Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Reverend Pruitt Resigns and Rev. Blish Arrives
A money raising event for 1943 was selling a calendar which had the story of the church bell. Each summer the women of the Ladies Aid held a garden party at the Shinstrom home. This was also a fund raiser. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with trees and rare plants.
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In November of this year Reverend Pruitt asked for his release as he had been offered a pastorate in Seattle. Dr. Elton Gildow, chairman of the deacons accepted his resignation "with sincere expression of our regret in losing his valuable services." Helen Shinstrom headed the committee to search for a new minister.
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The pulpit committee reported in February recommending inviting Reverend Frank Blish of Newton, Iowa. He accepted and came west with his wife and daughter without ever visiting the area or having any person contact with the congregation. Half of his moving expenses were paid and he was offered a salary of $2500 a year.
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Budget items in 1943 were printed bulletins, $100; postage, $40; heat, $175; electricity, $175; water, $36; phone, $59. The janitor was paid $25 a month, but the organist and choir director were volunteers. Landscaping around the new church building was allocated $50. Prosperity was evident as the congregation pledged $750 for benevolences for the year. When a family asked for a letter of transfer it was discovered that the printed form was dated 1891 so the clerk was ordered to write letters for the present until the minister could prepare a new form for printing.
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The Ladies Aid provided funds for linoleum for the kitchen and dining room. They also purchased a new communion set. In 1943 they reorganized to become Women's Federation with Circles similar to the format today. The name was later changed to Women's Fellowship.
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Reverend Blish in reviewing his beginning as minister: "There were many things wrong with the town when we arrived. The streets were terrible, you were warned against driving on some of them. The rain fell incessantly (one of those wet years!!), the sidewalks were scarce and the gravel was hard on rationed shoes. The house we were to live in was not ready and it seemed impossible that we should be a burden to our host and hostess. When we walked the streets no one seemed to know us and much less care that they did not. Lest, however you think that all was wrong, I will recount some of the things that were right. The flowers were beginning to bloom, the grass was green, and the hearts of the church family were very warm. Mr. & Mrs. Shinstrom and their family were the ideal hosts and everything was done for our comfort. People invited us to partake of their choicest morsels, then newly rationed, some evidently cached away for just some occasion ... cordial smiles became the usual thing and slowly but surely we knew we belonged."
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He reported that had officiated at 32 funerals, 29 weddings, 24 baptisms and took in 39 members. He further commented on member, Irving Gates, who quietly did so many chores around the church (we now have Arnie Berkey!!). He further remarked, "I wish I had a whole churchful of people like him."
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