History of New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church

Jones' Bay Holiness Church....The Beginning      In 1924, two Hobucken families started what we know today as New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church.  Cecil Styron, Sr., and Jimmy Swindell, Sr. began holding cottage prayer meetings in their homes.  In spite of some opposition, the movement quickly grew and in April of 1924, they organized as the Jones' bay Holiness Church.  Soon, they were meeting in homes both in Hobucken and Lowland, often holding meetings and revivals in the other churches of the communities.       In 1926, the church was accepted into the Washington district of the North Carolina Pentecostal Holiness Conference.  The Conference Minutes for 1926 list the church as Hobucken - Mission Point - organized September 1, 1926.  The statistical table states 8 members with an average attendance of 40 in Prayer Service and 34 in Evangelistic Service.  Over the next few years, it is named part-time as Jones' Bay and sometimes as Hobucken and thereafter appears as Hobucken until 1988, when it started listing as New Vision.  Known charter members were Cecil Styron, Sr., Jimmy & Rosa Swindell, Maggie Henries, Etta Ireland, Fate Lewis, Gertie Alcock, Lela Sadler, and Effie Sadler joined soon after.       The land for the original church was donated by Ruff Alcock and his wife.  A deed for a 35 yard by 35 yard lot down the road from the present church, was signed on April 20, 1933 and the work on the building was started the next spring.  William (Bill) Henries, F. Lewis and others from the Island and from the Springs Creek Church donated timber.  The logs were cut at the Walter Barnett saw mill in Hobucken.  John Davis hauled the boards from the mill and stacked it to dry.       Both men and women canvassed Hobucken and Lowland and surrounding communities for donations.  Many, unable to give money, gave of what they did have (chickens, eggs, etc.) to be converted into money.  Tithes were used to help purchase things like nails, windows and doors.       With the men working as often as they could, the white weather-board building was soon completed and roofed with hand-made shingles.  Cecil Ormond of Vanceboro donated the first pews.  Years later, his grandson Robert, would become pastor of the church.  Reverend Jerome Hodges held the first services in the new building in 1934.  Some years later, the roof was tinned and two classrooms were added.      On the night of March 17, 1965, a tornado lifted the church from it's foundation, damaging it beyond repair. (Notice the front steps of the church in proximinity to the front double doors.)  Luckily, it was just sturdy enough that services could be held inside until a new building could be erected. Hobucken Pentecostal Holiness....A New Beginning        On March 25, 1965, another lot was purchased from Carl Alcock, Sr.  Donations came in from the conference, and from communities and friends both near and far.  Soon, Reverend Jimmy Cole Williams was laying blocks and under the direction of Reverends John Smith and Harold Lewis, the remaining work was completed.  February 23, 1969, Pastor Lee Toler and Conference Superintendent, J. Donner Lee dedicated the new building to God.  The new church had 3 classrooms and 2 restrooms.  Over the years, a fellowship hall and more classrooms were built onto the church.  (See picture below).       On September 15, 1999 during Hurricane Floyd, a tornado went through the fellowship building completely destroying it and breaking it away from the main body of the church.  Both were beyond repair.

Fellowship Hall under construction  New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church Today      After several months of trying to find a better parcel of land, a lot was purchased across the road from the old church and a new church was finally under construction.  Under the supervision of the then current pastor, Ray Bonner, and many more months of planning, the new building was completed.  Our first service was held on Easter Sunday of the year 2001.  June 10, 2001, the new church was dedicated. God allowed the old to be taken away, but gave back something that was new.  God has blessed over the years, but most of all, He has blessed with His Mighty Presence. Church history and photos courtesy of New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church Hobucken, NC www.newvisionphc.org

After Hurricane Floyd

In Memory of Clarence Eugene McKay, Jr.

Clarence Eugene McKay, Jr., 80, of Oldtown, MD, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at his daughter's home. He and his family moved to Lowland in 1978.

Born February 24, 1933, in Baltimore, MD, Mr. McKay was the son of the late Clarence Eugene McKay, Sr., and Sarah Elizabeth (Dunn) McKay. He was also preceded in death by his wife: Bonnie Jean McKay.

A United States Naval Veteran, Clarence was previously employed of Safeway Grocery Stores and then owned and operated grocery stores in Auburn, WV, and Lowland, NC. He was an adventurist and loved to watch baseball.

Clarence is survived by his daughters: Kim Waugh and husband, Charles, Saint Albans, WV; and Sandra McLaughlin and husband, Mark, Oldtown, MD; and his sons: Mark McKay and wife, Michelle, Manteo, NC; and Michael McKay, Frederick, MD. He also leaves behind his brother: George McKay and wife, Marie, Stevensville, MD; and his grandchildren: James McLaughlin; Sarah McLaughlin; Jennifer Waugh; Bonnie Waugh; Rebecca McKay; and Addie McKay.

Services will be private.

Who Heard the Thunder?

Photo by Marky O'Neal

So...who heard the thunder this morning?  After two recent snow fall events on the books for 2014, are we looking at another one in the coming days? 

With that in mind, here's a look at some snow weather lore:

If there is thunder in winter, it will snow seven to ten days later.

A halo around the moon means it will rain or snow soon.

Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming. (I saw a gardenia bush in full bloom in November)

A tough winter ahead if berries and nuts are plentiful. (I heard there were lots of acorns this past fall)

In Memory of Selena Carawan Sumrell

 

Selena Carawan Sumrell   

09/15/1962 - 02/09/2014

Selena C. Sumrell went to heaven on February 9, 2014. Selena was born on September 15, 1962 to Gretchen Carawan Bennett and the late Lonnie Carawan Sr. She is survived by her husband Ashley Sumrell, two daughters; Amber of the home and Rebecca Johnson of Reelsboro. 

 

She is also survived by her mother Gretchen C. Bennett, one grandson and two granddaughters; five brothers; Rexie Carawan Sr, Troy Carawan, Connie Carawan, Lonnie Carawan Jr. and Thomas Carawan; two sisters, Ruby Popperwill and Barbara Tetterton. 

 

A memorial service will be held Thursday  02/20/2014 at 3 pm at the Grantsboro Church of God, located at 1565 Hwy 306 N. Grantsboro, NC 

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

     I found some treasures not to long ago among some of Aunt Glendine Lewis Curles belongings.  A collection of cards, scripture readings and handwritten letters.
     Aunt Glendine was a letter writer.  While living in Norfolk VA in the 1940’s to 1980’s, she would take a moment and sit at her writing desk to send out a quick note to her cousins, friends, brothers, sisters and mother in Lowland, NC.  Her handwritten letters would be filled with how she was doing, what was going on with her church, job and community and when she would be visiting again.
     Something struck me when I read these letters.  Letter writing has become a lost art!  I think back of all the voluminous correspondence I have received the past year.  If I discounted work-related emails and the articles I have wrote for the Goose Creek Island Journal, how many of my emails would exceed 50 words or more? How many of them would quote bible scripture or a closing word of goodwill or blessings?  How many of them would actually provide a personal glimpse of my life other than a history of a date and time I could confirm for a meeting or visit?
     I love email.  It’s brilliant speed to convey a message, it’s global reach throughout the world, and the vast amount of information it can transmit has certainly made it the most convenient mode of connecting with people.  But how much have we sacrificed?
     While going through some of Aunt Glendine’s things, I also found some handwritten letters that she had received.  Uncle Roscoe Rice (her brother) had sent her a short note; a note to lift her spirits as she was dealing with Julian's (her husband) illness.  What is most eloquent about Uncle Roscoe’s letter was how he closed it.  You can feel the sibling and spiritual connection brother and sister shared for one another.

     I hope the art of letter writing has not died with her and Uncle Roscoe's generation.  I fear that when today’s generation thinks of letter writing, they will think of the technology that will help them generate their letter.  But hand writing a letter to a friend, a cousin, or a parent is unique.  What more personable way is there to keep an historical account of our lives other than writing a letter?  Certainly “updating one’s status” on Facebook can’t replace the deeper connection we have with those we love.  Isn’t there still value in a handwritten letter?

Snow on the Island January 30, 2014

The Island has seen plenty of snow over the years, from the ice flurries that created hazardous driving conditions this week to the heaviest snowfall I ever witnessed in 1980.  Here's a look at some pictures that Gail Popperwill Hodges took while she was out and about in Lowland.  Also is a picture that Marky O'Neal took crossing the Hobucken Bridge. And a snow day would not be complete without the kids, photo courtesy of Joy Williams Guidry and the Guidry kids. Enjoy.

Between Lowland and Hobucken. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Oyster Creek Landing. Home of James Roy and Monica Carawan. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Oyster Creek Frozen. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Lowland Church of Christ. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Foot 'the Road, Lowland. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Patty and Steven Leary's Snowman. Gail Popperwill Hodges Photo.

Intracoastal Waterway & R.E. Mayo's from Hobucken Bridge. Marky O'Neal Photo.

Island sleigh ride on Percy's pirogue (cajun flat bottom boat) with the Guidry family.  Joy Williams Guidry photo.