Weltevreden Park (Welties) Methodist Church, with its tall white cross overlooking JG Strydom Road, celebrated its 50th birthday on Saturday, September 6, with a day full of joy, thanksgiving, and community togetherness.

The celebrations kicked off in the morning with a fun run that brought people of all ages together. Children as young as three years old joined seniors well into their 80s for the event, which was less about competition and more about fellowship and fun.

“The fun run encouraged us to talk to each other as we walked and ran in the fresh spring air,” said Constance Tsomondo, who is a steward at the church.

“It was a reminder of the beauty of God’s creation and how good it is to spend time outdoors together,” she said.

After the fun run, the festivities continued with a vibrant market that quickly became a favourite gathering spot as the attendees could relax after the run. The market featured a variety of stalls offering a mix of food, drinks, crafts, and games for both adults and children, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere. There was a jumping castle and a face-painting table where the children got to enjoy themselves.

Beyond the celebrations, Constance highlighted the important role the church continues to play in the community. For 24 years, the church has run a soup kitchen every Monday and Friday, feeding about 80 people twice a week. It supports Naledi Hospice with care packs for patients, helps Zandspruit Nursery School, where many children from struggling families are cared for and fed, and delivers newborn baby packs to Leratong Hospital for mothers who often arrive with nothing.

The church also hosts Young at Hearts, a monthly fellowship event for seniors over 60, open to people of any denomination who want to connect and enjoy fun activities together.

As members reflected on five decades of ministry, fellowship, and service, they looked forward to the future with hope and gratitude.

“We look forward, with hope and intentionality, as a vibrant community, to what the Lord has in store for us and requires of us, as His disciples, for the future,” expressed Reverend Solly Lethale.

The celebrations became a milestone for everyone who calls the church their home, and it remains committed to being a beacon of hope in the community and a place where strangers will continue to become friends in a world where families are faced with different challenges and the ups and downs of life.