HR 208

Commending Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, in 2026, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church in Chester celebrates its 70th anniversary of spiritual leadership, joyful worship, and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church was founded on February 15, 1956, and held its first service the following Sunday, February 19, 1956, at a log church on Point of Rocks Road; the church was chartered as a congregation of the Methodist Church on Sunday, May 13, 1956; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church worshipped at the original log church for three years, but despite enlarging the building, the congregation soon outgrew it and began construction on a new home, which was completed in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church, which currently fronts East Hundred Road at the eastern gateway to Chesterfield County and has expanded its facility to accommodate continued growth, is home to a vibrant ministry that works to meet the spiritual and physical needs of all people; and
WHEREAS, since its earliest years, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church has drawn strength from many groups within the congregation, including the United Women in Faith, the United Methodist Men, the youth group, the Bereans Small Group, and the Crafty Ladies, all of whom are actively involved in maintaining and improving the facility and serving the community; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church has endured many trials over the years with resilience and grace, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the congregation acted creatively to continue serving the community by offering drive-through meals and online worship services; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church has a proud history of outreach to its neighborhood and community, which today includes a vibrant National Night Out block party every August, a presence at ChesterFest, Final Fridays movie nights on its lawn, and ministries for students and teachers at Enon Elementary School and Marguerite Christian Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church has also been home to the Bermuda Hundred Child Development Center preschool since 1984, strengthening the community by focusing on families in the most need of affordable child care; and
WHEREAS, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church is proud to partner with other churches in the Chester area, including Chester United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church of Chesterfield, to collaborate on Vacation Bible School, music ministries, and joint worship services; and
WHEREAS, music has been central to Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church throughout its history, and a variety of choirs and musical ministries over the years have greatly contributed to the worship experience; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church hereby be commended on the occasion of its 70th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Eric Kleppinger, pastor of Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church, as an expression of the House of Delegates' congratulations and admiration for the church's seven decades of service to the region.