New Ark United Church of Christ
An "Open and Affirming" and "JustPeace" Congregation
NAUCC History
A Brief History of New Ark United Church of Christ
1979:
A group of folk interested in starting a church in Newark contact the Central
Atlantic Conference.
They hold their first worship service in July, receive approval for aid and
become in-care of the Chesapeake Association.
They adopt a mission statement is adopted and participate in their first
Community Day.
Lloyd Hartley serves as an interim pastor.
1980:
After worshipping in the afternoon at a local Unitarian Universalist church the group enters into a building-sharing
relationship with Calvary Baptist church.
The first baby is baptized in October. The congregation took two buses to the New York City Peace March.
1981:
An organizational structure is agreed upon and the congregation adopts its
Covenant and opens the charter.
Jo Ladu is called as the "organizing" pastor.
1982:
Jo is installed and the group joins a million other peace marchers in New York.
The organizational structure is reorganized and the first confirmation class
is held.
The charter is closed and small community groups are formed.
1983:
A constitution is drafted.
Joe Ladu resigns and Manny Hedgebeth begins serving as an interim pastor.
1984:
Peter Wells is called as the second full time pastor.
1985:
Peter is installed and the first wedding is celebrated.
The congregation joins others in a March for Peace in Jobs in Washington.
1986:
A Sanctuary statement is approved and the congregation supports an Afghan
Refuge.
The congregation becomes involved in a local soup kitchen and shares in a
summer VBS with Calvary Baptist.
1987:
A network for single parents is initiated and a program of sex education for
children in 1st grade through 8th is offered.
1988:
A covenant against apartheid is adopted and the congregation becomes a
Just/Peace church.
Leadership aid ends and the church has a $200,000 mortgage loan approved.
The office moves to a new location and the church begins to worship at the
Masonic Lodge.
The congregation begins to participate in Adopt-A-Family and establishes
several new small groups.
1989:
The congregation marks its 10th anniversary and holds its first VBS with First
Presbyterian and Head of Christiana Presbyterian.
1990:
The congregation helps organize the first community Thanksgiving service.
The church becomes an Open and Affirming congregation.
The congregation initiates a conversation with other congregations on how to meet community needs.
The Chesapeake Association meets in Newark.
1991:
The congregation purchases peace and justice books for the Newark and Elkton libraries.
The first community Ash Wednesday service is held and the congregation begins its tradition of Lenten services.
1992:
The congregation sponsors the CROP Walk and supports an anti-Klan rally.
A long-range planning committee and property task force are established.
1993:
The church builds a playhouse at Meeting Ground.
The Social Concerns Committee organizes groups to discuss how to respond to
homelessness and racism.
A bid is placed on the Senior Center.
1994:
The city of Newark accepts the bid of $377,000 and a Property Task Force is
formed to oversee purchase.
The 1st capital fund committee is formed and Newark United Housing Ministries is formed.
1995:
Dimensional Designs is selected to design the renovation of the Senior Center.
On Celebration Sunday the church receives over $327,000 in capital pledges.
The new UCC Hymnal is purchased.
1996:
The church closes on the Senior Center and holds a June ground-breaking.
Target Construction begins renovation work and the Newark Cooperative
Preschool agrees to locate in the new building.
1997:
On February 23rd the church holds the last worship service at the Masonic
Lodge.
On March 2nd it celebrates its first worship service at 300 East Main Street.
A service of dedication is held in June.
The Housing Ministry purchases a home for its transitional housing program.
1998:
The first family moves into the Housing Ministries home.
A second capital fund drive is approved.
A "Parent's Morning Out" program begins.
1999:
The congregations celebrates 20th year anniversary.
The second capital fund drive is a success.
2000:
The congregation decides to begin renting rooms from the Kelway Plaza offices right next door to allow more rooms for Christian Education and other meetings.
2001:
A woman's retreat was held in February.
In August the church initiated this website, the first ever for the congregation.
The Fall Retreat was resurrected and a retreat was held for a weekend away in October on the site of Camp Pecometh near Church Hill, Maryland.
2002:
After 17 years of service to the New Ark, Pastor Peter Wells accepts a job in April as the Associate Conference Minister for the western area of the Massachusetts conference.
A Called Pastor Search Committee was formed and began conducting it's search for a new Called Pastor.
In July, Interim Pastor Rachel Magdalene came to New Ark UCC.
2003:
Take-A-Meal program was initiated by the Social Concerns Committee. TAM bags were offered to area homeless who stop into the church for assistance.
In August, Pastor Magdalene completed her interim and moved to the Baltimore, Maryland area.
In October, Pastor Don Hammond came on as Interim Pastor.
2004:
The New Ark celebrates it's 25th anniversary on Sunday, June 13.
In July, the church will host an Our Whole Lives training for educators who will teach 7-9th & 10-12th graders about human sexuality. In the Fall, the congregation will offer the Our Whole Lives classes to K-1st, 4-6th & 10-12th graders for the first time.
...AND SO MUCH MORE STILL TO BE DREAMED UP!
Read about NAUCC's Banners and Quilts
Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003
