The Church Building's 30th Anniversary

From the "Lifestyles" section of the Friday, October 4, 1996 edition of the Daily News-Sun:

Presbyterians mark 30-year milestone

Celebration heralds ecumenical sharing

By J.J. McCORMACK
Senior staff writer

The spirit of ecumenical sharing on which First Presbyterian Church was built will resound when one of Sun City's earliest congregations celebrates the 30th anniversary of their house of worship.  The anniversary marks the dedication of October 16, 1966, of the church at 12225 N. 103rd Ave., adjacent to Sun Valley Lodge.

Early church members borrowed space in Fairway Recreation Center for their first worship service in February 1963.  Lutherans and Episcopalians lent other necessities such as an organ and communion dishes.

Three and [a] half years later, the church with its signature weather-vane-topped steeple was dedicated.  The 5-acre church site is on 103rd Avenue adjacent to Sun Valley Lodge.

Ecumenical clergy from around the Valley have been invited to a First Presbyterian Church anniversary event Oct. 19 featuring a talk by the Rev. Dr. George Docherty, retired minister of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C.

Besides being influential in Washington D.C. political circles, Docherty was active in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s.  He will share with the ecumenical clergy and is slated to be the guest minister for both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. worship services in First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 20.

The church's 30th anniversary weekend also will feature a dinner banquet on Oct. 19...

To be continued.

Our 30th Anniversary

From the "Lifestyles" section of the October 4, 1996 "Daily News-Sun"

The Memorial Garden Today

The Memorial Garden

From First Presbyterian Church of Sun City 1963-1998, Thirty-Five Years of Spiritual Life:

A Memorial Committee was formed October 30, 1975, to make decisions concerning memorials and to expend funds in consultation with the donor and minister.

In 1992 the Memorial Committee installed the first of the Columbarium units in the area to be called "The Memorial Garden."  The Garden is a lovely area conducive to meditation and reflection, with park benches, trees, shrubs and flowers.

The second Columbarium units were installed in 1996.

Did You Know (Part 2)?

• In December 1963, the Minister of Visitation (Dr. Raymond L. Edie) suggested creating an "associate membership" for seasonal residents and others reluctant to cut their ties with their home churches.  Now known as "affiliates," these members are not able to vote or hold office but are otherwise a vital part of our congregation.
• First Presbyterian is the "parent" church of Faith Presbyterian on Del Webb Avenue in the Phase II section of Sun City.  Their congregation used our facilities in the early 1970's while their building was being erected.
• The University of Life educational programs started in 1976.  The programs are on hiatus for the summer but will continue this fall.
• Our Dial-A-Prayer program began in 1978 and continues today.  Call  623-977-9211  to be led in a recorded prayer.
• In 1988 a new sound system with hearing aid assistance was installed in the Sanctuary.  This system is scheduled to be upgraded as part of this year's anniversary celebration.
• Also in 1988, the church landscaping was changed from grass to xeriscaping.
• The church's first computer was purchased in 1990.

 

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

"Presbyterianism in a wide sense is the system of church government by representative assemblies called presbyteries, in opposition to government by bishops (episcopal system), or by congregations (congregationalism). In its strict sense, Presbyterianism is the name given to one of the groups of ecclesiastical bodies that represent the features of Protestantism emphasized by French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him...The chief distinctive features...are Presbyterian church government, Calvinistic theology, and absence of prescribed forms of worship. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation...

"Presbyterian denominations in the United States have split and parts have reunited several times. Currently the largest group is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has its national offices in Louisville, KY. It was formed in 1983 as a result of reunion between the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS), the 'southern stream,' and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA), the 'northern stream.'

"...As of 2006, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had approximately 2.4 million members, 11,100 congregations, and 14,000 ordained and active ministers."

~From the Presbyterian Historical Society's  A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church in this Country

For more information, visit http://www.history.pcusa.org/history/history.cfm


 

Our Chrismons

Sanctuary tree with Chrismons

Last year, while a group of us were helping Cecelia Schenk decorate the 12-foot tree in the Sanctuary I was enthralled with the Chrismons used to decorate it.  Pastor Davis requested a Christmas tree for our Christmas morning service in Swain Hall this year so the tree was moved there for the season and we were all able to enjoy those very special decorations up close.

Martha Porter shared with me her research from a PW talk she had done several years ago.  Caroline Phelps and Beryl Wehlau, among others, were two who helped create Chrismons at a local church sale.  The Chrismons are all handmade and shaped like ancient Christian symbols.  The name Chrismon is a combination of the words Christ and monogram and is copyrighted by the Ascension Lutheran Church of Danville, Virginia, where they were first created by Mrs. Frances Kipps Spencer in 1957.

Chrismons are always white, gold, or crystal.  White represents the purity of Christ and is also the liturgical color of Christmas.  Gold represents the majesty and glory of God and crystal is for the Holy Spirit.  Their shapes are the familiar fish, stars, circles, triangles, crosses, doves, chalices, etc., and each has a very profound meaning in the Christian faith.  We share empathy with these antique shapes and their messages that have survived so many centuries and yet remain a part of our faith today, especially during the holy Christmas season.

~ Donna Roth