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Celebrating Your Church's Anniversary A church anniversary, whether it is the 25 th or the 175 th, is a wonderful opportunity for a celebration. It is a time for looking back to celebrate the church's founding, its history, and its ministry to the congregation and the community. Just as it is a time for reflecting on the past, it is also a time for looking toward the future with renewed vision and commitment. This booklet contains ideas gleaned from a variety of sources that may be helpful as you plan your anniversary celebration. Adapt them to your congregation and its interests and resources. You will come up with many more of your own. More information on all the topics is available from the conference archives. Most of all, have fun! Planning Planning is the key to a successful celebration. :. Start your planning a year or more in advance. Two to three years is a good time frame for an anniversary of 100 or more years. :. Seek the endorsement and support of your pastor. :. Appoint a planning committee, officially endorsed by the Church Council. Select members based on their special expertise, as well as on their knowledge of the church's history. Include a cross section of the membership. :. Choose a theme for the anniversary observance and develop a related symbol or logo to be used on signs, bulletins, brochures, and memorabilia. :. Plan special events throughout the year, perhaps once a month, in addition to the main anniversary celebration. Set dates for these events, put them on the calendar, and keep the congregation informed. :. If you want to have the bishop or district superintendent preach, be sure to extend the invitation well in advance. :. Involve as many members of the congregation as possible in the activities. :. Budget adequately for planned activities. You may want to ask for special gifts to help underwrite costs. Banner If you are asked to bring an anniversary banner to annual conference, you should follow the size specifications provided by the conference, but put your congregation's creative talents to work to produce a banner that is uniquely yours. Make the banner early in the year so that it can be enjoyed by the congregation all year long. 1
History of the Church A published history of the congregation is one of the more enduring ways of commemorating an anniversary. It provides a record of God's work in the life of the church that will be invaluable in the future. It will help the church see its ministry and mission as an ongoing pilgrimage. :. If a history has never been written, undertake the writing of one. :. If a previous history has been published, update or supplement it..:. Be sure to send a copy to the conference archives. Writing a history requires a great deal of research. Church records and historical collections, annual conference journals and files, and local newspapers are just some of the sources you will need to consult. Historical Highlights In addition, the history of the church can also be presented in short articles. :. Write a series of articles for the newsletter or bulletin highlighting various aspects ofthe history of the church. :. Ask former pastors, children of former pastors, older members, children of early members, youth workers, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders to write reminiscences. :. Create a time line that combines personal events with church and local events. :. Reproduce old minutes or pages from early record books. Oral History Oral history interviews capture the history of the church and the individuals who made it in a way that written accounts cannot. This is a challenging task but provides a valuable record. Put your tech-savvy members to work here. :. Schedule interviews with long-time members and former pastors. :. Play the edited interviews as part of family night suppers. :. A DVD of the church grounds with interviews. Exhibits What better time to display treasures than an anniversary!.:. Scour the church archives, and borrow pictures and other memorabilia from members. :. Feature historic photos of the church, former pastors and ministries ofthe church over the years. :. Have everyone bring photos ofthemselves at a specific time period in the life of the church. 2
Worship Services Make worship services an integral part of the celebration. :. Use an historic order of service, perhaps a Wesley service. :. Have an old-time camp meeting, with dinner on the grounds. Members can dress in period clothes. :. Use historic bulletin covers. :. Schedule history minutes during worship. :. Invite the bishop and/or district superintendent to preach. :. Invite former pastors to preach. Music Methodism has a rich heritage of music. And Methodists love to sing!.:. Have an old-fashioned hymn sing. :. Plan a special musical service highlighting hymns of John and Charles Wesley. :. Illustrate changing musical styles by using hymns dating from the founding of your church. :. Hold a concert featuring instrumentalists and vocalists in the congregation. :. Have someone write a hymn for your celebration. Drama Dramatic presentations featuring period costumes and artifacts can enliven your celebration and bring the past to life. :. Have someone write a pageant about the church, featuring events and persons from the life of the church. It might be developed around significant events in community and national history that directly affected the congregation. :. Develop a series of brief skits to be presented throughout the year..:. Develop a one-person dramatic monologue of a historical figure to perform at special events. :. Have costumed historical figures visit Sunday school classes. :. Have a fashion show of dress from various eras. Studies Conduct studies in Sunday school classes and/or at family night suppers on Methodist beliefs and history, John and Charles Wesley, hymns, conference history, and the history of your church. 3
Recognitions Throughout the year recognize special people in the church. :. Founders of the church, both clergy and lay.:. Oldest members.:. Newest members.:. Persons who have entered full-time Christian vocations.:. People who married in the church. Plan a wedding reception featuring wedding gowns and pictures. :. Multi-generational families.:. A person of the month.:. A lifetime member You might create a Hall of Fame to recognize outstanding leaders past and present. Activities for Children and Youth Children and youth should be an active part of your celebration. :. Create a heritage coloring book for children. :. Have children write about what they think life was like in the early days of the church. :. Invite youth to highlight heritage through a puppet show, a poster contest, the making of a banner, or other creative endeavor..:. Ask youth to make a video about a week in the life of the church. :. Enlist young people to help interview members. :. Have children and youth prepare special music for use at an anniversary event. Food Methodists love to eat! Special meals are good opportunities for fellowship and sharing. :. Covered dish luncheons and dinners, ice cream socials, watermelon cuttings, picnics, and dinners on the grounds are popular, time-tested events. Members can dress in period clothes. :. Consider publishing an anniversary cookbook with members' recipes. :. For a covered dish dinner have members use recipes from the anniversary cookbook. If you did not publish one, bring out previous cookbooks and use recipes from them. :. Have a mother-daughter and/or father-son dinner. Ask participants to share what the church has meant to them 4
Homecoming Celebration Have a big bash for your main celebration!.:. Invite all former pastors and associates and their families, out-of-town and former members, local dignitaries, and conference personnel..:. Have a special worship service followed by a reception or dinner..:. Or plan a catered gala evening heritage celebration banquet with speeches, music, and special entertainment. Produce a souvenir program booklet. :. Have a birthday cake! Quilt or Wall Hanging Create a quilt or wall hanging as a permanent reminder of the church's heritage. Each square can represent some phase of the life of the church. One church created a needlepoint tapestry of the Cross and Flame, giving everyone in the congregation an opportunity to place at least one stitch in the tapestry. It was taken to the photography sessions for the church directory, to classes and organizations within the church, and to shut-ins. Babies' fingers were guided through the tapestry. Church Records/Archives Project An anniversary is an opportune time to set up an archives program or to enhance an existing one. :. Survey the church records, decide what to keep and what to throwaway, and organize the records. You may need to have a search party, as some records may be located in out-ofthe-way places.:. Learn how to care for the records. :. Establish a records management policy. :. Set up an archives or heritage room so that records will be accessible when needed and so that artifacts can be displayed effectively. :. Encourage people to donate memorabilia and photographs to the church archives. If anybody has old church records under the bed or in the attic, this is a good time to request that they be returned to the church. Perhaps set up a specific day for items to be brought m. :. Have a picture identification party, enlisting the help of members to identify people and places. 5
Tours Tours are a means of informing the congregation of its heritage. :. Conduct a tour of the church facilities. Have a demonstration of the organ, explain the stained glass windows, show how the facilities have been modified through the years, help members learn about the memorials. Have an old timer tell stories of the past..:. Lead a tour to sites important in your church's history. Visit locations that illustrate how the church has been a part of the community. :. Sponsor a visit to a local museum to view exhibits showing what everyday life was like at the time of your church's founding. :. Tour United Methodist sites in your area. Good publicity will enhance your celebration. Publicity :. Put up a banner outside the church announcing your anniversary and celebration. It will tell your neighbors that something exciting is happening. :. Work with your local newspaper and television station to highlight your anniversary activities, as well as the history ofthe church. :. Publicize anniversary events in the district newsletter and on the conference website. :. Consider asking the mayor for an official proclamation, especially if the church is 100 years old or older. :. Consider applying for an historical marker for which the church might be eligible. Commemorative Items The sale of commemorative items can help finance your project..:. Plates, tiles, mugs, medallions, calendars, car tags, bumper stickers, note paper, postcards, and t-shirts are popular items. A Cat's Meow figure ofthe church is a nice collectible. Other items can be given away. :. A funeral home might be willing to underwrite the cost of old-fashioned fans; put a picture of the church on the front and the funeral home logo on the back. :. Bookmarks and pens or pencils are also possibilities. 6
Outreach A celebration is a good time to consider adopting a special anniversary mission project. :. A United Methodist mission, such as UMCOR or Africa University. :. A conference project, such as the Children's Home, Cornerstone Family Ministries, or East Angola. :. A local mission, such as Habitat for Humanity, a homeless shelter, or a food bank. Spiritual Renewal An anniversary can be the impetus for spiritual renewal within the church. :. Organize small groups for Bible study, prayer, and spiritual development. :. Have a covenant service for the congregation to renew their vows. :. Recommit the church to its mission. Heritage Sunday Heritage Sunday is observed on Aldersgate Day, May 24, or on the Sunday preceding that date. The day provides the church an opportunity to remember the past by committing itself to the continuing call of God. The General Commission on Archives and History suggests a theme each year and offers suggestions for worship services. Celebrate it each year, not just during the anniversary year. Produce a new pictorial directory. Other Ideas Plant a memorial tree or trees on the grounds to recognize the anniversary. Have a work day to spruce up the grounds. Clean out closets and store rooms. Host the local or county historical society meeting and have a member give your church history from the perspective of community importance. Construct a history quiz to use as part of a program. Record the anniversary events. 7
Resources The North Carolina Conference Archives and History Center in the Methodist Building in Garner, NC has further information on the topics in this brochure. The General Commission churches. gcah.org on Archives and History offers many helpful resources for local A useful manual is Guidelines: Church Historian: Remembering Future. Available from Cokesbury at cokesbury.com the Past and Inspiring the Archival supplies are needed for proper preservation of records. Gaylord and University Products offer a wide range of products. gaylord. com and university products. com. North Carolina Conference Archives Methodist Building 700 Waterfield Ridge Place Garner, NC 27529 919-779-6115 800-849-4433 archives-history@nccumc.org August 2014 8
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Fill in the information of this form and mail it to: NC Conference Commission on Archives & History 700 Waterfield Ridge Place Garner, NC 27529 Please send a copy of your church history and information about your Anniversary Celebration Event to the NC Conference Commission on Archives & History at the above address. Church Anniversar!:JCertificate Re9uest form Name of Church --'- Application Date County where Church is located District What Anniversary? (25, '50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200) (Exact number please) MailingAddress For more information about preserving' your local church history contact The General Commission on Archivesee History The United Methodist Church Pastor's Name Pastor's Signature -,- Date Church Began --'- Do you have a Church history written for your church? Whatyearwasitwritten? www.gcah.org or The General Commission on Archives & History P.O. Box 127 36 Madison Avenue Madison, NJ 07940 Has a copy of your Church history been placed in the NC Conference Archives? Name ofcontactperson Address RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: GUIDELINES FOR LEADING YOUR CONGREGATION,2009-2012 CHURCH HISTORIAN: REMEMBERING THE PAST & INSPIRING THE FUTURE, 2009, COKESBURY, ISBN# 978-0-687-64851-1 Phone # Email Date of Celebration of event or presentation of Certificate (Please allow 4 weeks from receipt of application for processing)