Two months before Karen Parman trekked up Mt. Everest in Nepal, she posted on Facebook a picture of a primitive swinging bridge with this status line: Cancer was scary, but these suspension bridges I will have to face FREAK ME OUT!" Karen, a member of Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Pella, IA, was one of … Continue reading Karen Parman: Climbing mountains, facing fear
PCA GA accomplishes work without controversy
The following article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pp. 22-23 of the July 27, 2011, issue of Christian Renewal. Photos by "pcagal" linked from PCA GA website. When the 39th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) met from June 7-10, 2011, funding matters turned out to be a non-issue, while paedocommunion … Continue reading PCA GA accomplishes work without controversy
Doon URC’s long-expected pastor
The following article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 15 of the June 29, 2011 issue of Christian Renewal. After two and a half years of vacancy, Doon URC (Doon, IA) will welcome its own pastor at the end of June. The church called Simon Lievaart (a 2009 graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and a Canadian … Continue reading Doon URC’s long-expected pastor
Four years of vacancy nearing an end
Walker URC in Grand Rapids, MI, will soon have a minister after four years of a vacant pulpit. On May 8, 2011, Mr. Corey Dykstra, a 2011 graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, accepted a call to serve the Walker congregation, pending his successful completion of an ordination exam in Classis Michigan. Since sustaining his candidacy … Continue reading Four years of vacancy nearing an end
First URCNA pastors’ conference held
What began with a couple of men brainstorming at Synod 2010 came to fruition less than a year later in a 2011 URCNA pastors’ conference. During informal conversation at Synod last July, Rev. Harry Zekveld and Rev. Harold Miller discussed the idea of a conference for URCNA pastors. That idea became the “Serving the Lord with … Continue reading First URCNA pastors’ conference held
Parkland South organizes, calls pastor
Parkland South, a daughter church of Parkland Reformed Church in Ponoka, AB, has officially organized with eight officebearers and has called a pastor. The members of Parkland South met on April 21, under the supervision of elders from Parkland Reformed Church, to elect five elders and three deacons. They also voted to extend a call … Continue reading Parkland South organizes, calls pastor
Mobile Ministry: The Cammengas on pilgrimmage
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5 Few people have hearts more set on pilgrimage than Rev. Andrew Cammenga and his wife, Millie. When he retired from the regular duties of pastoral ministry eleven years ago, the couple climbed into their motor home … Continue reading Mobile Ministry: The Cammengas on pilgrimmage
URCNA Classis Central US ponders and prays
As with the previous meeting of Classis Central of the URCNA, its meeting on April 11-12, 2011 at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella was primarily held in executive session and was characterized by prayer. The meeting included a candidacy examination and several weighty pastoral issues. Classis concurred with the consistory of Covenant Reformed Church that … Continue reading URCNA Classis Central US ponders and prays
New Haven URC faces aftermath of fuel-oil spill
At the March meeting of Classis Eastern US of the URCNA, Rev Jeremy Veldman requested prayer as he reported that the New Haven URC (New Haven,VT) has been displaced from its church building due to a massive leak from an attic fuel-oil storage tank. The leak, triggered by a heating system failure, was discovered on … Continue reading New Haven URC faces aftermath of fuel-oil spill
Rev. William Godfrey ordained in Torrance, CA
The following article by Glenda Mathes appears in the April 6, 2011, issue of Christian Renewal. When William C. Godfrey was ordained on February 27, 2011, at Grace United Reformed Church in Torrance, CA, it was very nearly a family affair. While Rev. Gregory Bero (Grace URC’s pastor) presided over the ordination service, William’s father, … Continue reading Rev. William Godfrey ordained in Torrance, CA
Glenda Faye Mathes 