Clarendon In The News

Clarendon UMC Concludes Centennial Celebration

Arlington Sun Gazette, November 18, 2006

Things come and go over the course of a hundred years, but Clarendon United Methodist Church has endured. The church has just wrapped up its centennial celebration.

Clarendon United Methodist's history dates back to creation of a Sunday school in 1901. Five years later, it became a full-fledged congregation, located on North Jackson Street.

The church grew rapidly over the years, which made it necessary to relocate in 1923 to the corner of 10th Street North and North Irving Street. In 1941, the congregation moved to its current home in Ashton Heights.

Members of the church credit Clarendon United Methodist's longevity to its ability to hold onto existing members, while also attracting new followers.

“Over the years, we've had people get involved in the church and stay,” said membership secretary Trudy Ensign. “We have a lot of long-term members.”

A lot of the church leadership's energy and resources are devoted to programs for younger members, because they're the future, said Cecil Corry, the church's business manager and treasurer.

“We've tried to accommodate the growth and interest of young people,” Corry said.

Such programs and efforts include youth groups, Bible studies for members in their 20s and 30s, children's bell choir, cherub choir for younger kids and informal and contemporary church services.

Attracting young families is also a priority, so the church hosts activities for parents that are also child-friendly.

Today, younger members feel comfortable at the church, because older members - some who have attended since the 1940s and 1950s - are very welcoming, said young-adult leader Kristen Vibbert.

“The church is special, because there is a personal connection that goes back decades,” she said.

With the addition of a new elevator in the 1990s and renovations to the front entrance in 2001, the church building has maintained a fresh feel.

Members of the congregation commemorated the anniversary throughout the year with monthly decade-themed meals - one for each decade of its existence. And they completed anniversary celebrations with a centennial tea and special worship service the weekend of Nov. 18-19.

Even though the current pastor, Rev. Gene Thomas, has only been the spiritual leader of the church since June, he said he recognizes how valuable the church is to the community, and wants to continue reaching out.

“Clarendon United Methodist Church is the centerpiece of Ashton Heights, and it has been that for a hundred years,” he said.

Through worship, preaching, communion and baptism, Thomas said he hopes to attract “disciples of Jesus Christ” to the congregation.—KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer

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Bush Attends Informal Church Service in Virginia

Reuters, March 25, 2001

ARLINGTON, Va. (Reuters)—In his latest effort to find a place to pray, U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday attended an informal church service featuring guitar folk music and a harmonica version of "Amazing Grace."

Rev. Evans with George and Laura Bush
Rev. Glen Evans and his granddaughter,
Taylor, with the President and Laura Bush.
photo from Associated Press article

"Welcome to the family," Rev. Glen Evans told Bush and his wife Laura, who sat in the front row of the Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia across the Potomac River from Washington. "It's a honor and a privilege."

Bush and the first lady, who took up residence at the White House on Jan. 20, are trying out Washington-area churches before deciding where to worship on a regular basis.

On Sunday they crossed the Potomac River to join about 70 people at what Clarendon describes as its "informal" service in the stone and red-brick church set in a quiet neighborhood of small houses with well-tended lawns.

The service began with songs -- including a blues version of "Amazing Grace" -- by a four-person ensemble wearing open-necked shirts as they strummed guitars, hummed on a harmonica and played drums to a church about one-third full.

George Bush with Clarendon's Praise Band
Clarenon's Praise Band with the President.
John Melnick, Michael Bannach, George May,
President Bush and Bob Lunger.

"Hang on tight," said the group's leader, church youth minister Bob Lunger, as he began a rendition of "When the saints go marching in" that got much of the mostly white congregation to its feet swaying, singing and clapping along.

Aside from welcoming the Bushes, Evans made no reference to them as he spoke about how ordinary people can do good and introduced two women -- a former policewoman and a volunteer in a poor neighborhood -- to talk about their experiences.

"There are examples all around us of ordinary people who go out and who make a difference," Evans said.

After returning to the White House, Bush changed into navy blue nylon pants and a light blue, State of Texas windbreaker and went jogging at the U.S. Army's Fort McNair in southwest Washington.

Accompanied by his campaign media consultant Mark McKinnon, Bush said he ran three miles at 7 minutes, 22 seconds each, adding: "And I got witnesses."—Arshad Mohammed

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Virginia Church Creates Unique Partnership for Humanitarian Aid to Antigua

cbs.marketwatch.com, March 19, 2002
PRNewswire via COMTEX

ARLINGTON, Va., Mar 19, 2002 (PRNewswire via COMTEX)—The United States military and the FedEx Corporation have formed an unusual partnership with a Virginia church to provide humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean Island, Antigua. The partnership involves both the air delivery and shipping of supplies to help with the restoration efforts, demanded by several devastating hurricane seasons.

FedEx agreed to donate air transport services and fly supplies to Miami. The Coast Guard then agreed to load the supplies on to one of their ships that make annual trips to several Caribbean islands. The ship was stocked with clothing, sheets, towels and used textbooks.

This humanitarian effort was coordinated by Reverend Glen Evans, Pastor of Clarendon United Methodist Church, in Arlington, Virginia. Rev. Evans discovered the tiny island last year while traveling. The little known underdeveloped island had suffered several damaging hurricanes. What was unusual about his discovery is that it seemed to be continuing part of divine guidance, which encouraged him to pursue the creation of a humanitarian effort within his church. Two years ago, Rev. Evans began his and God's plan to provide aid to Caribbean nations.

Through aggressive networking, he discovered that the military on occasion transports humanitarian supplies. His inquiries soon led to a concrete action plan. Although he had to abort his first opportunity, he was not deterred. The opportunity came so soon that his congregation was not prepared to act on such short notice. Even though he had to turn down an available Navy ship in Hampton Roads, he knew he was on the right track and that God was going to see this project to fruition.

The second opportunity came quickly, but when this opportunity came, his congregation acted quickly and assembled 66 boxes of supplies in only a few days. His calls to FedEx, their willingness to support the work of the church, and most probably, additional and significant divine intervention, pulled the shipment process together in time to meet the ship's deadline.

Almost "miraculously," the boxes will be shipped this week and arrive in Antigua about April 16. With this successful venture almost under his church's belt, Pastor Evans and his congregation expect this to be the first of many shipments to this country with so much need.

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