News
Introducing Commissioned Pastor Tammy Hall
Posted June 17, 2025
Tamara Hall, who goes by Tammy, was commissioned at the May 25 Presbytery Meeting to begin serving First Church in Darlington and The Galilean Church in New Galilee.
In Memoriam—Elder Gerald “Jerry” Fry
Posted May 27, 2025
It is with sadness, yet assurance of the joy of resurrection, that we share the passing of Jerry Fry on Wednesday, May 14. Jerry was a long-time member of New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder.
In Memoriam—Elder Peg Marshall
Posted May 20, 2025
We celebrate the life and resurrection of Mary Margaret ‘Peg’ (Fenchel) Marshall, of Big Beaver Boro, who passed away on Friday, May 9.
Encouraging One Another in Christ
Posted April 30, 2025
- Do you wonder if anyone really understands the challenges facing your congregation?
- Is your situation unique or are others facing the same hurdles?
- What successes has your church enjoyed in the last 5 years that may spark the imagination of a sister congregation?
At our May 27 Presbytery Meeting, Coordinating Team wants to hear from you—how mission, discipleship, fellowship, and worship are lived out in your church.
Training Workshops for Clerks of Session
Highlighting Leadership and Administrative Event
Posted February 25, 2025
There has been training for clerks of session at the Annual Leadership and Administrative Event for as long as Rev. Randall Clow can remember. As Stated Clerk of Beaver-Butler Presbytery, Clow has been conducting the training since 2022. Normally he sees a dozen or so clerks in attendance. Their experience ranges from those who are “just getting started” to those who have “seen it all.”
In Memoriam—Debra McCowin
Posted January 14, 2025
Debra McCowin, of Brighton Township and member of Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024. Debra passed due to multiple complications after making a strong recovery from a recent stroke.
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.
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.
