USA > Florida > Twenty-five years of organized work in Florida and Georgia by Church of the Brethren, from 1925 to 1950 > Part 5
USA > Georgia > Twenty-five years of organized work in Florida and Georgia by Church of the Brethren, from 1925 to 1950 > Part 5
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Evangelist. The work of this church has been blessed with good people back of it and has shown a marvelous growth in spite of some difficulties, hence we cannot predict the future. Leadership is reflected in the growth of any Church. The Elder- ship of the church was held mostly by the pastors but in several cases an outside Elder acted as the Presiding Elder.
MIAMI CHURCH 6/15/1935
Soon after the birth of the new District of Florida and Georgia, a movement was put on foot to locate and help the members that had settled along the Eastern Seaboard. The first visit was made by Brethren Garst, Zigler and Morris in January of 1926. Services were held in Ft. Lauderdale at the home of Sister C. C. Ausherman and in the Turner home in Miami. There were more than a score of members along the Coast, from Wabasso to Home- stead, but being so far apart made it impossible to hold a service for all to attend. The Miami Hurri- cane had caught some in Ft. Lauderdale and had destroyed much property for them so a small do- nation was sent them to help bear the loss.
Beginning in 1927 services were held frequent- ly along the Coast, usually at Homestead or Ft. Lauderdale. Besides monthly services in the Cripe home near Homestead, an Annual Love Feast was held. Usually there were from twenty-five to
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thirty-five people at these Feasts. No feast, tho large ever meant more to a group of members than this one did to these isolated members. A young minister, T. Simon Richardson from Roanoke, Vir- ginia had taken work with an Insurance Company in Miami and thru an announcement in his copy of the Messenger learned about these services at Homestead. After attending the Love Feast and getting acquainted with the members and the work they were doing, he joined them and lent a helping hand. With the exception of the short time he was in Jacksonville, he was heart and hand and soul in the work in and around Miami. He saw the work grow from that in the homes to those held in the city church in North Miami.
Prior to November 1936, the Church of the Brethren had been holding services in the homes of the members and twice in a rented hall. These services were held each month and helped the members but were not making any contribution to the evangelizing program of the Brotherhood at large.
Directly north of the city a new subdivision, known as Pinewood Park, was laid out and some members moved into it to make it their homes. With a heart full of love for children, Sister Pearl Over- holser could not rest till she knew the many chil- dren in this community had Sunday School priv- ileges. At the next monthly meeting of the Church she brought to the attention of the group that there was no Sunday School within two miles of this
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subdivision. After prayer over the matter and planning for it, the matter was discussed at the October meeting of the Church. Officers were elected and it was decided to open a Sunday School the first Sunday in November.
The Sunday School room was a framework with a tarpaulin stretched over it and seats were planks to sit on. Forty-four people met for the first religious service ever conducted in Pinewood Park. Besides the Sunday School, a preaching service was held each Sunday. By the time for the next service, the membership had decided that this was to be the future home of the Miami congrega- tion. With this in mind Bro. Enos Overholser do- nated one lot and made arrangements for deferred payments on an adjoining lot so that a house might be built.
On Thanksgiving Day the members set to clear the lots and lay a foundation for a new church. At the time only seventy dollars ($70) were avail- able but thru the sacrifice of the members and friends of the work, a Church 24 by 40 was erected and on February 2, 1937 was dedicated free from debt. The dedication sermon was preached by Brother Ernest Coffman. On that same day he began a revival that resulted in six being added to the Church. Some of them had never heard of the Church of the Brethren before. Bro. Irvin Pletcher was serving as Pastor during the building operations and continued till the first of April. After April 1st Bro. Ellis Wagoner served as Pastor,
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assisted by Bro. W. A. Newton. During his Pastorate, Bro. Wagoner held a Revival in which thirteen were baptized.
In May 1938 Bro. Richardson returned from Jacksonville and took charge of the work of the Miami Church. During that year the church was enlarged and a basement was added to care for the Sunday School classes. The money for the building and repair was secured thru a loan from the General Mission Board and donations of the members and other interested persons. Bro. Enos Overholser with one helper, gave all his time for the construction, assisted by the minister and other members and friends whenever possible. Bro. Amza Price assisted by moving the church back to the present location. With the added room the members felt they could care for the District Gather- ings, so they sent a call to the meeting in Sebring and their wish was granted and the Meeting came to this church in October 1939. The statement in the Resolutions sums up how well they were cared for by this new Church: "We are grateful to the youngest Church in the District for the way it cared for us during the three days we were there, no comfort lacking any of us."
The work moved along regularly and the mem- bership grew thru baptisms till it had gone from 64 to 86. A request to the Elders at the Tampa Meeting, asking for the ordination of Bro. Simon Richardson and it was attended to in the Miami Church Dec. 17, 1941. The call for the District
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Meeting was again heeded and in 1945 the church played host for those gatherings. As in the previous . meetings the care was praised by all who attended. This and many other things testify to the good work being done by the Pastor and his loyal helpers.
In May 1948 a loan was received from the Gen- eral Mission Board to build a new parsonage. The building was erected by Ray Hamblen with the help of members and Pastor, who helped by do- nating his time. Donations of furniture and linens were made by members and friends and the Ladies' Aid purchased a refrigerator. An Apart- ment was fitted up on the second floor to be used to help make payments on the loan.
If space can be allowed for a brief summary, The District Man would like to acknowledge some of the many kindnesses, the open houses, the liberal help and earnest prayers of the Grant Mahan fam- ily, Brother and Sister Noah Cripe, Bro. Amza Price and family, Sister Amanda Snyder, the C. E. Schuldt family, the Gahagan family, the Spalding family (Davies), Sister C. C. Ausherman and hus- band, Brother and Sister Hershberger, Brother and Sister Watts, with Bro. and Sister C. S. Beers and Sister Alice Eby of Wabasso, Eld. and Sister C. C. Price who moved here and located at Lake Worth. Bro. Price assisted with the preaching and served as Presiding Elder a part of the time while they lived in the District. All of these gave valuable help in these earlier days of the work along the East Coast of Florida.
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Sadness spread about the Camp and thruout the membership on August 20, 1950 when it was telegraphed that Bro. Simon Richardson had had a Heart Attack and had passed away at three A.M. that morning. He had just returned to Miami from Camp Ithiel where he had been helping in the teaching at Family Camp. During Sunday afternoon he had taken his load of children from the Camp to their homes and spent the evening in his home and the Church. After several months of supply services at the church, Brother E. J. Gascho was called for Pastor and served till September 1st 1951. At that time Eld. C. H. Petry was installed and has served to the present.
JACKSONVILLE CHURCH 7/12/1942
On account of opportunities to earn a living some of the members went to Jacksonville from the Clay County Church and later moved there. Some moved there from other places or started their married life in the city. The distance to the Clay County Church was a hindrance to regular attendance at Sunday School and Preaching Serv- ices so in the early forties they began calling for an organization in Jacksonville which was granted July twelfth, 1942. There were ten families, mak- ing fifteen members that made up the charter mem- bers of the new congregation: Bro. John Motes and wife, Loree, Russell Smith and wife, Christine,
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Maurice, Dicksonia and Lucile Futch, Harold Jenkins and wife, Mabel, J. C. Jenkins, T. B. Jenkins, Ola McLean, Mildred Hurst and Jessie Merrow.
Elder S. Ira Arnold and wife moved into Jack- sonville in October 1942 and he began working in the factory from their home in the Trailer, con- tinuing for eight years in the Trailer House. In November 1942 Brother Arnold was chosen part- time Pastor and as such he continued till the Lord called him home in 1953. Bro. H. B. Layman was chosen as Overseer at the organization and con- tinued two years when Bro. Arnold was chosen and served till his death in early 1953.
During the Fall of 1944 a lot was purchased at 4965 College Street. During the Holiday Season a small building was moved to the new location and after repairs were made, the services were transferred from the home of Bro. and Sister Har- old Jenkins where they had been held for two years or more. This small house served as the place of worship from April 1945 till the house was enlarged during the Winter of 1947-'48. Since that time the house has proved large enough to enter- tain several of the District Gatherings.
In summarizing the tangible results of the work, we find, two Evangelistic Meetings were held: one . by Bro. A. D. Crist in March of 1946, for two weeks; one by Bro. J. W. Fidler in February of 1950. Bro. Norman McLean was licensed to preach in 1949 and has done good work and is going on with his preparation at the Toccoa Falls Institute in Georgia.
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The Church has a 100% Messenger Club since 1947. On April 4th, 1944 eight were baptized, these be- ing the first in the new organization. Besides the fifteen charter members twenty-two have been baptized, twenty-one received by letter and one reclaimed, making a total of fifty-nine members. Counting the losses in different ways there are at present about fifty members. The abilities as students and leaders can be gained by knowing that five have been to College one or more years and that this congregation furnishes more than its quota of District Board members.
Chapter V
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
CHILDREN'S WORK IN FLORIDA
Soon after Florida and Georgia became a separate District some plans were made for work for the children in Sebring. A small house on the Oak Street side of the Church furnished a place for it. This kindergarten work did not reach any children outside of the congregation. The work- ers were Sisters Nellie Kneisley, Leah Gettel with others later. Bertha Frantz came to the District to help out the Children's work at the beginning of 1929. Bertha Albin had been helping out in Va- cation Bible Schools during the year 1927 and then she began teaching at Chosen and worked among the children there in Sunday School. A Parson- age was erected at the Crate Mills and Sisters Bertha Frantz and Jessie Dyer moved there to work among the children seven days a week. In 1930 Lois Lauver and her mother moved to East Tampa and began working among the children in Sunday School and also did some kindergarten work during the week. During the year 1930 and the first half of the next year, Sister Frantz helped out in chil- dren's work in the Winter Park Church. At the Mid-Summer Sunday School Meeting held in Sun-
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nyland Church in 1935 a new venture was made so that the meeting would mean more to the children of the District. Those attending felt it was worth- while. The discussions were in different age-groups instead of a general discussion. This plan appealed to the workers and proved very helpful in forward- ing the children's work in the District and was followed.
Quoting from the report in the 1938 Minutes, the following shows the interest of the General Board in our children's work: "At the suggestion of the General Board at Elgin, Sister Anna Miller was asked to attend the 1938 Retreat for District Directors of Children's Work. The Board voted to allow twenty-five dollars toward the expense of this representation to be paid from the District funds." In the report of 1939 we note that Sister Anna Miller was soon chosen as Director of chil- dren's work in Florida. Quoting again: "An out- standing event of this year's calendar was the Chil- dren-Workers' Retreat planned by Sister Anna Miller and Brother Mckinley Coffman and held at the Deepwater Manor Hotel in DeSoto City on November 28-30, 1940.
In the Minutes of 1944 are these things about the children's work for that year: "We your com- mittee wish to report that in connection with the Board of Christian Education a large program was arranged and carried out in Bible Schools for chil- dren in Winter Park, Okeechobee, Sunnyland and Miami, and a joint school with the Presbyterians in
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Sebring. There was a total enrollment of 319 and an average attendance of 190 and a total offering of $62.08. This money was used largely for China Relief. In the joint school at Sebring, the offerings were used for Leper Relief." During the Summer of 1945 Sister Dessie Miller, the Regional children's worker came into the District and visited in most of the Churches. Sister Minna Heckman was also in the District and represented the Children's work at the Regional Conference at Bridgewater College.
The report to the District Meeting at Arcadia in 1946 says that Sister Anna Miller was reappointed as Children's Director and her term of office is to be five years. At her request two helpers were appointed: Sisters Hester Chambers and Elta Ham- blen of Miami. A budget of fifty dollars was granted to them. For the year, besides the regular Sunday School program they have responded well in giving soap, clothing, toys, and canned goods when the need was presented. Some helped to buy blankets. Some gave to the heifer project, and some bought service stamps. Several Thanks- giving and Christmas baskets were taken to needy families. One used the penny-a-mile plan for mis- sions. Several groups put forth special efforts in memory work on the Christmas Story and certain Psalms. Other projects included helping to clean Sunday School Rooms, painting Class Room Furni- ture and contributing to the Conference budget. One Church had a D.V.B.S. and another joined a Union School. Sisters Anna Miller and Hester
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Chambers attended the Workshop for Children's Cabinet members at Bridgewater July 15 to 19. This is a new venture for the South-Eastern Region but those who attended felt it was quite worthwhile.
From the Minutes of 1947: "The Children- Worker's Institute held at Thanksgiving time in Sebring was possibly the most outstanding exper- ience enjoyed by the workers of the District dur- ing the year. Miss Dessie Miller who is the National Children's Director was our guest speaker. Those who attended enjoyed the fellowship, inspiration and help received. Sister Anna Miller attended the Children-Director's Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, July 20 to 23 and also the International Sunday School Convention from July 23 to 27. Our chil- dren who attended the Annual Conference at Or- lando enjoyed a Special treat in the children's ses- sions each morning and afternoon which was planned for the various age-groups. Sister Anna Miller had charge of the kindergarten group.
Quoting from the report of 1948: "Because of my accident a year ago, I have been unable to do anything myself. I corresponded with the Sunday Schools about their work for and with the children. Daily Vacation Bible Schools were held in four of the churches with good results. Several schools sent packages to over-seas children and gave each month for Relief. Others filled towel bags and sent them to boys and girls in other countries. Some called on the sick in Hospitals and homes and sang for them. Others gave Thanksgiving baskets to
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needy families. As far as reported, over $100 in cash was sent and used for Relief.
Sister Hester Chambers, a member of the Chil- dren's Cabinet met with the Children's Workers that attended the Sunday School Convention in Jacksonville in May. Some workers attended training schools and read books to improve their efficiency. The value of visiting in pupil's homes has been emphasized. Brethren Graded Lessons are being used in most of the Children's departments of our Sunday Schools.
Our Children's Director, Sister Anna Miller says that in January 1949 the Churches in Florida were favored by a visit from Miss Eva Kindig in the inter- est of children's work. Her contacts were much appreciated. The work has gone steadily on in different schools. There have been some discourage- ments but in some of our schools the attendance has increased to the extent that more room is needed to care for the children adequately. About 200 children had the privilege of attending Daily Va- cation Bible School. Much interest continues in Relief projects. More than $150 have been con- tributed by the Children's groups, besides sending of Christmas bags over-seas. Various social gather- ings have been enjoyed by both teachers and pupils.
From the report of the Board of Christian Edu- cation, I cull these facts because it includes the re- port of the Children's work. "Two Conferences for workers were held during 1951, one in Jack-
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sonville and one in Okeechobee, with Dessie Miller as director. Six Vacation Schools were held, with an enrollment of 380. Fifty-four children of Junior and Primary age attended the family camp at Camp Ithiel. The Children's Director was sister Anna Miller. The Intermediates were direct- ed and cared for by Sister Martha Horton. Various projects were promoted thru these groups of children and a total of $145.89 was contributed by them.
THE LIFE CONFERENCE MEETINGS
At the beginning of the year 1925, there were five groups of young people among the members of that many congregations, scattered about in the different parts of Florida. Most of them were strangers to each other, tho some had met at Se- bring District Conference. Some other members had located at Brooksville, Lakeland and Winter Park. Among these groups almost half of them were young people. During the first half of the year three new organizations had been formed. There were now eight groups of young people but widely scattered. A get-to-gether meeting was planned so that they might get to know each other. During July invitations were sent out to come to Sebring the first of August for a Sunday School and Young People's Meeting. Songs, Declamations, Readings and Addresses made up the program. Each group had furnished its part. The young people were getting acquainted and learning that
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they were a part of the group to build up Christ's Kingdom in this great Southland. Some of these friendships have grown to be life companionships that are helping hold the work together.
At the District Meeting at Arcadia in October of 1925 the young people met for a Sunrise Meet- ing. After a brief talk by Brother Crist and a number of prayers and several other matters, an organization was formed. Since the congregations were so far apart and they could not get from the North to the South, the District was divided into North and South. The groups in the North had joint programs in their several churches as often as possible and in the South a similar plan was followed. The one president of the District was to help both North and South by getting into each congregation once each year. Thru a decision made at the Clay County District Conference, the Young People's organization had the standing of a regular District organization and made its plans and transacted its own business.
Soon after the District Meeting in Clay Coun- ty, the young people and ministers began planning for a joint meeting. Topics were to be discussed that would be of general interest to both, ministers and young people. From the beginning these meet- ings were held in the Seneca congregation and suitable buildings to take care of the cooking for the crowds were provided. Also, the Square House was fitted up to take care of sleeping quarters for some, while others had tent space or were distribut-
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ed thruout the community in the homes of friends. The meetings being in December were sometimes a bit uncomfortable for some if the weather turned cold about that time.
The first meeting was held at New Year's time of 1926-27. It was arranged with the General Mis- sion Board for Bro. and Sister Homer Bright to be at this meeting. Besides the Mission talks and Pictures, they assisted in the discussions of the topics relating to the Life Work of the young people. Also, as speakers the Conference had Elders D. H. Zigler and B. C. Whitmore who were spending the Winter in Florida. Sister Margaret Bixler Garrett discussed many matters of music work in the Church. She also assisted in the congrega- tional singing. This first conference was a great help in cementing the different groups together so that a better understanding would lead to co- operation in the work of this new field. It was demonstrated here that it was not old and young but all one in this field of work for the Lord.
The Conferences of 1928 and 1929 were largely in the hands of the local talent and the Winter Visitors: Elders D. H. Zigler and W. J. Swigart and some helpers. For the 1930 Conference the group had Dr. Rufus Bowman as the out-of-the- District speaker. His work with that of the young people made a helpful meeting. With Bro. Guy West and Sister Ruth Schriver from outside and our home helpers the Conference of 1931 was a very helpful and worthwhile three days together.
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For the 1932 Conference Bro. R. W. Schlosser came from Sebring where he was conducting Re- vival Services. The Sebring Church allowed him to come away from his meetings for a part of two days and the one evening. Brother M. R. Zigler of Elgin spent the whole three days at the Con- ference, helping out in the discussions. Also we had the help of Bro. Manly Deeter for the meet- ings. The Conference of 1933 was not so well at- tended on account of money matters but the meet- ings were above the standard on account of Dr. D. W. Kurtz being the outside helper and as a part of his work, he gave three of his world lectures. Again in 1935 Brother Zigler was at the Conference to help out in the discussions and gave several sermons.
There were two outside helpers at the 1936 Conference: Brother Paul Bowman, Jr., and Bro. E. S. Coffman. Their work was of high quality and added much to its Spirituality as well as the help in the field of Recreation. The 1937 Confer- ence had as its outside helper, Eld. F. E. Williar of Mt. Airy, Md. The last two Sessions of the Conference were conducted mostly by the local talent and the Executive Secretary Mckinley Coff- man. In all there were thirteen sessions of the Life Conference in as many years about New Year's time with excellent attendance and deeply Spiritual meetings. The local talent did an especial- ly good piece of work in speaking and helping out in the programs. Many of the tourists who became
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regular Winter visitors worked shoulder to shoulder with the Florida members. The singing deserves special mention for its beauty and Spirituality. The Florida District owes a debt of gratitude to the Missionaries, College Men and women, the Bethany Faculty members and the Secretaries from the Board at Elgin for the added Inspiration and Spirit- uality they brought to this Southland.
CAMP LIFE IN FLORIDA
Early in the work of the Florida and Georgia District an effort was made to get as many as pos- sible of the people together once a year for a Social and Religious gathering. This meeting be- came the Life Conference and met around Christ- mas time. These meetings did not furnish much for the Juniors and Intermediates neither did it solve the Summer Vacation problem for the younger generation. All this made it necessary to try to plan something for these Summer weeks of July and August, so the need of a Summer Camping period.
The first effort was made in the Summer of 1929 when Brethren H. M. Landis and J. H. Morris gathered about twenty boys to Brooksville to spend a couple of days out of doors. On the second day they went to the Gulf on a fishing trip to get fish for an evening fry. That year the girls' camp did not materialize but the following year Sister Bertha Frantz gathered some Intermediate girls to Brooks-
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