The weekend of Sept 29-30, Eastminster Presbyterian Church in east Cobb celebrated the 40th anniversary of its beginnings and its future. The focus was to commemorate the past of this thriving church that is active in the “now,” looking forward and making disciples for Christ.

EPC got its start through the Cherokee Presbytery in 1972 when east Cobb was mostly farmland; Johnson Ferry Road was two-lanes; Parkaire Mall was a grass runway strip; and there was no Presbyterian expression in the immediate area. The Presbytery (also associated with the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta) put an inquiry out to the community and the church took shape. Of 580 members, 5 charter members remain including Jo and Frank Byrd, Reta and Charles Frew, and Margaret Gibbs.

The first church service occurred on Oct.1, 1972 at an interim location on Johnson Ferry Road at the corner of Woodlawn Drive. The church moved in 1993 to their current location at 3125 Sewell Mill Road (at the corner of Old Canton) that has subsequently been expanded.

On Sept. 29, the celebration of the church’s foundation started with a concert showcasing different musical groups at the church followed by a reception. The celebration continued on Sept. 30 at both morning services with reception in between. Following the 11:15 a.m. service a dedication of the memorial gardens and columbarium was held along with a banquet in the Christian Life Center.

Former pastors and their spouses attending the celebration included Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. Bob Bullock, and Dr. Tim Erskine along with associate pastor Jennifer di Francesco.

Pastor Dr. Timothy McConnell and the church welcome newcomers. To learn more visitwww.epres.org.

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Don’t miss “Smoke on the Mountain” Oct. 20 and 21 at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre presented by PlayRight Productions. The play will take you back to a simpler time, 1938, where you become the congregation of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. You have been invited to their first ever Saturday Night Sing. Pastor Oglethorpe is determined to move his flock into the “modern world”, by inviting the Singing Sanders Family to join him. Suffice it to say, the evening turns out to be something rather different than what the Pastor has in mind — he gets a lot more than he bargained for with this family!

Purchase tickets at www.earlsmithstrand .org.

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Fashion spotlight of the week: Seen at the west Cobb Avenue on a cool morning in a khaki army-style jacket, jeans and wedge laced heels — Jennifer Knight —fashion utility at its best!

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit@bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-8106.