By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Editor’s Note: You can view the church’s celebration online from this morning at https://www.facebook.com/MillbrookFirstUnitedMethodist/videos/836885440358425
Steady rain couldn’t stop a large, faithful crowd from attending Millbrook First United Methodist Church’s (MFUMC) 100th Anniversary Celebration today with church members even coming back from other states.
The Rev. Dan Morris, who was pastor of the church from 1992 to 2006, led the service and District Superintendent Dr. Mike Pearson led the Holy Communion. Morris is currently pastor of the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church.
There were displays of antique crosses, Holy Communion Sacraments, photographs and other antique items. A cookbook commemorating the event that includes more than 300 recipes from church members, as well as T-shirts commemorating the event, can be purchased in the church office.
There was special music from the Children’s Choir, the Adult Choir and the praise team and longstanding members spoke of what the church meant to them and their favorite memories.
Jacki Smith, who has attended MFUMC for 14 years, spoke of her first time attending the church and hearing the choir practicing on a Wednesday night. “They sang with such emotion and they sounded like angels. I knew I was in the right place.”
She referenced the Book of John, Chapter 4. “I have been able to come in harvest in areas where so many others have gone before us and planted. Help me to plant good seed.”
She talked about the past years working with the children of the church. Just in those years 208 have been saved.
Jacki spoke the names of the charter members that began the church so many years ago. (List below.)
“Thank them for going before us. Thank them for planting great seed. Thank them that you are continuing to reap the harvest that you did not sew,” she said.
The church was founded by a group of Methodists living in the Millbrook area in 1920.
Phyllis Meyers has been a member of FUMC for 41 years. She spoke during the service about her time with the church, and how happy she is to be a member. “This church has done a lot in my journey of faith.”
She spoke of the pastors and members over the years, and what they have done in the history of the church.
“Today we are celebrating 100 years of this church, when a faithful group of believers in Christ came together. Wanted to study the word, wanted to meet in prayer and make a difference in this community. And that is what they did,” she said.
She referenced two members of the church who recently passed away, including Mrs. Laura Cobb, a 95-year-old and James Smith, 42. “I had the privilege of knowing and working with both. They were two extraordinary people from two very different generations. But they both chose to be a light for Christ within their generation. Knowing the world we live in today has changed a lot from Mrs. Cobb’s generation. I would say even from James’. What are we going to do to make sure their legacies and their faith continue? Who is going to carry the torch they so gallantly carried in their lifetime?”
She said it is up to the current congregation to continue carrying the torch.
Charter members included Frances Jemison Gilmer, Margaret J. Gilmer, Lucinda Gilmer Millson, Eddie H. Gilmer, George W. Brown, D.D. Frazer, Charles Boswell Turnipseed and Mrs. Charles B. Turnipseed (Elizabeth Bettie Warner), Aline Turnipseed Lowry, Doris Turnipseed Cobb, Charles P. Turnipseed, Martha Elizabeth Turnipseed McCampbell, Mary Turnipseed Lowry, Samuel Brackin Cobb, Sr., Mary Hall Cobb Wheelus, Janie Delilah Cobb Horne, James Calvin Cobb, Sr., Thomas Warren Cox, Mrs. T.W. Cox (Amanda Greene), Dewitt Talmage Day, Mrs. Dewitt Talmage Day, (Julia Lee Maddox) and Mrs. Price Chapman (Mary Dee Vaughn).
Visit the church’s website at http://mfumc.org/
