Presbyterian Church in Sudbury 50th Anniversary Celebration
 
 

by Doris Soulé


    We all really did have a good time, didn’t we? There was a superb planning group who kept its eyes on the goals: To celebrate what God has done in this place over the 50 year journey; to remember the milestones along the way; and to start envisioning a new path for PCIS in the changing world of Christ’s church.


    The celebration included a family night supper, an afternoon reception for greeting two of our former pastors and returning former PCIS leaders, a very fancy Saturday evening party with music, and a drama that celebrated the gifts God has freely given to PCIS. Sunday worship honored God and refocused us as Christians going out into the world.


    Over the years PCIS has always been a very mobile congregation - only a few of us “old timers” are around. Part of our unspoken mission has been to recognize that, and prepare disciples for their moving away into a new ministry location, all part of the great body of Christ’s church.


    Four of our “away” charter members - teenagers 50 years ago - returned, including the son of our organizing pastor. There were two participants from the former FOCUS group who joined in. Nine came who “grew up” in the church, were in Sunday School and the youth group together. The count for former leaders - elders, trustees, teachers et al - was fifteen. What a blessing to all of us to hear their memories of how God was at work through the years. And how delightful it was for all these folks to be in reunion.


    Two former pastors, Deke Spierling and Dick Sheffield, preached the Word at Sunday worship. As they remembered the gifts of our congregation, we tried not to pat ourselves on the back, but to give credit and praise God for his work here in those times and in this place.


    Who will be returning in 2036 when there will be a 75th Anniversary? Will our children and teens have been nurtured well in their Christian journey, so that they can come back to speak of God’s hand in their lives? There’s the challenge for PCIS as we start envisioning a new path for this congregation.


 
Reflections On the PCIS 50th Anniversary By An “Old Timer”
links home master calendar recent sermons contact us 50th anniversary celebration reflections on the anniversary history book information celebration photos charter members Presbyterian Church in Sudbury 330 Concord Road Sudbury, MA 01776 978-443-9151 pcsudbury@pcsudbury.org www.pcsudbury.org Installed Pastors 
and Interim Pastors: Organizing Pastor The Reverend A. William Simmermon 1960 – 1961 1st Installed Pastor The Reverend A. William Simmermon 1961 – 1969 2nd Installed Pastor The Reverend Richard M. Spierling 1969– 1979 Interim Pastor The Reverend Patricia Budd Kepler 1979 – 1980 3rd Installed Pastor The Reverend Richard L. Sheffield 1980 – 1985 Interim Pastor The Reverend John M. Wall 1985 - 1986 4th Installed Pastor The Reverend George E. Saylor 1986 – 2000 Associate Pastor The Reverend M. Sidney McCollum 1999 – 2006 Interim Pastor The Reverend Timothy Hanley 2001 – 2003 5th Installed Pastor The Reverend D. William McIvor 2003 – present welcome.htmlhttp://www.MyChurchEvents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=G1O9L6M7F0L6J4sermons.htmlcontact_us.htmlhistory_book.htmlcelebration_photos/celebration_photos.htmlcharter_members.htmlmailto:pcsudbury@pcsudbury.orghttp://www.pcsudbury.org/shapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_4shapeimage_4_link_5shapeimage_4_link_6shapeimage_4_link_7shapeimage_4_link_8shapeimage_4_link_9
What a wonderful celebration! On the weekend of October 14-16th, PCIS celebrated its 50th Anniversary with special events throughout the weekend. Please browse through the pictures we’ve posted and let us know if you are interested in the history book we are producing that will include the history of PCIS along with pictures and stories from the past, as well as many of the photos taken during the celebration weekend.