DATE: Thursday, May 15, 1997                TAG: 9705140195

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 18   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

HOLY NECK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CELEBRATES 250 YEARS IN THE SPIRIT

At age 86, Emmett Harrell reflects on his more than 50-year membership at Holy Neck United Church of Christ with fond memories. ``I belonged to the Somerton Friends Church before I got married,'' he said. ``But when my wife and I had children, I thought we should belong to the same church. Since both she and her father were lifetime members at Holy Neck and she didn't want to switch, I decided to go with her.''

Since that time Harrell has faithfully served his church and community, and has been honored as a Lifetime Deacon. Recently, his daughter was also ordained a deacon of the church.

``I think Holy Neck has a bright future ahead,'' Harrell continued. ``We have a lot of young people and lots of little ones coming along.''

On May 4, Harrell joined with about 650 others who gathered together at the Holy Neck United Church of Christ to celebrate the past, present and future of this great congregation. It was a grand celebration - the 250th Anniversary of the church. The day's activities began with an 11 a.m. service featuring a message by the Rev. Dr. Rollin Russell, Conference Minister of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ.

An elaborate ``country dinner'' followed the morning service giving the church family and their guests an opportunity to reminisce about bygone days and catch up on recent events.

At 2 o'clock, the crowd re-assembled in the sanctuary for an afternoon service featuring music and special messages. Delman Felton, historian of the church, read the updated history of the Holy Neck U.C.C. which was dedicated to the memory of former historian Mrs. Brock Jones.

Richard Gwaltney presented greetings from neighboring churches and recognized three ``sons'' of the church in ministry: Oscar Fowler Jr., former pastor of Trinity Christian Church; Bobby Barnes missionary to Mozambique; and Norman March, pastor of Surry Street Baptist Church in Portsmouth.

The afternoon challenge, ``The Christian Denomination: Free to Serve,'' was delivered by the Rev. Walter Snowa, associate conference minister of the Eastern Virginia Association of the Southern Conference of the U.C.C.

``Everything worked out so well. It was pretty weather - things just couldn't have been better,'' noted the pleased chairperson of the event, Dr. William C. ``Billy'' March.

March praised the six-member committee that has worked since last September orchestrating this celebration.

Mills March and his chef's crew fried 400 pounds of chicken beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday morning for Sunday's Southern-style dinner. Jeanette Holland donated mounds of ham for the ham rolls and pounds of potato salad were prepared by the women's Sunday School classes. Forty homemade layer cakes donated by the ladies of the congregation completed the day's fare.

Longtime members, Joan Boyce and her mother Evie Fowler, assembled a history display which fascinated members and guests alike. Part of the exhibit included an old Communion set dating back to the days when Holy Neck was an Anglican Church. There was an 1868 Holy Bible and an antique collection plate, the kind attached to a stick for convenience in passing.

``This room was so well done we've received requests to keep it open,'' March reported.

Organist Kathryn Milteer and choir director Bennie Felton pulled out all the stops with a musical repertoire of favorite hymns and anthems performed by the church's three choirs and various ensembles throughout the day.

Reflecting on the day's success March noted, ``The greatest impact of the anniversary celebration was in bringing the church closer together.''

Lisa Reece and her family are longtime members of the Christian denomination but ``newcomers'' to Holy Neck Christian as of eight yeas ago. ``This church has a real sense of community and hospitality,'' Reece said. ``They see a need and pitch in to get the job done without even a second thought. . . . I think that explains why Sunday's celebration went so smoothly.''

Interim Pastor Dr. Robert Marr predicts a bright future for this historic congregation. ``I see this church poised for an even greater future. They have very good leadership in the older, middle and younger generations, a strong children's program and enthusiastic music.''

``The church has good opportunity for future growth, and it has a lot to offer newcomers,'' Marr concluded. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP

About 650 members of the Holy Neck United Church of Christ family

gathered on May 4 to celebrate the church's 250th year.

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