Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

At a special congregational meeting following the evening service on Sunday, March 27, the congregation of the First P.R.C. in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Rev. Ronald Van Overloop to become our second missionary to Jamaica. With him on that trio were the Revs. Haak and Gritters. 

The congregation of the Hope P.R.C. of Isabel, S.D. called Rev. Bekkering to be their pastor. With him on that trio were the Revs. Woudenberg and Houck. However, due to the difficulties that Pastor Bekkering is dealing with at the present time, he informed Hope that he could not consider their call at this time. Since that letter from Pastor Bekkering, Hope has formed a new trio consisting of the Revs. Koole, Woudenberg, and Houck. 

Rev. Kortering has declined the call he received from the First P.R.C. of Holland, Michigan. 

Two items from the Pella P.R.C. in Pella, Iowa: first, the consistory gave its approval to Pastor Terpstra to begin a Young Peoples’ Society for the purpose of studying the Bible and other current issues. On March 20 the Y.P.S. met for the first time and began a study of “The Signs of the Times” in Matthew 24. And second, the Building Committee was given authority to begin investigating possible plans for a new or different church building, because of the poor and deteriorating condition of their present building. 

Due to the fact that the steeple of the Kalamazoo P.R.C. in Kalamazoo, Michigan is now paid for, the consistory there has decided the collection that was assigned for this cause will now be used to raise funds for some new Psalters. 

The Council of the South Holland P.R.C. in South Holland, IL has appointed a Building Committee to investigate the possibility of enlarging the church parking lot, remodeling the balcony, erecting a new sign, updating the present parking lot lights, and adding additional rooms. 

The proposal for remodeling the sanctuary of the Southeast P.R.C. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was given unanimous approval by their congregation in late March. The project will begin as soon as materials can be ordered and received and should be completed by the end of May. It was also announced at this congregational meeting that a member of their congregation, who wished to remain anonymous, had offered to finance, without interest, the cost of air conditioning the sanctuary, additional cost for the narthex, and the cost of remodeling the sanctuary. 

The Building Committee of the First P.R.C. in Holland, Michigan invited members in the congregation to meet together on March 31 to paint their parsonage. 

All adults of the Grandville P.R.C. in Grandville, Michigan, were invited to Covenant Chr. High gym for an evening of fun and fellowship. Pizza was ordered and a good time was had by all who attended. 

On April 4 the Young People of First Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan sponsored a family roller-skating party at the Woodland Sport Center. 

This past Easter season many of our churches held special programs in commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The choir of the Loveland P.R.C. in Loveland, Colo. sponsored an Easter Singspiration. A free-will offering was taken for their new church kitchen. Likewise the young people of the Doon P.R.C. in Doon, Iowa sponsored an Easter Singspiration. 

The choir of the Hudsonville P.R.C. in Hudsonville, Michigan gave their usual fine effort on the Sunday before Easter. The Hope P.R.C. choir gave their Easter program a week later on Easter Sunday. The choir of Covenant Christian High School presented a Lent-Easter concert March 20 at the Hudsonville P.R.C. And the congregation of Pella P.R.C. in Pella, Iowa, was encouraged to stay for a half-hour of singing and special numbers. 

On Thursday, March 24, the students of Adams Street Christian School presented their all-school program at First Church in Grand Rapids. And on Friday, March 25, Covenant Christian School in Lynden, Washington gave their annual spring program. 

All those of 16 years and older in the Byron Center P.R.C. in Byron Center, Michigan, were urged to come to an evening that was advertised as a church potluck and volleyball night, March 29. Since for a short time yet Byron Center meets in a school gym for Sunday services, they have the distinction of being able to eat and play volleyball in their church auditorium. 

A parting shot taken from Across the Aisle of First Church in Grand Rapids: 

“Postage stamps are getting more expensive, but at least they have one attribute that most of us could emulate: they stick to one thing until they get there.” 

Several months ago I wrote to our sister church in New Zealand, requesting some facts that would allow me to put a profile of Wellington in our news column, possibly around the time that Rev. Miersma was installed as their pastor. 

The following information is a result of that request, and comes from Mr. B. van Herk, clerk of Wellington’s session, for which I thank him. 

“Some dates and events in the lead-up to the establishment of the Protestant Reformed Church in New Zealand, 

“The early nineteen fifties saw large numbers of Dutch immigrants coming to this country. Among those coming from Reformed backgrounds, only a small number joined themselves with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The vast majority, however, established their own church under the name of Reformed Church of NZ. The first six churches came into being in 1953 under the guidance and direction of two ministers brought out from the G.K.N. churches in the Netherlands. As the majority of church members came from this church, it became apparent that help and guidance was sought from this denomination. As the newly established church also favored a quick assimilation in the New Zealand way of life, efforts were made to attract also ministers from English-speaking churches compatible with the Reformed faith. The result of this was that for many years hereafter we saw ministers from the C.R.C. of U.S.A. and O.P.C. of U.S.A., serving the Reformed Church of NZ. 

“This diversity of ministry also caused some minor divisions in this denomination. The question of Sabbath observance was hotly debated, and a gravamen against the teaching of the Westminster Confession of Faith was a regular feature on the agenda of Synod for many years hereafter. 

“The late sixties and early seventies saw new controversies arising in the church, mostly caused by the writings of Prof. Runia, who at that time taught theology at the Reformed Theological College in Geelong, Australia, to which the Reformed Church of NZ owned allegiance. 

“It was those writings which drew the attention of Prof. Hoeksema who, as editor of The Standard Bearer, responded to this in several editions during those years. It was from those years onward that a permanent relationship was establish between a small core group and the P.R.C. in the U.S.A. Through all those years Hope Church in Grand Rapids provided us with a tape ministry. 

“The year 1975 was the year of the first personal contact. Prof. & Mrs. Hoeksema and also Rev. C. Hanko visited us on their round-the-world trip. The public lecture held by Prof. Hoeksema at that time was the occasion that one of our present members became for the first time acquainted with us. Rev. Van Overloop became our next personal contact. After that came Rev. Heys, who by now has visited us at four different times. 

“Our geographic position is still reason for concern. Because of this, two of our families are deprived of attending our worship services on the Lord’s Day, and are dependent on the tape ministry. 

“With Rev. and Mrs. Heys having left our shores again, we now look forward to the arrival of our pastor’s personal possessions and books in order to be provided with the tools for the ministry; God graciously providing him with His Spirit.” 

Mr. B. van Herk also provides some statistical information along with this brief profile which you also might find interesting. 

Presently Wellington has a total of 7 families, with 17 communicant members, and a total membership of 23. Their consistory consists of 2 elders and 1 deacon. There are also 4 members who attend catechism and there are 8 who make up the membership of the Adult Bible Study Group. 

Divine services are held at 11 AM and 7 PM on Sunday. 

Following are the names, addresses, and phone numbers of various men who make up the Session of the P.R.C. of New Zealand. 

Church—Protestant Reformed Church of New Zealand 

(c/o Lutheran Church Cnr. Walter St. and Oxford TCE. Lower Hutt.) 

Pastor—Rev. Rodney Miersma 

21 Main Road 

Wainuiomata, New Zealand 

Phone—011-64-4-646-129

Clerk—B. van Herk 

66 Fraser St. 

Wainuiomata, New Zealand 

Phone—011-64-4-647-687 

Treasurer—R.J. Kane (Bulletin Clerk) 

18 Baffin Grove 

Kingston Heights 

Wellington 2, New Zealand 

Phone—011-64-4-894-922