What are some of your favorite memories at Asbury?
Mostly the wonderful friends we have here. We got married here in 1971 and shortly afterward joined the Henritzy [Sunday School] Class. That class, along with the Wesley class, put on a few shows that we took part in. Those and the annual Christmas parties where Sam [Henritzy] always read that year’s “history,” were highlights. Sam and Eleanor were like parents to every class member. They were amazing shepherds and mentors to us all. We remain friends to this day of several original class members.
I could go on and on about other sources of great memories: the contemporary choir, Adventurers women’s small groups, our children’s Cherub and Junior Choir involvements, and our children’s and my VBS involvement are a few of them.
What program(s) or area(s) of Asbury are you most connected to at Asbury? Tell us about your connection to them and the difference they’ve made in your life.
Right now my primary involvement is the Keep in Touch team. This experience has given me an appreciation for the huge effort made to help our older members feel involved, loved, and not forgotten.
John and I also enjoy greeting on Sunday mornings and are members of the Pioneer Class.
Missions is an area John is especially interested in. We try to help as much as we can with the many opportunities given us, but would like to do more.
What are some of your earliest memories of your time at Asbury?
Probably the Henritzy Sunday School class and their socials. The first one we did was a road rally. I don’t remember where we started but we ended up at the home of Adele and Don Bush. Little did we know then that a few years later, we would move within two miles of there.
The other earliest memories are tied in with children’s ministries: teaching and co-coordinating VBS and children’s Sunday School.
We also were youth group leaders with Junior High MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) for several years. We loved that, especially the retreats at Pocono Plateau.
And of course the terrible fire that destroyed our church in 1972 and the building program that ensued.
What are some pivotal moments you’ve been at Asbury during (ex. the 1972 fire, pastoral changes, etc.); and how did they impact you?
Pastor [Earl] Carver was the senior pastor at the time of the fire. His positive spirit was so inspirational during that time. I think he was the one who erected a sign on the building site that read to all who drove by “PRAISE THE LORD ANYWAY!!”
We have been blessed at Asbury with many wonderful pastors and associate pastors. One in particular, who oversaw the youth group ministry at the time of our involvement with that program, was perhaps the most significant and influential person along my Christian journey. He was the one who bumped my faith from being my parents’ faith to being my own faith. (His words.)
How have you seen Asbury change over the time that you’ve been involved?
The biggest change I see is the part technology plays now in our church life compared to earlier years. It was a great thing at the height of COVID quarantining. And I know our Sunday School class often keeps connected via emails. And, of course, communicating in general is so much easier.
On the other hand, even though there are times when it makes sense to forsake “in person,” I wonder if we sometimes miss out on face-to-face contact with our church family because it’s just easier to resort to virtual meetings and services. I remember the first in-person service after the COVID quarantine was lifted, and the electricity and joy we all felt to have that personal connection again.
Other changes have occurred, too, but I think that is the biggest.
What makes Asbury a place where you (personally) belong?
It’s the personal care given to people when they need it.
It’s the relevance of the weekly sermons.
It’s the fellowship and friendships.
Asbury is nurturing and growing my faith.
Asbury is giving me opportunities to reach out into the community.
I do not feel judged at Asbury.
There are ministries for all ages.
When I go to Asbury, I feel like I am home.
All of the above and more.
What are your hopes for the next 100 years of Asbury?
I want the Gospel to continue to be preached in a way that is relevant.
I want us to continue to increase our sense of community.
I want Christian Education to be a priority for all ages.
– Laurel Kegley