Founders Day
Service of Thanksgiving 2002

A demonstration of the shared values that are present in this diverse community. The Founders Day Service of Thanksgiving on October 27, 2002 brought hundreds of people together from a wide variety of faiths to celebrate Worthington's heritage and give thanks to our founders for their forsight and devotion to establishing a community rich in the values of religion and education. Religious leaders from a range of faiths in Worthington came together in the celebration to create a service that will be remembered for a lifetime. Two musical pieces were commissioned specifically for the service. In addition to the performance of these numbers by a joint adult chorus and a children's chorus, the Worthington Suite, by Worthington composer Marshall Barnes was performed.

The day started with a gathering on the Village Green. The Salvation Army Band greeted people with their music as attendees, some in period costume, arrived. The crowd was processed down High Street to the Worthington United Methodist Church for the service. Outside three Native American drummers greeted the guests. Special thanks to the congregations throughout the community who were involved in the planning of the service.

A second Founders Day Service of Thanksgiving will take place on October 26, 2003 and look ahead to the future of the Worthington community and the legacy left behind as a result of this Bicentennial celebration.  Click here for more information on the Service of Thanks 2003.