Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Articles of Agreement Amended
Repairing the church was becoming a constant problem and for the first time the board discussed the possibility of a new building. In the meantime a committee from the Ladies Aid and the Board of Trustees were to decide on the most urgent repairs needed. The ladies were more than willing to take on the job of painting and wall papering to help redecorate the church but not until the men repaired the leaky roof. They also wanted to improve their "un-handy" kitchen. (Now we have the Vision Committee to paint and wall paper; the leaky roof is being repaired and we have hopes of improving our kitchen!!)
A resolution was adopted at the July 24, 1923 meeting requesting the Puget Sound Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to reappoint Reverend Bowen. Sunday school attendance was increasing, often numbering over 200. Finding teachers was a problem as well as adequate class space as they were using four different buildings at that time. Christian Endeavor participation was also on the increase since the young people were attracted to the youth choir led by Mrs. Storey.
An every member canvas held in the fall of 1923 reduced the church's indebtedness from $1000 to $175. Irving Gates was on the canvas committee, reception committee, building and maintenance committee, so it fell to this busy man to arrange for a new roof on the church. (THIS IS WHAT IS KNOWN AS GOOD STEWARDSHIP!!!).
The church made benevolence donations that year of $75 to the Japan Earthquake Fund, $800 to the Near East Relief and $322 to the American Bible Society. The pastor suggested, "A policy should be adopted that would take up certain definite contributions for such."
The 1924 annual meeting showed membership stood at 258 with 62 men, 139 women and 57 youth under the age of 15. A total of 89 new members had been received. The Community Church truly lived up to its name for nine denominations were represented. (Although we are not a Communality Church now, we have three other congregations meeting in our building to carry on our history of cooperation with those of all faiths.) New officers were treasurer, C. C. Mulligan (postmaster); financial secretary, E. V. Crow; clerk, Dr. F. C Robinson; elder, L. C. Wright and trustees, S. A. Moore, C. W. Harlow and Dr. J. R Persons.
The Articles of Agreement were amended in 1924 pertaining to the selection of the pastor. They now stated that the pastor could be from any denomination and would continue as long as the trustees voted to retain him. When Reverend Bowen left at the end of his term in September, Reverend Newberry was asked to return as minister at a salary of $1800. Since he had his own home the parsonage would not be used and was rented.
In 1925 women participated in the every member canvas for the first time. Harmony existed and the merger appeared to be working successfully. However, the church continued to operate at a deficit. Membership totaled 192.
Brittania McKibben, wife of Dr. E. C. McKibben, was a lover of books and helped found the Kirkland Women's Club library in 1925. In later years it became the city library. She also guided the existence of the church library. Her influence was felt in the community in many ways. She convinced the Club to use their new building, located south of the church on First St. for a child welfare clinic twice a month.
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