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Alida Kingswood, 89, mother of Pastor Matthew Kings-wood (Russell, Ont., RPC) as well as Pastor Jeff Kingswood (Grace [Woodstock, Ont.] ARP Church), broke the record in the women’s 85- to 89-year-old, 2,000-meter race during the World Rowing Indoor Championships. Her winning time was 10:11.08.
The championships were held remotely this year due to the pandemic. Kingswood competed in real-time against competitors from across the world.
She broke the last record by about 22 seconds, which she had set a couple weeks prior.
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Walton, N.Y., RPC
On December 12, the Walton Reformed Presbyterian Church witnessed the installation of a teaching elder, William Chellis, and the ordination and installation of a ruling elder, John Cripps.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isa. 52:7).
— Joan Bronson, correspondent
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Sharon (Morning Sun, Iowa) RPC
Bryan Schneider, pastor
The congregation slowly and carefully lifted COVID-related restrictions. Regular morning worship services have been conducted since late summer 2020. More recently, Sabbath school was reintroduced in June 2021, along with weekly lunch and fellowship times and the afternoon Chalk & Talk. In-person Bible studies that have resumed include the men’s monthly breakfast/study, the women’s biweekly study, and the weekly Tuesday evening group.
Worship services continue to be offered online and have been very well received. Pastor Schneider’s recent sermon series have included Esther and 1 Thessalonians.
New outreach ministries have included a Sunday evening service in downtown Burlington, Iowa, and a monthly information and encouragement homeschool meeting. Vacation Bible School resumed this summer, with over 40 students participating.
The congregation rejoices in RP families that have moved to Southeast Iowa and joined our congregation. We’ve also welcomed newcomers from outside the Reformed tradition. God has been good to our congregation.
We mourn the loss of longtime member, Evelyn McElhinney, who taught Sabbath school to young children for many years.
— Terri Hutcheson, correspondent