Advent Devotional 2009 ~ Introduction
Dear Church Family,
The Advent Season is upon us and we will all gather together in a few short weeks to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The church is a very busy place during Advent as we prepare to greet Him. I particularly enjoy the Christmas Eve Services when families are all together listening to the story of Christ's birth. The young, old and all in between reunite to sing familiar hymns and hear His word. This is a tradition that has taken place at Southside Untied Methodist Church for many years.
This year the Advent Worship Team asked our patriarchs and matriarchs to search their memory banks for reflections of our church and their lives in days gone by. As I read their reflections, I realized that while much has changed, much more is the same. We are still a church that cares deeply about our faith, our church and our families. We make sure that our children are involved in activities and as members we take our commitment to our church very seriously.
Please enjoy their memories and make sure that this Christmas Season you are making some memories of your own here at Southside United Methodist Church.
Tracy Langley Advent Reflection ChairTable of Contents
November 29 Chauncey LeverWhen did it all happen?
A Timeline of Church Facilities
Kim Rinaman
Church Facility development at Southside has consistently followed congregational members' need for sharing worship, faith, witness, program, and a community of love and commitment.
1940 - Purchase of land for New Church 1950 - Occupied our First Unit Multi-Purpose Facility 1952 - Additional land purchased at the point 1955 - Development of the Main Sanctuary and Langley Chapel 1960 - Development of the Classroom and Administrative Building with Basement 1974 - Dedication of Total Church Property with final payment of Mortgage commitments for prior developments 1990 - Trustee commitment to purchase additional land as it came available 1994 - Closing of Felch Avenue and development of the Davis Family Life Center 2001 - Master Plan for current property 2004 - Design Development for a future Classroom/Administrative building and Sanctuary improvements 2004 - Existing facility renovations and improvements in all buildings 2005 - Update of Master Plan for church property 2006 - Improvements to Sanctuary 2009 - Renovation of storm damaged Youth BasementOne Memory - The process of closing Felch Avenue, and the design and construction of the Davis Family Life Center is remarkable.
The comprehensive involvement of the Congregation, Trustees, Church Staff, Pastors, Neighbors, and Local Community as well as The City Council, Building and Zoning Department and City Engineers brought success.
The Church accomplished this complicated development in a beautifully patient, faithful and considerate manner. The joyful way the facility has been used for many activities and program needs over the past 15 years, witnesses to the true meaning of a church family.