Union Bethel, Brandywine, Maryland Celebrates 130 Years
“Looking at the Past – Stepping Into the Future,” was a benefitting theme for the celebration of Union Bethel AME Church’s rich 130-year history. Universities celebrate the beginning of each new school year with an annual gathering referred to as convocations. Election campaigns end their hard-fought wins and celebrate new leadership with inaugurations. Both officially mark the closing of the old and opening of something new. In many ways, Union Bethel’s 130th-anniversary celebration had the feel of honoring and closing the past and opening to the future. The “passing of the torch” feelings may have been especially prevalent for members who had previously only known one leader as the former pastor, who completed his 30-year run as new leadership came on board in August 2016.
The Rev. Dr. William M. Campbell, Jr. (or “Pastor C” as he is known to the congregation) and Lady Detra have indeed ushered in new beginnings at Union Bethel. With specific guidelines in a strategic plan left by former pastor and now Bishop Harry L. Seawright and Supervisor Sherita Seawright, the Campbells picked up the torch and have worked tirelessly without a break for 15 straight months. They officially inaugurated capital and physical improvements to both Union Bethel campus locations as part of the 130th-anniversary celebration.
The Union Bethel North campus opened the day with beautiful, new seating and staging. The Brandywine campus sanctuary was totally transformed into a new color palette of navy and royal blue flooring, pews, and choir loft seating—colors pulled from the original stained glass window installed 27 years ago. Additionally, many of Brandywine’s campus buildings and spaces will be re-designated and improved as well. The church was built in 1887 and is now known as Historic Union Bethel or the HUB. Once completed, strolling the halls of the HUB will take you through the years in photographs, leaving you with a warm feeling in your heart and a smile on your face as you see the fresh, youthful looks of those who are now counted among our “seasoned saints” or those you knew who are now enjoying their final rest in Glory. The Harry L. Seawright Prayer Garden is a legacy that he left in honor of his belief in prayer. The Vision Center, Hope Houses 1 and 2, Bethel House, and Outreach Center are also a part of the legacy. Our newly-designated bookstore was named in honor of Pastor Seawright’s father in ministry, the Rev. James Carey.
Each hour on November 12 built momentum leading up to the main celebratory service. After powerful 7:30 and 9:30 am services and immediately following the 11:30 am service, a beautiful white, heated tent was set to receive nearly 300 guests for an elegantly-catered dinner of baked chicken and grilled salmon, all thanks to the Hospitality Ministry and the expertise of Events by Furby.It was a special time to greet each other and welcome back the Seawright family.
In all its pomp and circumstance, however, praise and worship remained the centerpieces of the day’s celebration. The nationally-renowned Alephio Dance Ministry ministered and the 60-plus member Mass Choir adorned in black, pearls, and beautiful blue corsages and boutonnieres brought the house down each time they stood to minister in song. Pastor C served as worship leader and the Seawrights and our own Bishop James L. Davis rendered powerful messages at four separate services that all aligned with our scripture, Joshua 4:20-23. The day was indeed blessed in dance, music, and a powerful Word.
Thinking about our history from 1887 to 2017, songs like “How We Got Over” and “We’ve Come this Far By Faith” took on new meaning, as did the 12 stones in our theme scripture. This 130th celebration symbolically serves as a stone—a reminder—and a memorial so that this generation will remember. Yes, a new era has dawned. God is still good and the future is brighter than ever!
