Dirt flew at Aldersgate United Methodist Church last Sunday. It was a happy occasion, as parishioners celebrated the groundbreaking for their new educational facility.
The cheerful and colorful celebration was a nice break from the rainy, gloomy weekend weather. Although the groundbreaking had to be moved inside due to the weather, the bright and buoyant balloons that rose throughout the church served as a reminder that spring would soon be here after all.
Julia King, Kristin Allard, Jessica Poole, Amanda Willis, Brittany Willis and Julie Sproul were attired in bright clown outfits to greet everybody and hand out programs. A procession of Sunday school classes began the dedication ceremony, which was held in the sanctuary.
Prayers and welcomes were given by Carl McNair, lay leader; the Rev. Dr. Dennis Perry, senior pastor; and the Rev. Steve Vineyard, associate pastor. The Aldersgate men's choir, "Men of Note," sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and then Carol Howerton, chair of the Education Committee Task Force, thanked everybody for coming and said, "Today is finally here."
Howerton made clever use of some of the schoolchildren to illustrate the progress made at Aldersgate. The children held up signs to indicate the year or a significant event, as Howerton spoke about how far Aldersgate had come in less than 50 years.
It all began in August 1956, when a few (35 adults and 18 children) charter members met at Hollin Hall Elementary School under the guidance of the Rev. Gene Thompson. It didn't take them long to determine their goal: "We shall build a church. And it shall be called Aldersgate."
They proceeded to build the first sanctuary, office building and school wing. The first service was held in Founders Hall in 1959. They then had 300 in their congregation.
Howerton went on to show how they took a giant step in 1963 and 1964 when they built a larger sanctuary. More recently, in 1987, Wesley Hall was built, along with the music suite, a new office wing and a Sunday school wing.
THIS WEEK'S GROUNDBREAKING of the education facility is just one more step in a tradition of commitment to the church's members and their needs.
Dee Walker, chair of the Building and Capital Improvements Committee, spoke about how what started as a concept, has now become a reality. Although he said that there had been some delays along the way, he was pleased to show a piece of paper. It was the signed permit from Fairfax County giving them the go-ahead to start building. Walker was determined to have this final approval in hand for the groundbreaking and had driven to Fairfax on Friday to pick it up in time for the celebration.
John Cole, architect from Cole and Denny Inc., spoke about how they were mindful of the designers who had come before. Rev. Perry used Nigel and Lori Willis as familiar cartoon characters Bob the Builder and his helper,Wendy, to deliver a message to the children about the significance of the building.
A procession of children and parents led the congregation to the groundbreaking, which had been moved inside to Wesley Hall. Perry and Vineyard led the committee chairs taking turns shoveling dirt from one wheelbarrow to another. The children, who were each given a red, green or blue plastic shovel, then each got a chance to shovel. Guests stayed for refreshments and entertainment.