Lisbon, N.Y., RPC

Steve Rockhill, Pastor

The Lisbon congregation in rural St. Lawrence County in northern New York includes people of all ages, with room in the pews for more. They pray that God will be pleased to bring new families, couples and singles into their church family.

In March, the congregation sponsored the 6th annual Reformed Leadership Workshop. Pastor Kit Swartz, of the Oswego, N.Y., RPC, spoke on “Rights of Spring: Looking to God for a Season of New Life.” About 30 teaching and ruling elders and deacons from several Reformed denominations in New York and Ontario attended.

Also in March, Maria Rockhill planned a family movie and game night, featuring the movie Courageous.

The men of the congregation have an annual tradition of preparing and serving a lovely meal to the ladies of the congregation—and doing the dishes, too! At this year’s dinner in April, the ladies enjoyed roast beef with all the trimmings, and strawberry shortcake. Phil Manchester provided decorations, favors and after-dinner entertainment.

The women of the WMF group take turns hosting monthly meetings and leading Bible study. They have been challenged by Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow. Carol Smith keeps them informed of needs at the Lisbon Food Pantry. In February they packaged cleaning and hygiene items to be given out in addition to groceries. In early May they hosted the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Women’s Retreat, and enjoyed the fellowship of women from N.Y., PA., MA., and Ontario congregations.

Also in May, they were blessed to share a potluck meal with Sudan missionaries Vince and Julie Ward and their children while they were back in North America on furlough. Afterwards, the Wards and Zachary Smith spoke on the work in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Sudan. Zachary had just returned from spending three months leading the construction crew in building a new training center—and making himself useful in many other ways while the arrival of a truckload of building supplies was repeatedly delayed.

Pastor Rockhill, his wife, Maria, and their sons Steven and Andrew arrived in Lisbon in June 2002. Since then, Katrina, Emily and Nicholas have joined their family. To celebrate 10 years of their faithful ministry and Steve’s shepherding of the congregation, they presented Steve and Maria with flowers and had a chocolate-themed fellowship meal. (Steve’s love of all things chocolate is well known!)

Pastor Rockhill led a midweek Bible study in his home during the past school year. When the group wrapped up studies in Ephesians and Proverbs, they had a pizza party before taking a break for the summer.

Don and Gwen Smith have been leading and hosting monthly youth group meetings for several years. They also invited the congregation and friends to a July 4th picnic at their home again this year. A violent, but very localized hailstorm passed over their farm just as the picnic was ending, bringing it to a rather spectacular close! —Brian Bond