Oak
Chapel United Methodist Church
Our Vision for the Twenty-First Century
"Here We Grow Again"
--Anonymous
Great changes have occurred in the area surrounding Oak Chapel since our l00th
Birthday; Layhill has undergone a literal population explosion.
In 1984 the old Argyle Club Road (now obliterated) ran between our chapel and
the Argyle golf course. It served seven homes beyond the Argyle Club gate. By
1988, within a one and a half mile radius of Oak Chapel, the post office was adding
service to 200 new families each month.
Not only was the number of people in the neighborhood increasing dramatically,
but the demographics were also changing. Once we served as a Spiritual and Community
center for land-owners and farm workers who "tied their horses to the oak trees."
Then we moved through a growth phase fueled by garden-minded suburbanites. Now
many families support two careers. Some are headed by a single parent. In either
case, there are special needs for children. To keep pace with the many changes
around us has been our challenge this past decade.
One major contribution to the community has been the opening, in 1992, of the
Oak Chapel Child Development
Center, which emphasizes Christian values. The child care program serves about
80, in a before-and-after school program, a kindergarten, and an all-day care
center. An interacting relationship benefits both the Center and the Church, with
Oak Chapel providing approximately $1,500 in full and partial scholarships each
year.
This boat sails in the middle of the Development Center's playground. |
In 1989 Oak Chapel moved from a student to a full-time pastor. Half of the pastor’s
salary was subsidized by the Annual Conference that year and the next. This subsidy
was eliminated in 1991 when we paid the full salary of the pastor and provided
a housing allowance. From 1993 to the present we have paid apportionments in full,
meeting or exceeding our budget. Our annual budget has gone from $77,000 in 1990
to over $125,000 in 1996. In 1992 our Missions Statement was modified as follows:
"The mission of Oak Chapel United Methodist Church is to enthusiastically provide
support for a relationship with God and the community. We strive to fulfill Christ’s
call to share God’s love and reach out to our community to build a congregation
that reflects the different ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds of our neighbors.
We make a special commitment to children and youth, to respond to their needs,
nourish them in God’s love, and plant in their hearts the seeds of a better life
and a better world through Christ our Lord. Through the spiritual atmosphere of
worship, prayer and fellowship we live as disciples of Jesus and strive to teach
the love of God through our words, actions and service to others."
1990 also saw the completion of a successful telephone outreach program. In addition
we initiated a second worship service to accommodate the increasing attendance.
The physical plant at Oak Chapel was changing too. In 1989 a handicap ramp was
added in front of the church. 1990 saw the conversion of the parsonage into an
Administration Building with a caretaker’s apartment and finished basement. The
old road was closed, and the new entrance off of Layhill Road was built. We benefitted
tremendously when the State agreed to pave our parking lot, and construct a new
driveway entrance.
"We Are The Church"
--Methodist Hymnal p.558
The years between 1990 and 1995 were busy. We introduced many outreach programs
and modified our facilities, all to better serve our growing congregation and
to enhance our presence in the community. Buildings have been painted and maintained,
and several of our members "adopted" gardens to maintain. A new sign, given by
Lala, Jim and Chip Garritty and friends was contributed in memory of Lala’s parents,
A. William and Eulene Huebner, and was dedicated on March 19, 1995. It graciously
informs all passers-by just who we are. During this period Oak Chapel opened its
doors and warmly received new members. Through it all, we have continued our strong
tradition of Christian fellowship with church fairs, suppers, and yard sales.
Old friends, and new, have participated in our many programs and activities.
Notable among our programs were the Disciple Study Groups. Participants made two-year
commitments to meet every week, September through May. The group drew from beyond
our church, and lasting friendships developed. Also a very special event was our
trip to the Holy Land in 1993. Ten Oak Chapel members and friends, led by Rev.
Richard Bowman, joined with a tour group totaling 32 (seven of whom were ministers)
to take a nine day tour of Israel and Egypt. Historic Biblical sites were visited.
At each site the group sang an appropriate hymn, read verses from the Bible which
spoke of the site and had prayers. At the river Jordan, a moving service of Baptism
Rededication was conducted by Rev. Bowman.
Community Outreach Programs, or "Missions," in recent years have included a craft
workshop, making quilts for "AIDS babies", supplying disposable diapers to families
in need, and providing free fingerprint I.D. kits to parents for their children.
We have also prepared meals for students at Wesley Seminary. Maintaining a food
closet, and delivering food through Wheaton "HELP", have been ongoing ministries
since 1984. Our overseas mission provides partial support to Rev. Bill Lovelace,
a Methodist missionary in Russia. We also pledged $500 to Africa University and
sent money to the "Burned Churches" fund in 1996.
We participate in the highway litter pick-up campaign, "Adopt-a-Highway."
Various civic and community groups meet at Oak Chapel. Our float won a trophy
in the annual Layhill Day Parade, and the community looks forward to our Spring
Fun Fests. McGruff, the crime fighting dog, makes a popular appearance that day,
and the games and booths with goodies for sale provide a gala atmosphere. The
Christmas Homes Tour, instituted in 1995, provided a delightful introduction to
the Advent Season.
The music ministry at Oak Chapel continues to be exceptional. Our choir, ever
faithful, enhances morning worship and special services. A new piano, in memory
of Joe Butco, was given in 1988, and the organ, in memory of Donald J. Lindsey,
was a gift in 1993.
Our church has felt the impact (positive and negative) of Washington’s transitory
nature. Many members and friends have moved away, new members have arrived to
take their place. Nothing stays the same. We trust our old friends carry the love
of Oak Chapel in their hearts.
"I will lead them in paths that they have not known."
--Isaiah 42:16
Leadership at Oak Chapel in the past decade has been richly rewarding, not
only to the church, but also to the providers. Rev. Jim Skillington moved on
to a position as Communications Coordinator for the Baltimore Annual Conference,
then to Editor of the United Methodist Connection newspaper and Editor of Kaleidoscope
Magazine; Art Justice (Lay Leader in 1989) entered seminary studies under the
Local Pastor Program; and Rev. Richard Bowman, upon leaving Oak Chapel, was
accepted at Fordham University Law School. He intends to apply justice to ecclesiastical
matters.
 |
In 1979, long time choir member and dedicated servant of Oak Chapel,
John Dye, painted a picture of his beloved Oak Chapel which proudly hangs
in the Foyer of the new Fellowship Hall. |
"I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon."
--1 Corinthians 3:10
A specially called Church Conference in June of 1990 accepted the report of the
Long Range Planning Committee that recommended the formation of a Building Committee.
In November the Washington West District Committee on Church Location and Building
granted permission for Oak Chapel to proceed with the required survey work. Ron
King has been chairman of our Building Committee since its inception.
Although there was much enthusiasm within the congregation for a new building
it was soon realized that there were more immediate needs which had to be addressed.
The first priority was the reconstruction and alteration of the Education Building
in order to accommodate our full time Child Development Center. Funds were contributed
and many volunteered their time. Our special thanks to the Martin and Hartlove
families for spearheading this project and for their generous financial support.
The Hartloves became the Directors of the Center when it was opened.
Most recently, Spring 1994, our Chapel underwent the first major alteration and
redecoration since the fire in 1979. Its "Victorian" look was restored. The chapel
is now charming, and reflects our reverence to our Lord. The restoration was made
possible in part by contributions in memory of Molly Baker and James Kelley and
through the dedicated work of many volunteers. The lovely banners, created by
Maggie Lake, add special beauty and help to enhance our worship services.
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain
that build it."
--Psalm 127:1
The Building Committee turned again to the major building project in early 1995.
They decided to hire a local architect who would be familiar with the codes and
requirements of Montgomery County. Intergrated Design Concepts (IDC) of Silver
Spring was engaged to develop a Master Plan for Oak Chapel, incorporating any
parts of earlier architectural drawings that still seemed appropriate. For six
months the committee and architects met almost every Thursday night, resulting
in a Master Plan and preliminary drawings of Phase One. These were presented to
the Washington West District Board of Church Location and Building on January
29, 1996, and were approved. The next step was for Oak Chapel to vote on proceeding
with these plans.
"All things are possible to him that believeth."
--Mark 9:23
With completion nearing on near-by major residential developments, we look
forward to the opening of the Glenmont Metro Station in mid 1998. This event
will effectively enlarge our neighborhood or "scope of influence" as Layhill
Road becomes a major corridor between Glenmont and points to the North. And
so, as we move into the next Century, our vision is to BE THERE for more and
more people. Oak Chapel expects to break ground for its new multi-purpose building
(Phase One of our Master Plan) in 1998 and to greet the new Century prepared.
As our current pastor, Rev. William R. Boyer, summed it up, "Our vision for
the 21st Century is that of a church with adequate facilities to carry out a
full and active ministry in this place for many decades to come. Our vision
includes far more than buildings. It includes an ever increasing sense of mission,
mission in the community and the world. And, most importantly, it includes an
ever deepening love of God. If we keep Jesus first, the buildings will get built,
the funds will be raised, and the debt will be paid off. Let us pray to keep
all of this in perspective as we step off together into a new millennium." An
affirmative vote by our congregation, to proceed with the building plans, was
cast on March 3, 1996.
www.OakChapel.com:
Oak Chapel goes High-Tech: The beginning of our WorldWide Web Cyber-Ministry.
Our humble website beginnings in 1997 have been eclipsed by an explosion of
internet use. The site has grown from a small informational site to a 300+ page
site with inspirational Sermons online , current calendars
of events, downloadable Newsletters, local History, local Geneological information,
and listings of church and local activities. The site is being used by people
in over 44 different countries and average of 100 times per
day. You can see the latest statistics on our Website-Statistics
Page. It is amazing that the things we do and think here in our small community
of 150+ families are influencing people all over the world.
"Kum, by yah, my Lord"
--Afro-American Spiritual
Vision for the 21st Century -- Artist's Rendition - Phase I
Click here for the History from 1996 to today...
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