I have planned to write something in celebration of Asbury’s 100th Anniversary since the event was announced but couldn’t decide which of my many thoughts or memories I wanted to share. What follows is what I ultimately decided on.
In October of 1972, I was doing my student teaching at William Allen High School. There was a buzz about a fire that was destroying a church at 12th and Hamilton Streets, and some of us went up to the roof to watch. Little did I know then that I would one day become a member of Asbury (1981), eventually become one of the office staff (1993), and retire from the position of Administrative Secretary after 26+ years (2020).
When I started, I was trained by Mary Jo Clarke, befriended by Marjorie Kerchner, worked with Ruth Wiener, and learned about Asbury from Leona Whittaker. Over the years, the office staff changed, and job descriptions evolved, but the spirit of working together in our own type of ministry continued. Upon Marjorie’s retirement, we welcomed Maria Arcelay, Amy Wood, Heidi Parsons, and then Deb McCleary. After Sue Howorth’s passing we were joined by Erika Sorrells, Renee Klevenhagen, and then Suzanne Weida, who ultimately took over Ruth’s duties as Financial Secretary while continuing the tasks as Program Secretary. Through most of this time, Tom Gibson was our fearless leader as Business Administrator. Upon his retirement, Israel Olivieri jumped in to fill that position. (If I’ve missed anyone, please forgive me! I’m older now….)
Along with all of the Staff (Lay and Pastoral) that I worked with, I also need to mention the core of volunteers who helped along the way to see that the “business” of Asbury continued through good times, bad times, construction projects, staff changes, etc. At one time we had a regular schedule of office volunteers who came in to answer phones, help with collating bulletins and mailing projects, greet visitors, assist with computer issues, keep financial records and generally be there to assist us in any way possible. Those I remember are Steve Howorth, Bob Kuhns, Skip Slaski, Betty Weaver, Wendy Beck, Mary Murphy, Burt Kuhns, Peg Samois, Betty Gersbach, Mary Klemencic, Judy Whitby, Tammy Dietrich, Zachary Walczer, and all the faithful volunteers who came to fold, label and sort the monthly newsletters. I’m sure I’m forgetting some of the regular helpers, and there are so many others without whom so many things just wouldn’t have happened.
This is what I remember and want to share about Asbury. The Church is not a place or a building, the Church is its people. We are the Church, and we all need to be the hands and feet of Christ to see that it continues for another 100 years. Blessings to you all!
The church is not a building; the church is not a steeple; the church is not a resting place; the church is a people.
We’re many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages, too from all times and places.
Sometimes the church is marching; sometimes it’s bravely burning, sometimes it’s riding, sometimes hiding; always it’s learning.
And when the people gather,there’s singing and there’s praying; there’s laughing and there’s crying sometimes, all of it saying:
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!
– Sara Brown
(Lyrics (c) 1972 Hope Publishing Company; CCLI 18510; License 1871684)