On June 21,2007 Virginia Yoder, two daughters, Louise and Twyla and daughter-in-law Audrey traveled to Harford, CT to attend the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ.  While there they attended the celebration of Honored Laywomen which was initiated as part of the United Church of Christ Women in Mission program at the Fourteenth General Synod in 1983 (Pittsburgh). 

The three women chosen from CPC to attend were Aleita Haas-Holcombe, from First Congregational UCC, Corvallis, OR; Becky Martin from First Congregational, Ashland, OR; and our own Virginia Yoder from Smyrna UCC, Canby OR. Since 1983 over 1,500 women have been honored at General Synod, and thousands more in Conferences which lifted up all their laywomen. 

While at Synod they heard keynote speakers Bill Moyers and Senator Barrack Obama.  It was an amazing event for them and they all have stories to tell of the trip!

--- Virginia

Being able to take part in the “Let It Shine—UCC at 50 Years” 26th General Synod in Hartford, CN, this June was a highlight of the year for me.  My daughter –in-law, Audrey Yoder, and daughters, Twyla Blatchford and Louise Adams, shared the trip with me.  We flew back Thursday, June 21 to be there for registration on Friday at the Civic Center.  We also visited some of the 96  exhibits in the area.  In the free time we took a bus to the nearby Elizabeth Gardens and Park—a beautiful collection of roses trained in arbors plus flowers of all varieties.  Since Harriet Beecher Stowe’s and Mark Twain’s homes were on the bus route, we had a short stop off there. 

Saturday was the full day with 36 workshops available including Bill Moyers, journalist and minister, and Barack Obama, UCC member from Chicago.  We all were inspired by both speakers then split up to fill in the time from the other speakers and music groups which were in churches and halls throughout the city.

Sunday was the Banquet Celebration of Gifts of the UCC Laywomen.  There were 65 women being honored plus many guests.  I hope to share the booklet which includes the program and information on all the Laywomen honored.  I felt privileged to be included.

We attended the Worship Services, both afternoon and evening, at the Civic Center.  Rev. John Thomas was the preacher for the day.  The inspirational service ended with communion served by tincture to about 9,000 seated.

Since we were not delegates for the business meeting, we rented a car to see more of the New England States.  We walked around “Sturbridge Village” in Massachusetts to see several demonstrations of work done in the fashion of 1790 to 1840.  We also visited a Shaker village established in the late 1800’s.  Since the members remain celibate, the group did not grow and there are now only four people left up in Maine.

There are many beautiful places in the New England area but our plane tickets were for us to leave Thursday at noon.  We were back in CN when an electric storm kept the planes on the ground.  With our plans changed, we drove to New York City to see some new sights there while waiting until early (6 a.m.!) Sunday to come home.  We found there’s no place like home!

—Virginia Yoder—

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Who is the new minister?

My name is Dave Akers.  I recently moved to the Pacific Northwest with my wife, Jean.  We have two children.  Ben is 26 and lives in Madison, Wisconsin.  Josie is 23 and lives in Kansas City, Missouri.  Josie will be getting married on August 25th in Philadelphia where she grew up, so I am already planning on missing a Sunday. (Click on photo to see larger picture. ---Ed.)

 Jean is a landscape architect and works for the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department.  We moved to this area to support her career.

I attended McCormick Seminary in Chicago, a Presbyterian school and served as a student pastor while in seminary.  I was the pastor of a small church in Cicero, Illinois while starting an insurance career.   I have had a varied career with 5 years in the ministry and 29 years in insurance, some of which have overlapped.  This is my second interim ministry assignment.

My current status with the United Church of Christ is approved for ordination subject to a call.  Working with you qualifies as a call and I should be ordained in the next few months.

We will be living in Vancouver.   I plan to be at the church on Thursdays and Sundays, and whenever else there are scheduled activities and meetings.  I would love to meet each of you individually and will try to schedule visits around other church activities.

The easiest way to contact me is on my cell phone- 503-927-3681.   You may also contact me via e-mail: dakers5458@aol.com.  I will “stand by the door and knock” but it will be easier for me if you invite me over.  I am interested in getting to know you, learning what your favorite hymns are, praying with you, and hearing what you need from the church.

I look forward to worshipping with you. 

Peace  --- Dave Akers

Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Bride and Groom

On July 21, 2007 Kristin Daniels and Matt Patterson exchanged marriage vows in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Dr. Kurt Smidt-Jernstrom and the Rev. Linda Mines-Elliott.  Kristin and Matt will be living in Southern California.  (Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo.)

Thomas Daniels Web Consulting