Winchester, Kan., RPC

Paul Finley, pastor

Pastor Finley has completed a series of sermons from the book of Malachi. Several months earlier, the congrega­tion studied the book of Hebrews.

Eleven young adults are attending various colleges this year.

The congregation continues to take a turn ministering at the local geriatric center, with Pastor Finley bringing the message, and others helping with the singing.

“September Family Night” brought the customary guests, the Jefferson Country North administration, faculty, and staff, for a bountiful meal and time of fellowship.

Gene and Ruth Spear spoke at the fall thankoffering and showed slides of Japan.

The Finleys were presented with a monetary gift for “Pastor Appreciation Month” in October.

This fall David and Vicky DeKnight were welcomed into the communicant membership of the congregation.

The Winchester congregation served as host for the Midwest Presbytery meeting held at Camp Chippewa, southwest of Ottawa, Kan., Nov. 7–8. Approximately 35 men attended.

The community Thanksgiving service was held at the church Nov. 21.

All the youth of the congre­gation presented a nice Christmas program Dec. 19 entitled “The Littlest Fir Tree.” The youngest child present, 11-month-old Faith Finley, also had a part in the program assisted by her brother, Luke. Gifts were later exchanged by the young people and children of the congregation.

—Hazel Sass, correspondent

**Lisbon, N.Y., RPC **

The meetings of St. Lawrence Presbytery in March, and St. Lawrence-Atlantic Presbyterial in May, were both held in Lisbon.

Improvements made to the sanctuary include refinishing the hardwood floors and installing a new heating/cooling system.

Several attended the ordination and installation of Courtney Miller as pastor of the Hudson-St. Lazare, Queb., RPC.

Some of the activities enjoyed this year have been a 4th of July picnic, a progressive dinner, a beef roast, a “Men Host the Ladies” night, and volleyball for the young people on Monday nights. In August, a float was built for the parade celebrating the bicentennial of Lisbon.

Rebecca Smith and Nathan Peña were married Nov. 17 in Syracuse, N. Y. A reception was held Nov. 24 in Lisbon, which was also a surprise 50th wedding anniversary for Dale and Shirley Smith, and 25th wedding anniversary for Don and Gwen Smith. An open house was held Nov. 10 to honor Pastor Wade and Barb Mann and family for their leadership over the past 10 years. They are taking up work at the Shawnee, Kan., RPC.

— Shirley Smith, correspondent

Walton, N.Y., RPC

On the evening of Nov. 7, the congregation said good­bye to Pastor Scott and Elineke Wilkinson and their family at a farewell party. Some fun was had with poems and questions. Gifts from the Walton Ministerial and the congregation were presented and refreshments were enjoyed. The Wilkinsons are beginning a new work in Kitchener, Ont. Scott’s final message and communion were held Nov.11. On the following morning many of the congregation helped them pack their moving truck and bid them a final sad farewell.

Since Scott’s leaving, the pulpit has been filled each Lord’s Day. The session and pulpit committee have been busy. Many homes in the congregation have extended hospitality during this time. Harold Harrington was in Walton Dec. 9 to declare the pulpit vacant.

On Dec. 14 the holiday get-­together was held. All the families of the released time students were invited, and several families came. It was a good time to get to know them and invite them back for worship. Each family/member of the congregation has one or more students that they have been asked to pray for faithfully throughout the year. The released time classes meet every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 to 2:20. This includes walking the students to and from the school, so the teaching time is short. There are about 70 students in grades one to five.

—Marilyn Russell, correspondent