News
In Memoriam—Commissioned Pastor Eva Maria Barr
Posted November 26, 2024
Eva Maria Barr passed away peacefully in her home on November 22, 2024, surrounded by her family. Eva was born in Helmstedt Germany, and at the age of ten immigrated with her family to the US, settling in Pennsylvania. She met her husband Nicholas when she was 14 and they married shortly after high school, spending the next six decades together.
After raising her children, Eva, who was always passionate about learning, went back to school and obtained a degree from Geneva University. She worked as an assistant teacher at Central Valley School before finally retiring. Eva was also a deeply devoted and beloved preacher and enjoyed filling vacancies across multiple counties with the Presbyterian Church before accepting a position at Service Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa as Commissioned Pastor. During her time as a pastor she touched many lives by providing counsel and support.
In Memoriam—The Rev. Dr. A. Gary Angleberger
Posted November 19, 2024
The Rev. Dr. A. Gary Angleberger died peacefully at home on Friday, November 8, 2024. Gary was the only child of the late Austin F. and Idalene K. Angleberger. He was born June 30, 1935 in Frederick, MD. Gary was a graduate of Frederick High School and a graduate of Columbia College, New York City where he majored in philosophy and played Columbia baseball as their shortstop.
Gary graduated Union Theological Seminary in New York and was ordained in 1960 in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Minister of Word and Sacrament. He served congregations in Atlanta and Cohocton, New York; and the First Presbyterian Church of Granville, Ohio.
Worshiping Generously Workshop Summary
Posted October 22, 2024
Kerry Dowdy, committee member of Encouraging Churches to Flourish Unit, provides a summary of the second workshop in the Worship Workshop Series
As part of the Encouraging Churches to Flourish Unit of Beaver-Butler Presbytery’s Worship Series, stewardship was the topic of the second workshop. This tough subject to tackle causes congregations to cringe. But it doesn’t have to be and presenter, Ellie Johns-Kelley, MRO of the Presbyterian Foundation, challenged us to talk tithing and stewardship. This lunch time Zoom workshop had about eight participants listening and learning. If you couldn’t attend, a recording is available and is posted on Beaver-Butler Presbytery’s YouTube channel.
From Gutenberg to Google Workshop
Posted October 15, 2024
By Elder Kerry Dowdy
Kerry Dowdy, committee member of Encouraging Churches to Flourish Unit, provides a summary of the first workshop in the Zoom Worship Workshop Series
Social media is not going away anytime soon, so let’s embrace it in our ministries! On September 26, the Rev. A David Paul of Calvin Church presented Gutenberg to Google to illustrate how social media can be transformed to social ministry. This was the first in a series of trainings aimed at equipping leaders. There were about a dozen attendees that attended, but if you missed this, a video of the Zoom meeting is available.
Introducing The Rev. Kalyn Stevwing
Posted September 17, 2024
The Reverend Kalyn Stevwing has begun her ministry as Senior Pastor of Ohio United Church in Aliquippa as of August 5. Her name, with its unique spelling, is pronounced Kay – Lynn. She goes by K by some of her friends.
VBS—What’s It All About?
By Kerry Dowdy, East Butler Church
Posted August 27, 2024
Why do we do Vacation Bible School—known as VBS? It’s expensive and it’s only for a few days. And what do the kids get out of it? Do they even remember what they did or learned?
Well, this was my third year as VBS director for East Butler Presbyterian Church and these kids do remember the Bible stories! The majority of the kids that attended VBS the past few years have been children from the community. In those few days we spend with the kids, they not only hear the Bible stories, but they participate in the stories.
Beaver-Butler Presbytery has assumed the original jurisdiction of East Unity Church, at their request, and in order to dissolve the congregation and conclude its ministry. At the July 30 Presbytery Meeting, Elder Martha Altmire gave the following presentation celebrating the history, life and ministry of East Unity Church.
A Rich History That Endures
Posted August 20, 2024
By Martha Altmire
My family has been involved in East Unity for decades. They participated in all aspects of the church. I’ve had the privilege of serving as an elder for the last several years as did my father, brother, grandfather (who was clerk of the session when he passed away in 1948) and my great grandfather. East Unity has always been an important part of our family.
119th New Wilmington Mission Conference
Posted August 13, 2024
By Kerry Michelle Dowdy, Member East Butler Church and Candidate for Ministry
The 119th New Wilmington Mission Conference (NWMC) ran from July 19 to July 24, 2024. As a Pittsburgh Theological Seminary student, I had seen emails about the conference but did not make plans to attend. When COVID happened, NWMC offered free online only access and that is when I thought I should see what this is all about. For the next couple of years I opted for the online only and noticed there were parts of the conference I was missing. That included not just speakers that needed their identity protected, but the worship and songs.
REFLECTIONS ON GA
Posted July 30, 2024
Ruling Elder Kerry Dowdy of East Butler Church was one of our commissioners to the 226th General Assembly that was held in Salt Lake City this past July. She has put together a short journal of her experiences that is illustrated with photos.
THE LAST SERMON—THE REV. BOB GOOSSEN RETIRES
Posted July 30, 2024
The Reverend Bob Goossen gave his last sermon on Sunday, July 14. Ohio United Church in Aliquippa gave him a fond farewell while looking forward to welcoming their new permanent pastor in August. This was Bob’s third time serving a church as a transitional pastor and its conclusion signaled his time to retire.
PEACEMAKER TO VISIT
Posted July 2, 2024
Dumitru Roibu of Moldova will be visiting our presbytery as our peacemaker. He will arrive on Thursday, September 19 and depart on Wednesday, September 25. This will allow us to welcome Dumitru to our September Presbytery Meeting.
SECRETARIES HONORED AT LUNCHEON
Posted April 30, 2024
The presbytery’s annual Secretaries Luncheon was held on Administrative Professionals Day, Wednesday, April 24, at the Presbytery Center. Tables were decorated in bright colors using flowers and gifts of quilted mug rugs and jars filled with M&Ms. The guests would soon see that the colors of the M&Ms were to represent the different Fruits of the Spirit.
IN MEMORIAM—JAMES A. GRAY
Posted April 16, 2024
James A. Gray of Mars, passed away on Wednesday morning, February 7, 2024 in the comfort of his home. Jim was a member and deacon at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Mars. He also served Beaver-Butler Presbytery as treasurer between November of 2007 and October of 2016.
Hymnals Available…
The Hymnbook (red) — Presbyterian Denominations, 1955
If you are interested in them, contact ChrisAnn Goossen at the office at 724-452-7515, X112.
