50 Years as SLI Accompanist, Julia Hoffner is Honored Guest atSpecial Service, Brunch

Pictured above are: The Rev. Dr.  Don Weaver, Julia Hoffner, 
and Joan Maddison as Julie is presented with flowers
 that were temporarily taken back for a table 
centerpiece but returned to Julie afterwards.
88 were present to celebrate.
Photo by Nancy Sellar

Joan Maddison and Julie Hoffner at the Serving Table.
Photo by Sue Hunter

Suzanne Bristow, Julie Hoffner, Joan Maddison, 
each members of the Worship Committee.
Photo by Sue Hunter

Photos by Sue Hunter

Julie Hoffner had been recognized for her long-standing commitment to inspirational music at the Silver Lake Institute last year with a bouquet of long-stemmed roses and verbal appreciation. The Worship Commit-tee was happy to recognize her but somehow it seemed such an accomplish-ment deserved more than that. 

And so it came to pass that the Chairperson of the Worship Committee, Don Weaver, and Worship Committee member Joan Maddison began to plan for a special worship service and brunch that would be specifically dedicated to her honor. The service and brunch became part of a weekend combined with the Gould family reunion which will long be remembered by all of Julie's family and all of Julie's Institute family.

Guest Speaker of the morning was the Rev. Dr. Gregory McClain, Julie's pastor in Hamburg before his recent retirement. Those present at worship sang all of Julie's favorite hymns, read responsively the Barger Litany, heard the beautifully inspirational music of Julie's good friend, the Rev. George Miller, and heard the accompaniment music of life-long member Joanne Brocklehurst on the closing hymn and special postlude as Julie made her way over to the brunch area.

After providing accompaniment music at the Perry First UMC, good friend and neighbor, the Rev. Greg Franklin, retired SLI chaplain, made it to Epworth in time to hear the powerful conclusion to Rev. Greg McClain's sermon. Julie then joined the table where both Rev. Greg's were seated. Julie was both overwhelmed and grateful for the efforts made on her behalf for this special day at SLI.