2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25105689D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 255

Offered February 11, 2025

Commending Surry United Methodist Church.

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Patron—Aird

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WHEREAS, for 100 years, Surry United Methodist Church has provided inspirational spiritual leadership and opportunities for worship, while enhancing local life through outreach programs; and

WHEREAS, the Methodist congregation in the Town of Surry traces its roots to 1923, when a few members of the Moorings Church on the Surry Charge organized a Sunday school in an old public building; and

WHEREAS, on April 12, 1924, the Second Quarterly Conference held at Moorings Church, with the Reverend Dr. J.K. Jolliff presiding and the Reverend J. Fletcher Osborn as circuit pastor, elected a building committee authorized to proceed at once with the contract for a church building; and

WHEREAS, through the tireless efforts of its faithful members, the construction of the new church was completed, and on March 29, 1925, the Surry Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was dedicated, becoming a part of Virginia Methodism, joining the Surry Circuit Methodist Episcopal churches; and

WHEREAS, in 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Methodist Protestant Church, merged to form the Methodist Church, and the Surry Methodist Church congregation continued to serve the Lord, with the other Surry Charge Methodist congregations who were members of the Charge during all or part of the years to follow, including the Carsley, Dendron, Claremont, Spring Grove, and Oak Grove Methodist Churches; and

WHEREAS, many pastors and faithful members continued to support the Surry Methodist Church over the ensuing years, enlarging the church building in the 1960s and 1970s with needed room additions and enriching church services through meaningful donations, such as an organ, chimes, and a long-desired steeple; and

WHEREAS, following the merger vote in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, the Surry Methodist Church became known as Surry United Methodist Church; the church remains a member today of the Surry Charge, with Carsley and Oak Grove United Methodist Churches, and is a part of the Living Waters District of the Virginia United Methodist Conference; and

WHEREAS, Surry United Methodist Church has always proudly celebrated its history, including through a 25th anniversary homecoming under the Reverend R.J. Callis, Jr., on April 30, 1950; a 50th anniversary event under the Reverend Emmett Diggs on May 18, 1975; and a 75th anniversary event under the Reverend Ray Rowland on May 7, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the current pastor of Surry United Methodist Church, the Reverend Dr. Gary Edens and the other members of the congregation will commemorate the church's milestone 100th anniversary on Sunday, March 30, 2025, with a special service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Surry United Methodist Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Gary Edens, pastor of Surry United Methodist Church, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the church's long history and legacy of contributions to the Surry community.