EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH EC NATIONAL NEWS
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EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH
EC NATIONAL NEWS
100 WEST PARK AVENUE, MYERSTOWN, PA 17067
1-800-866-7581 www.eccenter.com SPRING 2020
A Message from Our Bishop
I don’t think there is any aspect of our lives and ministries that has not been
impacted by this pandemic. It truly is a historic time in our lives.
Our National Conference was scheduled to meet at Messiah College this May.
That was the plan until March 30 when I received an email informing me that,
because of the pandemic, Messiah College would not be able to host Conference.
Our National Ministry Team (NMT), met on April 16 to talk about “Plan B.”
After a good conversation, the Team unanimously voted to cancel National
Conference for 2020. So, what happens now?
First, most of the business that was scheduled to take place during National
Conference 2020 will wait until National Conference 2021; including the election of the next Bishop of
our denomination, the amendments to our Discipline, as well as, the normal items of business.
In May, the members of National Conference, that is pastors and lay delegates, will receive a packet of
reports which would have been part of the normal report packet. In that packet you will find the proposed
2021 budget. Please be aware this is the proposed budget and may be changed by the NMT in October.
We will be sure to share the final adopted budget, the plan for the transition in the office of Bishop and all
other decisions made during the NMT meeting in October.
I am not sure when we will return to “normal.” However, in some ways I pray we never do! We are
living in a historic time, perhaps what some would call a “hinge point” when we change direction toward
a “new normal.” I cannot tell you exactly what that “new normal” will look like. But I do know, and I can
assure you, that our wonderful Savior and Lord Jesus will lead us. May the Lord continue to bless his
people, his church, the Evangelical Congregational Church, as we faithfully follow him and minister in
his name.
In Christ’s Service,
Cottage Grove gets a Camp ECCO celebrates In 1958, Gene Suciu of Canton,
Ohio, First Church heard that a
makeover 60th anniversary farm was for sale near Carrollton,
On Saturday, May 25, 2019, a Ohio. The 110-acre property had
crowd gathered at Camp ECCO, lakes, wooded areas, open fields,
Carrollton, Ohio to celebrate the and several small buildings. An
camp’s sixtieth anniversary. The original barn is still the center of
event commemorated the camp’s much activity. The Western
dedication, which took place on Conference purchased the land in
May 30, 1959. 1959, and the first camps were
Some came the preceding held in 1961.
evening for a campfire, activities, Bishop Harold Scanlin led the
and overnight stay. The day service of consecration. The first
On April 28, 2019, Cottage included a picnic lunch in the camp committee, who were to
Grove E.C. Church of Akron, Ohio recently built pavilion. Following oversee maintenance and
held a “Renovation Sunday” to the meal, Charles Orf of Emlenton, development, were elected by the
celebrate recent improvements to PA, New Zion was baptized in the Western Conference. They were
their building. In the fall of 2018, lake by pastor Gary Brown. pastors Paul Dunn, Bill Ring,
proposed changes were presented The oldest person present was Richard Osberg, Sr., Fred
in a congregational meeting. Plans Helen Dunn, age 97, of Akron, Cunningham, and Ronald Long.
were approved, and the work Ohio First Church. Coming in Laymen were Bill Carr, Roy Sipe,
began in December with window second was Rev. George Ralph, and Gene Suciu.
replacement. age 96, of Jupiter, Florida. He led Special thanks to Mark Reigle.
In February of 2019, the church in prayer before the meal. The
had a “Demo Day” to remove youngest present was eleven-day-
pews and tear up carpet. This was old Jack Elwood Fusselman, son of
followed by the painting crew, Weston and Alexa Fusselman of
who put a dark varnish on ceiling Knox, PA.
arches, painted the chandeliers a The gathering moved to the
matching brown, and stained the chapel, where Camp Board
kneeling rails, pulpit, and other Chairman, Mark Reigle, described
furniture to match. The sanctuary, the camp’s history. Bishop Bruce
nursery, foyer, men’s restroom, Hill led a service of rededication.
and pastor’s office all got a fresh Some of the attendees stayed into Churches unite for
coat of paint. the evening. mutual benefit
New carpet was then installed
During the last few years,
in the sanctuary, nursery, and
Winnebago Evangelical
pastor and secretary’s offices. The
Fellowship in Winnebago, Illinois,
well-worn pews were replaced
dwindled to a few faithful
with chairs.
worshipers, most in their sixties.
The sound system was
When their last pastor, Dennis
upgraded. More energy-efficient
Buss retired, a replacement was
lighting was installed in the
not immediately available. The
fellowship area and classrooms. Camp ECCO (Evangelical board appointed Lay Delegate,
LED bulbs were placed in the Congregational Camp Vivian Gaines, to schedule pulpit
Sanctuary lights. Organization) grew out of the supplies. These included pastors,
The special service was vision of several pastors in the musicians, and the church’s own
followed by a lunch. Sherri Sitz is early 1940’s. By 1946, camps elders.
Head Trustee and says she was were being held on the rented Meanwhile, Park Hills
“kind of the project manager.” grounds of Beulah Beach on Evangelical Free Church of
Pastor is Bill White, and Andrew western Lake Erie in Ohio. Camps Freeport, about 25 miles away, had
Carr was recently appointed to the were also held at Camp Otyokwah started a church in the nearby
pastoral staff. near Hocking Hills, Ohio. Leaders Westlake Village subdivision. The
prayed for an E.C. camp, where congregation consisted mostly of
they could have more freedom in young families. Their pastor,
scheduling and rent to other Graham Boll of Dixon, grew up
groups.
near Rock River Bible Camp and board about Gary’s interest. Dave Since its founding in 2001, the
accepted Christ through that met with them on September 4. church had met in a school
ministry. Chris Stuckenberg, one The following day, Rich cafeteria, a fire station, and other
of the pastors at Park Hills, lived in contacted Mike Reinders, a leader locations.
Westlake Village and invested in the Fellowship. The two met for Then, they purchased the
time in the new church. lunch on September 7. As they former Log Cabin Bar and
The young congregation was talked about possible arrangements Restaurant at 5504 Bushkill Falls
meeting in a community building, between the two churches, the Road, near the entrance to the
where they had to set up and tear conversation quickly turned to Bushkill Falls tourist area. The
down each week. Also, there were merger. That afternoon, Mike purchase was made possible with a
no spaces for children’s ministries. spoke with another leader, Paul denominational loan and
They desired a more suitable and Elsen, about the merger possibility. contributions from churches and
permanent facility. Mark Balmer, He then shared with the adult individuals. With the direction of
lead pastor at Park Hills, drove Sunday School class most of contractor, Julian Lenhart,
through Winnebago, hoping to find whom are on the board demolition and remodeling
a possible site. He spotted the Next, he spoke with Bishop Hill spanned about two years.
Fellowship building and wondered about next steps. Mike comments,
if a rental agreement could be “All this was with a Kingdom-
worked out. Mark shared his find building thought process."
with fellow staff member, Rich By fall, Park Hills staff and
Graham, a former E.C.’er, who both congregations were moving
was well-acquainted with toward merger, rather than shared
Winnebago. He had worked there space. Gary met with the staff and
as an intern with Pastor Ken was offered a part-time position in
Schmoyer. Winnebago, serving with Graham
Boll, who would be campus pastor.
Gary planned to arrive in July. A service of dedication was
On November 25, the two held on May 5, 2019, and
congregations came together for a neighbors were invited to a series
morning service in Winnebago, of campfires during the summer.
with pulpit supply by Park Hills. Bushkill Community is the only
They joined for worship again on church building in the township
December 30 and shared a pot- currently operating as a place of
At the same time, a former luck meal. worship. Their worship and
Winnebago pastor, Gary Brown, By January of 2019, the two fellowship area accommodates
who was at Emlenton, PA, New groups were meeting regularly in around 50.
Zion was contemplating Winnebago. Gary helped the Pastor Paul Miller, who is
retirement. Gary and Rich had a Fellowship with the process of assisted by wife, Lynda,
casual conversation in March of closing. On Palm Sunday, April comments, “Hope, Heal, and Help
2018, when Rich came to sit with 14, a dinner and service honored is what we’re all about.”
the Browns in a LaGrange those who had founded Winnebago
hospital, where their son, Chris, Evangelical Fellowship 40 years
was critically ill. Rich asked Gary before, and celebrated the new
Ministry continues in
what he wanted to do in work. At the end of the month, the Tallmadge, Ohio
retirement, and Gary shared his vote to merge made it official, and In 2007, Pastor Tim and Pam
dream of returning to Winnebago. Park Hills Evangelical Free Ream came from Pennsylvania to
Rich described the Westlake work, Church was launched. Tallmadge, Ohio to take on the
and the two thought it possible the Thanks to Mike Reinders and restart ministry of the former
churches could benefit each other. Gary Brown for supplying details. Akron United E.C. Church, the
Gary met with Bishop Bruce merger of the Airport Chapel and
Hill the following August, saying Bushkill church occupies Tallmadge Avenue Churches.
he would like to go to Winnebago After nearly 20 years of ministry,
to help. Bruce gave District Field new building the congregation was struggling to
Director, Dave Carr the go-ahead On March 17, 2019, the continue.
to speak with the Fellowship’s congregation of Bushkill While both worked at full-time
Community Church began meeting jobs, Tim and Pam led the new
in its first permanent location.work, which was re-named The New Hope Tallmadge. Several married Jonah Walp May 12,
Community at New Direction. New Direction families continue to 2019. The wedding took place at
They were joined by Pam’s attend. Wedgewood Park E.C. Church,
parents, Skip and Judy They soon did an interior Youngstown, Ohio, with Rev.
Reinheimer, who contributed makeover and offered the James Hansen, grandfather of the
practical help. All four had community an addiction recovery bride officiating.
worked with The Salvation Army. program. Luke Miller is Assistant
Committed lay people also took Pastor. Degrees
part. On July 14, 2019, the Reams
The congregation never became began a new ministry at Bethany Rev. Michael Garrison, of First
large, but significant ministries E.C. Church in Lehighton, PA. E.C. Church, Canton, Ohio was
were seen. Tim recalls a healing Thank you to the Reams. awarded the Master of Divinity in
service, were individuals found Pastoral Ministry and Biblical
needed closure. He also observed Studies Degree by Wesley
great personal growth. Pam adds, Seminary of Indiana Wesleyan
“We did a lot for the community. University, Marion, Indiana on
We were God’s hands and feet. Family News April 27, 2019.
That included assisting the staff of
a clinic for uninsured patients, Welcome, Baby While pastor at
contributing to their health with a New Zion E.C.
community garden. Pastor Yoriyoshi and Emiko Church,
In late 2018, Pam’s employer, Abe of the Ebina City Grace Emlenton, PA, Rev. Gary Brown
Aesculap, a distributor of surgical Garden Church in completed the Doctor of Ministry
instruments, notified her that Japan have new Degree from Northeastern
instead of working from home, as daughter, Wakana, Seminary of Roberts Wesleyan
she had been doing, she would born on February 21. She has a University, Rochester, New York
need to move east and work in an big sister, Kanae. on May 17, 2019.
office. She and Tim prepared to
move, knowing it would mean the Citizenship Ordinations
conclusion of New Direction.
Though much saddened, they Missionary, Bettina Schaeffer, Rev. Yoriyoshi Abe, pastor of
prayed that a new ministry would a native of Germany, became a Ebina City Grace Garden Church
take over the site. The Reams, United States citizen on August 8, in Japan, was ordained on
along with Skip and Judy, moved 2019. She serves with husband, November 9, 2019, at Sagamihara
to Center Valley, PA in December. Robert, in LIFE Ministries in New Grace Chapel. Wife is Emiko.
York City, as well as the United Rev. Nobuo Abe, Chairman of the
Presbyterian Church in St. Clair, E.C. Church of Japan, conducted
PA the service. Message was by
Rev. Michael
Weddings Sigman, pastor
at Grace
Rev. Jonathan Brown, pastor Community
of the Pequea (Gap, PA) and Mt. Church, Willow
At the same time, a young Culmen (East Earl, PA), E.C. Street, PA.
congregation, New Hope, was Churches, married Rebekah Moss
praying for a facility. Led by on May 4, 2019. The wedding took Rev. Michael
Pastor Todd Tacket, they started as place at Grace E.C. Church, Knapp, pastor at Clark’s Valley
a small group, meeting on a Akron, PA, with Bishop Bruce Hill Zion E.C. Church, was ordained in
friend’s deck. They moved to a officiating. his church on October 13, 2019.
YMCA, then a cultural center. Wife is Ruth. Message was by
They learned that the Amy Wells, Rev. Wilmer Martin, Associate
Tallmadge property, which stepdaughter and Pastor at Willow Street Grace
includes the church, a parsonage, daughter of Pastor Community Church. Bishop
and grounds, was for sale. Within Charles and Bruce Hill and Bishop Emeritus,
a few months, the congregation Annette Campbell Michael Sigman conducted the
completed the purchase, becoming of the Delightful, service of ordination. Other
E.C. Church, Ohioparticipants were Rev. Bruce and worked with Child Evangelism their “Harty Puppets” ministry and
Linda Sellers, Rev. Timothy Fellowship and taught in the their deep commitment to short-
Seiger, Rev. Gordon Lewis, Rev. Clarion County Home School term missions.
Kenneth Ogden, Edith Kuntz, and Association. He is survived by
Joshua Kobel. wife, Carolyn; daughter, Christina; Catherine Appleby, passed
and son, Stephen. He was away on September 4, 2019. She
Marisel Mieses of Buenas preceded in death by son, James. served as lay delegate at Akron,
Nuevas E.C. Church, West First (OH) church.
Hazelton, PA, was ordained a Ruth L. Parr, 97, of Canton,
Deaconess on November 3, 2019 Ohio passed away on April 8, Peggy Heck, 85, of
during the church’s regular 2019. She was the wife of the late, Southington, Ohio passed away on
worship service. Participants Arthur Parr, a Lay Delegate for September 17, 2019. She served
included Bishop Bruce Hill, First E.C. Church. She was a several years as Lay Delegate for
Rev. Jeffrey Byerly, Ministerial Sunday School teacher and Delightful E.C. Church and was a
Development Associate, and musician. Ruth was a worker at Western Conference trustee. She
Rev. James Price, Schuylkill Camp ECCO during its early days. was active in Sunday School,
District Field Director. Marisel She is also remembered for her missions, and the Camp ECCO
and husband, Edwin, share homemade apple pies and board. She is survived by her
ministry at Buenas Nuevas. crocheted gifts. She is survived by husband, Richard; daughter,
daughters, Nancy and Miriam, and Belinda Jane, a retired missionary;
Retirements sons, Richard, Mark, and Timothy. and son, Jerry. She was preceded
in death by a grandson.
At National Conference, 2019, Llewellyn C. Gower, 76, of
the following pastoral couples Lehighton, PA passed away on Evelyn H. Zetterberg, 88, of
were recognized May 6, 2019. He was an alternate Loveland, Ohio passed away on
for retirement: Lay Delegate for November 19, 2019.
Sterling and Jolie Trimmer the former St. She was the wife of
from Red Lion, PA Arlington Peter’s E.C. the late Rev. Robert
David and Dana Swift from Church of Zetterberg, assisting
Myerstown, PA Zion Weissport. He him in ministries in
Richard and Debbie Osberg was recently a Ohio and Illinois.
from Knox, PA Grace member of “Ev” was born in
Robert and Beth Mavis from Bethany church in Lehighton. Chicago and taught school in
Transfer, PA Lakeside “Lou” was a Viet Nam war Canyon Falls, Kentucky. Burial
David and Christie Dennis, veteran, having served in the was in Dixon, Illinois. She is
other employment Navy. He was a firefighter and a survived by sons, Robert and Bill,
Charles and Annette Little League baseball coach. He and daughters, Sandra and Kari.
Campbell, continuing to serve at is survived by wife, Darlene; She was preceded in death by
Southington, Ohio Delightful daughter, Heather, wife of grandchildren, Joshua and Kristin.
Gary and Ann Brown from Rev. Todd Wolfe; and son, Travis. Rev. Glenn Hansen is a brother.
Emlenton, PA New Zion. He was preceded in death by son,
Justin. Rev. Kenneth L. Zaebst, 67, of
Jefferson, Ohio passed away on
Remembering loved Norma Aston, passed away on November 20, 2019. He attended
ones… July 12, 2019. She served as lay the Kingsville First Baptist
delegate of Conestoga, Bethel Church. Ken served the E.C.
Rev. John C. “Jack” Ward, church as well as on the Board of Church as an interim in Tallmadge,
78, of Ninevah (Knox), PA passed Trustees of the Evangelical School Ohio and Hooppole, Illinois. He
away on February 27, 2019. He of Theology, Myerstown enjoyed writing poetry, astronomy,
was member of Grace E.C. reading and bicycling. He is
Church. He served in the United Helen Hart, passed away on remembered for “hanging out” at
States Air Force and taught school August 12, 2019. She served as McDonald’s, where he ministered
before entering the ministry. Jack lay delegate of Leesport, Bethany to employees and fellow patrons.
pastored churches in PA, Ohio, church. She and her late husband He is survived by his mother,
and Illinois and was Western Bill were well known throughout Joyce; brother, Steven; and sisters,
Conference Superintendent for the EC church and the area for Sue and Linda.
eight years. In retirement, heRev. Paul F. Koelln, 66 of Ruth Hynson, 90, of Center in ministries in Ohio and in his
DeLeon, Texas passed away on Point, Iowa, passed away on work as Western Conference
November 30, 2019. He grew up February 20, 2020. She was the Superintendent. Helen was a long-
in New Hampshire and began wife of the late Rev. Leon Hynson, time member of First E.C. Church
ministry in South Dakota and a pastor and seminary president. in Akron. She was a counselor at
Nebraska. He served E.C. Ruth lived in seven different states. Camp ECCO during its early days.
churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania She had a Master of Library She is survived by son, Joseph, and
from 1980 to 2002. He was forced Science Degree from the daughter, Julie.
to retire when a fall left him University of Iowa. She is
significantly disabled. He was survived by sons, Leon, Jonathan, Rev. H. Robert Samuels of
gifted both in music and in and David. She is remembered for Myerstown, PA passed away April
preaching. He is survived by wife, working alongside them in 23, 2020. Bob was licensed out of
Marcia; sons, Gregory and construction. St. Paul’s Evangelical
Timothy; and daughter, Jamie. Congregational Church,
Rothsville, PA in 1953 and was a
Dr. John E. Moyer, 87, of member of the first graduating
Myerstown, PA passed away on class of Evangelical Seminary.
December 4, 2019. While During his long life of service to
attending college and seminary, he the Lord and the EC Church, Bob
pastored churches in PA. He had served thirteen different
both honorary and earned congregations both as an Assistant
doctorates. He was Superintendent Pastor and Senior Pastor. He
of the Western District of the retired in 1996. Rev. Samuels was
Eastern Conference and Bishop of predeceased by his wife, Esther.
the denomination. He taught at He is survived by daughters Jan
Evangelical Seminary. John co- (Forsyth), Luanne (Vesho), sons
authored the book, Evangelical Randy, Jon Mark, Scott and
from the Beginning, a history of a brother Joel, brother-in-law to
the E.C. Church. He is survived by Helen J. Dunn, 98, of Jackson retired pastor Ed Vondran.
wife, Dorothy, and sons, John, Township in Ohio passed away on
David, and Timothy. March 9, 2020. She grew up in Cheryl Robinson, passed away
Cedarville, Illinois, where she met April 5, 2020. She served as lay
her husband, the late Dr. Paul delegate at Lancaster, Faith
Dunn, who was in his first church.
pastorate there. She assisted him
P.S.
It has been a little over a year since I have written an E.C. National News. I hope my move from Pennsylvania to
Illinois is an acceptable excuse.
In doing some catch-up, I have reported events of a year ago, hoping that some of the content still has some newness.
The list of departed loved ones has grown long. As I gathered items, the overriding theme of church change became
apparent. I tried to be concise, but articles got long as I described God’s working in ways we could not imagine.
I hope this newsletter serves as a connection in our E.C. world during this difficult season.
Ann Brown, Editor
204 South Elida Street
Winnebago, Illinois 61088
815-335-5230
Gary1780@juno.comYou can also read
