MVAC to mark 100th year with special programs

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning Valley Association of Churches marks its centennial this year. It will collaborate with Ohio Cultural Alliance in a series on “100 Years of Religious Faith in Our Mahoning Valley – History, Heart, Heritage: An Enriching and Tasty Tour.”

The yearlong celebration will begin with a dinner and program at 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St. It will follow MVAC’s meeting at 4:30 p.m.

MVAC’s history began in 1910 during a revival in Youngstown led by evangelist Billy Sunday that drew some 80,000 people. Its impact led to the formation of MVAC in 1916.

At the Jan. 24 program, Pastor Paul Burgeson of Christ Lutheran Church in Struthers will offer a presentation on the evangelist, who had been a baseball player. The schedule for the event will be welcome and gathering with Scrappers’ mascot, Scrappy, from 5 to 5:30 p.m.; buffet dinner catered by The Saratoga from 5:30 to 6:30; presentation by Pastor Burgerson at 6:30; then closing remarks and prayer at 7. Dr. Tom Sauline is MVAC president.

Cost is $20 per person. Those interested in attending should call 330-788-5914.

The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry, MVAC executive director, and the Rev. Bob Bonnot, board member, will discuss MVAC on MyYTV’s “Increase the Peace” with Andrea Mahone at 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. today and 6:30 a.m. Sunday on Channel 33.

Dr. George Beelen is president of OCA, which will begin its series March 7 with its monthly first-Monday dinner programs. Sessions planned are: March 7, Hindu tradition; April 4, Jewish tradition; May 2, Catholic tradition; June 6, Orthodox Christian tradition; July 11, Islamic tradition; Aug. 1, Protestant tradition; Sept. 12, African-American Protestant tradition; Oct. 3, Baptist mega church; Nov. 7, “Wither Faith in the Valley”; and Dec. 5, “Faith and Interfaith in Our World. Each session includes dinner, speaker and related cultural performance.