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Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Ps. 127:1) 2 The Sixties and Beyond As Westminster Presbyterian Church entered the sixties, the new building (which encompassed sanctuary, fellowship hall, office and kitchen) was completed and functioning. The membership was increasing; we had joined the Ann Arbor- Washtenaw Council of Churches in 1958; and essential needs were being met. In January of 1964 Pastor Miller advised the Session he would be candidating for the position of associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland. He was offered this position; he accepted, and his letter of resignation as pastor of Westminster was submitted January 13, 1964. The reasons cited for this change included his growing interest in Biblical theology, concern for adult Christian education, and a need for ministry of the laity. His farewell sermon was preached on February 2, 1964. A congregational meeting was called to dissolve the pastoral relationship and the pulpit was declared vacant on that date. The Millers moved February 4 after eight fruitful years of service in organizing and establishing a new church. Mr. Miller has since held pastorates in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, and is now director of a retirement community in Columbus, Ohio. the sixties and beyond—25
A pastoral nominating committee consisting of Reuben Beuerle, chairman, James Avery, Hempstead Bull, Patty Jenkins, Lloyd MacDonald, Lois March, George Odiorne, and Helen West was appointed to initiate a search for a new minister. Dr. Frank Fitt, a retired pastor from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, announced he would like to donate his services during the time the committee made its search, allowing his anticipated salary to be used for expenses of the pastoral committee. His gracious offer was appreciatively accepted and he was invited to attend Session meetings, if he desired, as pulpit supply. A reception and gift were presented in Dr. Fitt’s honor June 28, 1964. In subsequent years he was welcomed as vacation supply preacher on numerous occasions and has continued to be an avid supporter of and contributor to the church library. Rev. Paul Dotson of the Ecumenical Campus Center at the University of Michigan filled in during the summer of 1964. On July 5, 1964, at a special congregational meeting called after worship, Reuben Beuerle, chairman of the Pastoral Nominating Committee, presented the name of the Reverend Mr. Charles J. Gensheimer as the committee’s choice of candidate and “Reverend G,” as he was to become known, was called by unanimous vote to become the second pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. A native of New York City, Mr. Gensheimer had received a bachelor of arts degree from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, and his master of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. After four years as assistant pastor for youth work at Cherry Hill United Presbyterian Church in Dearborn, Michigan, he was called to the Grace Community United Presbyterian Church in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, to serve as pastor. He returned to Dearborn briefly to claim Miss Anneliese Hoffmann as his bride on June 21, 26—the first twenty-five years
Page 2: Window on Westminster
Page 5 and 6: © 2006 by Westminster Presbyterian
Page 8: Contents The First Twenty-Five Year
Page 12 and 13: DEDICATION to The First Twenty-Five
Page 14: Theology we have left to the theolo
Page 17 and 18: 16—the first twenty-five years Re
Page 19 and 20: ten) membership had increased to 10
Page 21 and 22: January 7, 1957, with Samuel Porter
Page 23 and 24: the early years!) authorization of
Page 25: day, January 11. A community open h
Page 29 and 30: work of the church in our part of t
Page 31 and 32: month was out. Chairman MacDonald r
Page 33 and 34: 32—the first twenty-five years Th
Page 35 and 36: God moves in mysterious ways - and
Page 37 and 38: The formal dedication service was a
Page 39 and 40: ing lot were necessary as was a new
Page 41 and 42: Porter), baptismal urn, appliances
Page 43 and 44: After maturity to self-support and
Page 45 and 46: 44—the first twenty-five years Ad
Page 47 and 48: Massachusetts under the care of the
Page 49 and 50: children invited to participate. Ex
Page 51 and 52: choice of three study courses each
Page 53 and 54: Good Scotsman Lloyd MacDonald, surr
Page 55 and 56: proofread”) in a new Church Recor
Page 57 and 58: cern, anxiety and uncertainty ensue
Page 59 and 60: Assembly rules. In April 1957 a dra
Page 61 and 62: wedding and other receptions. These
Page 63 and 64: who have joined Westminster during
Page 65 and 66: 64—the first twenty-five years
Page 67 and 68: There are of course many loyal memb
Page 69 and 70: held frequently at the home of Mart
Page 71 and 72: Audio aids, installed in several fr
Page 73 and 74: of assistance. Volunteers staff the
Page 75 and 76: in St. Andrews Hall, and other proj
Page 77 and 78:
oard of deacons in 1978 however, Se
Page 79 and 80:
irthday, she chaired the Associatio
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80—the first twenty-five years
Page 83 and 84:
gratitude. Our appreciation never w
Page 86:
The Story Continues 1981-2006 Anne
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leadership increased to meet the ne
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The Rev. Richard Miller was Westmin
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to complete its work. On May 21, 19
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gation received a letter from Assoc
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was in place. Larry Woodruff served
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With the arrival of Stephen Carl as
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100—the story continues
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While the staff search committee wa
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In June 2000 a Vacation Bible Schoo
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Westminster teens sort food they co
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Adult Ministries The spiritual grow
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
led the choir in the performance of
Page 115 and 116:
sition she had held since the churc
Page 117 and 118:
as arrangements for our choirs. In
Page 119 and 120:
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gregational input was needed. Dr. J
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quet - all concluding with a celebr
Page 125 and 126:
the concrete beams for the main flo
Page 127 and 128:
Stephen Murray speaks at dedication
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Page 131 and 132:
130—the story continues In 1998,
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132—the story continues A friends
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Kornfield (Brazil), Mark and Gwen P
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of adopting six needy area families
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The men have sponsored a Halloween
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The Session of 1986 gathers for a p
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142—the story continues Members o
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Wherever the path leads, one consta
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1964 February 2 Pulpit declared vac
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1989 Long term sponsorship of missi
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1999 June Visioning Task Force repo
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154
Page 157 and 158:
First Session of Elders, 1956 Josep
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158
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