On January 2, 2000, in the year of our Lord, the Reverend Norman MacDowell led the worship and communion service in the Oxford Presbyterian Church. This was the first Sunday in the new century and the millennium. The organist/music director was Ms. Kathy Webb and ten members of the choir were present. Others in attendance numbered fifty-six.
On January 9, elders, Hazel Currin and Retta Currin, Class of 2002, were installed during the morning worship service by the Reverend Norman MacDowell. A reception followed in the Fellowship Hall.
On January 23, the Reverend Eulando Henton and a few members of the Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church, came to this church and preached to the congregation. Due to heavy snow on the ground, most church services were canceled. Following another snow storm, the services of January 30 were canceled at OPC.
The annual congregational/corporate meeting was held on February 20 with the Reverend Norman MacDowell serving as supply pastor and moderator.
A covered dish luncheon was served after the service and meeting.
Others serving as supply pastors during the first three months of the year were the Reverends Vincent Stubbs, Orval Wintermute, Marian Carmichal, Richard Nystrom and Graham McChesney.
On Sunday, February 27, our mother church, Grassy Creek Presbyterian in Stovall, held the last service there and the doors were closed.
On March 12, at the request of the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee and by invitation of the Session, Dr. Graham McChesney accepted the call of an interim pastor relationship with this church for a period of 12 months. A contractual agreement was approved by the Session in a called meeting on that same day.
On March 26, Mrs Carol MacBeth of Atlanta, Georgia, came to visit our church and was given a tour of the building. She is the great-granddaughter of the Reverend Jacob Doll who served our church from 1842 to 1847.
On May 21, the second annual Presbyterian Women’s Day was held. At that time, the graduating seniors were presented Bibles: Jamie Anderson, Klesa Colgrove, Amber Snipes and Rachel Lanier. Also, honorary memberships were presented to Retta Currin and Doris McFarland.
On May 23, the new church roof over the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall was completed. The Expert Roofing Company in Roxboro, NC did the job, beginning on May 15 and working every business day until the job was finished. The cost was $20,230.00.
In July, Mrs. Lucy Baird was presented an “Older Adult Award” by the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic through the Presbytery of New Hope. This presentation was made at a Sunday worship service by Elder Jim Davis.
On August 27, we had our (first ever) picnic on the church grounds. This took the place of traditional picnics at Presbyterian Point and summertime ice cream suppers. The occasion also gave tribute to the Fred Gliddon and John Lanier families who were moving away.
On September 4, Jonathan Brame “Booster” Bullock, three years old, passed away in his sleep. He was the son of Kathy Newell Bullock and James Bullock and the grandson of John and Pat Newell. He was the brother of Andy and Beth Bullock and Michael Going.
On December 10 at 5 p.m., the Children’s Choir and Youth Group presented the play, Another Way, from the book written by Mary Frances McSwain, a long standing member of this church. The play was directed by Elder Ellen Gould and the music was provided by Kathy Webb and Linda Woodlief. Words to the hymn, Another Way, were written by Ellen Gould. Several young people as well as adults took part in the play. The community was invited and there was a good turn-out. The Fellowship Committee provided a grand reception following the program.
On the last two Sundays in December, the church sanctuary was beautifully decorated and enhanced with many poinsettias which were given in memory and honor of loved ones.
At the last worship service of the year which was held on December 31, there were 78 in attendance.
At the end of the year, the Session Minutes recorded six new members: Eric & Sue Hinman - Reaffirmation of Faith; Margaret Cameron, Sue Huggins, William & Louise Simpson - by certificate of transfer; three members lost by transfer, and two lost by death - Eleanor (Dickie) Howard and William (Bill) Ison; also, twelve moved to inactive roll, bringing the total on roll to 110.