Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
July – 100 years ago.
The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church hosted its annual Dickinson College Summer School of Religious Education July 11-21, 1921. Of the 280 paid registrants, 111 were men – and 73 of those were ministers. There were 193 certificates presented to those completing their third year of course work. Noted among the instructors was the Superintendent of Teacher Training from the state of Florida. Noted among the courses was one on “Epworth League Methods.”
Bishop William F. McDowell preached the Sunday morning service – and in response to his invitation, 19 young people dedicated themselves to full-time Christian service. Over 6,000 people from Carlisle and the surrounding area turned out to witness the impressive closing pageant, “The Deliverance of Moses.”
August – 50 years ago
August 1971 brought to conclusion a three month summer ministry by Rev. Robert Vowler and the Baughman Memorial Church in New Cumberland. Each Thursday night during June, July and August, worship services were held in the sanctuary – with bulletins, ushers, greeters, special soloists and all the other components of the traditional Sunday morning service. Like many other congregations, Baughman Memorial noticed that many families were using their summer weekends to take mini-vacations. The prime motivation of the program was to give opportunity for worship to those who would be out of town the following weekend. The sermon was the same as that of the following Sunday morning. The average number attending throughout the summer was 80, with local church members comprising about ¾ of each service’s attendance.
