Pilgrims Progress May 2012

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church
Vinita, Oklahoma
May, 2012

A Pastoral Letter from the Sidelines

Dear friends,

There is a lot of gloom and doom talk regarding the future of our Presbyterian Church, but that is not going to trump the vision and enthusiasm evident in Pilgrim Presbyterian Church!


Well do I remember our first meeting. Toni Moore, then chairperson of the Worship Committee, invited me to preach at a Sunday service in April 2005 - 7 years ago! There were eleven people in the congregation that morning. After the service, Jim Ratcliff approached me, and in a persuasive way said “we need you.”


Session took a risk and invited me “an old man” to be your “temporary supply pastor”. I accepted and I’m glad I did.
Working together, faith in action has infused new life into our beloved Church. Session, Deacons and our Committee of Mission and Outreach, chaired by Joyce Dishman, deserve much credit for renewal. Through the efforts of the Rev. Judy Hendedrson we are participating in mission in far away Malawi, Africa.


Brian Dishman and Jewell Morgan get kudos for making possible an outreach ministry, “Off Site-On Line”, which connects Pilgrim Church with hundreds of people each week.


Our “Monday at Ten” fellowship at Burroughs Manor, and the Deacons monthly sponsored “Bingo” afternoon at the Manor, have both been well received by our good friends next door. And, what a joy to see how many of you have supported our ecumenical relations with St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Salvation Army.


The Christian life is one of “good tidings of great joy.” You’ve got it. Don’t lose it. There are many challenges ahead. I only wish I could be with you as you meet them in a positive, exciting way.


Bless you and thank you for your kindness and support, especially in this past year, which has been a tough one for me.


With fond regards, always,


Richard

ON THE PRAYER LIST

Please remember the following individuals in your daily prayers:

Richard Evans – Our minister

Dilys Evans – Richard's daughter

Mary Draper – Church member

Melba Shelton - Church member

Shirley Spaulding - Church member

John and Louise Gullett – Janie's parents 

Patricia Hemphill – Friend of the Church

Larry Skaggs – Friend of Todd Mariner

Bill Montgomery - Friend of Toni’s 

Men and women serving in the military forces, and their families

 CHURCH OFFICERS     

Session Members

(Class of ’12) Joyce Dishman, Wally Olson, Jim Shelton

(Class of '13) Keith Cresap, Sue Ratcliff, Fred York

(Class of ’14) Sarah Bruce, Kitty Brown, Irene Conine

Deacons

(Class of ’12) Jim Dishman, Dianne Rapp

(Class of '13) Jeanne Cowley, Jan Clark-Haney, Toni Moore

(Class of ’14) Liz Logan, Shirley Spaulding 

Church Trustees

Wally Olson 2012

Keith Cresap 2013

Kitty Brown 2014 

Church email: pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net 

17 Lawrence Noggle

20 Jan Clark-Haney

26 Jim Ratcliff

28 Mark Curnutte 

Birthday Sunday is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Birthday Sunday Assignments:

May - Sarah Bruce

June - Shirley Rapp

July - Sue Ratcliff

August - Jan Clark

September - Janie York

October - Linda Burger

November - Toni Moore

December - Jeanne Cowley

(Bring cake & check on juice for children) 

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 Melba Shelton’s address is 821 N. Foreman #115

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Graduation Celebrations !

May 13 was the celebration of Vinita High School graduates Caitlyn Spurgeon and Madison Kroll. We are especially proud of these two young ladies.

Caitlyn was crowned Basketball queen and Madison was crowned Football queen this past year.

Caitlyn Spurgeon is the daughter of John and Cindy (Cresap) Spurgeon. Her activities and honors include: being named to the All-State basketball team, becoming Vinita’s all time leading scorer in basketball, track, cross country, NHS and Senior Rotarian. She was also Valedictorian of her class.

Madison Kroll is the daughter of Chris and Julie (York) Osborn. Madison is a model in addition to being a football and track trainer. She works for the Linda Layman Agency, where she models and teaches. Recently she was offered a contract from Cing Deux Un, a modeling agency in Tokyo, Japan. Her plans after high school aren’t completely set in stone but for the moment she is thinking about going to Japan, where she will probably model all the time and if she likes it will sign a contract. She is excited about seeing that part of the world. She stated that if she doesn’t like it she will come back home and go to college. 

Excerpt from a letter from General Presbyter, Greg Coulter:

“I am challenging each congregation in this presbytery to do something, anything, just one thing new between now and the end of the year which advances the gospel message in your community. It has to be something you haven’t done before and it has to reach out to someone who isn’t already attending your church.

Have some fun; experiment; trust in the Holy Spirit to bless and multiply your efforts. Then let me know what you did and how it worked out!”

Grace and Peace,

Greg 

Deacons:

• The Deacon's met on Sunday April 15th. Everyone was present but Jan. 
• We made plans to celebrate Mother's day and our graduates on May 13th. Madison Kroll and Caitlyn Spurgeon will be honored as well as all the Mother's. Cake and punch will be served after church.
• We also talked about our July Pot Luck dinner. More on that meal after our May meeting. 
• Bingo at Burroughs will play in May and June and then take a break until Sept. The residents really enjoy seeing some new faces and playing bingo is taken very serious. In April we had two bingo on blackout, first time that has happened. Jewell, Liz, Toni and Diane were the bingo helpers. Next bingo is May 19th.

Ministers for May/June

6 - Nancy Covington

13 - Craig Kilgour

20 - Greg Coulter

27 - Craig Kilgour

June 3 - Ken Bailey

Tearful Farewells:

Chris and Julie (York) Osborn have accepted teaching positions in Hennessey, Oklahoma. Chris will be the Athletic Director and Julie will teach elementary school. The family will be sorely missed. 

2012.05.21 Monday Morning Message

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. 

Founded in 1871, Vinita is the intersection of several railways. It is the second oldest town in Oklahoma, and is the oldest incorporated town along historic Route 66. If you are visiting on a Sunday morning, please worship with us at 10:00 a.m. If you can't be with us in person, say a little prayer for our worshipping congregation.

Do you ever feel lonely? I was stunned to read a report of an AARP survey which states that 35% of adults over the age of 45 are chronically lonely, up from 20% a decade earlier.

Sixty million Americans are unhappy with their lives because of loneliness!

I am sure that there are many reasons for people feeling lonely. Could the modern social media be one? Facebook and Twitter, exchanging 'clicks', avoids human face to face conversation. Some studies report that one in four Americans have 'zero close friends'.

Why do you think there is so much loneliness in our society? Let me know.

Are you conscious of the presence of God in your daily life?

With all good wishes,
Richard

Announcements:

• Our minister for Pentecost Sunday, May 27 will be Craig Kilgour. He is the minister from New Zealand.
• The next Sunday, June 3 we will have a family meal and welcome Ken Bailey and his wife Jeannie. Ken is the brother of Bow Bailey and they live in Kentucky.
• Red Morris will be barbecuing pulled pork and the congregation is asked to bring salads and desserts. The rest of the meal is provided.

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

Voice of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church

Vinita, Oklahoma   November, 2011

"A Letter from the Sidelines"

Dear friends,

Six years ago, by inviting me to be your part time pastor, you gave me responsibilities and duties which have been a continuous privilege.

I may have fallen short to do my best, but with reliance on God I have tried to declare and demonstrate that a Christian expresses and determines one's attitude toward life as a whole.

Since early June my health has been running down hill.  Following more tests and exams that I knew existed, the heart doctor I consulted told me "it's time to retire."  By now most of you know that Session has accepted my resignation.  At the same time, Session has asked that I continue to write a letter for Pilgrim's Progress, the MONDAY MORNING messages for email and the Church BLOG, and notes and cards to members and friends of the congregation.  I can do that, and I'll continue to do that, "from the sidelines", until you invite my replacement as your part time pastor.

I have great appreciation for Pilgrim Church.  I miss being with you every weekend, and I miss our "Monday at Ten" gathering at Burroughs Manor.

I cherish your friendship, and I ask that you continue to be involved in effective ministry of Pilgrim Church, and that you pray for me as I pray for you.

With blessings, affection, and all good wishes,

                                                                        and in Friendship,

             Richard

"Religion is primarily, and at the heart, the spiritual meeting of the soul with God"

 HYPERLINK "http://www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/" www.pilgrimpresbyterian.blogspot.com/

             

           Church email: HYPERLINK "mailto:pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net" pilgrimpresby@sbcglobal.net

More Pictures!

Hi Everyone!
I recently had a request from someone "J", not Jim or Joyce   ;-)   , to put the following pictures up on the web site.  These are pictures of my niece, Madison Dishman as she read the scripture reading.  I was also told that she played the piano as well, but there were no pictures of that to post.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, and while I was doing this, I could not help but add a couple of other pictures!  I hope everyone will be OK with this!  Cheers!

As always, if you have pictures of church related functions or other relevant pictures of Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, please send them.  I would like to also request pictures of our Church from years past!  If you have pictures of people such as former ministers or church functions, I would love to start a Church History page in which we put up pictures of all of our previous church ministers along with a story about that minister.  I have a very limited history starting with Mitch Kennedy.  It would be interesting to have a history before that as well as afterwords with lots of pictures.  If there is anyone out there that would be willing to dedicate some time to this even if it was just one minister or other special events, I would dedicate some of my time to put this up for all of us.

It is also my desire to put up pictures of all of our church members past and present that are willing, of course.  Anyone who would give me pictures of past members such as the Campbells, Mrs. Hanabon, and many others too Numerous to name.  I would so dearly love to get their pictures and memories up.  It would help us to remember our Church's History as well as the rich heritage that we all could share IF people will volunteer to get the information out to me.  I also know that our Church at one point merged with another church, however, that information is not something that I remember, except that I think it happened.  I hope you will be willing to help keep our Heritage and Memories alive!

Send your information and scanned pictures to me.  My eMail address can be found through the church or it is listed in the Monday Morning eMail.  I do not wish to post it here on this public page.

Cheers,
Brian

2011.5.30 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes on this day after Memorial Day from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.

 

Memorial Day began in the United States in the late 1860's, after the American Civil War, when a women's Sunday School Class in a small southern town adopted a spring project.  The women decided to decorate the graves of their sons, husbands and sweethearts with flowers out of their gardens.

 

Upon arriving at the cemetery, they expanded their plan.  The graves of all soldiers were decorated, including the graves of soldiers from the North.

 

It was one small step toward reconciliation!

 

When their project was reported in newspapers, the Sunday School Class began to get letters from people in the North, thanking them for putting flowers on the graves of their loved ones, buried so far away from home.

 

Soon the practice spread, and for decades May 30th was called Decoration  Day, now it is called Memorial Day - a day the nation stops to give thanks for the sacrifice made in all the wars for the preservation of liberty and freedom.

 

Let us never forget the cost paid for our freedom, and let us resolve never to abuse that freedom or soil it.

 

Let us remember ... and may God's grace and mercy remain with you, and your loved ones, always.

 

Richard   

2010.11.15 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma. A week ago, on a beautiful Sunday morning (Nov.7), our congregation met for devotions in the Sanctuary and then "car-pooled" to Pheasant Hill Cemetery, about 7 miles out of town.  It was our annual pilgrimage to the area where Presbyterian missionaries founded Pilgrim Church 128 years ago. There, under a bright sky, and framed by a brilliant splash of colorful autumn leaves, we celebrated Holy Communion.,  We gave thanks for a goodly heritage, while acknowledging that life is a journey of limited time for each of us. A genuine faith in God expresses appreciation for the past, and then offers a sensible declaration and demonstration of the story of Jesus today.  Don't let the precious, irretrievable moments of today slip by you.  "This is the day the Lord has made, be glad and rejoice in it." Cheers, Richard A PEARL OF VALUE: "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."                                 Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy 128th Birthday to Pilgrim Presbyterian Church! (Pictures!!!)

We traveled to Pheasant Hill Cemetery North-West of Vinita

 to have communion at the site where our founders, the Chamberlains are buried.

It is the 128th birthday of our church.

Madison Kroll, Janie York, Fred York, Julie York Osborn

Jeanne Cowley, Sarah Bruce, Joyce Dishman

Richard Evans preparing communion, Shelby Brown, Kitty Brown

Richard blessing Communion, Doris Olson looking on


I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jewel Morgan
 for sending the pictures used above!

A note to all who read this blog, if you have pictures of our Church or of events in conjuction with Church activities or of Richard (to which he would not object) please send them to me or to Jewel Morgan and I will see that they are made available here!

 Thanks Again to Jewel Morgan for sharing!!

- BD

2010.10.18 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. 

After 128 years of mission and outreach, "Pilgrims from Vinita" continue to share Christ's good news with people 'round the corner and 'round the world.

Do you read your Bible every day? If you do, and I hope you do, you'll know that it is not always a peaceful book filled with serenity, green pastures and love. It also reflects human pain, injustice, conflict and disappointment.

One reason for such human misery is envy. No one is completely free from envy. A good antidote to envy is to ask how happy is the person who possesses the object of your envy.

Draw up a list of your blessings, blessings which you often overlook, and then imagine one of them being threatened. I suspect you'll then realize how rich you truly are!

Focus on what is yours, and then live...live to the hilt.


With blessings and all good wishes,
Richard

2010.10.04 Monday Morning!

Greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Vinita, Oklahoma.
 
Some of you reading this Monday Morning Message know little or nothing about our Church. Did a mutual friend invite you to visit our blog? A big thanks to whoever that might be! I hope you'll return next week and that you'll invite someone else to be a part of our off-site/on-line outreach.

Our 128 year-old Church is a welcoming, healthy congregation. We know that no one lives by bread alone. From as long as we can go in history, human beings have exhibited a need for religion. Cave drawings indicate that ancients worshiped one kind of deity or another.

For Christians, the development of religion reached its climax in Jesus of Nazareth. Revolting against hardened ritual and pious self-righteousness, Jesus showed us how to live in relation to God and toward one another. (Try reading John, chapter 15). Love is complex. For me, at least, its opposite is not hate but indifference. It's a lifetime task to ward off indifference!

Courage for today in your determination to overcome indifference!


Richard

Pilgrim Presbyterian Sanctuary

When  I came home in 2004 for the first time in quite a few years, I was amazed at the changes that had transformed our wonderful church.  I remembered the old church, so many of you can appreciate my shock when I walked in expecting the "OLD" interior.  I was agog!  WOW.  Anyway, I took a few photos and so I will share them here.  I hope no one minds.

- Brian

 Our Sanctuary

2009.04.20 Monday Morning!

Monday Morning greetings and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, still located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

Have you ever heard of another Presbyterian Church named "Pilgrim Church"?  If you have, let me know.  It is a common name among Congregationalists.  I love the name.  After all, we are pilgrims on a journey.

Early in the 19th century, Presbyterians and Congregationalists agreed to avoid missionary and outreach competition.  Arrangements were made for Congregationalists to establish churches in New England and Presbyterians to move westward in upstate New York.

Those arrangements are still visible.  Today one sees few Presbyterians in the New England states and few Congregational churches in the Mohawk Valley of New York.

The first Congregational Church in Vinita was founded in 1879.  Three years later a Presbyterian Church was organized.

In 1947 the two Vinita churches united and the congregation was named "Pilgrim Presbyterian Church".  One of the last members of the Congregational Church, Jim Humble, died recently.  His daughter, Jewell Morgan is an elder in Pilgrim Church, which she serves faithfully.

The Congregational Church in America is now known as The United Church of Christ.

Thought you might be interest in a snippet of history.


All the best,
Richard