Chapter 5

Following the festive Silver Anniversary celebration, the church
needed to concentrate on its mission program. The Mission and
Outreach Committee was very active. They continued their support of
the Bakaert medical missionary work in Cameroon, supported Tom
Richardson as student missionary in Japan, continued working with the
Cambodian family, and established a program employing members of the
congreation to collect used postage stamps in support of Church World
Service.

A popular campus program was Stone Soup Fellowship on Monday night
with a prayer study group following. ‘There was continued support for
the ministry of black students. Pat Latus left for seminary in August,
and Therese Holder became the new coordinator. Jim McTaggart contin-
wed his conscientious efforts toward improving the church library. It
was completely reorganized in 1984.

 

In the fall, the Acolyte Program was under the direction of Joyce
Sherwood and then was continued by Deb Bennett. This program in the
subsequent years was instrumental in providing instruction and guide-
lines for the young people involved in this part of the service. The
Church School average attendance was thirty-eight, and the Summer
Vacation Bible School provided instruction and fun for over sixty
children. Adult Education had many church members involved in Kerygma
Bible Study while others took part in a varied Adult Forum format. A
very successful Lenten series featured Dr. Stanley Walters from C.M.U.
who based a Bible study series on Psalns.

 

An important aspect of the church life has always been handled by
the Congregational Life Comittee. Their role has been to plan and
carryout fellowship through social functions. ‘The mention of same of
these activities brings back many pleasant memories to individuals of
the congregation; Advent Festival, all-church picnics, bowling parties,
canoe & cross-country skiing trips, chili and spaghetti dinners
Christmas caroling, church basketball and softball teams, ice cream
socials, pancake breakfasts, potlucks, progressive dinners, shrimp
boil, spring/Valentine dances, square dances, tail-gating at C.M.U.
football games, theater parties at the university.

It was time for the church to fill an Associate Pastor post. In
January 1985, an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee was formed ~
Betty Enders, Wn. Franklin, Karen Heydenburg, Don Holland, Peter
Koper, Nancy Lowenbergh, Harold Telfer (chairman), Dorothy Theunissen,
and William Wood. ‘This committee would report in 1986.

The Session approved the installation of a stairlift on the stair-
way at the west end of the sanctuary. A new computer and printer was
secured for the office. ‘The roof was replaced and the front sign was
rebuilt. The Sanctuary and Narthex were refurbished and Fellowship
Hall was renovated.

‘Two newly decorated rooms were given proper names. The large
upstairs meeting room became the John Witherspoon Room while the down-
stairs meeting room (Fireside Room) was now the Westminster Room. The
Elizabeth and Elmer Graham family presented the church with a new
Grand Piano for the sanctuary in memory of their parents. It was ded-
icated during a December worship service. ‘The Capital Improvement
Fund projects were two-thirds of the way toward completion - $160,400
had been received, leaving approximately $45,000 to be collected in
the final year. ‘There were two more changes in 1986. The room used by

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the Isabella Child Development Center (kindergarten room) became the
Patsy Bratton Turner Room. The Fellowship Hall was named the John
Knox Room. The church library was moved into the John Witherspoon
Room.

Adventure Time had proven successful and was continued. This pro-
gram met the second half of the worship service, for children too old
for the nursery and too young to sit through the entire worship ser-
vice. Marie Koper replaced Cindy Miles as Christian Education
Coordinator. The Westminster Fellowship began their Fall Semester
with a picnic under a large yellow tent on the front lawn following
worship. The entire congregation was invited. Third Wednesday
Potlucks were begun to provide church members a mid-week opportunity
for fellowship and education. In a few years, this would become the
night for the regular Church School classes. The hand-bell choir was
‘ablished and new robes were purchased for the Chancel Choir.

 

Religious art paintings were received from Mrs. Helen Willhite.
“Christ With Children” and “Jesus With Children” were hung in
Fellowship Hall. ‘The large painting, “Head of Jesus,” was hung in the
Narthex in memory of her husband, Dr. Lyle Willhite.

‘The three year long Capital Fund Campaign ended, and 93.4% of the
Pledges were received. Frank Ingram, Chairman of the Capital
Improvement Committee, deserved mich credit for the conscientious job
that his committee did in selecting and monitoring the projects under-
taken.

On April 9, 1986, the church hosted the American Boy Choir from
American Boys School in Princeton, NJ. The group had performed in

more than 1500 American cities and towns in forty-five states, as well
as Canada, Central and South America, Philippines, Japan, Korea
and Europe.

‘The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (Harold Telfer, chair-
man) made its report and recommended the Reverend Ronald Ditmars for
the position, half-time on campus and half-time with the church.
Another plus for the year was the return of retired Reverend Kenneth
Cutler and Alice to live in Mt. Pleasant and once again worship in
First Presbyterian Church. William Franklin was Moderator of the
Presbytery in 1986 and recognition was given to Dr. Steven Egler’s ten
years as Director of Music. ‘The Deacons began to use Dial-A-Ride to
‘transport members to church, assisted by Deacons riding along.

On October 12, 1986, a service of dedication was held for the
stained glass Sunburst Window over the altar, a gift from the
Heydenburg family. This was the first year that the Pony Express
System was used in the Stewardship Campaign. It was designed to
include participation by every church member in delivering a saddlebag
to a neighbor; it proved highly successful as 99.6% of the budget was
reached. There were 197 pledges totaling $157,315.

A msical highlight in 1987 was the All Saints Day Bach Cantata
performed with the Midland Memorial Presbyterian Church. Other spe-
cial music performed included sacred music presented by numerous pre-
sent and former trumpet students of Dr. Paul Willwerth assisted by Dr.
Steven Egler, organist, and Mary Kiesgen, soprano. When one speaks of
the church music, Sue Carey would need to be recognized for her beau-
tiful flute solos and her work with the various youth choirs. Her
husband, Michael, became a frequent litergist for the readings of the
traditional lessons and carols at the Christmas Eve Service

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each year.

‘The Campus Committee and Westminster Fellowship completed a year
with the Reverend Ronald Ditmars. Featured were the Welcome Back
Brunch, the Spring Retreat, and a twenty-four Hour Fast held at the
church overnight (thirty-five students participated, and $500 was
raised for worthy projects). A campus-wide commnion service was
held, and seventy-five students took part.

‘Two outstanding choirs performed in the church in 1988. First was
the Luther College Nordic Choir, and.this was followed by a repeat
performance at the church by the American Boy Choir. Other musical
features were a Commmity Messiah Sing-Along, and the Rutter Requiem
Mass performed in combination with Midland Memorial Presbyterian
Church Choir. The following year, the Goodwill Black Gospel Singers
from Albion, MI performed a concert in the church sactuary.

‘The Church and Society Comittee supported William and Mary
Franklin’s trip to Russia for “Peacemaking” in July. They helped cel-
ebrate the 1000th Anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church. The
committee provided a scholarship to Linda Dening to participate in an
international workshop in Hungary. Also attending this were the
Reverend Ronald Ditmars who had organized the group. Included were
three C.M.U. students, a Michigan Theological student, and an ecumeni
cal staff person from Sweden. The experience lasted between May 10-
31. ‘The mission work group restored a roof of a Reformed Church and
restored rooms elsewhere. ‘The purpose was to take a mall step to
improve East-West relations and to be ambassadors of peace. The trip
was organized by Westminster Fellowship in cooperation with the World
Student Christian Federation (European section).

 

At Easter time, the Cross of Flowers Service, in its second year,
was again a very memorable occasion. The children and parents in the
church truly looked forward to this celebration each spring. A new
Pictorial Directory was completed. In addition to the individual and
family pictures, it contained excellent pictures of various church
activities.

In 1988, the women’s
organizations in the
National Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)
changed their name
from United
Presbyterian Women to
Presbyterian Women.

During 1989, the
church membership
rolls were reviewed
and updated. Elaine
Connell, Membership
Clerk, undertook this
gigantic task. All
past membership roll
books were reviewed
and the names of non-
participants were
identified. Before
removing an individ-
The Cross of Flowers - an Easter tradition. ual to an inactive

 

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addresses was very difficult. Fewer than 50% responded to mailings.
‘This was made more difficult because of the division of the church in
1980. The active membership was dropped to 417. Session voted on
November 20, 1989 that a Membership Clerk become a permanent part of
the Session organization.

Presbyterian churches across the nation recognized the church's
Bicentennial Year celebrating our rich heritage as Presbyterians in
the Reformed Tradition. For the home church, this was reflected on
October 22, 1988 by the raising and hanging of our historic church
bell that had called worshipers to the two previous First Presbyterian
churches in Mt. Pleasant. The congregation gathered on the lawn to
watch the installation. A bag-piper from Alma College, in full
Scottish dress, played "Amazing Grace" and the affair closed with the
singing of "The Doxology." It was a beautiful sunny day and a
thrilling experience for all that were present. In addition to the
hanging of the bell there were sweatshirts sold, and the sign of
stained glass from the previous First Presbyterian Church was recon-
structed and donated. Marydeana Duckworth made the presentation of a
Michigan White Pine tree (the “Bicentennial Tree") on Earth day which
was then planted on the front lawn of the church as a dedication to
her husband Gene Duckworth. A plaque was placed at its base.

‘Two of the church's youth, Andrew Fribley and Tanya Sears, became
Associate Deacons and served on various youth committees. Andrew was
selected as alternate Youth Delegate to the Synod. In 1989, as an
Eagle Scout project, he refurbished the church playground equipment.

‘The Reverend Ronald Ditmars left the Associate Pastor position to
do graduate fellowship work in New York City at Union Theological
Seminary. A reception was held at Ron and Nancy's home on dune 11,
1989, and a final get-together was held on June 18.

‘The financial picture of the church was not bright. A Long Range
Planning Committee, consisting of Sherry Sponseller, David Kerr, Nancy
Telfer, Tammy Sears, William Peterson, Deborah Slade and the Reverend
Dr. Stephen Shugert, was established. One of their charges was to
give particular study to what staff would be needed to meet the
church's goals and how the church could finance them. Presbytery fund-
ing for a campus person seemed very uncertain after Mr. Ditmars left.
‘The church had been getting interest from the sale of the Dialog
House, but if the campus program terminated, the principle would have
to be returned to Synod. Presbytery did finally agree to $8000 for a
half-time person for Campus Ministry the last half of 1989. Later
they agreed to a full-funding of this position. Knowing the financial
squeeze the Stewardship chairman, John Wolf, along with Ruth Wolf,
introduced a "We Are The Family" feature to be incorporated as part of
the Pony Express campaign. It allowed for providing many church mem-
bers with budget information and the story of the church's past.
Photos were taken, notebooks assembled, and these notebooks then dis-
tributed. ‘The campaign resulted in the receipt of $175,100. Ruth
Felter continued her extraordinary effort in supplying current, accu-
rate, and dependable financial information to this campaign and to the
Finance and Stewardship Committee in general. A quote of November 20,
1989 reflected the situation - “this is the first time in anyone’s memo-
ry that we actually have a negative General Fund Balance (-§661).”

The Long Range Planning Comittee identified several areas/issues
that might be hurting the church:

 

1. care of inactive members and attraction of new people

2. morale problems - all not "pulling their weight"

3. not enough young families - a large proportion of
gray-haired people

4. Sunday School too small

5. "Cold" University Church - high percentage of university

people

lack of maintenance in the church

 

 

The children join the Reverend Dr. Stephen stugert for PiG,® Church”
a Sunday morning story. Vatinees ent
approved by

the General Assembly in commemoration of the 200th General Assembly in
Philadelphia. Each individual church was asked to participate at the
level it felt possible. This church's goal was to have members make a
three year pledge equal to their normal stewardship one year pledge.
It would be used for Evangelism, Education, Justice and Global
Mission. David Lindley was chairman for this drive. Its goal was
$30,000. ‘The second was an Organ Fund. Its purpose was to establish
an Organ Enhancement and Refurbishing Fund and gain authorization to
buy used pipes from Casavant Freres. Charles Ramseth volunteered to
get the Organ Fund drive started. Robert Yuill later directed the
project to its completion in the summer of 1995.

‘he church continued to support the 2¢-A-Meal program sponsored by
the Presbytery Partners in Mission. 50% of the proceeds went to
Presbytery efforts in Costa Rice, 25% percent to Presbytery Hunger
Program, and 25% to hunger programs of the local church.

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