Contributed by Jeff Glisson and Richard Kyerematen
On Sunday, July 28, Germantown Church of the Brethren in Philadelphia, Pa., celebrated Reunion Sunday and the dedication of a 300th Anniversary plaque, with an Awards Presentation.
The day began with worship followed by a lunch served in the front yard of the church, and the Plaque Dedication and Awards Presentation. It was a great day full of joy, celebration, stories, thanksgiving, fellowship, and the presence and moving of the Holy Spirit. The Germantown congregation is led by pastor Richard Kyerematen.
During worship, pastor Barbara Elizabeth Short-Clark shared the comments she made at the recent Annual Conference during the Germantown 300th Anniversary recognition. She connected the past and the witness of Alexander Mack, founder of the Brethren movement, as a foundation and a challenge as we minister in the present and in the future.
As part of a time of sharing, Kyerematen talked about the Church of the Brethren and its core beliefs. He highlighted that we are non-creedal but show a commitment to the scriptures with a focus on the New Testament, baptism, the concept of the Priesthood of All Believers, service, peace, and simplicity.
The morning message was brought by pastor Timothy Latiff, who works at a nonprofit in Virginia. He shared his story about how he came to know pastor Kyerematen and the Germantown church during his undergraduate studies at the then Valley Forge Christian College, now Valley Forge University. The congregation was invited to remember the impactful moments from our lives due to Germantown, which are important parts of our stories. He reminded us that Germantown is here today through the transforming power of God and the prayers of those who have gone before. There was a call to encounter Jesus during worship. By knowing Christ more through Germantown, we can impact the lives of others for Christ outside Sunday morning worship.
Below: Lunch is enjoyed on the front lawn of the Germantown church as the local Magic Drill Team performs.
In 2023, Germantown celebrated a year-long 300th anniversary of God’s faithfulness with services, programs and activities. A bronze plaque honoring and celebrating the 300th Anniversary was hung on the front exterior wall of the Old Meetinghouse for future generations to see.
To help in the dedication of the plaque was Earl Ziegler, during whose tenure as district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Northeast District pastor Kyerematen was called to Germantown. Also attending were former Germantown pastor Ron Lutz and his wife, Ila, and Atlantic Northeast District executive minister Pete Kontra.
The unveiling of the plaque was ushered in with a community cookout and a performance by the Magic Drill Team, followed by the distribution of Certificates of Appreciation by pastor Kyerematen to individuals and families, including several who have gone to their eternal home, who worked and supported the Germantown ministry over the last 35 years.
— Richard Kyerematen serves as pastor and Jeff Glisson serves as moderator of Germantown Church of the Brethren.
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- Annual Conference organizers announce preacher line up for 2025
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- Brethren Volunteer Service begins ‘BVS Visionary Voices’ online speaker series
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