Rose Point (New Castle, Pa.) RPC

Pastor Charles Brown

The new year started a little early for the Rose Point RP Church. Many members of the congregation and friends gathered for a noon meal Dec. 31. Following the meal, several of the families remained to play board games.

During the past year, the congregation rejoiced in the establishment of three new homes in the congregation: Jay and Jennifer Lasher, Dan and Marja Ray, and Adam and Erica Zajac.

Three communicant members were received into the congregation this year: Matthew and Michelle McKnight and David Reed; and four new members were added to the baptized roll: Peter Brown and Walter, Elia, and Samantha McKnight.

Pastor Brown preached through the epistles of John, the ten commandments, Galatians, and 1 Samuel in 2011. The Christian education program has been changed, with two classes offered each quarter for the adults and two classes for the younger set. Instead of a Sabbath school superintendent, the oversight of the program is administered by the Christian education committee, chaired by Elder Steven Wilson.

Clara Blair fell for the second time in as many years and broke her wrist. At this writing, the cast has been removed and she is anticipating greater freedom of movement. Five members of the congregation or their spouses have undergone serious to moderate surgeries during the year: Frances Campbell, Diana Campbell, Katie Hare, Kenneth Stoner, Steven Wilson, and Harold “Pete” Wilson.

The congregation hosted a Reformation Day psalm sing in October, attended by members and friends of neighboring churches and congregations. Light refreshments were served following the event. Two weeks later the congregation hosted the fall meeting of the Presbytery of the Alleghenies.

Members of the congregation contributed items for our college student care packages. Twelve bags or boxes were given to those who have attended the worship services during the year. Members also collected pajamas and pillowcases to give to the City Rescue Mission in New Castle, Pa., prior to the Christmas holidays and foodstuffs prior to Thanksgiving.

Since the last writing, the congregation experienced the homegoing of longtime member Beryl Brown. The father of one of our members and the husband of another passed on this past fall. John Mitchell led a tour group to China in the fall (see related article in this issue). While there they visited locations of the former RP mission site at Tak Hing, now Deqing.

The congregation’s annual business meeting was Sat., Jan. 28. A carry-in dinner was enjoyed at noon followed by the meeting. Jack Kaylor, Lillian Kennedy and John Mitchell were re-elected chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively. In addition to the routine business matters attended to, the congregation adopted a policy for child and youth protection as drawn up and approved by the session.

Stillwater, Okla., RPC Pastor Bruce Parnell

Weekly morning services continue to be held as before at the Stillwater Community Center, including Sabbath school, worship, and a fellowship lunch. Everyone enjoys the time and the setting to worship, to study God’s Word, and to practice the blessings of fellowship and friendship. However, due to increased rent the congregation has decided to have their evening service in homes. While this fits the finances better, one might recognize the challenges of having a church meeting in a home. As the congregation reaches out into the community, pray that the Lord would be adding mature Christians to the fellowship, and pray that God would add first fruits of the gospel through efforts in evangelism.

Salt & Light (Longmont, Colo.) RPC Pastor Martin Wilsey

The service of ordination and installation of Patrick G. Stefan was held Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. The meeting of the Midwest Presbytery was called to order by Rev. Jerry Milroy, moderator. Tim Wilsey, precentor at Salt & Light RPC, led the singing of Psalms 128B, 40A, 16D and 67C. The Word was preached by Rev. Peter Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of Old Testament of Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. The prayer of ordination and installation was given by Pastor Martin Wilsey of Salt & Light RPC. The charge to the pastor was given by Pastor Shane Sapp of Westminster, Colo., RPC. The charge to the congregation was given by Pastor Bob Hemphill of Laramie, Wyo., RPC. Rev. Patrick G. Stefan, pastor of Salt & Light RPC, gave the benediction.

The ceremony was nicely attended by elders and members from Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming churches and was followed by fellowship and a meal.

In addition to his duties as associate pastor of Salt & Light RPC, Patrick is a first-year doctoral student at the University of Denver, working towards a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies. On Jan. 10, Patrick was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserve as a chaplain.

Trinity RPC of Northern Ireland

Retirement of Professor Edward Donnelly

On Oct. 14, nearly 200 people gathered at Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church, Northern Ireland, to mark the retirement of Prof. Edward Donnelly after a ministry of 43 years, nearly 34 of them at Trinity. The attendees comprised almost the entire Trinity church family, as well as the Donnellys’ family and close friends. Prof. Donnelly gave thanks to God for all that he had been enabled to do throughout his life, and he especially made mention of the huge support his wife had always been to him. Mrs. Donnelly then spoke, with evident love and compassion for the congregation. Then there were tributes to the Donnellys from several members of Trinity congregation. Much was said about Prof. Donnelly’s profoundly helpful preaching ministry as well as the love, deep pastoral concern, support and encouragement shown by both Prof. and Mrs. Donnelly to the congregation over many years. Gifts were presented to the Donnellys by various church members, from the most senior to one of the youngest, on behalf of the congregation. Then there were slide shows covering much of the church’s history. The evening ended with family worship.