25th Anniversary

New Ark United Church of Christ

An "Open and Affirming" and "JustPeace" Congregation

25th Anniversary

On Sunday, June 13, 2004 the New Ark celebrated it's 25th Anniversary!

CHECK OUT PHOTOS of the Anniversary Celebration June 13, 2004

Serendipity: In 1979 a representative of a group of church folk looking for a denomination with which they might happily become affiliated, called the New York office of the United Church of Christ to speak with someone who could explain the process for establishing a “New Church Start.” The person receiving the call said unfortunately the appropriate official wasn’t available at the time as he was in Newark, Delaware, looking into whether it might be possible to start a UCC congregation there. That was the fortuitous beginning of the New Ark United Church of Christ, 25 years old this July.

Left: 1979. Right: 1980 - 1st Baptism - Rev. Hartley

For many years Peoples’ Church in Dover and a very small congregation in Milford were the only UCC churches in Delaware. The new New Ark United Church of Christ saw as its mission concern for the needy, dispossessed, spiritual and economic outsiders. Because this sense of mission was so strongly ingrained, the congregation decided as a matter of principle not to buy or build a place for worship but to rent or share space in order to free up more resources for needs beyond those of its congregation. A church without a visible and recognizable “home” clearly did not fit with the experienced thinking of the UCC regional leadership which in its 3rd year assessment therefore declared the New Ark UCC not viable as a “New Church Start.” (Later they changed their assessment.)

1983: Colonial Service with Rev. Joe LaDu

Initially the New Ark UCC rented space from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. In 1980 it entered into a building-sharing relationship with Calvary Baptist Church for 8 years, then for 9 years rented space in the Masonic Hall next to Calvary Baptist. In 1994 the congregation, having finally acquiesced to the value of having a permanent home, embarked on its first capital campaign to buy the just-vacated Newark Senior Center. To stay true to its mission this campaign included a 10% set-aside for a housing ministry.

Photo: When the decision was made for the New Ark to find a property of its own.

In 1997 the former senior center (the Newark Waterworks in earlier days) became the visible (if not necessarily recognizable as a church building) home of the New Ark UCC. Determined to make this church home an asset to its vision of ministry and a resource to the community, it shares its space with the Newark Cooperative Preschool and with Christ’s Green Pastures Philippine Ministry, providing space as well for many other community groups. With help from the Delaware State Housing Authority, the church’s dedicated housing set-aside resulted in purchase of a house to provide stability for a family transitioning from shelter-living to independence, a third family now in residence.

2001: Dr. Peter Wells, standing by the newly named "Wells Hall"

In its 25 years seven members of the congregation have gone on to become ordained ministers. In 1988 it voted to become a Just/Peace Church and in 1990 adopted a Statement of Openness, Inclusion and Affirmation of Gay and Lesbian Persons. The congregation has had only two “called” pastors, best known in the community having been Peter Wells who served for 17 years. Over the years it has been consistent practice to share special event services (Easter Sunrise, Ash Wednesday, Thanksgiving) with other congregations in the community, and the church participates monthly in service to Hope Dining Room.

2002: Rev. Liz Colton, ordained after being "in care" at the New Ark. Above she is with her family.

Sunday, June 13th, will be the official 25th Anniversary celebration beginning with 9:30 AM worship. The celebration will conclude with an event beginning at 12:30 which the community is welcome and encouraged to attend. Three of the former pastors and the current interim, Don Hammond, as well as a representative of the National UCC, will speak very briefly about their experience with the New Ark UCC and what they expect of this church in the years to come.

May 30, 2004 -- Article by Jane Dilley, Choir Director

Jane Dilley & Storm LonghauserRich Wildonger, our organist for 25 years who for the last several years has lived in Boston but continues to fly in for the weekend with regularity to play for the congregation!

To read the abridged year-by-year highlights of our church history, see our HISTORY page.

To view even more wonderful photos, taken over the last 25 years by Jane Schaefer,

CLICK HERE to see more photos from the past!

Copyright 2004

	New Ark United Church of Christ An "Open and Affirming" and "JustPeace" Congregation
	25th Anniversary
	On Sunday, June 13, 2004 the New Ark celebrated it's 25th Anniversary! CHECK OUT PHOTOS of the Anniversary Celebration June 13, 2004 Serendipity: In 1979 a representative of a group of church folk looking for a denomination with which they might happily become affiliated, called the New York office of the United Church of Christ to speak with someone who could explain the process for establishing a “New Church Start.” The person receiving the call said unfortunately the appropriate official wasn’t available at the time as he was in Newark, Delaware, looking into whether it might be possible to start a UCC congregation there. That was the fortuitous beginning of the New Ark United Church of Christ, 25 years old this July. Left: 1979. Right: 1980 - 1st Baptism - Rev. Hartley For many years Peoples’ Church in Dover and a very small congregation in Milford were the only UCC churches in Delaware. The new New Ark United Church of Christ saw as its mission concern for the needy, dispossessed, spiritual and economic outsiders. Because this sense of mission was so strongly ingrained, the congregation decided as a matter of principle not to buy or build a place for worship but to rent or share space in order to free up more resources for needs beyond those of its congregation. A church without a visible and recognizable “home” clearly did not fit with the experienced thinking of the UCC regional leadership which in its 3rd year assessment therefore declared the New Ark UCC not viable as a “New Church Start.” (Later they changed their assessment.) 1983: Colonial Service with Rev. Joe LaDu Initially the New Ark UCC rented space from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. In 1980 it entered into a building-sharing relationship with Calvary Baptist Church for 8 years, then for 9 years rented space in the Masonic Hall next to Calvary Baptist. In 1994 the congregation, having finally acquiesced to the value of having a permanent home, embarked on its first capital campaign to buy the just-vacated Newark Senior Center. To stay true to its mission this campaign included a 10% set-aside for a housing ministry. Photo: When the decision was made for the New Ark to find a property of its own. In 1997 the former senior center (the Newark Waterworks in earlier days) became the visible (if not necessarily recognizable as a church building) home of the New Ark UCC. Determined to make this church home an asset to its vision of ministry and a resource to the community, it shares its space with the Newark Cooperative Preschool and with Christ’s Green Pastures Philippine Ministry, providing space as well for many other community groups. With help from the Delaware State Housing Authority, the church’s dedicated housing set-aside resulted in purchase of a house to provide stability for a family transitioning from shelter-living to independence, a third family now in residence. 2001: Dr. Peter Wells, standing by the newly named "Wells Hall" In its 25 years seven members of the congregation have gone on to become ordained ministers. In 1988 it voted to become a Just/Peace Church and in 1990 adopted a Statement of Openness, Inclusion and Affirmation of Gay and Lesbian Persons. The congregation has had only two “called” pastors, best known in the community having been Peter Wells who served for 17 years. Over the years it has been consistent practice to share special event services (Easter Sunrise, Ash Wednesday, Thanksgiving) with other congregations in the community, and the church participates monthly in service to Hope Dining Room. 2002: Rev. Liz Colton, ordained after being "in care" at the New Ark. Above she is with her family. Sunday, June 13th, will be the official 25th Anniversary celebration beginning with 9:30 AM worship. The celebration will conclude with an event beginning at 12:30 which the community is welcome and encouraged to attend. Three of the former pastors and the current interim, Don Hammond, as well as a representative of the National UCC, will speak very briefly about their experience with the New Ark UCC and what they expect of this church in the years to come. May 30, 2004 -- Article by Jane Dilley, Choir Director Jane Dilley & Storm LonghauserRich Wildonger, our organist for 25 years who for the last several years has lived in Boston but continues to fly in for the weekend with regularity to play for the congregation! To read the abridged year-by-year highlights of our church history, see our HISTORY page. To view even more wonderful photos, taken over the last 25 years by Jane Schaefer, CLICK HERE to see more photos from the past!
Copyright 2004