On October 19, 2003, the Bishop of the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Reverend Susan Wolfe Hassinger, will preside over services commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the First United Methodist Church of Marlborough, MA.

     Bishop Hassinger is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  She was elected to the episcopacy in July of 1996, at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference and was assigned as Resident Bishop to the Boston Area.  She is currently president of the Board of Directors for the JUSTPEACE Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation and is serving on the General Board of Discipleship.

     Worship Services on the 19th will begin at 10:00am with a ceremonious bagpipe display welcoming former and current church members, pastors, and the community to worship with our church families.  Services will include a celebration of the Eucharist.  Also presiding will be church pastor, Reverend Dorothy Asare.

     After services Bishop Hassinger will be meeting with members of the congregation to discuss what it means to be a Christian in daily life and in the work place.  The purpose of the discussion is to learn and think more about how our congregations assist people in exercising faithful discipleship in their lives.

     In addition to Sunday Worship Services, festivities will include an evening Coffee and Dessert Reception followed by a Hymn-Sing-A-Long on Friday October 17th at 7:00pm

     A Celebration Banquet will be held on Saturday October 18th at 5:00pm.  A catered dinner will be offered; seating is by reservation only.  Please call the church office at 508-485-1980 to purchase tickets, or for further information about any of the festivities.  All activities will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Marlborough, 52 Church Street.  All are welcome.