Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia recognized the importance of the laity in the church through the Laity Sunday.
In a Facebook post, the church said it will hold the event on Oct. 16 at 9:15 a.m.
Nathaniel "Nate" Abrams, III, a lifelong Methodist, certified lay servant, and aerospace engineer who enjoys in-depth study of the Bible, will be the preacher for Laity Sunday, according to the church.
Interested participants may visit Ben Hill United Methodist Church’s Facebook post for additional information.
Early Years
Ben Hill Methodist Church website said it increased the size of its property to around five acres in 1950 by purchasing an adjacent piece of land. Reverend J.R. Phillips claimed that by 1951, the congregation's 425 members had outgrown the church's structures, the church said.
According to the church, African-Americans first began to settle in southwest Fulton County, Georgia, in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Ben Hill Methodist Church claimed that throughout this age of transition, it underwent a period of change.
The congregation, which was predominantly Caucasian, was said to have dispersed from the area, which contributed to a decline in church attendance.
According to the church, the Rev. Paul Wolgomuth served as a senior pastor throughout this transitional period.
It added Wolgomuth routinely went door-to-door in the Ben Hill neighborhood asking the immigrants to attend services at the church.
The church claimed that it decided to become a station in 1937 after careful consideration, prayer, and the District Superintendent, Dr. C.C. Jarrell's sympathetic support.
After the parsonage was built, Rev. Y.A. Oliver was appointed as the first full-time pastor, according to the church.
The church said that Ben Hill maintained growing and that it continued to serve God and the community by giving back.
Committed to Serving God
According to the church, the membership consisted of a small number of obedient, consecrated men and women who were dedicated to serving God.
The church claimed that a post office was built after the American Civil War on Campbellton Road and Fairburn Road.
Ben Hill was given this name in honor of Georgia's Troup County's new United States Senator.
Senator Hill was an accomplished orator in his day, and mentioning him boosted the area's profile, it was added.
The church believes that looking at how it changed from a four-circuit church to a station is the best method to show how the church has evolved and grown.
According to the church's website, Wesley Chapel was established in 1853 and is located in the Niskey Lake community of Fulton County, Georgia.
The church said among the original members were John Waits, Sidney Robins, and David Waits. It further stated that Waits was a renowned musical director.
It added that he sang at both the church and camp gatherings.
For further information, see the Facebook page from Ben Hill United Methodist Church, which is open to participants.
More stories from Crossmap:
