Highlands 50th Anniversary “Jubilee Celebration”

The weather couldn’t have been more ominous as the weekend finally arrived for Highlands United Presbyterian Church’s 50th anniversary Jubilee Celebration. A massive thunderstorm cracked lightning bolts and sent down pile-driving bursts of rain. The entire city of Jacksonville fell under a tornado warning. Those going to church that Saturday night for the Jubilee banquet drove through heavy rain and then hurried under umbrellas to the fellowship hall. It was the kind of weather when it’s not uncommon for electrical power failures. The nasty weather didn’t stop 190 people from filling the fellowship hall – the biggest gathering in the hall in church history. Just before the program was about to start, cheers and clapping rippled through the crowd. Outside, the storm had broken. On the other side of the courtyard, a rainbow arched over the roof of the sanctuary.

It was a good sign. The storm had passed. The lights stayed on and for four hours the fellowship hall came alive with Highlands’ 50-year history. The following day, the thunderstorms that the weather predicted – almost guaranteed – never materialized. Instead, it was nothing but blue skies. Highlands’ members could gather in the courtyard before the Sunday service to unveil a beautiful mosaic illustration of an anchor cross. After the service, they could walk in a procession up McCormick Road and

continue the celebration by returning to Holly Oaks Community Club, where the church held its first services and was chartered on April 11, 1965. It added up to a busy two-day Jubilee celebration on the weekend of April 25-26, 2015. The celebration officially started at 10 a.m. Saturday when volunteers gathered to pack disaster relief packets. Under the direction of Mission Committee Chairman Charles Goodyear, adults and youth filled 50 plastic bags with the basic necessities of daily hygiene – a washcloth, hand towel, nail clipper, soap and toothbrush. The same day our youth were filling the relief packets, a massive, deadly earthquake had struck Nepal, reminding us how quickly people can lose everything they have. (The storms that moved through Jacksonville later that day also caused damage when a tornado touched down, but fortunately no injuries.) At 6 p.m. Saturday, the banquet began under the direction of master of ceremonies Bob Abbott. The Rev. Dr. David Lee explained the Biblical source of Jubilee, from the Book of Leviticus: “Count off seven Sabbath years—seven times seven years amounts to a period of 49 years. Then have the trumpet sound … the fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee for you.”

The centerpiece on on each table consisted of a large glass with cloth napkins draped over the lip of the glass. Clara Whitaker, a long-time Highlands member, and her sister Esther, had sewn the Jubilee logo on each napkin in bright red, blue, black and gold threads. Altogether, Clara and her sister made over 200 napkins. After the banquet, everyone would be able to bring home napkins as mementoes of the Jubilee. The other handmade item on each table came from the

woodshop of Dennis Kleppen, another longtime member of Highlands. Dennis used the wood from the cross that once stood on the roof of Highlands and from that cross, he cut over 200 smaller crosses for people to keep as reminder of Jubilee. In each packet with a cross, Dennis placed a history of the original cross, which came down in 2002 from the roof. Dennis thought the church needed to keep the cross, and that decision proved to be a good one as he was able to give everyone a part of it at the Jubilee weekend. Teri Youmans Grimm, who is a child of the church and whose father G.B. Youmans was an elder at Highlands, wrote a poem reflecting on the founding of Highlands. The poem, "The Legacy" is her beautiful look back at the early days of the church can be read at the back of this booklet.

The Rev. Dr. Donald Harris, who was pastor of Highlands from 1980 to 1995, gave a heartfelt invocation and blessing. He came to the Jubilee weekend with his wife Brenda and their children Tom and Jennifer, who grew up in Highlands and returned with children of their own. The dinner was catered by Ashley Street Catering, a program of the Clara White Mission, which provides assistance to the homeless in downtown

Jacksonville. Highlands selected Ashley Street Catering for two reasons – the food is delicious, as member of the Jubilee planning committee found during a trip to the weekly Clara’s at the Cathedral lunches, and the money spent on the catering would further the cause of fighting homelessness in Jacksonville. After dinner, Bob Abbott got the show rolling by asking people to stand as he recognized them for a host of different activities in the church – session, church committees, church finance, LOGOS, Sunday school, Meals on Wheels, Arlington Community Services, and Family Promise. Some people stood up so many times they might have felt like Bob was running a gym workout. David Bauerlein talked about the history of the church, based on the research he had done. Then it was time for people to talk about Highlands in their own words. Bill Hart and Linda Bohling walked among the tables and brought microphones to Harry Wade, Rev. Harris, Chad Grimm, Candy Cole and her daughter Abby so they could reminisce about the church.

Highlands has always been a church rich in musical talents. The final third of the program used music to tell the story of the church. The curtains were opened along the side wall, revealing the handbell choir standing with their backs to the crowd. As each member chimed in, he or she would turn to face the crowd. They played “Clocks,” a song by the international pop group Coldplay. Then it was time for a musical journey through the decades of Higlands’ 50-year history. Bob Abbott read some of the highlights of each decade in terms of news events, pop culture, the price of postage stamps, and milestone in the church’s growth. For the 1960s, Teri Grimm, Michael Weitzel, Craig Steed and Vohn Williamson played a moving version of “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” The 1970s belonged to Chad and Laura Sambito, who did a rock-solid version of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” Dr. Dave ushered in the 1980s by inviting everyone to join him on “You Have A Friend in Me,” which he said between verses is a good theme song for a church. Charlynn Rounds lifted the show to higher levels by singing “I Will Always Love You” for the 1990s. The 2000s paid tribute to one of that decade’s finest films, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” with a passionate performance of “Man of Constant Sorrow” by Tom Douget, Vohn Williamson and Mark Morrison. (At least, the program says those were the singers. It was hard to tell who was behind those beards.) Teri Grimm and her bandmates returned to bring the music into present times by performing “Home,” a song that Phillip Phillips sang when he won the “American Idol” contest in 2012. The closing prayer came from the Rev. Barbara Hamilton, who was parish associate at Highlands from 2002 to 2010. As was the case with Rev. Harris, it was like old times to see “Pastor Barb” back at Highlands, and just as important, to hear her distinctive voice leading us in prayer, just as Rev. Harris’s voice brought back his many years of church leadership.

After a night of rest, Highlands resumed the Jubilee weekend at 9 a.m. with coffee fellowship and intergenerational Sunday school. The first thing everyone saw upon entering the fellowship hall was a table with jars of jelly arranged in the shape of the number 50. Highlands members donated more than 200 jars of jelly for the Jubilee. The jelly goes to Arlington Community Services for its food pantry. The youth in the LOGOS choir picked up the fine music

from the night before and Dr. Dave talked about the importance of Jubilee in the Bible. Then we walked out to the courtyard for the presentation of two pieces of artwork done specially for the Jubilee. Youth in the LOGOS program paraded forward with stepping stone pavers they had decorated with brightly painted

illustrations. Then it came time for the unveiling of the mosaic illustration of an anchor cross. In the early centuries of Christianity, the anchor was the symbol Christians used for their faith. The anchor cross combines

features of an anchor and a cross. University of Florida student Rachel Hart, who grew up in Highlands, found time while doing her studies in Gainesville to create the design for the anchor cross. The tile for the mosaic arrived the week before Jubilee weekend so it was a whirlwind of activity to make the mosaic. Rachel’s mother Nancy Hart oversaw the project with assistance husband Bill, Anneliese Robbins, Gail Kleppen and Laura Sambito and others who cheered them on. After the unveiling of the tile mosaic, everyone went to the sanctuary, where extra seats were placed in the center aisle. On this Jubilee service on the fourth Sunday of Easter, 250 people would fill every space in every pew of the sanctuary. Many special guests were able to come to the service, including charter members of the church. Libby McJunkin traveled from South Carolina. Although husband Joe, who was on the first session, could not make the trip because of health reasons, he was in our thoughts. Bill Kelly, who lives in Jacksonville, was a charter member and a clerk of the first session. Sandi McCorkle Whitfield, who was a child when she became a charter member of Highlands along with her parents John and Charlotte McCorkle, was at Jubilee weekend with her husband Ben and their family. We also welcomed back Dr. Joe Williams who united with the church in 1966 and was a long time Elder. The guest pastor for the Jubilee service was indeed a special guest. The Rev. John Purrington, pastor of St. Johns United Methodist Church in Atlanta, traveled to Jacksonville with his family. Rev. John Purrington is the grandson of the Rev. Robert Purrington, the founding pastor of Highlands United Presbyterian Church. His grandson was baptized at Highlands in 1970 but his family moved from Jacksonville when he was a small child. He gave a moving sermon that talked about his grandparents’ ties to Highlands. His grandparents moved to several cities as his grandfather answered the call to be a pastor of different churches, but his grandmother Kay Purrington always talked about how Highlands is the church she considered her “home” congregation. Her grandson said she often talked gratefully about the tremendous support she and her husband received from Highlands after the death of their son Larry. After she died and was buried in Jacksonville beside her son Larry and her husband, her grandson came to Jacksonville for the service and began to connect with Highlands. He recalled that when he was growing up, his grandfather had suggested whatever he did in life, he should not become a pastor. But when Rev. John was an undergraduate at Florida State University, majoring in accounting, he decided to follow the same path his grandfather had pursued. He called his grandfather, who was ill with cancer at the time in Maine, and told him about his decision. For a long time, there was silence on the other end of the phone. Later, Rev. John learned his grandfather was so filled with emotion that he could not speak. He had always seen in his grandson that he might be a pastor someday, but had never wanted to unduly influence his decision. What would his grandfather say if he were able to stand at the podium of Highlands on the 50th anniversary of the church? He was a very driven man, Rev. John said. He would be proud. He would be in awe of all the church had done. Then he would have leaned closer, as he would do when he wished to make a point,

and he would have smiled broadly and said, “So, what are you going to do next?” He would have wanted to tell the church that it must always keep looking toward the future, keep moving ahead. He would have wanted the church to be like the young Little League players who walked up to the plate, dug in against the pitcher, and swung with the optimism that no matter how many times they had swung and missed before, “This Time It’s Going to be Different” – the title of Rev. John’s sermon. Steve Benz, Transitional Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of St. Augustine came before the congregation to congratulate Highlands on its 50th anniversary. He said it impressed him that Highlands was using its celebration to also carry out its missionary work, such as the donation of the jelly. The service ended with Rev. Harris giving the benediction. The congregation moved

outside, emerging on a glorious day spring day to offer a prayer on the lawn in front of the church cross. The congregation then left the sanctuary and headed up McCormick Road for the quarter mile walk to Holly Oaks Community Club, returning to the building where Highlands held its first services and received its church charter in 1965. Most of those walking wore Presbyterian blue shirts with the Jubilee logo stitched on it or white shirts emblazoned with the anniversary logo. The shirts were sold by the middle-

school youth to help raise money for the church’s first-ever summer mission trip for middle-school students. At Holly Oaks, Dr. Dave talked about how in the early days of the church, members arrived early on Sunday mornings to set up the room for church services (sometimes extra early if there was a party Saturday night in the clubhouse). In keeping with that practice, Dr. Dave said people entering the clubhouse would need to set up the tables and chairs for the lunch. The middle-school group provided hot dogs and hamburgers. They also set up games outside on the basketball court for people to play after eating lunch. Altogether, the middle-school group raised over $1,500.00 from its sales of shirts and lunch during Jubilee weekend. They will be going to Ocala this summer for their first mission experience. In that way, the church’s Jubilee weekend was not only a chance to look back at all Highlands has meant and accomplished over the last 50 years, but also a springboard for the young people who will be the church’s next 50 years to carry out their faith. They answered the question Rev. Larry Purrington said his grandfather would have asked if he had been at the Jubilee celebration. Rev. Bob would have been proud.

Acknowledgments

There are so many people who were involved in each and every aspect of our 50th Anniversary "JUBILEE" Celebration that in listing them surely some would be missed. Each of the HUPC Sessional committees selected representatives to serve on the "Jubilee" committee which was led by Bob Abbott. Bob did a fantastic job in pulling all of the elements together for this grand event. The Committee members were Debbie Douget (Worship), Clara Whitaker (Fellowship), Dennis Kleppen (Buildings and Grounds), David Bauerlein (Church Growth), Belinda Abbott (Member Care), Alan Robbins (Church Resources), Charles Goodyear (MIssion), Linda Bohling (Christian Nurture), Leslee Burch (Member at large), Dr. David Lee and Laura Sambito (Church Staff). The members of the committee enlisted the help of their Sessional committees in the many tasks. The amount of creative energy and hard work is truly amazing. David Bauerlein gathered church history and provided us with "A History Of Highlands United Presbyterian Church -- 1965-2015." He also gives us the wonderful article, "Highlands 50th Anniversary “Jubilee Celebration” which you are reading. Teri Youmans Grimm composed the perfect poem, "The Legacy." She also shared her considerable talents in the "Jubilee Celebration Program" in the presentation of her poem and in the musical portion of the evening along with Mike Weitzel, Craig Steed, Vohn Williamson, Charlynn Rounds, Mark Morrison and Tom Douget. Leslee Burch was the coordinator of the "Jubilee Celebration Program," bringing her considerable organizational and creative skills to bear on that wonderful evening. Clara Whitaker and her sister Esther Livsey created over two hundred gift napkins that graced the tables as a centerpiece and became a 'take home' memory of the weekend. Dennis Kleppen prepared small wooden crosses for each person which were made from the original wooden cross on the church building. He also prepare larger cross of the name wood for special guests. Tom Douget for A/V assistance. Our choirs under the direction of Gibson Dixon, DeAn Winton and Audrey Regnier brought us the absolute joy of music that glorified God and delighted our gathering and our worship. Our Fellowship committee and friends who nourish us with great welcome and good things to eat. C.J. Shires for consultation and design for our 50th Anniversary logo. And many, many others who played important roles in the preparation and presentation of this anniversary event.

The Legacy Teri Youmans Grimm There is no photograph, no Kodak-captured moment of that first congregation. Men in skinny ties and narrow suits, women in shirt-waist dresses, flipped-up bouffants, their children interspersed among them like precious cargo. That early gathering of minds and hearts aligned with purpose and faith, but little else. In their faces, both fervor and resolve, like any people preparing to embark on a journey— eyes fixed on the horizon, a glint of hope that burns only in those willing to see through and beyond obstacles, toward a future that would outgrow them, outlive them, just as it does us all. Believers doing what believers do, putting their faith in what they could not see or touch, holding fast to something yet to be made manifest. Before there was mortar, there were minds conceiving. Before there were bricks, there were bodies at work. Before one hammer’s blow resounded through these trees, hearts hummed with prayer. And before sanctuary doors were opened, there were spirits humbled by what Christ’s presence, enacted through them, had done. We are that legacy, those believers, who first met in a small community hall on folding chairs.

Our minds still conceiving ideas and plans for this church to sustain, to thrive. Everyday there are bodies at work, they feed, they nurture, they minister. Our hearts, now greater in number, still hum with prayer, the vibrations resonate throughout the world. And even now, our spirits are humbled by Christ’s presence enacted here, tonight and by this legacy we honor. Let the same hope that gleamed in their eyes, gleam in our own, bearing bright evidence of our faith. It lights the path, our journey toward a future that will, with God’s Grace, outgrow and outlive us. And perhaps those who follow after us will look back, as we are looking back, and say with gratitude and with love— well done, good and faithful servants.