Rodney Returns to Westmoreland UMC

I grew up at Westmoreland UMC in Huntington, WV and am probably doing what I do today as a result of many of the opportunites I participated in there.  I enjoyed walking the building and remembering many firsts, the sanctuary where I played my first public hymn for congregational singing, the choir loft where I first accompanied the Adult Choir and Soloists, the Sunday School area where I played for the “little kids” “opening exercises” before worship.  Of course, many of the folks who were the leaders are now gone, and my generation are now the “elders”.  So, when I returned to the sanctuary and played the program, it was a bit emotional not seeing the “proper folks” sitting in their “assigned pews”!

The first organ there was a Hammond C-100 which I began lessons playing.  Then a Saville 7224, I loved being the Barbour of Saville! Then after I left for Cincinnati, they purchased a Rodgers 805C.  While this organ is approaching 30 years, like the recent John Wesley UMC Rodgers 940 these organs sound as good as the day they were installed!  The music sounded great, and the audience of nearly 100 was engaged and responsive!

The reception was INCREDIBLE, these United Methodist Women always put out a great meal, and this was no exception!  And, as part of my compensation, I was paid in HOT DOG GIFT CERTIFICATES from my four favorite places:  MIDWAY, FROSTOP, STEWARTS and SAMS.  To be “frank”, I most certainly came out “the weiner”!