Quinter. Kan., RPC

Steven Work, pastor

Pastor Work and other pastors in the county conduct a worship service at the local nursing home every six weeks. A member volunteers as a Bible study leader once a week for about nine of the residents.

Pastor Derek Miller of the Sterling. Kan., RPC assisted with the spring communion season. Pastor Work conducted the fall communion services.

Rev. and Mrs. Gene Spear, retired missionaries of Japan, showed slides and spoke of work in Japan for the fall thankoffering meeting.

The homeschool groups of northwest Kansas met in Quinter for a state basketball tournament and used the church building for overnight sleeping accommodations.

Two youth are attending college. Ian Work is a senior at Covenant College and David Work is a sophomore at Geneva College.

The congregation has enjoyed several social events during the year such as the summer ice cream social, “Men’s Night in the Kitchen” (serving pancakes and sausages), and a picnic and psalm sing at scenic Castle Rock during the full-moon season.

The women are using a video series at their Sylvia Missionary Fellowship meeting. The series is entitled “That the World May Know.” Small group discussion is led by Dorothy Mann. The video set was a gift to the congregation from Sharon Signorelli in memory of her uncle, Pete Norton.

The congregation continues to look for new ways to meet the goal for the Handicap Access Fund. The latest event was a bake sale that provided $311, bringing the fund total to $14,436. The estimated cost for a lift and restroom remodeling is $23,000. The congregation is thankful for the interest shown by many generous friends far and near.

—Vernice McBurney, correspondent

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College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC

By 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, the social hall of the College Hill church building was filled. More than 200 people had assembled for the fiftieth birthday party for a totally surprised elder, Donnie Hicks, who appeared on the scene a few minutes later. Gathered in celebration were members of his family, many members of both the College Hill and Geneva congregations, and some 35 teachers who had taught with Donnie over the years. Donnie’s wife, Karen, organized the party that was served by close friends from the congregation. Donnie recovered from his surprise but had difficulty blowing out the 50 candles on his two large birthday cakes.

Throughout the winter the College Hill congregation has been blessed by the leadership of three senior seminary students—Martin Blocki, Daniel Howe, and Anthony Selvaggio—in Lord’s Day evening prayer and praise services. The students have led the congregation in a study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The study ended Jan. 20.

Despite a plague of sickness sweeping through the congregation, College Hill held their annual talent show on Jan. 18. Tabitha Stahl was once again the hilariously entertaining M.C., with her outsized spectacles, her florid costume, and choice bits of comedy and song. Members young and old presented a total of twelve musical numbers, skits, monologues, and poems.

The College Hill RPC is holding a monthly series of fellowship meals following the morning worship service, to which all Geneva College students are invited, particularly those who have declared their associate membership in the congregation or who regularly attend the services. About 35 students attended the initial fellowship meal.

Norman Carson, correspondent

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Oakdale, Ill., RPC

Ray Morton, pastor

A community prayer service was held in the United Presbyterian Church Sept. 12, following the terrorist attack on New York City and the U.S.

Communion services were conducted by Pastor Morton Oct. 14. The Sparta RPC joined in the thanksgiving service that evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Patton and Todd and Mrs. Hazel Palek were hosts to a Family Night on Oct. 23. The congregation enjoyed eating at the local restaurant, then a music program followed at the church.

Nov. 4, the congregation joined the Sparta RPC for a joint worship service and a fellowship luncheon. Some members attended the evening service following their communion Nov. 11.

An offering was collected for the work of the American Bible Society Nov. 18.

The Annual Community Thanksgiving Service was held in the church Nov. 21. Rev. McGrath, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, brought the message. An offering was received for World Relief.

Pastor Morton attended the special meeting of Presbytery on Dec. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind. The regular fall thankoffering was observed Dec. 2 with Pastor Morton presenting a message on mission work.

When Pastor Morton and family visited with their family and relatives in Canada the last week in December, Rev. David Guthrie brought the message to the congregation.

—Pearl Auld, correspondent