Fifty years ago, the Postmaster General banned D.H. Lawrence’s book, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and literary lawyer Charles Rembar began a seven-year battle against obscenity laws. Fifty years ago cars with tail fins were all the rage, food stamps were first authorized by the U.S. Congress, and Unitarian Rod Serling’s “The Twilight Zone” premiered on CBS television.

Fifty years ago the first telephone cable linking Europe and the United States was inaugurated, the United Nations issued its “Declaration of the Rights of the Child,” the first color photograph of earth was received from outer space, and Americans purchased 100 million Hula Hoops.

Ronald Reagan, in 1959, delivered over 200 speeches as a “Democrat for Nixon,” and the first American advisors were killed in Vietnam. The average American family paid $989 for their year’s supply of food, the first oral contraceptive was invented, and Ray Charles’ hit record, “What’d I Say,” was banned on radio stations across America because of his suggestive moaning and wailing – all this fifty years ago, in 1959.

And in 1959, here in Berrien County, a small group of forward-looking people hatched our church, this church, the church within which we gather more or less regularly to seek truths which make sense to us, to grow ethically and spiritually, to support and share in one another’s lives, and to prod, guide, and cheer one another on in our service to the broader community.

This is our anniversary year, and May 16th we will gather to commemorate and celebrate our founders, our roots and our history.

The reasoned voice of liberal religion was as important then as it is now, and so let me name those wise founders who got us started.

They are: Catherine N. Fuller (Kate), Marvin A. Fuller (Marv), Robert J. Haines, Peggy Haines, Rafael Marti, Lenore Marti, Larry Ernst, Parky Ernst, Esther F. Franz, Mary Kathryn Davis, Emily G. Leisz, Russell N. Leisz, Eloise Wirth, Albert R. Martin, Mrs. William A. Vawter, Selma Holme, Jack Holme, and Lucinda Woodward.

We owe them a debt of gratitude. Our church, which has ebbed and flowed throughout the years, has never ceased to be a force and a voice for light and truth and hope, in our own lives as well as in the life of our community, in which – have no doubt -- we stand solid and true, as a welcome and necessary beacon.

Please be with us on the evening of Saturday, May 16 to remember and to celebrate.