Nancy Landis again was asked to design and create a cover for the Elizabethtown Fair booklet.  She drew and painted a fractur.  Her original art was framed and sold at the fair’s arts and crafts auction.  Nancy does many types of attractive fracturs, such as birth and marriage certificates, retirement awards and even pet blessings.  She also entered several works of art in the fair competition, which earned awards including Best of Show for one particular painting.

Presbyterians Today, August issue, introduces our newly elected Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons, new 2-year moderator, Bruce Reyes-Chow, only 39 years old, and vice moderator, Byron Wade.  General Assembly was held in June at San Jose, California. There is also the latest report on Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. membership. The magazine is available for borrowing at our library in the Conference Room.

Because Don Betty, and Josh Betty’s other grandfather had both been Eagle Scouts, they were very proud to participate in the Eagle Scout Award ceremony for Josh , son of Wayne and Jan.  For his Eagle Service project, Josh built a number of improvement items for his church, First United Methodist.  He is a senior at Donegal High School and is in Choir and Concert Band.

Sunday, July 20, the congregation again, for the tenth year, commissioned a Mission Tour crew as they departed for a week of work helping many less fortunate people in the “North Country.”  (Actually northern New York State.)  We commend those thirteen persons who give a week of their time in all kinds of weather, forgoing air conditioning, and all the luxuries of home, for the most meager accommodations, to perform difficult and physically demanding repair and improvement.  Their only reward is knowing that they are performing a ministry of love and service in Christ’s name.

At their request, we were happy to provide a replica of an 1876 photo of the Col. Alex Lowrey home near Marietta for the Marietta Preservation Associates as they prepare for their town’s bicentennial anniversary in 2012.   The stone house was supposedly built about 1763 by Col. Lowrey.   Marietta will add the picture to their archives in the Old Town Hall Museum.  Our replica copy is on display in the narthex case.

Amazing news from Dick Todd, Donegal’s former pastor, that his wife Beverly, who has been on our prayer list, and has had nine months of dialysis, now has been taken off that treatment.  This is most unusual.  Her kidney function, which was 15 per cent, had gone to 55 to 60 per cent, with other improvements also.  They credit the many intercessory prayers, and ask for continuation.   An August update reports that the good health continues.  They appreciate being on our prayer list, and receiving our Witness, which keeps them in touch with Donegal.

A bus group from Ephrata visited our church August 20, hosted by Ellie Heller, Connie Ginder, and Mary Karnes.  It was a lovely day and the group seemed to thoroughly appreciate our church indoors and outdoors.  Wednesday, September 9, we expect a bus group from Masonic Village, where there are guests from all over the state, many of whom are Presbyterian, but are not aware of Donegal.

Congratulations to Frank Harvey who recently became a United States of America citizen! 

What good things have you seen or heard recently?

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Last Edited on 04/24/2009