A 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION THANK YOU!
During its 200th anniversary celebration, the congregation of Strasburg Presbyterian Church entered into a time of rejoicing as it gave thanks to God on the weekend October 4 - 6, 2024. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making our Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration such a great success! The combined efforts of many people contributed to a wonderful weekend. A big thank you goes to the Church Session. The Elders saw early on in 2023 that time and preparation was necessary for creating a memorable experience. We prayed corporately and privately about our desires for this Church celebration: first, that all events and activities would honor God, and secondly, that we would express our faith and hope in Christ as a congregation, continuing to reach our community with the Good News of Christ as we look to the future with eyes of faith for growth and renewal. Many thanks to our Anniversary Celebration Committee: Ann Kleese, Helen Propst, Evelyn Judy, and Patricia McClanahan. They have spent many hours going through histories, photos, and submitted stories. We are grateful to Martha Sencindiver for editorial guidance and index experience so essential to organization. Special anniversary pottery was possible through the efforts of Larry Vance and Barbara Ziacoma, and we are so grateful for the commemorative shirts, t-shirts and water bottles produced by Kim Guinn. Many thanks to all! The weekend started off on Friday night in the Pumpkin Patch with bluegrass/open mic music. A special part was the participation of the Rutz family - Cookie Shrum and Greg Rutz, with honored guest Loretta Campbell with extended family! A wagon from Cedar Creek Battlefield made the perfect stage. What musical talent and fun for all in attendance, catching up with friends and making new acquaintances. The bountiful garden of pumpkins and mums was the perfect setting for an enjoyable evening together. The delicious food during this event was a joint effort of a number of families. We rejoice at the commitment and dedication of all the folks who have been working in the patch this season! Thank you so very much for your friendly efforts. We gathered Saturday morning at the home of Sean and Laura Cadden, with sons Drake and Nash. Beautiful, historic Spengler Hall was the setting for the very beginnings of Presbyterianism in Shenandoah County. Local historian Richard Kleese outlined the origins of ministry in Strasburg and Woodstock. Our speaker's focus kept everyone's attention with details about the Church during the civil war as a hospital with both Confederate and Union surgeons as the town changed hands. After the war, the receiving of reparation funds by the congregation led to the construction of the Church manse on South Holliday Street. Generous time was given for questions and answers by our presenter. The sister Church relationship with the Woodstock congregation was highlighted. It was a most interesting presentation by Mr. Kleese, and we cherish this important local history. The Strasburg Heritage Association videotaped the presentation, and we will link it to our webpage. We enjoyed a wonderful reception and tour of Spengler Hall, highlighting the history of the era. Saturday afternoon, October 5th , we enjoyed a 200th Anniversary Celebration Pipe Organ Concert. We were privileged to have Dr. Steven Shaner give a performance on our Lewis and Hitchcock pipe organ (1994). His musical selections included both sacred and secular pieces, covering a wide range of selections. Dr. Shaner is an exceptionally gifted musician, and the concert was inspirational for those in attendance. As a gift to the community from the congregation, the concert highlighted the Church's contributions to the sacred and social life of Strasburg. In addition to regular worship, the Church is responsible for hosting school choirs, and orchestras, as well as numerous community choir events honoring the holidays and special occasions. Morning worship on October 6, 2024 saw us gathering on World Communion Sunday. Among our special guests were Town Mayor Brandy Hawkins Boies, and Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dennis Morris, and County Supervisor Tim Taylor. We were given greetings and commendations by both the town and county for our spiritual presence and standing place in town and county life. Former minister, Dr. Dan McCoig, Winchester, VA, preached on "WHAT CHURCH IS FOR" (Luke 14), and former minister, Dr. Christopher Carlisle led us in a moving celebration of the Lord's Supper. Music was led by musicians Rev. Anne Holland and Mr. Otto Pebworth. The choir was directed by Mrs. Stephanie Downey. First Light Praise Band closed out the service with a choral benediction, "the Blessing." Many thanks to the Hockmans, the Pangles, the Kiblers, the Powars, "the Eye Girls" team, and many others who gave selflessly of their time and energy. Our Church office staff, Kathryn Holland and Anne Holland deserve special thanks! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a part in making our anniversary celebration such a success; none of this would have happened without the combined efforts of all. Rev. David D. Howard