Some Memories from Charlie Ellis Pastor of Gretna Christian From 2000 to 2005

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

I served Gretna Christian Church from March 2000 to March 2005. In 2001, the town of Gretna celebrated it's centennial, and we observed our 90th anniversary with many members dressing in the style of 1911. I am sure someone must have a few pictures of that event.

In July 2001, Mike and Jenny Dellis, and Kathy and I went to the General Assembly in Kansas City. This was a joint gathering with the United Church of Christ General Synod. [I think I have pictures from this which I can share.] It was at this Assembly that we Disciples accepted the 20/20 challenge to establish 1,000 new congregations by the year 2020. As of last week's 2011 General Assembly, we have over 700 new congregations established toward that ambitious goal.

Gretna Christian hosted the District IV Assembly on the Sunday following the 9/11 attack. Regional Minister Lee Parker was our guest speaker.

I hope the churches still have the Holy Week mid day worship and lunch. That was a wonderful time for all of us to gather for common worship. Our cooks at Gretna Christian are so good that even Glenn Graves, pastor at First Baptist, was bragging on us. Two of the five years we were at Gretna, we held a Maundy Thursday service which echoed the Seder Feast at which Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. We had many guests from the other congregations in town.

I particularly remember one year on Palm Sunday when we told the entire Holy Week story through Scripture readings, music and acting. The service ended with the crucifixion and burial of Jesus (anticipating the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.) As we left the sanctuary in silence, then 3 year old Hannah was sitting next to Kathy in tears, saying, "He's supposed to get up! Why doesn't he get up?" Kathy explained to her that the story isn't over, and that we will continue it on Easter.

One of the vital ministries we took part in was the Northern Pittsylvania Co. Food Center. About once every quarter we would collect food, and every month we had quite a few volunteers helping out with the distribution at the American Leagion. We also took part in the packing of boxes at the site down near Chatham.


Reverend Charlie Ellis

Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church

Atha Bailey

Linda Dalton