Anniversary celebrations traditionally turn into family reunions. The same holds true for churches.
Emporia’s First United Methodist Church is launching its 150th anniversary celebration with a reunion concert on Sunday. The concert will bring back former church members, including Paul and Shirley Moore, Alyce Meredith, Rose Hirschorn, David Mannell and Mike and Natalie Walkup and their daughter, Jessica, according to Sally Conard, co-chair of the 150th anniversary committee.
They will combine with current members of the church’s music ministry. Meredith, for instance, the original founder of the church’s bell choir, will be ringing and singing, Conard said. Paul Moore, longtime organist at the church, will perform both piano and organ solos and accompany other soloists.
Hirschorn, who moved to New York more than 15 years ago, will direct the choir in “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
“That’s her favorite anthem,” Conard said. “We’re calling this ‘music from our past to celebrate our future.’”
Hirschorn, who directed music programs at Emporia State University, also will attend a reunion of former members of Treble Clef, a college-based women’s choral group.
Conard said Jessica Walkup is attending Wichita State and studying opera. She and her family were members in the 1990s before moving away.
“This little girl we remember is now coming back,” Conard said.
That’s the way of reunions, and it is why the church will welcome anyone who wants to attend the concert and stay after for a reception to renew friendships with the performers. No tickets are required, and there is no admission fee, Conard said. Instead, this is a gift to the community.
Conard said she expects the concert, which begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, to last about 90 minutes. The reception will begin after the concert.
And, Conard said, this is not the last event for the church, which celebrates its sesquicentennial in the same year that Emporia does. The official recognition of the milestone will come next summer.