The 175th Anniversary Celebration (1843-2018) of First United Methodist Church on Sept. 9, 2018

Photos and Story by Tom Ganser

Events of the day:

(1) Breakfast gathering in Fellowship Hall beginning at 8:45 a.m.

(2) Organ recital at 9:30 a.m. by FUMC organist and music director (since 1975) Jim Athas featuring compositions by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, and Paul Otto Mantz

(3) Worship service at 10:00 a.m. beginning with Sophia Walton playing piano

(4) Celebration after the service in Fellowship Hall.


Additional information:

Rev. Susan Bresser – Pastor for First United Methodist Church

Rev. Mary Beth Byrne – Pastor of Caring Ministry for First United Methodist Church

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Forrest Wells, District Superintendent, South East District (Wisconsin); served as Associate Pastor for First United Methodist Church (Whitewater), 1984-86.


Also serving roles in the worship service:

Sophia Walton, piano

Jayne Haskey, FUMC Office Manager

Jim Athas, FUMC Organist/Music Director

Angie Dickens, flute

Ella Smith, ukulele and vocalist

Beth Staniforth-Seamster, Children’s Ministry Coordinator for Whitewater Area Regional Ministry

Chancel Choir directed by Christine Hayes

Technical support provided by Joe Sherman.


Congregation members Lynn Binnie, Cason Boudreau, Ethan Dugan, Kay Ebert, Jake Gerlach, Margaret Hancock, John Hoffmann, Tim Hoffmann, Amy Houwers, Elizabeth Katzman, Meikayla Korf, Elizabeth McComb, Mary Peiffer, Jen Soehner, Chuck Taylor, Donna Vosburg, Caroline Wieman (Church historian)

Several members of the congregation participated in the “March of History” highlighting important events in the history of Methodism and the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater.

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