The week following Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Advent Season. The first Sunday of Advent introduces the Christmas Tide. On Sunday, the members of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church included a special ceremony during the morning worship service.
For the past several years, ‘The Hanging Of The Greens’ worship service was held in the evening of the same Sunday. This practice was introduced under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Warren G. Booker. However, Rev. Herbert Lester, Jr., the current pastor, suggested this worship be held during the morning worship service.
Members and friends return to the church to decorate for the holidays in recognition of Advent. The youth, adults and families participated each in a meaningful capacity. Upon arriving, the greenery is laid in front of the altar by the Arts Guild and the worshipers. Some of the items included four very large wreaths, each with a different type of cross, e.g., one with a pineapple that means ‘hospitality.’ These are hung high in the sanctuary. Smaller cedar arrangements are hung between each window and other hanging greenery (often, small wreaths) hung on the doors around the church.
Two trees are placed on each side of the pulpit. One is a Chrismon Tree. The other tree is a tree of recognition to those who suffer (a red ornament) or have passed away (a white ornament) due to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, etc. The tree was later named the tree of ‘hope, help and healing.’
The Chrismon tree is decorated with handmade ornaments that are only in the colors of white and gold. Mrs. Ruth Handy and other members made these ornaments when Clark began its participation in the worldwide celebration of the Hanging of the Greens. The ornaments adorning the tree are composed of several types of items representative of preparing for the coming of Jesus. They include such symbols as a manger, grapes, several types of crosses, leaves, etc.
The beginning of the program is celebrated as a family reads information, a Bible verse, and lights a candle. The first of five candles that will be lit each Sunday during the Lenten season (before Easter) was lit by the Fielders at the opening of this Lenten season.
In previous years, the youth would participate by walking around the church holding a special hand-made display of the ornaments that were made in a smaller version to be used as Chrismon tree ornaments. As the children paraded the symbol, the name of the symbol was announced giving the proper meaning of its importance.
The worship program also consisted of explanations of all of the different symbols used during Christmas, with special attention to the evergreen, cedar and fir (greenery used during the holiday season). This is done through a variety of ‘readers’ who explain the meaning along with a Bible verse, followed by one to two stanzas of singing from selected hymns.
Following each representation, instructions are given by Arts Guild Chair Geraldine Heath as to how the church will be decorated with a variety of items placed in the windows, as well as around the sanctuary, to create a beautifully decorated church that awaits the coming of Jesus and the Christmas season. In the past, there were garlands that adorned the entire sanctuary and sometimes a tree of gifts was placed in the fellowship hall. At the time of decorating, the children would also enjoy cider, hot chocolate and cookies.
“It is quite different to do the whole thing during morning worship service, but it gives everyone a chance to not only participate, but to learn of why we use certain symbols during Christmas,” according to regular attendants for the Hanging of the Greens. “Instead of coming in and the church is already decorated, all of the members were invited to participate.”
Following the decorating, and as the ceremony ended, Rev. Elizabeth Williams, associate pastor, offered a benediction to the morning worship experience.
