Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Beginning of Connecting Campaign Construction

 

On Sunday, November 22, 2015 a brief but heartfelt groundbreaking ceremony took place at 10:30 in the current Meditation Garden. The chill in the air was offset by the bright sunshine beaming down on a beautiful morning. A nice turnout of congregation members and children joined the Building Committee for the event. The children were all given bright yellow hard hats to wear.

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Committee Co-Chairman Ron Stroman welcomed everyone and thanked them for their patience in the long and challenging process of bringing this project to fruition. Alan Hale then gave a masterful speech, reminding everyone of the long heritage of First Methodist in being a central part of Midland and the downtown area.

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The members of the Building Committee were recognized for their dedication and hard work. In addition to Ron Stroman and Alan Hale, these included Co-Chairman Tim Culp, Burgess Wade, Cathy Norwood, Ed Runyan, Erin Black, Lori Miller, Shan Moon, and Senior Pastor Tim Walker.

Then Shan Moon, Donors Paula and Jim Henry, and Tim Culp did the groundbreaking honors. Applause and smiling faces reflected the energy everyone felt to have the project officially underway.

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Dr. Walker briefly donned his hard hat to add his thanks for everyone’s support and led the group in prayer. Associate Pastor Kurt Borden also thanked the congregation for their dedication to creating a new meeting and worship space in a more contemporary style and also offered up a brief closing prayer.

As everyone departed for one of the two worship services there was a clear feeling of joy and energy created by this new phase in the life of First United Methodist Midland.