Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Ministers Resign in 1968
On March 20, 1968 Associate minister Kendall Baker submitted his resignation to be effective in one month as he had accepted the call of Bellevue Congregational Church to become their associate minister. A farewell reception was given on April 7 for Kendall and Nancy and their children, Scott and Dana.Retirement had been the plan of Reverend Helliwell as he approached the age of 65. On April 8 he announced that his resignation would be effective at the end of July. The Board of Deacons and Deaconesses expressed the feeling of the entire congregation with the following statement. "We regret Reverend Helliwell's decision to retire. His spiritual guidance and leadership have been an inspiration to all of us. God grant this his lifetime of faithful service in His work be rewarded by peace and contentment in his retirement and the knowledge of work well done."
The pulpit (search) committee that had been appointed to select a new associate minister was now directed to to search for a new senior minister. Ralph Thomas served as chair and was assisted by Dick Engelbrecht, Hazel Berto, Steve Hale, Elinor Hammond, Don Nelson and Don Jovag.
On June 19, 1968, the church members gathered for a recognition dinner for George and Elinor Helliwell who had served so faithfully for 13 years. The church had grown and prospered in that time and under his leadership the new building had been constructed. As a team they had exemplified the role of pastor and wife in their dedication to the church they so ably served. Eleanor had been a Sunday School teacher, member of the Bell Choir, organizer of the So and So's and a worker in Women's Fellowship activities. For three years she served as state president of Women's Fellowship.
In retirement they purchased their first home in the Montlake district of Seattle. George continued to serve on various committees and as interim pastor in several churches. For several years he participated in Night Watch, a program where clergy walked the streets in Seattle to talk with and/or help those in need. He also counseled at Sedranar Drug Center. Both became active members of the University Congregational Church. They eventually moved to California to be near their son, Tom and daughter Sue and their spouses.
Involvement in the community as suggested in the goals which were adopted a year earlier was illustrated in the trustees report in 1968. A survey of 18 businesses in the Kirkland-Juanita area was conducted seeking job openings for minorities. Women's Fellowship sent several shipments of clothing to the Seattle Central area and to Church World Service. Ray Schoen picked up donated goods from Art's Food Center and delivered them to Griffin Home for Boys.
Interim minister Paul Van Horn served the church from September 8 to January 29, 1969. The retired minister from Tacoma with his wife guided the church during the fall and the various boards accepted the primary responsibilities for continuing programs.
John Gates resigned as treasurer after 18 years, a job held by his father for a
similar number of years. His position was filled by Clarence Schott. Another
resignation when our choir director, Alice Kinyon retired after 10 years of
service. Donna Hjorth Nilson filled the position until October when she and
her husband, Tom, left for training in the Peace Corps prior to leaving for
their assignment in Liberia. Our new choir director was Glenn Bowerman.
Back to History Previous Gleaning Next Gleaning