Presbyterial of the Alleghenies

The 117th annual convention of the Presbyterial of the Alleghenies met at the College Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church Apr. 6. Frances McDonald warmly welcomed everyone. President Rose Weir gave a meditation about “Change.” In her experience as a farmer’s daughter she has seen much change in farming. The Women’s Missionary Fellowship, too, has changed. How do we deal with change? Substance, which is our goal or purpose, takes precedence over form, which is the way we do things. What is our substance? Christian fellowship among women is one purpose, so that we can learn from each other. Helping our missionaries is another goal: praying for them, giving money to enable them to go, and encouraging prospective missionaries, to name some ways.

Pastor Jeff Stivason was introduced as the speaker for the morning. His theme was, “Can You Recognize a Ripe Harvest?” (Matt. 9:35-38). His main illustration was from the life of Dr. Boris Comfeld, a Gulag prisoner, who became a believer because someone witnessed to him. Dr. Comfeld was instrumental in the conversion of Alexander Solzhenitzen and was killed because he shared the gospel there in the Gulag. Are we able to share the gospel? In order to do this we need to:

1. Walk with, listen to, and watch Jesus.

2. Minister where and when we find those in need.

3. Pray to be a compassionate people.

Andrea Tweed had arranged with Maranatha Bookstore to have a display. She reviewed several books briefly.

Synodical president Kathy Stegall brought greetings from across the church and brought a brief message based on Ephesians 1:1-9.

The presbyterial project for the past year was a fund to help the special needs of RP Seminary students. Ann O’Neill told about three families who had been helped during the past year. The presbyterial project for this year will again be this fund.

Missions coordinator Beverly Carson had secured recent prayer requests from many home and foreign missions. Attendees were divided into small groups to pray for these requests. After a delicious and attractive lunch, speaker Dr. Scott McCullough was introduced. His theme was “Compassionate Evangelism to the Ends of the Earth,” based on Matthew 9:35-38 and Psalm 72.

Matt Filbert spoke about the RP short­-term missions program. The teams are filled for this year, and now there is much preparation for each member before he is sent.

Reports for the business meeting had been distributed with the programs, so there were brief comments by coordinators. The following officers and coordinators were elected:

1st Vice-President: Vida Brown; Recording Secretary: Irma Matz; Assistant Treasurer: Martha Russell; Missions Coordinator: Alice Sterrett; Christian Living Coordinator: Virginia McBurney; Historian Librarian: Lois Claerbaut.

Covenant Fellowship invited the Presbyterial to meet with them April 5, 2003. Psalm 72 was sung and the meeting closed with prayer.

—Marion McMillan, recording secretary

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Atlantic/St. Lawrence Presbyterial

The 79th meeting of the Atlantic St. Lawrence Presbyterial took place May 16-18 at the Montrose, Pa., Bible Center with 45 people present. Dr. Rosaria Butterfield spoke on the topic: “Yearning, Growing, Thriving: Insight on Spiritual Maturity from the Puritans.” Formerly a radical feminist spokesperson and tenured university professor, Rosaria was led to the Lord through Ken and Floy Smith and the Syracuse RP Church. Now as the wife of Pastor Kent Butterfield, she seeks to share the love of Christ with others.

President Kathy Gladfelter presided at the business meeting where it was decided that the presbyterial project would continue to be the immigration expenses of the Courtney Miller family in Canada. Rosanna McIlwee and Elizabeth Finley both received life synodical memberships A prayer time for missions, a book presentation, and a panel discussion on Christian living were included in the program. On Friday evening, Rosaria Butterfield and Gretchen Edgar shared their testimonies: “By grace were they saved.”

—JoAnne Martin, recording secretary