Methodist Church Begins Services

One of Blowing Rock’s most historic churches will celebrate their 107th year of seasonal worship when services resume on Sunday, June 3.
Blowing Rock Methodist Church, on South Main, will host residents and visitors with a number of special services and events that have become part of the church’s rich tradition. Leading the congregation for the fourth consecutive year as Resident Minister will be Dr. Hal Warlick, Dean of the Chapel at High Point University.
Also returning will be the very popular hymn sings under Mrs. Claus (Jean) Moberg, who began the tradition back in 1975. So popular have the Hymn Sings become that it has become a part of the morning worship program each Sunday at the rustic church.
Shirl Blackwell returns as choir director. Hollie Lacy of the music faculty at Appalachian State University will be back as organist. The resident guest artists, all music majors at ASU, will include Connie Waddell, Justin Hartsell, Brian Newland, Garet Garland and Kristy Price. While each of the gifted and talented singers have impressive credentials, Brian Newland won first place overall in the state of North Carolina National Association of Teachers of Singing competition this spring and Connie Waddell took second place in her category of sophomore women against countless singers from all the universities and colleges in the state.
Also highlighting the music program at the church will be Carla and Michael Nicholson, alumni of The Farm House Singers and current opera and entertainment stars in the United States and Germany. The Nicholsons, who are well known by Blowing Rock music lovers ,will join the choir on five occasions.
Special guest soloists and instrumentalists from the music department at ASU will join the choir throughout the season.
Each Sunday through summer and fall, the worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Hymn Sing and worship at 11