Atlantic Presbytery

The Atlantic Presbytery of the RPCNA met at White Lake Covenanter Camp (New York) Sept. 24–25. Normally the presbytery is hosted by a church within the presbytery. But, because of restrictions put in place by the governors of the states involved, certain states would have required a period of quarantine before the elders could resume relatively normal activities. Surprisingly, New York state was the one state where the presbytery could meet without placing restrictions on the delegates upon their return home. But the delegates still would not be able to be hosted in the homes of any church in New York. So the idea was put forward to meet at the White Lake campgrounds with social distancing, opening windows, and mask wearing much of the time. Normally the camp would have been closed for the season, but it was kept open for this meeting. Fewer than half of the delegates took advantage of housing at the camp, where there was no heat. The Lord provided fairly comfortable weather for the time of year.

Larry Gladfelter, from Broomall, Pa., RPC, prepared excellent meals and break-time snacks (including warm Toll House cookies) for the presbytery. Bill Chellis served as the moderator. His experience as a lawyer proved useful for moving the meeting along. Two of the congregations had made calls for pastors shortly before the meeting, so no action was able to be taken to pass them on. Ridgefield Park, N.J., RPC has called Dr. Andrew Kerr of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, and Walton, N.Y., RPC has called Bill Chellis, who has been serving as their session’s interim moderator.

Although no camps could be held “on the hill” in the summer because of COVID-19, a virtual camp had been organized and held by the officers of the young people. The various churches described a variety of ways they had dealt with the virus to keep the churches together and provide worship services online.

—J. Bruce Martin, Atlantic Presbytery Clerk

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Topeka, Kan., RPC

Brad Johnston, pastor

Allison Reed, a member of the Topeka, Kan., RPC, won first prize at National History Day in the Individual Documentary competition for her research entitled “All the World Loves a Baby: Breaking the Two Pound Barrier.”

Allison’s research featured the groundbreaking work of Martin Couney. Using the incubators as side-show attractions, Couney demonstrated the importance of incubators and raised money to further his research.

Allison placed first in her category at National History Day this summer and was also recognized as a Next Generation Angels Award winner through the Better Angels Society, a Ken Burns-associated group that works to recognize and encourage America’s future documentary filmmakers. Allison, who is now a freshman at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, was recently chosen as the grand prize winner of the Discovery Award through the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Allison is the daughter of Kyle and Elizabeth Reed. Watch her three-time award-winning documentary here.

—Georgia McFarland, correspondent