Story and photos submitted by Greg Miley, SON Messenger
The Progressive Union M. B. Church recognized their late pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Parker Snodgrass on the first and second weekends of February 2019. Pastor Snodgrass 33rd Pastor’s Anniversary would have been Sunday, February 10, 2019. He passed on Monday, September 17, 2018 and the church family decided to honor his memory by involvement in activities that Rev. Snodgrass enjoyed or had a passion for.
On Friday, February 1, 2019 a game night was held with games and activities that Pastor Snodgrass enjoyed. The night was enjoyed by all.
Due to a mix up in the date, the Pastor’s Anniversary guest speaker, former Progressive Union member, Rev. J’Marcus Adams, of Houston, Texas, arrived on Sunday, February 2, 2019. He preached the 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. His sermon title and scripture for both services was “Follow the Leader”, scripture reference 1 Corinthians 11:1. Rev. Adams received his call to the ministry and was licensed to preach the gospel under Rev. Snodgrass in December 1997. At the time Rev. Adams was in the United States Army and was stationed here at Redstone Arsenal.
Friday, February 8, 2019, the church members were asked to pay it forward for others. The deeds were not necessarily monetary but could have been random acts of kindness for the benefit of others. Pastor was known for being very benevolent.
Saturday, February 9, 2019, the church recognized their late pastor with two special events. At 3:00 p.m., the Progressive Union Family Life Center, which opened in 1994 under Pastor Snodgrass’s leadership, was renamed the Wayne P. Snodgrass Family Life Center. A temporary banner was unveiled with the new name, the permanent signage will be installed within the next two weeks. After the unveiling a reception was held at the sanctuary. Pastor was a gifted musician and a lover of gospel music, as a gospel music record shop owner, Wonderful Records, a listener and a singer. He would often lead songs during the worship services, so the culminating activity for Saturday was a concert at 4:30 p.m. by the choirs of Progressive Union, massed together, singing songs that Rev. Snodgrass love to sing. Pastor’s son, Israel Snodgrass, lead two of the songs. The concert consisted of six songs, five of which were songs Pastor often lead during church services.
The memorial celebration culminated on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Interim pastor, Rev. Joe Stevenson, preached both services, his sermon for both services was “Faithful Servant”, scripture reference 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.
Throughout the pass two weeks a puzzle was placed in the foyer of the sanctuary for members to assemble. Assembling puzzles were a pastime of Pastor Snodgrass. The celebration chairperson was Sister Doris Stevenson, several members served with her to make this memorial a moving event and a lasting memory of a great pastor who will never be forgotten. Rev. Joe E. Stevenson is the interim pastor of Progressive Union.