SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2014 SESSION

14105120D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 147
Offered March 3, 2014
Commending Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
----------
Patron-- Mason
----------

WHEREAS, in 2014, the congregation of Williamsburg United Methodist Church celebrates its 50th year of fellowship and worship at its current location on Jamestown Road; and

WHEREAS, the founding of what is now called Williamsburg United Methodist Church dates to 1771; and

WHEREAS, in 1807, a group called the Williamsburg Methodists began using a barn on Francis Street for a meeting house, and over the years, the congregation grew and the work of the church expanded; the members of Williamsburg United Methodist Church moved into a building on Duke of Gloucester Street in 1842 and moved again, in 1926, to a site on College Corner; and

WHEREAS, by the middle of the 20th century, the church’s membership had increased significantly; Williamsburg United Methodist Church had 327 members in 1926 and more than 1,000 members by the early 1960s; and

WHEREAS, in 1963, ground was broken for a much larger church at a site on Jamestown Road; construction was completed the following year and the congregation of Williamsburg United Methodist Church moved into the space in 1964, continuing a long tradition of fellowship and worship; and

WHEREAS, service and mission are two of the hallmarks of the ministry of Williamsburg United Methodist Church; church members take part in the Ministry of the Good Shepherd, visiting the sick and shut-in, and the Stephen Ministry provides aid and compassionate support to people in times of difficulty; and

WHEREAS; the Respite Care program of Williamsburg United Methodist Church is a social program for senior adults with special needs; it offers a caring environment and assistance to older adults while providing a respite to those who care for their elderly loved ones; and

WHEREAS, members of Williamsburg United Methodist Church assist the homeless community in the Williamsburg area through the Emergency Winter Shelter program, the Homeless Friend Restoration Process, and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, in the Historic Triangle area, the mission work of Williamsburg United Methodist Church includes support of the Avalon Center for Women and Children, FISH, Inc., the Williamsburg-James City County Head Start program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula, Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic, Lackey Free Clinic, and many other organizations; and

WHEREAS, the global mission work of Williamsburg United Methodist Church takes place in Brazil, the Kingdom of Tonga, Cambodia, the Philippines, Haiti, and many other countries; the church’s goal is for all members of the church to take part in mission work and to share their experiences when they return; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Williamsburg United Methodist Church hereby be commended for providing 50 years of fellowship and worship at its current location on Jamestown Road; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Bill Jones, senior pastor of Williamsburg United Methodist Church, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect and admiration for the church’s many years of service to the people of Williamsburg, the Commonwealth, and the world.