Our three Seminary professors, the three June graduates of our seminary who are now candidates for the ministry, and the seminarians have had many preaching assignments this summer. These men have filled in for vacationing ministers and have filled the pulpits of those of our churches which are vacant at this time. In the Grand Rapids area, Faith, Southeast, and Southwest Churches are without a pastor, while the congregation of Hope Church looks forward with no little anticipation to the return of their pastor, Rev. VanOverloop, on August 27. Rev. VanOverloop has been serving in Christchurch, New Zealand for the past nine months. 

Rev. James Slopsema declined the call he received from our Southeast congregation. Southeast Council has scheduled a congregational meeting for August 21 with the purpose of extending a call from the trio of Candidate Wilbur Bruinsma, Rev. Ronald VanOverloop, and Professor Herman Hanko. 

Southwest Church expects to hear from Rev. David Engelsma on August 20 as to whether he will accept their call to become their new pastor. The Southwest trio also included Candidate Richard Flikkema and Rev. Arie den Hartog. 

Rev. Engelsma recently declined a call from Faith Church. The new trio from Faith includes Candidate Wilbur Bruinsma, Rev. Arie den Hartog, and Professor Herman Hanko. Faith consistory has scheduled a congregational meeting for August 15 with the purpose of choosing one of these brethren to receive a call. 

Southwest Church has tentative plans to occupy their new church building on August 27. These plans hinge on whether or not the parking lot is ready. The men of the congregation have been busy in “work bees” taking care of the many tasks necessary to complete the building. The ladies are poised and ready with mop and cleanser to make the new building “spit and span.” Several weeks ago the new building was vandalized. Nearly all the windows on the south and west sides of the auditorium were broken. 

Those of our churches which are separated by many miles from other of our congregations must often have reading services in the absence of their pastors. This was the case for our congregation in Redlands, California, when their pastor and his family were on vacation the Sundays of August 13, 20, and 27. Attempts to secure pulpit supply from one of our other ministers or professors were unsuccessful. 

Rev. C. Hanko underwent surgery on his hip in July. At last report he has made a good recovery—so much so that he was able to lead a “Mini Course” for Protestant Reformed school teachers on August 10-12. 

Another of our” “retired” ministers, Rev. H. Veldman, has not exactly been sitting in his rocking chair of late. Rev. Veldman’s reported travels and preaching included stops in Minnesota, Iowa, Maine, and Michigan. 

The deacons in our churches have been providing an opportunity for our congregations to contribute to the newly formed Covenant Christian School in Lynden, Washington. This newest Protestant Reformed Christian School plans to begin classes this fall. 

Many of our churches schedule church picnics on the 4th of July holiday. Randolph met at the Randolph Park for a pot-luck. Doon, Hull, and Edgerton held their annual combined church picnic in the East Hull Park. Rev. Kamps was to speak at a short program. Loveland held theirs at the Fort Collins City Park. The program included games for children and adults. 

The young people of our Redlands congregation gave a breakfast for the senior members of the congregation on Saturday morning, June 24. They have also sponsored a weekly volleyball get together for fellowship and to raise funds for the 1979 Young People’s Convention. 

The Young People’s Society of Hull, Iowa, decided to schedule some summer activities in order to preserve contact and maintain fellowship while society does not meet. Four committees were formed, each of which was responsible for an activity—May through August. 

The Federation Board planned an outing for Michigan area young people on August 12 at P. J. Hoffmaster State Park on Lake Michigan. The 1978 Protestant Reformed Young People’s Convention is scheduled for South Holland, Illinois, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, August 21-25. 

—KGV