Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Minister was Father of the Bride
On the first Saturday of July, 1978, Ron Hutchinson, our minister, became the father of the bride. The ceremony performed in the bride's church (Kirkland Congregational) was officiated by the pastor of the groom, Reverend Robert Rector of the Lake Washington United Methodist Church. Lynn Hutchinson, daughter of Ron & Shirley Hutchinson became the bride of Dan Grager, son of Bill and Kaye Grager of Rose Hill. Members of both congregations came to celebrate the event.Eva Jean Clarke was hired as choir director and later that fall also became the organist. New green choir robes were purchased with the memorial fund given in memory of Elinor Hammond.
The traditional family Christmas tree trimming evening drew 150 people. Music during the advent season took on a new approach when Ron Hutchinson challenged the congregation to sing their way through all of the carols in the hymnal---familiar or unfamiliar.
During the holiday season the sanctuary was decorated with holly wreaths and green swags created by the women under the leadership of Barbara Anderson. (Interesting note: Barbara still leads us in decorating the sanctuary and church for the holidays.) On the white wall behind the pulpit shone a star of great magnitude. By connecting hundreds of pins with mono filament fish line Linda Peck designed a 10 foot high star the for the children's pageant, but its beauty was enjoyed for several more weeks. A brochure about the Kirkland Congregational Church was produced. Two Adult Bible Study classes were conducted during early 1979 by the minister and Christian Education director. From this beginning a new group was formed who wanted to hold discussion on pertinent topics. "Open Forum" began in February with Dr. Midhat Abraham speaking on the times in which Jesus lived from an economic and political viewpoint. Speakers were invited once a month for an hour before church. Some returned for additional discussions.
Sunday school attendance was growing steadily during the year. A new curriculum was introduced. Attendance climbed again to over 100. In 1973 Barbara Thomas became the first paid Director of Christian Education. At that time the office of Sunday School Superintendent was discontinued. "Shared Approaches" was an interdenominational course of study for both children and adults. "Living the Word" was the direction selected. The topic of hunger was one of the topics studied to help the children care about hungry people and gain a deeper understanding of the causes and effects of hunger on people's lives. It was the responsibility of Barbara to direct the Church School program on Sundays and a Summer Adventure program. She also conducted teacher training and had Bible study classes for adults.
The church school staff for 1979 included Mary Rogelstad, Gale Peterson,
Donna Lauckhart, Janine Fredrickson, Ruth Young, Sue & Dave Peek, Pat
Jovag, Debbie Hill, Peggy McClure, Pat Vuola, Linda and Randy Crowe,
Linda Peck, Lockey and Pam Reader, Sue Sumeri, Don Johnson, Karen
White, Connie Webber, Tom Lampe, Shari Lehman, Jeanne Peterson and
Ralph Cooper.
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