What an awesome event the November 12-14, 1999 weekend was. We missed all of you, but for those of us who were there it was fun, moving and exciting. How terrific to meet some of you in person after seeing posts from you on the web. Guess Jo-Anna Ferreira gets the prize for coming the farthest. I will not try and list who was there for I fear I would leave someone out by accident and I would not want to do that.
Friday began with registration and then a delicious catered dinner in the church dining room. It was followed by a program in the church. Bill DeFratas read from his new book and then we saw a slide show of early pictures of the Jacksonville area. The church was packed. In all we figure there could have easily been 400 plus for the various events during the weekend.
Saturday morning a brunch was held and it was followed by a bus tour of the Jacksonville area. This was really helpful for we were told about the Portuguese involvement in the various businesses, schools and houses in the town. Information we never would have gotten if it had not been for the tour. There was a Saturday afternoon program, but I did not go, so someone else willl have to fill in here. Saturday evening was the ethnic dinner and the program was the memorial rollcall of names. The food was delicious and prepared by the women of the church. There were a couple of seatings and they really had to have worked hard to do this. Over 2000 names of the exiles and their decendents were read. It took an hour and a half, but was very moving, especially when you heard your relatives names mentioned.
Sunday morning was a continental breakfast followed by the church service. Then in the afternoon we attended a reception in honor of the guests who had come from Madeira and there was a celebration service that included the mayor and clergy of Jacksonville. Complete with bagpipers and other special music it was most moving.
The people of the church were incredibly well organized and for a small group of about 30 they pulled off a terrific event. The church is beautifully maintained with gorgeous woodwork, but they are very short of members and especially young people so it is difficult for them to keep a full time pastor and to grow as they would like. They have quite a few artifacts, Bibles, pictures, etc. displayed in cases in the narthex of the church. If you are ever in the Jacksonville area, do make an effort to go there and see it. They people were warm, friendly and so welcoming. I doubt it will be our last visit to Jacksonville.
My husband, Chuk, took about 4 rolls of pictures and I will be sending many of the duplicates to Deb. I know she will get them on the website soon.
Wish all of you could have been there.
Marsha Kleber