Historian Annual Report 1986-87

HISTORIAN ANNUAL REPORT 1986-87

The year 1986-87 may be the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, but at First Church, Montclair, a more appropriate term might be "The Year of the Child." The first Vacation Church School in decades was held during August. The staff, comprised of experienced teachers, including Park and Normie Diekerson, and other volunteers from the congregation, was under the direction of Allen Benner, a student at Lancaster Seminary.   Approximately three dozen two-to-nine-year-olds attended.

In the fall the Mothers' Morning Out program began its fifth year at full enrollment, and on Sunday the church school classes, directed by Scott and Shari Coronis, were enthusiastically attended. Normie Diekerson even introduced the older children to the use of the computer, a skill that many of their parents have not yet acquired.

A special event in the life of the church was the December ordination and installation of Rich Pfeiffer as associate minister. Neither service is an everyday occurrence, and for both to happen together is a rare event. In July Rich became a part of the church staff and began to work with the church school children. In the fall, after he had visited the young adults in the church family, he initiated and conducted a series of monthly discussion groups for young adults, and accompanied a group of young people to the Catskills for a weekend of winter sports. During the month of January Park Diekerson had the opportunity to attend a seminar at Oxford University on international ministries and the future of the church; Rich was present to fill in for Park's absence and often in the pulpit.

Other changes occurred in the church staff. After Joan Kalkman's retirement Barbara Vreeland expended her duties as financial secretary to cover the secretary's office as well, and volunteers from the congregation filled in as receptionists several mornings a week. Debby Evans joined the staff as part-time secretary and assistant to Park Diekerson.

Another noteworthy event was the church's establishment of the Gregory Lectureship series at Lancaster Seminary to honor Paul and Kit Gregory on the occasion of Paul's retirement from the United Church Board of World Ministries. The Gregorys moved away to their retirement home, as did Virginia Cambreleng, the Carswells and the Pahls.   All are long-time members of this congregation.

Members of the Woman's Guild, aided by their families, friends, and the male members of the congregation, culminated a summer of Tuesday workdays with their successful September rummage sale and just two months later produced a Christmas Country Store.

An extensive telephone system was installed that facilitates contacting people in the farthest corners of the church buildings, and also operates the back doors off the parking lot more easily. The Physical Properties Committee wrestled with the ever-present difficulties of the elderly heating system; conversion of the second boiler from oil to gas was postponed until the problem of the dangerous insulation is corrected. Work to repair the masonry on the north side of the church will begin in June, and the congregation was asked to address the questions of the new sign for the front lawn of the sanctuary and the design of the Memorial Garden.

In addition to the regular events on the church calendar, the church festivals were heightened by the Guild Christmas tea, the Lenten Bible study classes, the two services of Lessons and Carols, and a Christmas Story Service written and directed by Shari Coronis. Guest preachers often addressed the Sunday Forum as well. The congregation enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Dickersons and the fellowship of the pot luck suppers, the June picnic, the church school brunches, and the coffee hours after services. At the end of April we were given a special treat when the Garden Club of Montclair held its spring flower show, appropriately entitled "Alleluia!," in our sanctuary, narthex, anteroom, and dining room. Only during Advent does the sanctuary approach the beauty we enjoyed during the display.,

Nixon Bicknell's musical contribution to the life of the church was never less than first-rate, and in retrospect the organ seems to have developed fewer ciphers than other years. Two new members, Vic Magliacane and Dina Ipavic, joined the choir. Nixon also left the choir loft immediately after service most Sundays to work with the church school students. Perhaps the youngsters are the nucleus of what may eventually become a junior choir.

Last, the children continue to provide what many members of the congregation consider one of the high points of the Sunday service. The youngsters hurry down the aisle to join Park, Rich and Scott on the chancel steps for Park's children's sermon. Their enthusiasm is evident in their lively, sometimes unquenchable responses to Park's comments. It is unfortunate that the members of the congregation who sit in the rear of the church probably miss a good portion of the exchanges. If it is true that the future lies in the hands of the children, the future of First Church promises to be a happy and healthy one.

Janet Johnston