| God is good! I drove north AND south on I-95 for ninety minutes each way and did not have to stop for traffic once! This allowed my morning with Hartwood Presbyterian Church to begin with an inner peace, which was improved during worship and fellowship time. I will lead with this repeated theme: These are good people, a very welcoming congregation, a wonderful campus, and well worth being a part of should one be passing through or moving to the area. Hartwood Presbyterian was formally established in 1825, though it traces its roots back to at least 1767! If my memory is correct, the building we see was built in 1858. I was seeking confirmation in their history book on the date and came across this part of their history: One of Hartwood’s pastors sadly resigned in 1861, as the coming conflict was too great to ignore; his roots were in the North and his call was in the South, and he saw no way forward as he was being “forced to choose a side” (the last thought is mine). I was barely inside the sanctuary before being greeted and handed a palm frond on this Palm Sunday. Before worship, at least three folks personally greeted me. This is a good thing! The sanctuary is small but so light and open, reminding me that builders in the 1800s knew their craft. While 200 years old, obvious upgrades were tucked in corners (media and sound). This particular Palm Sunday was a bit complicated for Hartwood. Spring break had granted their choir, choir leader, accompanist, and several other families time for family vacations, so Hartwood made adjustments. One talented member, guitar in hand, led us through a procession of the palms, three hymns, one anthem, and three choral responses. Contemporary format, traditional music. Nicely done, Hartwood! I find it vital to the whole of the service when individual congregants take part in it. During the time with children, one attendee decided not to come to the front, and the parent said, “She is a bit moody today!” That just told me loudly and clearly that this is a good church family, supporting its children in all ways! Following worship, there was a time for fellowship in the room just behind the sanctuary, which also features a church archives display. On this day, you could see three or four generations mingling with each other in conversation, enjoying the day and the company. Hartwood has an outdoor worship center (a Boy Scout project; see above photo) and a larger building for Sunday school, fellowship, and community use. It sits just down a small slope, visible from the church’s parking lot, but not encroaching on the historical part of the campus. The church is surrounded by a cemetery, probably as old as the building, if not older. A good reminder of the past (cemetery), the present (the sanctuary), and the future (the education building). All in all, a wonderful Palm Sunday, just a bit west of I-95 in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. I will gladly make the trek there again whenever possible. So should you all, if you are passing by some Sunday morning. Till my next outing, |
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| Kerry |
