The New Martinsville United Methodist Church invites all the community to join us for a wonderful day of worship, celebration, and community, on Sunday, August 24. The day begins with worship at 10 a.m. and continues with a community block party featuring complimentary lunch, games, information and gifts from area businesses, civic organizations, and agencies.

The day marks the twentieth anniversary of the current facility at 10 Howard Jeffers Dr. in New Martinsville. In the early 2000s, three local New Martinsville United Methodist congregations–First, St. John, and Steelton–merged to form the New Martinsville United Methodist Church. Completion of a new church building concluded in the summer of 2005, culminating with a dedication worship in August of that year.

“We felt we needed to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of this building, and the feat of three churches becoming one. Both are deeply admirable achievements,” said Jeffrey Kanode, current pastor. “However, we also felt it incredibly important that the celebration should not merely be nostalgia, or memory. It needed to express appreciation for the present and hope for the future. That’s why we are inviting our community to a block party. It’s an invitation of love: Come and join us in creating the next twenty years of history, family, and service at New Martinsville UMC.”

The church has named the celebration “Celebrating the Past, Cherishing the Present, and Embracing the Future.” Former pastors Michael Adkinson, Melissa Shortridge, Rene Wilt, and Steve Rector will all participate in the morning worship service. Noted local musician and church member Tom Fonner and a band of friends will provide music.