70th Anniversary
On Sunday, October 30, St. Alban's members celebrated the 70th anniversary of the dedication of their church building. The Rt. Rev. Keith Whitmore, Assistant Bishop of Atlanta, presided over the 10 AM service and delivered the sermon. The Rev. Dr. Denise Moss, rector of St. Alban's, and the Rev. Herschel Atkinson, rector emeritus, assisted.
Lay ministers were Carole Coggins and Louise Martin, acolytes; John Coggins, Carole Oglesby, and Arlene Whitlow, greeters; Steve Jenkins, lector; Ray Jefferson and Steve Jenkins, oblations/ushers; Marilyn Slocumbe, prayers; and Andrea Martin and Christian Moore, torches.
In the congregation were members of St. Alban's sister church, the Church of the Mediator in Washington, Georgia, and a number of past members and friends of St. Alban's.
The sequence hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," was also sung at Father Atkinson's ordination in 1971; other hymns were "Lift High the Cross" and "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God." During the offertory, Darla Wilson played "Amazing Grace" on the violin.
During the service, Bishop Whitmore presented St. Alban's with a framed certificate that read in part: "On behalf of the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Atlanta, I extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to the Faithful of Saint Alban's Church, Elberton, Georgia, on the occasion of your Seventieth Anniversary. We commend you for your faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus and your devoted service to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Atlanta. May the joy of this celebration energize your ministry for years to come in service to the Lord of the Church." The certificate was signed, "The Right Reverend John Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta. October 30, 2011."
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| The Rev. Herschel Atkinson, left, with the Rev. Dr. Moss. |
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