and condolement for the bereaved. Equally Jesus said. "Inasmuch as ye have washed it unto one of the to the lowest degree of these my brethren. ye , have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:twoscore KJV)

It is impossible to listing all the things that have meant then much to us in the past. Nor is it possible to remember who provided the ideas and incentives or provided the piece of work for each activity. Suffice it to say. that if y'all are now or ever have been a member of Faith, or if you worshipped with us or participated in our activities; then you lot have been a vital function of the history of FAITH UNITED METHODIST Church building and the KINGDOM OF GOD.

Context

(1) A problematic term (afterwards discontinued) for youth piece of work-for-rent events.