I had been away from Wabash for 28 years when the September anniversary was held for the 106th time.
Wabash United had joined a few years before with Bothwell United, and the new pastoral charge was led by the Reverend Jim Johanson. Anniversary Sunday that year was gorgeous and the church, decorated for Fall, filled to capacity. Chairs were brought into the sanctuary for extra seating, and even the extensions under pews were pulled out to create a few more places to perch. The congregation was familiar--all the friends I had known from yeas before, and from other local churches, Talk about old home week. The choir was gowned in new maroon robes, and Eleanore Johanson was assisting with the music.
After the service, the long tables in the basement groaned with goodies, many favourites prepared by special request: Marilyn Adkin's chicken sandwiches, Eleanor Smith's deviled eggs, Mildred Steele's butter tarts, and on and on. The men soon found their way outdoors to the south side where they gathered to visit. The UCW stayed in to clean up!
For everyone, it was a renewal of old friendships and the beginning of new. I will never forget that Sunday--an anniversary to remember.