2016 Highlights

For anyone who may have missed reading our 2016 highlights…

In January, Hood called Rev. Joanie Williams to the ministerial team to aid in celebration and worship of God as Interim Choir Director.

In February, Hood celebrated the ministry of Rev. Torrie Osgood and blessed him to take on a new call to ministry in Eastern NC.

In March, Hood called Rev. Jason Williams to the ministerial team to serve the church as Interim Pastor.

In March, The Master’s Men brought a warm and inspiring message to worship through their gospel music and we started a regular Children’s Church class for young children.

In April, Hood celebrated Christ’s resurrection with a well-attended Easter Service that began the new tradition of Flowering the Cross.

In May and June, we honored the many Mothers and Fathers in our lives through pictures and candles.

In June, we raised money for missions work (and recycled our old stuff!) by participating in the 301 Endless Yard Sale.

In July, we began using all types of world music and spirituals in worship inviting children and adults to praise God through hand drums, shakers, cymbals and other musical instruments each week.

In July, we celebrated the arrival of our new-old Baby Grand Piano, a gift from the Tart Family.

In August, we began a Mission and Visioning process that will lead us into the future while honoring our rich past as we consider God’s unique and inspiring call for our church in the Dunn community. This process continues and has included a sermon series, two church-wide surveys, a meeting out in the community to learn about local needs, and a Mission-Vision Team (Task Force).

In August, we celebrated with Lisa Melcher Willis as she offered her life again to God through the waters of Baptism to reaffirm her faith journey.

During August and September, we quickly raised over $10,000 for a new sound system to improve the quality and accessibility of worship for folks in our church and community.

In September, we remembered 9/11 by honoring First Responders in our community through gifts and goodies.

In October, we hosted a terrific Homecoming celebrating 127 years of ministry as Hood MCC, we dedicated our new baby grand piano.

In November, we collected and sent out over 50 boxes full of everything from clothes and books to toys and candy to young girls around the world through Operation Christmas Child.

In mid-November, we hosted a Photo Booth at the Cotton Festival meeting over 100 folks in our community, we hosted as Children’s Tea & Tunes Party for over two dozen children and began a regular Children’s Sunday School Class that includes music, activities and preparing children to lead us in worship.

In late-November, we stood in unity with our 6 other area congregations through our Community Thanksgiving Service, we gave Thanks with the help of our men’s group during our Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast, and we shared with our neighbors in need by distributing Thanksgiving Food Boxes to seven different families in our community

In December, we hosted our annual Church Christmas Party featuring fellowship and a visit from Santa Claus, a Christmas concert featuring popular secular and sacred Christmas songs, and have plans for a Christmas by Candlelight service and a Christmas Cantata featuring Christmas Spirituals.

Ellen Adams and Emma Yeager blessed us with beautiful harp music several times throughout the year, including most recently on the Third Sunday of Advent.

Our church has begun a regular presence in the community as different folks come out to The Cellar Coffeehouse on Thursday afternoons for conversation and fellowship

We honored two faithful, long-time members by naming each of them an Elder Emeritus: Bozie Tart & Marvin Marshall

We collected offerings for various Disciples Mission and Ministry projects throughout the year, helped over a dozen neighbors in need with food, gas and financial assistance, and contributed to local organizations, such as the DUMA Food Pantry

And there’s more where these came from…come join us to be a part of this amazing family of faith!