2010 at First Presbyterian

Mary Lou Pancy joined the staff as choir director and organist in January of 2010. Evelyn Haas shared her recipe for “Cucumber Canapes” with us in The SPIRE! February plans were made to combine Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services with Faith Presbyterian and Church of the Palms. We assembled Hygiene Kits for earthquake victims in Haiti guided by Mary McMartin, and delighted in a pancake supper in celebration of Shrove Tuesday. In March the Session announced monetary gifts from Ray Tracte, in memory of his wife Alice, to purchase dishes, flatware, and glasses for our kitchen, and a gift from Pat Stokely, in memory of her husband Joe, for the purchase of 300 new large print Pew Bibles. During April the delightfully surprising Wildlife Zoo came to visit after our Fellowship Dinner. Librarian Muffy Keen recommended several new books that had arrived in our library. Sun City historian, Connie McMillan, talked about the exciting birth of Sun City following our May Fellowship Dinner. 

June 2010 brought the need of a Pastoral Nominating Committee to search for a pastor for First Presbyterian. The fourth annual Vacation Bible School, “Celebrating the “Joy of the Lord,” which examined humor in Christian life, welcomed 84 joyful participants. In August, Interim Pastor Rev. Deborah Kehle accepted a call to Goleta Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, CA. Barbara Anderson, for many years a teacher on a Navajo reservation, donated a copy of her book of experiences to our library. On September 7th, Rev. Harrell Davis joined the staff at First Presbyterian as Interim Pastor. October 2010 brought a popular tai chi class to First Presbyterian, organized by Carol Arseth, R.N. Pastoral nominee Dr. Rev. Seville, nominee pastor on October 24th, was rejected by congregational vote. In November we enjoyed a delicious Turkey Dinner during Fellowship and were delighted with Twila Lampe’s piano and voice with her “Salute to Veterans.” Hazel Bacon organized twice-monthly bridge games open to all in the Fireside Room. On December 7,we had a wonderful tour of Christmas lights and walked through the fantasy of lights on the Mormon Tabernacle grounds. Walt McMartin and Rev. Zabriskie, both active in the Habitat for Humanity mission, announced the seventh home had been completed. After a Christmas ham dinner we enjoyed a piano concert in the Sanctuary. The Christmas chancel was beautiful with poinsettias arranged by the Deacons, and candles lighting the aisle. New members for the year of 2010 were Glenn and Vonda Hagen, Donna McCombie, Glen and Sharyl Moen, and Dean and Helen Woeller. 

~Donna Roth