Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Articles of Agreement Adopted
The churches had merged to become the Community Church. One of the first items needing attention was the restrooms. Plumbing done in the winter of 1922 provided two china toilets costing $27.50 each and two enamel basins costing $13.50 each. Church members Obed Patty, who was the city water and street commissioner and V. L. Elson, a plumber, donated their labor. The Ladies Aid paid $56 of the total bill and after several months when it became obvious the church budget could not pay the balance, the women paid the bill (a familiar refrain).
Problems with the 30 year old buildings were mounting. During the February 14 meeting, as the board discussed the insurance adjustment for the recent fire damage, an interruption occurred. "The meeting was suspended to fight a second fire dame. After it was successfully put out the meeting resumed." Before the meeting was adjourned, a motion was moved that the building committee "arrange and construct an exit in the rear of the church building at once." Needless to say, the motion carried. The bill from the Kirkland Sash and Door Factory came to $14.11. The heating system needed replacement so a furnace was purchased from the Lang Stove Co. of Seattle for $125.
After a year of labor the committee of 15 called a special meeting on June 27, 1922 to consider the Articles of Agreement.
Article 1
Realizing the great opportunity for more efficient church work in our community and desiring to unite the Christian forces into a common fellowship of love, worship and service, we, the members of the First Congregational Church of Kirkland, the First Methodist Church of Kirkland and the other members of the Community Church, do hereby agree to federate our forces and work together for the common good, inviting those of other communions to unite with us on an equal basis, and we do hereby reconsecrate
ourselves to a life of faith in Jesus Christ and of devotion to his ideals.
The document spelled out the duties of the officers, and how the executive board would function. It stated that the minister would be from one denomination for a period of three years and then it would be on a rotating basis. Article 15 stated that "any denominational group may withdraw from this compact by giving six months written notice to the clerk of the Community Church.
On July 6 the first election was held: Elders and trustees were elected and lots were drawn to determine one or two year terms.
During September, 1922, Reverend R. M. Temple left and Reverend Charles A Bowen became pastor. There was no explanation in the church record. It was noted that the new pastor requested $150 for moving expenses and asked for a new stove for the parsonage. His family included his wife, Mary and three daughters.
Reverend Bowen was pleased with the relationship that developed with the congregation. Several months later he invited the members to a housewarming at the parsonage. He pointed out several needs the church had and they gave him permission to appeal for a flag, additional hymn books and more communion glasses.
Within a month the Camp Fire Girls presented the church with a flag and the manual training class at the high school made a flag staff. Other donations soon made the other requests possible.
New ideas tried that fall included starting a Men's Bible class, holding a Night Watch service on New Year's Eve and mailing quarterly statements to encourage bringing in delinquent pledges. Total pledges at that time came from 65 families and totaled $1525.
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