Murphy – In 100 years, members of Murphy First United Methodist Church downtown will follow the example set to them by their ancestors in 2022 and open a time capsule hidden behind the cornerstone of the magnificent church building.
They will find similar items to what members found on their 100th anniversary. The Rev. Will Posey and a busy team of helpers prepared the time capsule before the service Sunday morning.
“When this sanctuary was built, the Town of Murphy was invested in the construction of this sanctuary,” Posey said. “It speaks to how this sanctuary, this space, we hold in trust for the good of our entire community.”
He explained that the items that will be tucked inside the time capsule are an example of “our faith in those who come after us, and the dreams we dream for them.”
Posey and his congregants are using the same box they opened at their 100th year celebration as a church. The time capsule itself is an ordinary-looking, rectangular-shape metal box with a matching lid.
It contains no inscriptions, decorations or religious markings. Inside the box they will place a Bible, a book of discipline and a current hymnal.
“These are the modern version of the books our predecessors placed in the box 100 years ago for us to find,” Posey said.
Aside from the liturgy, which has changed, and the Bible, which has not, the church members are also placing a wooden nail from the original manifestation of the church, Harshaw Chapel, which was built in 1869. The nail was saved from the steeple and will take its place among a signed registry of church members and two copies of the Cherokee Scout – one printed on their 100th birthday, and the current edition to mark the date they seal the capsule.
Posey and church historian Charlene Smith have written letters explaining the items nestled in the capsule as well as good wishes to those future believers. Smith will add some historical information about the church and community. Mayor Tim Radford also wrote a letter on behalf of Murphy.
“We’re investing faith that God will continue to do wonderful things through this congregation and through this community,” Posey said, adding that he hopes the church will still be there in 100 years.
“In Jeremiah (29:7) it says, ‘Seek the welfare of the city where you live’ and that’s what you hope every church could be about.’ ”
Out of the chosen items and literature, Posey is most connected to the chalice. It’s a modest-looking vessel, perhaps carved from wood or light metal. Like the box itself, the chalice is unadorned. The congregants will hold communion using that chalice and then place it in the box to be sealed for another 100 years.
“That chalice is a very special thing to me,” he said. “Celebrating Holy Communion is the center of Christian worship. It’s a meal of remembrance, but it’s also a meal genuine fellowship and community with one another.”
As part of their communion liturgy, church members believe they join with the company of heaven – those who have died – as well as the saints on Earth – the church all over the world.
“When he have communion,” Posey said, “we feel there is a mystical bond by God’s grace as Christians all over the world as well as who are in heaven. We call it the ‘communion of the saints.’ ”
So the chalice will serve as a talisman to the future First United Methodist Christians left behind by those who will, by then, be in the company of heaven. Until then, the box will be sealed behind the cornerstone of the church.