Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Dedicating New Building
Music rang out in the new sanctuary on November 24, 1963 to open the first service. The choir processed down the center aisle as the congregation joined in singing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name." The Rhythm choir performed the Lord's Prayer. The choir director was Alice Kinyon and organist was Bob Brinkley.It was a busy week following the dedication. A dinner was held for the Christian Enlistment canvassers. Two days later the Women's Fellowship luncheon featured the church architect, Gene Martenson. He talked about the design of the building and explained the stained glass screen as viewed from the narthex to the sanctuary.
Viewing from the far right, depict the life of Christ: The Birth, The Baptism and the Crucifixion. To the left of the doors the single panel depicts the Church in the World today. They were designed by Bill Radcliffe. The woodwork surrounding the panels was created by Ed Hjorth.
Later in the week Thanksgiving services were shared with other churches in the area and included members and ministers of the Kirkland-Redmond Ministerial Association.
George and Helen Schoen provided a set of hand bells for use by members of the church. Interested women were invited to become bell ringers under Helen's direction. For many years the bell choir provided an outstanding addition to the music program of the church and community. They provided concerts for various organizations, nursing homes and participated in festivals of bell ringers.
Other events in the life of the church during 1963 included the retirement of Tom Simmons as custodian. Elmer Jensen and Roy Abrams then shared the duties.
Glenn Lampaert retired as Sunday School treasurer when it was decided to incorporate these funds into the church general fund.
A formal dedication took place on January 26. The vows of dedication stated:
| Minister: | To the service of Jesus our Lord | |
| People: | We dedicate this house | |
| Minister: | For the worship of God in prayer and praise For the preaching of the gospel message For the celebration of the sacraments | |
| People: | We dedicate this house. | |
| Minister: | For the nurture and guidance of children For the enlistment of youth in Christian service For carrying the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth | |
| People: | We dedicate this house |
The committee making the arrangement for this special occasion included Rod Anderson, Emily Champneys, Ethel Crowe, Phyllis Dieckmann and Jack Holderness.
The attractive new sanctuary with its modern decor was the setting for many weddings the first year. Women's Fellowship had always provided women to help at the receptions but felt a wedding consultant would be able to better organize it. A fee schedule was set up for the use of the building with an additional fee for the consultant's service and the reception. Rolanda Simmons was the first church member to serve in this capacity. Others to follow included Velma Fogle, Sue Carter, Joan Montgomery and Helen Dahi.
The first brides in the church families to walk down the long aisle in the new sanctuary were Pam Gates who married Derald Owens. Alice Moser and Franz Wirtz were the next couple. The orange-red color of the carpet posed some uncomfortable moments for the color-conscious brides, but many weddings took place over the years with "the orange" carpet.
After successfully hosting a large contingent of P.F'ers for the Westside Conference in March, 1965, the church council voted to "go for the big one." They extended an invitation to the Washington-North Idaho Congregational Conference to hold the annual meeting in Kirkland in 1966. Consideration was given to seating, housing and feeding over 400 people and the consensus was "Let's try!!" The invitation was accepted and plans began for the busy year ahead.
A Toastmaster Club sponsored by the men in the church was started by Bill Elgin and Oscar Roloff. Its purpose was to train men to better express themselves and their viewpoint. It was open for membership to all men in the community. The group still meets in the church every Thursday evening, but also includes women.
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