During St. Mark’s Centennial year a variety of opportunities were planned to explore and highlight the history of St. Mark’s as a place of hope in the struggle for social justice and racial equality. In January of 2009, two such opportunities provided a grand “inauguration” of this historic year of celebration. The first, “St. Mark’s and the City” was held on Sunday, January 18th and featured the Reverend Dr. Ellen Blue who is the Mouzon Biggs, Jr. Associate Professor of the History of Christianity and United Methodist Studies at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dr. Blue is an ordained elder in the Louisiana Annual Conference, holding an M. Div. From Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Ph.D. from Tulane University, where she wrote her dissertation on the history of St. Mark’s Community Center and the Methodist women of New Orleans who established it. Dr. Blue was awarded the Lilly Faculty Fellowship for 2008-2009 for her sabbatical research project “In Case of Katrina: Reinventing the United Methodist Church in Post-Katrina Louisiana.” She is spending the academic year in New Orleans, where she is also a Visiting Scholar at the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women.

The second occurred on January 25th when the Bishop of the Louisiana Annual Conference, William Hutchinson delivered an inspired sermon based on I Corinthians 7: 29-31, entitled “Supreme Living in a Super World.” He affirmed St. Mark’s ministry of social justice and encouraged us to continue in our efforts to “be in the world but not of the world.” Kay Hutchinson, wife of Bishop Hutchinson and Dr. Rev. Ramonalynn Bethley, New Orleans District Superintendent, with her family were also in attendance for this very special worship service.

On Saturday June 6, St. Mark's and North Rampart Community Center jointly celebrated their legacy of 100 years of ministry providing essential services to the citizens of New Orleans. Following an afternoon of shared memories among past and present members and invited guests, Dr. Robin Roberts, member of the Centennial Planning Committee, gave a presentation highlighting some of its poignant as well as colorful history. Another part of the afternoon was a silent auction with funds from the auction designated to benefit North Rampart Community Center in support of its' programs. Bishop and Mrs. William Hutchinson, Bishop and Mrs. Charles Crutchfield, and Provost Rev. and Mrs. Don Cottrill honored us with their presence by paying a surprise visit during the afternoon festivities. In the evening, celebratory activities continued with Morning News Anchor Sally Ann Roberts serving as honorary chair for NRCC's gala, "Picnic With A Purpose." Guests enjoyed dinner, a silent auction and entertainment and Ms. Robert's poignant memory of her own experience of St. Mark’s after she first moved to New Orleans. Funds raised from the gala supported NRCC's summer program.

St. Mark's concluded the weekend celebration on Sunday, June 7 with a special service that included reflections by former pastors Rev. David Billings, Rev. Jeff Connor, Rev. Roshan Kalantar and current pastor, Rev. Anita Dinwiddie. Though unable to attend, Rev. Gregor Dike provided a poignant written reflection which was read by a lay member, Kay Russo. Special music was provided by St. Mark’s Worship Leader, Karl Matherne, and Richard Scott, local jazz pianist who has graced St. Mark’s on other occasions was the guest pianist for the worship service. Another highlight of the service was an unexpected appearance by City Council Representative Arnie Fielkow who asked to have a few moments to address the congregation and affirm St. Mark’s for its 100 years of service and advocate for social justice in and for this community.

The David Wiltshire Memorial Fund was established by Noble and Jane Wiltshire to honor the memory of their musician son and four music events have been another way to celebrate St. Mark’s Centennial Year. The first was held in February when World Beat Connection, a Jazz Combo from Minneapolis, MN performed a concert in the St. Mark’s sanctuary. In June, Wade Barnes and Unit Structures, from New York City performed their program “Music of the African Diaspora & its Influence on the Development of Jazz” to an appreciative audience. Parties in Persia, an original musical based on the Book of Esther and written by Doss Burroughs, a frequent guest pianist at St. Mark’s, delighted all who came to see this first public production comprised of local amateur instrumental and vocal musical talent.