The Indiana Presbyterian, Part 5

Author: Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Synod of Indiana; United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Synod of Indiana
Publication date:
Publisher: Berne, Ind. : Synod's Committee on National Missions and the Committee on Christian Education
Number of Pages: 204


USA > Indiana > The Indiana Presbyterian > Part 5


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40


A recent discussion included such questions as why do we have ushers, what is their proper function, how do they go about it. It was a very lively discussion and one that I think will help them as they perform their duties from Sunday to Sunday.


Did you ever stop to answer the ques- tion, why do we have ushers? Their job includes much more than handing out the bulletins and taking the offering. They are the ones who are responsible, during the service, for keeping the sanctuary light and comfortable and airy. They are there to assist us who worship together in any way they can. They are our offic- ial hosts. They show us to our seats, keeping in mind our preferences but try- ing also to direct the total seating arrangement in such a way that the whole service will be most effective for all concerned. They do take our offering in a dignified and orderly manner. They are there to assist us in case of an emer- gency. They are the natural ones to recognize strangers and to help to make them feel at home. These are some of the things that make the ushers task such an important one.


My personal thanks to a fine group of fellows for an important job well done. David B. Tallman


From "The Newcastle Presbyterian"


Page Three


THE INDIANA PRESBYTERIAN


May, 1954


DEAR PRESBYTERIANS:


If you are like most of us, you need again and again to make a new beginning. Holy habits are neglected. The Bible gathers dust. Prayer becomes infrequent, Public worship tends to be formal. God is all but forgotten. Religion which should be the most impor- tant part of life --- has no meaning -- takes a poor second place. And life is impoverished.


The Bible can become a light; prayer, a burning passion; public worship, an incandescent flame; religion, a cleansing fire. Life can be filled with new light and warmth and radiance. The miracle of renewal !


This can be a period of great awaken- ing if we allow God to have first place. Rev. Howard W. Stone, D.D.


129th Meeting Synod of Indiana


The meeting of the Synod of Indiana will again be held at Hanover College, June 15-17. The opening service will be at 2 P. M. on Tuesday with the sermon by the Moderator, Dr. J. S. Milner of Ind- ianapolis. The Bible Hours will be con- ducted by Dr. David A. MacLennan of Yale University.


Dr. Orlo Choguill, Topeka, Kansas, member of Board of Christian Education will be the speaker for the popular meet- ing on Tuesday evening. The popular meet- ing on Wednesday will be in charge of the Committee on Stewardship and Promo- tion with Dr. Glenn W. Moore, Executive Secretary of the General Council of General Assembly as the main speaker. National Missions will be represented by Dr. Herman A. Klahr of New York. Reserva- tions should be made with Hanover College as early as possible.


A CITY WIDE CHURCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Continued from page 1.


so as to have a building ready for use this fall. The new pastor, Rev. R. Dean Cope, is holding services and conducting a program of Christian growth under very adverse circumstances but maintaining a marvelous spirit among the congregation.


The other two churches of the city, Third and Westfield, have both engaged in extensive remodeling to meet the needs of their congregations. Their pastors, Rev. Robert J. MacDanel and Rev. George B. McMican, respectively, are ministering to their communities with growing pro- grams.


The churches of Fort Wayne have demon- strated what can be done when a thorough study of the possibilities and needs are made on an impartial basis, and then individually and collectively strive to develop a full program for the entire community.


Memoriums


The Rev. William T. Mckinney, an Honor- ably Retired Minister who had been resid- ing at Bicknell, Indiana, passed to his eternal life at the age of 842 years on March 15. The services were attended by ministers of Vincennes Presbytery. Mr. Mckinney had served in the ministry 56 years.


The Rev. George D. Prentice, D. D., pas- tor of the Presbyterian Church at White- land, Indiana, departed this life on April 2. Dr. Prentice was a brother of Rev. John Prentice, D. D. , of Paoli, Ind- iana and a son of Rev. O.L. Prentice who for many years served in the Crawfords- ville Presbytery.


Ruling Elder Samuel L. Trabue, Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees of White- water Presbytery, and Trustee of Synod for a number of years, passed to eternal rest Monday, April 5.


WHY BAPTIZE CHILDREN?


Have you ever stopped to wonder why we baptize babies? And if you did, would you know the answer? Surely the fact it is a symbol of cleansing and forgiveness seems hardly to be the primary significance with the innocent little lives we bring to this sac- rament. Do you do it then simply because it is the thing to do? it would hardly seem right and decent to overlook it? it is the ac- cepted practice and you'll get it done as soon as you can ? Or do we do it because in some vague way we suppose it will ensure the favor of God toward the child? None of the reasons is adequate.


The truth lies in the nature of the Church, part of which we have too much forgotten. According to our view, the Church consists of the people who belong to God through Christ. Yet not only believers belong to it, but also the children of believers. This is the concept of the "people of God" which runs clear back into the Old Testament. There, too, not only the faithful, but also their chil- dren, belonged to the "people of God." The sign and seal of that covenant with His peo- ple in Israel was circumcision, performed on the eighth day of the boy's life. It is the same kind of covenant which God has made with His people in Christ. Children of be- lievers are born into the household of faith.


How badly we've omitted the full mean- ing of the Church! We do not ordinarily think of children as members of the Church. We do not count them in the number of our membership. When they are received to the Lord's Supper we call it "joining the Church" as if all their lives before that they had been outside it. But all this is to be false to the Calvinistic, Presbyterian idea of the Church.


Our children belong to the Church by their birth. Here lies the grievous fallacy of the parents who say they want their chil- dren to be free to choose their own faith when they are of age: they were born into the people of God and they belong with them. So it is that we baptize them, giving them the mark of their membership and the sign and seal of the grace of Christ.


Hillcrest Building Redecorated


WORKING ON CHURCH --- (Note prespiration) Above: Elders Carlo Genesio and William Vitaniemi. Below: Deacon -- Olympia Buffo, Sunday School Superintendent -- Opal Garaffa, and Mission Treasurer -- Gertrude Grabomski.


The program at Hillcrest Church and Neighborhood House, located at Clinton, Indiana, is not very well known through- out our Synod even though it was begun in the early 20's as a National Missions project when this was predominately a deep shaft coal mining area with a great many southern European imigrant miners. With second and third generation Amer- icans, and mining a very minor occupation, the work of Hillcrest continues as a service center. The Church and Church School are growing in membership and attendance. This means increased offer- ings and a broadening of opportunities for training in lay leadership. A recent Praise Service for missions, led by Mrs. Ruby Nardi, had ten participants in the program.


The Education committee is remodeling the Sunday School room at a cost of over $500. 00. The Church room was also re- cently remodeled. Most of the work being done by volunteer workers. A full week- day program of many types is also con- ducted under the leadership of Rev. and Mrs. Roy Linberg.


What a solemn moment it is when we ac- knowledge these new members of the family of God! And what a responsibility we have both as parents and as a Church to see that they receive the care and nurture and train- ing due to those whom God gives a place in His kingdom. They, with us, are the Church.


W. Sherman Skinner


(Taken from the East Liberty Presbyterian Church Week.)


A leaflet entitled "Why we Baptise our Children" can be secured by sending a stamped self addressed envelope to Com- mittee of National Missions, 1132 North Alabama Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.


Page Four


THE INDIANA PRESBYTERIAN


May, 1954


PURDUE


NATIONAL MEETING of PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN JUNE 1-7 1954


ON WHICH DAY SHOULD I ATTEND?


To guide those women who can attend the sessions of the Quadren- nial meeting we submit the following:


TUESDAY, June 1, 8:00 p. m. Mrs James D. Wyker, president, United Church Women. Keynote address.


WEDNESDAY, June 2, 11:00 a. m. Mrs. Verne Buchanan, president, P. W. O. 8: 00 p.m. Dr. John A. Mackay, Moderator of the General Assembly. "Christ is the Way of Truth."


THURSDAY, June 3, 11:00 a. m. Dr. Charles T. Leber, General Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions. " The Advance of the Christian Church Overseas. " 8:00 p. m. Play, music, Maryville Choir.


FRIDAY, June 4, 11: 00 a.m. Dr. Herman Morse, General Secretary of the Board of National Missions. " The Challenge of the City as a Mission Field. " 8:00 p. m. Mrs. Agoston of Yugoslavia and Mrs. Fals of Colombia.


SATURDAY, June 5, 11:00 a.m. Dr. Ganse Little, President of the Board of Christian Education. " The Challenge That Faces the Present-day Church. " 8: 00 p.m. Dr. Helen Kim, of Korea and Miss Cornelia M. Van Ash Van Wijck, of the Netherlands.


SUNDAY, June 6, 11:00 a.m. Dr. Louis H. Evans, Minister-at-large will preach the morning service. 4:00 p.m. Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly will conduct the Communion Service. 8:00 p. m. Dramatic Dedication of the week.


MONDAY, June 7, 11: 00 a. m. Dr. Ralph W. Lloyd, President of Maryville College. Chairman of the Permanent Committee on Inter-Church Relations. Official closing at noon.


Mrs. J. T. Robinson, Chairman of the Women's Work on the Board on Christian Education will give the Dedication of the Day at 9:00 a. m.


Dr. Samuel H. Moffett, author of the recent popular book " Where' er the Sun, " will lead the daily 45-minute period of Bible study, beginning at 9:30 a. m.


DAY VISITORS URGED TO BRING THEIR OWN LUNCHES


To correct an erroneous impression that adequate arrangements have been made to provide food for day visitors. All day visitors are asked to bring their own food. ONLY visitors registered for the week, (also weekend visitors) will be served at the Union Building.


Those women who have bought their tickets IN ADVANCE may go directly to the entrance marked "Day Visitors" at the Music Hall at 8: 45 a. m. Others will find tickets at the P. W.O. INFORMATION DESK in the Union Building at $1. 25 for one session or $2. 25 for the day. NO TICKETS REQUIRED for afternoon sessions or Sunday services.


The EVENING MEETINGS at 8:00 p. m. in the Music Hall will present programs of great in- spiration and pageantry. All who can should remain in Lafayette for the evening meetings. Single session tickets may be obtained for those who can attend only at night. Men are welcome


FOR WEEK-END VISITORS -- DIRECTIONS IN APRIL OUTREACH


Those women who have made previous registration for the week-end will arrive before or after dinner Friday in time for the after-dinner sing, and the unusually fine evening program as well as the full Saturday morning in the Music Hall.


Those who arrive Saturday morning will attend part of the morning session in the Music Hall and then join the others at a special luncheon in the Ball Room of the Union Building.


In the afternoon will be group discussion on concerns of evening groups after which members will participate in Conversation Hours and other parts of the program as regular delegates.


SYNODICAL MEETING ON FRIDAY, JUNE 4


The regular June Synodical meeting will be held Friday, June 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the University Church at Purdue, with Mrs. Scott M. Ford presiding.


Each of the eight spring


The board will meet on Thurs- meetings of local Presbyterial day afternoon at the same time societies was visited by Mrs. Scott M. Ford, Synodical pres- in the orginal sanctuary of the church. ident, who reports that she was highly pleased with the MRS. FORD VISITS SPRING PRESBYTERIAL MEETINGS spirit with which the goals for achievement are being accepted and carried out. She also was delighted with the


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PURDUE 1954


THE WEARER OF THIS BADGE


--- Is entitled to introduce herself to women from other churches, other cities, and other states as well as to visitors and delegates from foreign countries at the Quad- rennial meeting.


--- Is expected to take pride in the special privilege of showing "Hoosier" hospitality and to consider herself in the receiving line, on this oc- casion which may not be repeated in our state for many years.


The badge is included with each ticket for day visitors. Be sure to wear it!


great enthusiasm shown for attending the Quadrennial Meet- ing of the P. W. O. organizations at Purdue June 1 to June 7.


The INDIANA PRESBYTERIAN


Published except each manth the months of August and September, at 523 Jackson Boulevard, Columbus, Indiana, By The Board of Management of The Indiana Presbyterian.


SUBSCRIPTIONS - 10c. PER YEAR


Editorial and Business Office, 523 Jackson Boulevard, Columbus, Indiana.


Entered at the Post Office at Columbus, Indiana, as secand class matter, February 11, 1939.


Board of Management


Mr. Norman Thurston, Chairman, Shelbyville: Dr. Roy E. Mueller, Execu- tive Secretary, Indianapolis: Dr. E. Stanley Kreidler, Secretary Treasurer, Indianapolis: Dr. Leigh O. Wright, Lafayette; Rev. George B. McMican. Fort Wayne: Mr. Joe Cummins. Colum- bus; Rev. Harold King, Logansport; Mr. Walter Hannan, R. 1, New Albany: Mr. Charles Marsh, Muncie: Mrs Carl Kircher, Jasper; Mrs. Scott M Ford. Indianapolis; Mrs. Heber D. Williams, Indianapolis. Editorial Board Dr. Roy E. Mueller, Editor Dr. E. Stanley Kreidler


Mr. Norman Thurston


Mrs. Heber D. Williams


POSTMASTER: To save handling, please send change of address on Form 3579 to Indiana Presby- terian, 1132 North Alabama Street, Indianapolis 2, Ind.


The INL


JIIN 14 1954


IRRARY ! CO., IND.


FORT VATE :


MR. ALBERT DISERENS . LRIOLICALS


Y. M.C.A. FT. WAYNE 2, IND.


PRESBYTERIAN


Volume XXXII


June, 1954


Number 6.


HIGH HONOR AWARDED DR. A.K. BAILEY


Benton County Youth in Action


The Benton County Westminster Fellow- ship was organized on January 15, 1952 at the Oxford Presbyterian church. It was formed with the hope that all five Presbyterian churches of the county working together could better further the work of Westminster Fellowship in their own local churches. The meetings are held four times a year, with different churches serving as hosts.


The first Moderator of the organiza- tion was Lawrence Kitterman of Earl Park. The meetings usually begin at 3:00 p. m. with registrations and recreation, with a registration fee of 25ยข. The recreation includes folk dancing and fun games.


Business meeting and Hymn Sing are next on the program. The Hymn Sing was started last summer. Everyone thought it very worthwhile and inspirational, so it is now a regular part of the program.


The local church has charge of the worship service, but a guest church has the special number. A speaker is usually secured by the committee.


A traveling plaque is awarded to the church with the largest attendance. If a church receives it five successive times, it becomes their permanent possession.


One of the most enjoyable meetings was the one at which Song Keun Chun, a Korean student at Purdue, spoke on his native country. At this meeting, instead of pay- ing the usual registration fee, everyone attending brought an article of used clothing which was sent to Korea.


The possibilities of sending some of the young people to a summer work camp are under consideration when funds will permit.


Reports from various camps and confer- ences were given at one of the meetings. Mrs. Pauline Hanstra of Oxford, also showed the group the pictures of her trip to Cuba portraying the work of the Presbyterian church there.


The present officers are;


Moderator-Bettye Wolfe-Fowler


Vice Moderator-Donna Rasmussen-Oxford Secretary:


Recording-Jeanette Edmonds-Boswell Corresponding-Wanda Wallace-Earl Park Treasurer-Harold Anderson-Freeland


This year we also elected chairmen for the Five Commissions. They are: Outreach-Merlin Rodgers-Freeland Park Faith-Gene Looft-Fowler


Fellowship-Preston Thornbrough-Earl Park


Continued on page 2


"GOD'S ACRE" HELPS BUILDING FUND


The God's Acre Program of the Presby- terian Church of Clayton, Indiana opened the 1954 season with a bang on Saturday morning, April 24. Nine tractors, all with 3-bottom plows, except one, rolled into the two 17-acre fields on the Walter Thompson farm, one-half mile south of Clayton, which the Church has been operating on a rental basis for some time. The work details had been carefully planned by the Committee in charge, and at 7: 30, the sod began to roll in one field and a fertilizer spreader was started in the other. By 11:00 oclock, the entire job was completed and the boys were ready to leave. As a final act, Ed Craig, the friendly local oil man, came along with his truck and filled all the tractors with gas, free of charge; sixty-eight gallons of gas were used on the job.


The proceeds of the enterprise go to the Building Fund of the Church. The congregation is now in the process of building a new Sanctuary, after several years of worshiping in the basement Sun- day School rooms. The former church building was destroyed by fire. The God's Acre Program was initiated some years ago and has been a substantial source of yearly income since. The plan also pro- vides an opportunity for the men of the church, together with friends and sup- porters, to pool their time, labor, and equipment for a common cause. The report from the men who manned the fleet of tractors was interesting in that they all agreed they had "had the time of their lives. "


Those who assisted in the work were: Plowing Detail -- Robert Johnson, Jack Gibbs, John Edmondson, John Hall (Marion Delong tractor), Roy Brenneman, Sam Edmondson, Hank Mahoney, George Kimber- lain (Willard Edmonson tractor).


Continued on page 3


Dr. Alvin K. Bailey, professor of religion at Hanover College, has recently been awarded a Fulbright grant. He has been appointed visiting lecturer for 1954-55 in American Ecclesiastical His- tory at the University of Manchester, Manchester, England.


The invitation was issued by Prof. T. W. Manson, dean of the faculty of the- ology at Manchester, with whom Dr. Bailey plans to do research in New Testament interpretation.


Professor Bailey's interest in Amer- ican Church history culminated in his Yale University Ph. D. thesis entitled "The Strategy of Sheldon Jackson in Opening the West for National Missions: 1860-1880." He is a graduate of Washing- ton and Jefferson College and of McCor- mick Theological Seminary.


Previous to his appointment at Hanover in 1946, Dr. Bailey held a pastorate for four years. He will leave for England with his wife and two sons on September 17.


The president of Korea once studied at Princeton Theological Seminary. The vice-president is a retired Presbyterian minister. This is testimony not only to Christianity, but to education.


June, 1954


THE INDIANA PRESBYTERIAN


Page Two


Range Line Church Builds


One of the most interesting church developments of our Synod is taking place where few members of our Synod have ever been. On a country road about a mile south of State road 2, between Lowell and Hebron; in Lake County, the official State road map marks "Range Line. " A Presbyterian Church was organized here in 1920 by Logansport Presbytery. Ser- vices have been conducted in an altered former school building and is the only organized church in its Township.


About five years ago the Rev. William D. Williams, retired, took over the pastoral care of this small congregation until his death. New visions were brought to the people which demanded more facil- ities than were available. When title couldn't be secured for the building and grounds in use, three acres of land was secured near by. The need for a church building was realized and studies made and plans secured. Difficulties of fin- ance became a stumbling block, so work on a manse was started so the church could call a full time minister-and the Rev. Otis J. McMullen was recently in- stalled and is living on the field.


A field had been rented and last year 12 tractors were put in the field to get the corn planted, the sale of which went to the building fund. This continues to produce for the church. The people give of time and money, and the church build- ing is rapidly moving toward completion. The Board of National Missions is help- ing finance the construction. While this church showed little growth for thirty years there is now a most rapid develop- ment taking place which will make this a strong rural church in our Synod.


BENTON COUNTY YOUTH IN ACTION Continued from page 1


Citizenship-Bethada Donaldson-Oxford Witness-Ronnie Reeves-Boswell


These new officers were installed in a candlelight ceremony.


At the last meeting, the total regis- tration money was sent to the National Missions.


All in all, the Benton County Westmin- ster Fellowship has grown steadily and all have profited from the experiences of working together. We are very proud of our organization, and hope others will follow and profit from our example.


By: Louise Kitterman


LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY


Miss Jean Stewart of the Children's Work Department, Board of Christian Edu- cation, will offer a course for nursery leaders in the Indiana Synod Laboratory School at Camp Kosciusko, August 29 - September 6. Other leaders will include: Mrs. William Schwab, Columbus, kinder- garten; Mrs. L. C. Giberson, Michigan City, primary; Mrs. Evelyn King, Indiana- polis, junior; Miss Helen Wright, Ind- ianapolis, junior high; and Mrs. Paul Shults, Gary, seminar leader. Mrs. F.E. McMichael, Hartford City, will serve as dean.


Local church school teachers will have opportunity to observe these skilled teachers as they use the Faith and Life curriculum for the fall quarter.


Churches should make plans to register one or more of their church school teachers for this training opportunity.


BUILDING FUNDS PROGRESS


Most of the churches of our Synod have adopted the "Every Home Plan" where by every home receives the "Presbyterian Life Magazine." (Incidently, this is the best denominational magazine in the coun- try with the largest circulation of any denominational paper. ) To those who have read the March issue should have been rightly ashamed of the chart showing our Synod well toward the bottom of the list in portion of the goal reached in the Building Funds Campaign.


Every church member should have heard of the needs to raise funds for helping build churches in new housing areas, and also to aid the Seminaries provide building needs to train more minis- ters to man these churches. It is to be regretted that some of the Ministers have not passed on the information they had received, so the membership would know all facts available. In some cases this was due to a fear on the part of the Minister that the laymen would resent "another appeal for funds." In many cases the failure to pass on information and urge support of the program was due to Sessions and Budget Committees of local churches. Here there was a fear that appeals of this sort would hurt the support of the local church. Both of these " blocks" are wrong. The evidence is beyond contridiction which clearly shows that as the laymen know the story of need and have the opportunity to assist, the local congregation grows most rap- idly.


Many of our churches have building programs of their own it is true, but in these days of shifting populations we need to realize that our own children and kin folk are being forced to live in communities without a church because we


CHURCHES EXPAND TO MEET NEEDS


HUNTINGTON CHURCH DEDICATES MANSE


The Huntington Presbyterian Church recently purchased the residence property adjoining the church and dedicated it as the Manse. Appropriate Dedicatory ser- vices were held May 2, with Dr. E. S. Kreidler the Synod's Executive Secretary for Christian Education presiding. The Huntington Church is also in the midst of a building program erecting a portion of the overall projected Educational building. This unit is to cost about $75,000. 00. Rev. D. R. Hutchinson, D. D. is pastor.


IRVINGTON OF INDIANAPOLIS EXPANDS CHURCH SCHOOL


The Irvington Presbyterian Church be- gan an extensive remodeling of their edu- cational building at a projected cost of about $200,000.00. This church is in the fast growing east-side of Indiana- polis. The program under way provides for conversion of the gym into departmental rooms for the Church School. New offices, new kitchen and enlarged parlor are also in the plans. Rev. Howard Stone, D.D. is pastor.


WASHINGTON AVENUE CHURCH OF EVANSVILLE BREAKS GROUND




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