Almonte RPC Prepares to Mark Its 175th Anniversary

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever” (Ps. 136:1).

You are invited to join the Almonte, Ont., RPC as we celebrate our 175th anniversary on Oct. 7-9. A weekend of preaching, singing, historical facts, food, and fellowship is being planned. The dates coincide with the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday weekend. What a wonderful way to give thanks to our Lord and King as we join together rejoicing in His faithfulness and blessing upon His servants here in Almonte!

For the past eight years Pastor Matthew Dyck has faithfully shepherded this flock. Kevin Shaw serves as an elder, while Bill Lowry, Sr., and David Harding minister as deacons.

According to a historical research paper compiled by Rev. Robert More, Jr., this congregation was officially organized on Sept. 9, 1830, under the leadership of Rev. James Mulligan from Vermont. On this date, Rev. Mulligan dispensed the sacraments of baptism and communion, making this congregation the oldest recorded Covenanter communion in Canada. The congregation worshiped at various locations, including a small log structure in Ramsay Township, a short distance from Almonte. However, in 1891 a small but elegant stone building, gothic in design, was constructed. This same building has served as a place of public worship for the Almonte congregation ever since.

There have been many prayers offered up from members of this congregation seeking to see Christ’s kingdom advanced in Canada. In more recent years, the congregation has been blessed to see God’s answer to these prayers result in the establishment of the Ottawa, Ont., RPC in 1980 and, shortly after, the emergence of Ottawa Theological Hall (OTH), both under the leadership of Dr. Richard Ganz. This seminary, with international teaching excellence, has been faithfully equipping men for the Canadian ministry with the prayerful hope of reestablishing the Canadian Reformed Presbyterian Church. Since this time, we have been blessed to see men equipped for the ministry, many new works developed and growing throughout Ontario, and mission work spreading into Africa.

The theme for the celebration weekend will be a focus on why Christ has established His church here in Almonte and how He has prepared us for the advancement of His kingdom. What do we need to remember? What do we look forward to?

If you are interested in joining us for this weekend celebration, a list of local accommodations may be obtained from Niki Mains at 613-253-7324 or you may email her at: robandnikimains@ hotmail.com. We are interested in welcoming visiting families into our homes. There are also many beautiful bed-and-breakfasts in the area. If you are thinking of hotel/motel accommodations, this list is also available.

Perhaps you are trying to decide whether this is an event worth attending. This congregation has had 175 years of preaching and hospitality experience; you won’t want to miss it! This will indeed be a blessing to you and an honor for us to share the anniversary celebrations with brothers and sisters in the Lord from far and wide. It will be helpful for the planning committee to have a good idea of numbers, so please be sure to let us know in advance if you are able to attend. Registration inquiries and confirmations can be directed to Wanda Sheil at 613-264-8627 or by email at bsheil@bellnet.ca.

Events are being planned for all ages. Old-fashioned games for the children, appropriate to the 1800s, will be fun for the younger ones. Bonnie and Chris Swallow have volunteered to organize this event, and it will be fun to see them dressed appropriately. The youth coordinators, Bob and Babs van Noppen and Bill and Treena Lowry, are planning events to involve youth groups from far and wide. Please be sure to let your young people know that this will be a great time. There are rumors of a possible car rally (or horse rally), which may require orienteering skills and historical fact-gathering expertise.

The Olde Tyme Fall Social on Saturday evening will begin with a beautiful buffet dinner catered by the amazing chefs in our congregation. Following the dinner, we offer entertainment by the Bowes Brothers. Four brothers who grew up in the Almonte RPC joined their father, Clarence, as young lads, entertaining residents at local nursing homes. They have now become a professional band that is much in demand throughout Ontario and Quebec. Ed, Rod, John, and Andy will be singing a mix of gospel and country music. Anyone interested in square dancing will be in for a fun time later in the evening.

We are excited to have Pastor Andrew Stringer, the associate pastor of the Ottawa RPC, speaking on Friday evening. Pastor Matthew Kingswood, pastor of the Russell, Ont., RPC, will speak on Saturday. Dr. Ganz will bring the message in the morning worship on the Lord’s Day, and Pastor Dyck will conclude the weekend messages in the evening.

—Kevin and Carol Shaw

Family Group to Perform at Almonte Anniversary

Singing in four-part harmony, combined with humor and yodeling, The Bowes Brothers bring a unique style to their music. Along with their father, Clarence, the brothers have been performing country and gospel music for about three years. Hailing from Carleton Place, Ont., singing together is something they have done their entire lives.

Ed, the oldest brother, plays rhythm guitar and sings baritone/harmony. Rod plays bass guitar and sings bass. John plays fiddle and sings lead, and Andy plays acoustic guitar and sings high harmonies. Andy has mastered the art of yodeling and has traveled to Nova Scotia many times to perform at the Wilf Carter Festival. Their father, Clarence, plays lead guitar and has played in shows and at dances his entire life.

The Bowes Brothers were featured on Regional Contact, an Ottawa television show aired on CJOH in fall 2003. After an overwhelming response, they were featured again just before Christmas 2004. They have recently released a CD of gospel music and another of country music.

Raised in the Almonte RPC, the Bowes Brothers will return to perform at the 175th Anniversary Celebration, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

—submitted by their mother, Anne Bowes

Clarinda RPC to Celebrate 150 Years

The Clarinda RPC was organized 150 years ago on Dec. 17, 1855, with 34 members. The first church building was erected five years later. The present building was erected in 1918 at a cost of $20, 000. Today the church stands in its original location southwest of Clarinda.

During the Civil War, the Clarinda RPC furnished more volunteers in proportion to its membership than any other church in the state of Iowa. The church members have continued to serve their country when needed, and, in World War I, one member gave his life while in service.

In 1866, the cemetery was fenced off just south of the church building. The land was purchased from John Caskey for 25 cents.

The congregation at one time numbered close to 200 people. Today the membership stands at 25. Eleven men from the congregation have become ministers, and three people have become missionaries.

Several descendants of the original charter members are eager to welcome you to the 150th anniversary celebration on July 2-3. On July 2, 2 p.m., there will be a program, and all are welcome to share memories of the church at that time. A supper will be served at the church at 5:30, with a psalm sing to follow. On July 3, there will be worship at 9:30, with Rev. Marion McFarland as special speaker. This will be followed with a carry-in dinner at noon.

­—Dorothy Whitehill, correspondent

Graduate Sets Out on Ambitious World Trip

What started as a thought that he might want to be a missionary has grown into a seven-month, around-the-world trip for Titus Martin and two other young RP men.

Titus, a member of the Tusca Area (Beaver, Pa.) RPC who graduated from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in May, will travel to Cyprus, Ireland, Northern Uganda, Japan, Australia, and another, closed country using a round-the-world plane ticket. “We’ll serve the mission while we’re there and get to see the struggles and joys of the church,” he said.

The purpose of the trip is to see “if I should and where I should go—where I best fit,” Titus said. “And to see the kingdom of God outside my experience.” Titus said he also wants to “see if I can live without the luxuries of America.”

In June, Titus will leave for Cyprus. He will be joined in July by Jason O’Neill, of the Winchester, Kan., RPC. Matt Stewart, of Trinity (Beltsville, Md.) RPC, will meet them in Ireland in August. Jason and Matt graduated from Geneva College this year.

The group has tried to get together weekly to pray and prepare for the trip. Titus said he tried to learn some Arabic, French, and Japanese, and tried to get to know the cultures and missionaries of the countries they will be visiting.

The men will return to the United States on Jan. 12. “I’m hoping we can maintain energy, focus, and enthusiasm for the whole trip,” Titus said, adding that they will have to get plenty of rest and pray continually.

To receive updates on how the trip is going, e-mail Titus at titusknox@yahoo.com.

Seminary Fills Two New Positions

The RP Seminary has hired Bob Anderson and Grant Van Leuven to fill the newly created positions of facilities manager and director of development and communications.

In his part-time role as facilities manager, Anderson is responsible for the general indoor and outdoor repair and maintenance of the seminary. He is a retired Westinghouse engineer and lives in Penn Hills, Pa., with his wife and their three children.

Van Leuven, who is also a part-time M.Div. student at RPTS, has assumed the position of director of development and communications. His main duty will be to assist the president in leading the seminary’s bicentennial capital campaign to culminate in 2010. He will also oversee the seminary’s communications initiatives, including public and media relations. Van Leuven was a President’s Club advertising account executive for WORD-FM radio in Pittsburgh before joining the seminary staff. He has also directed communications for other organizations in the Pittsburgh area. He lives in Mars, Pa., with his wife and daughter.

New Scholarships Available

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is seeking prospective theological students who believe in a six-day, young-earth Creation for its newly created Genesis Scholarships sponsored by the Creation Science Fellowship of Pittsburgh (CSFP). One full and two partial scholarships are available for first-year students who begin in the fall quarter of 2005.

The scholarships will requires students to take the seminary’s “Bible and Science” course, as well as intern with the CSFP. To apply for the Genesis Scholarships, please call RPTS at 412-731-8690 or email gvanleuven@rpts.edu.

RPTS to Hold Second Annual Conference on the Westminster Confession of Faith

On July 1-2, the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh, Pa., will host its second annual conference, The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century: An International Conference on the Work of the Westminster Assembly.

Speakers from Reformed seminaries around the U.S. will address current issues relating to the theology and influence of the Westminster Confession of Faith. The speakers are Dr. Wayne Spear, RPTS professor of systematic theology; Dr. Mark E. Ross, associate professor of theology at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, S.C.; Dr. David C. Jones, professor of theology and ethics at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. Richard Gamble, professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Fla.; Dr. David M. VanDrunen, associate professor of systematic theology and Christian ethics at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, Calif.; and Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., professor of historical and systematic theology at Greenville Seminary in Greenville, S.C.

For more information or to register, call (412) 731-8690 or visit the website, www.westminsterconference.org.