News
YOUTH DIG SCAVENGER HUNT
Posted May 10, 2022
By Diana Mermon Spencer,
Youth Leadership Connection Director
The Beaver-Butler Presbytery’s youth scavenger hunt was held on April 24 at the Covenant United Church in Butler. God provided us with a beautiful hot and sunny day. The event was attended by three church youth groups.
RETURN OF ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Posted May 3, 2022
Secretaries and administrative assistants from churches in our presbytery gathered at the Presbytery last Wednesday. After a two year break due to the pandemic, it was nice to once again hold this event sponsored by the Ministry and Vocations Committee.
In Memoriam— Rev. Rosalyn Sammons Kummer
March 20, 1934—March 6, 2022
Posted March 13, 2022
Rev. Rosalyn Sammons Kummer passed away on Sunday evening, March 6, 2022 at home on the farm with family by her side.
Rosalyn was ordained and installed at Crestview Presbyterian Church, now Crestview Community Church, PC(USA), in 1976 where she served for nearly 24 years. After her retirement she went on to serve as interim or stated supply to five churches including St. John’s United Church of Christ in Evans City and most recently Camp Run Presbyterian Church outside of Harmony.
A MESSAGE FROM DIANA MERMON, YOUTH DIRECTOR
Posted February 22, 2022
I am sad to announce that Presbyterian Youth Triennium has been canceled for this summer—July 24-27, 2022. Thank you all for praying and supporting the youth and adult advisors who planned on attending the event. PYT gave us the following message to relay to all who support Triennium.
JANUARY PRESBYTERY MEETING
Posted February 15, 2022
The Beaver-Butler Presbytery held its stated meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022 using a hybrid format—in-person and via Zoom. The gathering included the annual Memorial Service, celebrating the lives of Ministers, Ruling Elders, Deacons and Trustees who entered the Church Triumphant in 2021.
Retiring Stated Clerk, Rev. David Byers was honored by those in attendance. Speaking of his service included former Executive Presbyter Rev. Alan Adams and former temporary Executive Presbytery Rev. Dr. David Oyler.
Rev. Randall Clow was also installed as our new Stated Clerk for Beaver-Butler Presbytery. The meeting was hosted by New Bethlehem Church, Aliquippa, where Rev. Randall Clow serves as pastor.
WELL DONE, DAVID BYERS!
by Rev. Dennis Burnett
Posted February 15, 2022
Serving as Assistant Clerk of Beaver-Butler Presbytery since 1991, Rev. David Byers was elected as Stated Clerk when Rev. Bob Matthias stepped down in 2005. I suspect he had no idea at that time that he would serve in the Office of the Stated Clerk for almost 30 years until his retirement effective January 22, 2022. However, Dave earned the respect and appreciation of the presbyters, and clearly deserved repeated re-election.
IN MEMORIAM—AGNES PEEBLES
Posted February 1, 2022
January 1, 1920-January 24, 2022
With full hearts we share the news of the peaceful passing of friend and colleague, Agnes Peebles. Most recently a resident of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry Township and active member of Calvin Church, Zelienople, PA, Agnes is well-known throughout Presbyterian circles.
INTRODUCING THE REV. TODD ALLEN
Posted January 25, 2022
Pastor Todd Allen grew up in Avon, Ohio the youngest of three children. Graduating from Kenyon College with dual degrees in Political Science and Studio Art, Todd first worked in the legal field before pursuing a career in marketing advertising. For ten years, he worked in midtown Manhattan for Young & Rubicam and lived in New Jersey. As a member of the historic Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, Todd built upon his life-long walk with the Lord, served as a youth advisor and sang in no less the three choirs.
RETIREES CHRISTMAS PARTY
Posted December 21, 2021
Beaver-Butler Presbytery hosted a party for retired pastors and their spouse or guest on Wednesday, December 1. The large conference room was decorated in a festive lantern theme. Rev. Mary and Allen Kitchen provided musical entertainment with singing and various instruments. A delicious hot meal was enjoyed by all.
PUTTING OUR BEST FACADE FORWARD
By Elaine A. Nucci, Presbytery Financial Assistant
Posted November 9, 2021
Beaver-Butler Presbytery made award-winning use of the Zelienople Borough grant to improve the Main Street office building façade. The Preservation Award was presented to the presbytery in July for its efforts to “retain the elements of structure” of the 1917 Eichholtz building. Randy and Cindy Hart, sponsors of the Zelienople Historical Society’s annual award, are passionate about the borough’s Main Street. They created the award to encourage the new, younger entrepreneurs and developers to retain the historic charm of the town where Randy worked for years.
WORSHIP SERVICE HONORS VETERANS
Posted October 26, 2021
Commissioned Pastor Charles Cline who serves First Presbyterian in Parker, PA and Eau Claire Presbyterian in Eau Claire, PA will once again be participating in a joint Veterans Day worship service. Pastor Cline, a U.S. Army Veteran, served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division. A while back, Pastor Cline was invited by Commander H. Jack Buzard to join the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization. He in turn became the first clergyman to serve as chaplain in VFW Parker Post 703 history of nearly seventy-five years.
RECOGNIZING CONNIE FRIERSON ON HER RETIREMENT
By Denee Stevenson
Posted September 28, 2021
There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways the Spirit works. But the same God is working in all these ways and in all people.
—Corinthians 12:4-6
The Rev. Connie Frierson has many gifts and has been called to serve in many ways by our Lord. She embodies the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Her ministry has been integral to Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople. Installed as Associate Pastor in June 2011, Connie has served Calvin and the Presbytery in meaningful ways. For many who know her, she has been a mentor and model of faith in action. Serving as elder, VBS teacher, small group leader, and member of committees, task forces, and units, Connie immersed herself in the matters and spirit of the Church. She was a caregiver, meaning she visited the ill, ministered to those who needed God’s peace, and always put others first.
INTRODUCING REV. BRIAN HAUSER
Posted August 17, 2021
Rev. Brian Hauser is the newly called pastor at the Mars United Presbyterian Church. This is Rev. Hauser’s second call after serving yoked churches in the Kiskiminetas Presbytery, our eastern neighbors, for the past seven years. A native of western Pennsylvania, Brian returned to PA after graduating from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2014. He is an ’08 graduate of Clarion University with a B.S. in Elementary Education.
Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle
THE FAITHFUL MINISTRY OF REV. DR. MARY KITCHEN
By Kerry Michelle Dowdy
Elder/Children’s Ministry, East Butler Presbyterian Church
M.Div. Student, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Posted July 28, 2021
Rev. Dr. Mary Kitchen is a pastor, counselor, leader, mentor, and friend. She preached one of her favorite Bible Scriptures of Mary Magdalene from John 20 shortly before her retirement from East/North Butler Presbyterian Churches. In verses 16-18 we hear: “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (Which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.” Rev. Mary marveled at how a woman was the first to proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ is alive! These verses inspired her to become a pastor.
THE FORCE WAS WITH CAMP LAMBEC
By Diana Mermon Spencer, Youth Leadership Connection Director
Posted July 20, 2021
Jedi Training Camp was a success with the campers at Lambec for the “Wet and Wild” and “Wetter and Wilder” sessions! As campers arrived at the camp, they were greeted by R2D2, a large death star, Millennium Falcon and “May the LORD be with you” signs. If you have not guessed it yet, our theme for the week was “Star Wars.”
IN MEMORIAM—REV. DR. JAMES E. BOOS
1936-2021
Posted July 13, 2021
With sorrow at our loss, but joy in the assurance of glory, we must announce that on July 4 The Reverend Dr. James E. Boos went home to be with his Lord and Savior.
PROVIDING CLEAN WATER FOR TEN YEARS
Posted June 15, 2021
For the past ten years, Water for Woodlands, a ministry of the White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church, has been providing clean drinking water for the Butler County residents of The Woodlands in Connoquenessing Township. Every Monday volunteers gather at a side entrance to the church near the town of Connoquenessing to distribute water to families whose well water has been contaminated by hydraulic fracturing.
HELP FOR MT. PLEASANT CHURCH AFTER FIRE
Posted June 8, 2021
Early on the morning of May 24, a fire destroyed Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Darlington. Fire crews from more than eight companies responded. No one was in the building and none of the first responders were hurt. The fire had a devastating effect on the building.
Hymnals Available…
Songs of Faith and Praise (blue) — Howard Publishing Co., Inc., 1994
The Hymnbook (red) — Presbyterian Denominations, 1955
If you are interested in having them, contact ChrisAnn Goossen or call the office at 724-452-7515 X112.
