Flooding Affects Two New York Congregations

Crown & Covenant (Owego, N.Y.) RPC

Six years ago, the Crown & Covenant RPC in Owego, N.Y., bought their first church building. This summer, after flooding in late June, they are left contemplating whether to relocate or rebuild, according to Pastor Arthur Fawthrop.

The church, although not knocked off its foundation as originally thought, was flooded throughout the basement. There was some structural damage around the enclosed ramp, making it unusable. The church lost everything in the basement except some tables they bought after a flood last year because they could float.

Until engineers can find out more about the damage, the church is considering three options: (1) Remain at their current location and rebuild above the flood plain; (2) move closer to Endicott; (3) move anywhere that is dry. The situation is further complicated by the fact that they are still paying for the building and for the ramp that was added when they moved in.

Other than the damage to the church, most of the members fared well, although Pastor Fawthrop’s son lost everything in his basement.

Until a decision can be made about the church, the congregation has been meeting in a member’s barn and may be able to start worshiping at a nearby church.

—Heidi Filbert

Walton, N.Y., RPC

All three brooks running through Walton jumped out of their banks, sending rushing water through various parts of Walton on June 27. Several dozen houses in the area have been condemned, and the National Guard is still working to reopen several roads.

Members Karl and Mary Meeker’s house was condemned, and Cindy Davidson’s basement apartment was flooded. Farmers, especially Hartley Russell and Dick Latourette, lost large segments of their crops and face difficult business decisions. Pray for these people and for just settlements in the various claims and/or assistance monies distributed.

The property damage to the church was minimal compared to others. The Walton RPC building is the only church in town to remain completely dry. The parsonage barn was knocked off its foundation. The Johnstons had water in the parsonage basement to within six inches of the ceiling joists. That meant lots of mud, but losses were minimal.

Pray  for members as “post-traumatic stress” sets into some hearts in Walton. Pray that they will be strong and comfort others in the strength of Christ.

Jackie Spear has opened her home as a “refugee hotel”: “I have eight right now living here, she said. “Karl and Mary Meeker, Cindy Davidson (still cleaning basement apartment), Kathy Gray helping to cook, and Elise, Alex, and Eric, who have been working hard helping several flood victims.  Other grandchildren were here for a week and helped five different houses.  A few more Meeker families (Heather, Greg, and Andy) will arrive this weekend and so we will provide meals for them as well.”

Florence Lynn, who is 102 years old, made a banana cream pie to send downtown to the Spear home to help with meals.   Florence joins the 63 fire companies, National Guard, and hundreds of others who have supported the church in this crisis.

—Brad Johnston

Walton, N.Y., RPC

Brad Johnston, pastor

Release Time classes, an outreach to elementary students, have ended for the year with a picnic hosted by the church. Children and their families were in attendance. It was a good time to meet these new families and establish friendships.

The Women’s Missionary Guild has had two meetings to make crafts for the RP Home. Many items were made to send for their special open house in October.

Five young adults visited the congregation from Indianapolis this spring to study for a week under the direction of Pastor Brad Johnston. Several households had the opportunity to host and get to know these students.

—Mary Meeker, correspondent

College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC

Anthony Selvaggio, pastor

In May, the College Hill congregation called Licentiate Titus Martin to be their associate pastor. Indicating his acceptance of the call, Titus began his ministry on June 1. He was ordained and installed on Aug. 4.

The congregation also recently conducted an election for deacons resulting in the choice of William McChesney and William Townsend, who had indicated their willingness to serve. Their ordination and installation is forthcoming.

May 31 marked the conclusion of visitation within the congregation by Dr. Norman Carson and his wife, Beverly. They felt the necessity to retire from a most fulfilling ministry after serving the congregation for three-and-a-half years.

Last spring, Paul and Brenda Schaefer returned to the States from Ethiopia, accompanied by their two adopted Ethiopian children. The children, Rediet (7) and her brother, Nathan (2), join sisters Sarah, Eden, Beca, and Jordan, thereby increasing the number of adoptees in the congregation to more than 25.

An achievement of a different sort came to Abél (pronounced ah-BELL) Carleton recently. Abél returned from a fishing trip with friends at the nearby Wallace quarry with the prize bass. Abél stands 57 inches tall; the fish measured 22 1/2 inches and weighed 5 pounds.

The hospitable South has made its siren call to two College Hill families. Several months ago Doug and Marian Brooks moved to North Carolina, and more recently Professor Art Hunt, his wife, Sheila, and son, Justin, felt led to return to Tennessee in order to be closer to their respective families. Both families will be missed.

College Hill was well represented in the annual Beaver County Christian School musical, Kiss Me Kate. Peter and Molly Carson, Jeremy Glovier, Sarah Phillips, and Abaigeal, Bonnie, and Fiona Smith were members of the cast and crew. At the Mancini Awards ceremony, Bethany Stahl was honored as best leading actress, and Justin Hunt shared in the coveted award for best group performance. Among the ten participating high schools, BCCS tied for the highest number of awards given.

—Norman Carson, correspondent