Sterling, Kan., RPC

Derek Miller, associate pastor

In January, an election of deacons was held. Elected were Ed Wilkey, Ed Webb, and Gunner Whorton. All have indicated their willingness to serve.

In February, Derek Miller was called to become pastor since Rev. Dennis Prutow has gone to teach at the RP Seminary.

Approximately 20 youth attended the presbytery youth retreat in Sterling, Feb. 23–24, from eight congregations. The subject for study was, “How God Calls His Church to Make an impact on the World.” Several parents and others joined the congregation for worship and dinner on the Lord’s Day

—Sue Wilkey, correspondent

Southfield, Mich., RPC

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Ian Wise, pastor

After 45 years in the ministry, Ray Joseph retired from the pastorate. He and his wife Alice now spend their time among their five children and visit other friends and families during their travels. Rev. Joseph preached for Triangle, N.C., RPC recently and is scheduled to fill-in for vacationing pastors in Southfield. Mich., RPC: Delta Oaks, Calif., OPC; and San Diego. Calif., RPC.

After hearing several men candidate, the congregation called Ian Wise of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church to be its pastor. He accepted the call in October, and plans commenced for moving with his wife Deanna and sons Forrest and Ethan. The congregation spent a very busy seven weeks from mid­November to early January preparing the parsonage for the new pastor and family. Carpeting was removed, and wood floors were refinished. Walls and trim were painted. The bath was gutted and remodeled. The project was completed just in time for the Wises to move in! The Lord sustained the workers and protected them from injury during all of the activity.

The ordination and installation of Pastor Ian Wise occurred on Jan. 11. It was well attended by not only the Southfield congregation but also pastors and friends from other congregations of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Free Church of Scotland, Reformed Presbyterian Church of the United States, and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (from South Carolina). Pictures of the event will soon be available on Southfield’s web site at www.reformed.com.

More changes occurred at the annual congregational meeting in January. A Sunday school class for children was reinstated to study the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Additionally, there are plans to begin a class for middle­school-aged children in the fall. The current youth Bible study will become a class for high­school-aged youth. A women’s prayer group was formed, meeting in homes twice a month for prayer.

Evidence of the Lord’s healing is obvious in the church. The congregation is thankful for all who have kept them in prayer, and praises the Lord for His grace and kindness in answering those prayers.

—Becky Manring, correspondent

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New Alexandria, Pa., RPC

Wayne Duffield, pastor

Tom Gray, associate pastor

The laying on of hands at the service for ordination and installation seems to be the last time Associate Pastor Tom Gray has sat down since coming to New Alexandria. His vision and enthusiasm for the work of outreach and evangelism have blessed the congregation. Through his efforts and those of Pastor Duffield and Elder John Vincze, several new Bible studies have been developed in the area including a Men’s Life Study and a Coffee Break Ministry for the ladies.

Pastor Gray has been a regular chapel speaker at the Derry Christian Academy, has initiated a monthly fellowship luncheon, has hosted a six-week New Beginnings video ministry, and has organized spiritual fellowship get-togethers.

The second Sunday of each month the congregation joins together following the worship service for the fellowship luncheon with members and visitors. There is also a fellowship time each Sunday before the morning service, complete with refreshments.

Two festivals were held at the church building, featuring food, games, music, and a movie from the Billy Graham ministries. The spring festival followed a Western theme and included gospel music by Pam Clawson and the movie, The Ride. Western dress, decorations, and a hearty meal of hot dogs and baked beans preceded a box auction of baked goods. The fall fun festival included seasonal decorations and featured the movie, Road to Redemption. Games, hot dogs, sauerkraut, make-your-own sundaes, and a bake sale added to the event.

A church picnic was held during the summer at nearby Keystone State Park. Water balloons, watermelon seed spitting, a candy scavenger hunt, football, and baseball activities followed another hearty dinner.

The congregation is fortunate to participate in many community worship events, which brings all the churches of the area together. Lenten services, World Day of Prayer, Christian Unity Services, Thanksgiving services, vacation Bible school, men’s prayer breakfast, CROP walk, and a Keystone State Park summer ministry are some of the events held by the community in which “New Alex” is proud to participate.

The congregation hosted the spring meeting of the Presbytery of the Alleghenies. New Alex also had representatives attend the Synod’s re­vitalization workshops, pastor cluster meetings, and the Alpha conference.

New Song from Geneva College visited in November. The church treated them to a dinner on Saturday evening, and they presented their special gift of music and drama. After spending the night in the homes of the congregation, group members joined the congregation for worship and again shared their talents.

Improvements continue to be made to the building. The old sign was replaced by a new, brightly painted wooden sign and was moved to location much easier to see from the street. The building is now fully handicapped-accessible with the addition of a ramp and the remodeling of the bathroom. New lighting in the bath and the kitchen, as well as a fresh coat of paint for the bath, kitchen, and social room, have made the interior much brighter and more inviting. The eight large stained-glass windows, a hallmark of the building, had deteriorated and were repaired by Ringler Decoration, a local Christian company. Although attendance numbers are still small, there are more opportunities to worship and minister to the community than ever before.

—Laura Pierce Ament, correspondent

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Ridgefield Park, N.J., RPC

Bruce Martin, pastor

On Jan. 25, members of the Ridgefield Park RPC enjoyed an evening out together at “Medieval Times” in New Jersey. The annual congregational meeting was held Feb. 2 and officers were elected for the year. Following the meeting, everyone was invited to a dinner the men of the church prepared.

On Feb. 17, the congregation joined together for a fellowship lunch after the worship service.

—Joan Hammond, correspondent

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Denison. Kan., RPC

J. Edward Hindman, pastor

The pastor preached a series of sermons on the Minor Prophets, on 1 John, and on the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross. There was also a six-part overview of the Bible called God’s Message To You during the fall evening services. Retired missionaries Gene and Ruth Spear were the speakers for the fall thankoffering service Sept. 30.

The Denison Women’s Missionary Fellowship entertained the women of the Winchester WMF for dinner the evening of Oct. 9. This dinner of the Denison and Winchester women is at least a 50-year-old tradition.

Wilbur Braum celebrated his 90th birthday on Sept. 29 with family and a card shower from friends and relatives.

Clarinda RPC’s new pastor, Jeff Yelton, was the assistant for the fall communion on Nov. 3–4. His wife and two children accompanied him.

Betty Tolbert had a stroke last fall and is now a resident of the geriatric center at Winchester. Her daughter, Karen McCrory works there.

The congregation enjoyed the fourth annual Christmas Dinner on Dec. 22. After an excellent meal, the children presented a short program. Cindy Hindman led the singing of Christmas carols followed by a gift exchange.

The annual congregational meeting was held Feb. 2. Chairman Rodger Phillips and secretary Cindy Hindman were re-elected. Junior and Ellen Blackwood are representatives to the nursing home advisory board. Jim Scoby is the Sabbath school superintendent, with Mitzie continuing as junior superintendent. The deacon board is planning an upgrade for the heating systems in the church building and also may be adding air conditioning.

Recipients of the Maryalice Braum College Scholarship for 2001–2002 are Rebecca Hamer, Anne Hindman, Jessica Porter, Andrew Scoby, Jacque Scoby, and Tony VanHorn.

—Eleanor Phillips, correspondent