On a blustery Sunday afternoon, Alpha Sunday School Class held a celebration in the Fellowship Hall for the Senior members of GUMC. Almost sixty seniors attended the event which honored their years of membership and allowed them a rare opportunity to intermingle and share stories of earlier days in the church.

It was only fitting that Beverly Rhoads, retiring Elder Care Coordinator, also be honored. Beverly spent over ten years regularly interacting with seniors.

The master of ceremonies for the event was Alpha Sunday School President Al Walton. Reverend Tim Carpenter led the group in prayer. Jan Bobbitt sang show tunes as Luann Forell played the piano. Speaking about their time in the church were Wilma Ridner, Sue Williams, Alma Pitner and Tracey Speake. The group was then challenged with some church trivia questions. This led audience members to share stories. Several attendees remembered walking from the chapel into the new sanctuary in 1976 or sitting in a lawn chair watching the steeple being put back in place in the 1980’s.

The event was coordinated by Ethel Mathews with other Alpha embers preparing food, serving as waiters chauffeurs and interacting with the seniors. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (Marc Tate) donated ice cream cakes for the event. Bob Stoudt made table decorations.

All in attendance left with a smile on his or her face as each remembered the stories told.