CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. J. C. Weststrate of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, by the Veenendaal, the Netherlands, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Congregation by Rev. A.W. Verhoef of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

CLASSIS WEST WILL MEET FEB. 15, 1978

The meeting of Classis West will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 1978 in Waupun, Wisconsin.

Included in the Agenda will be the Classical examination of candidate Joel Beeke.

A prayer meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 1978 with Rev. L. Kieboom officiating.

Both meetings will be held in the church building of the Waupun Congregation.

LETHBRIDGE CONGREGATION HAS NEW CLERK

As of January 1, 1978, the name and address of the clerk of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada is as follows:

Mr. W. Vanden Broek

2811 N. Parkside Drive

Lethbridge, Alberta

Canada T1J-1M8

Tel. No. 403/329-0319

It is suggested that the clerks of the various congregations and others having copies of the 1977 Year Book make corrections accordingly.

SCHOOL NEWS

Plymouth Christian School

Grand Rapids, Michigan

God’s gracious and providential care has enabled our school to begin its 70th year of religious instruction. It was established under the leadership of Rev. Pieneman who was highly in favor of wholesome christian instruction. In Jnauary, 1908 a committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of establishing a school for giving Christian instruction to the youth. The encouraging report given by the committee prompted a congregational meeting in March at which a school board of nine members was elected. Rev. Pieneman then suggested that Mr. K. Winters of Rotterdam be given a call to come and instruct the students in the Dutch language in addition to other subjects. Mr. Winters accepted the call and became the first principal of Hastings St. Christian School which had been newly erected in central Grand Rapids that summer. The school was formally dedicated by Rev. Pieneman on September 7, 1908.

After some years had passed, buses were purchased to make it possible for more children to attend the school. The school then soon became overcrowded. Then, in 1955 a new school was built on a four acre tract on Plymouth Rd. on the east side of Grand Rapids. This building was dedicated by Rev. Lamain in the fall of 1956.

Steady growth thereafter necessitated the construction of an additional three classrooms in 1964, and science and library facilities in 1974. At the present time ten classrooms, a science laboratory, a library, and all-purpose room with kitchen facilities make up our school building. A school wood-shop is presently begin constructed.

Our present student body consists of 205 students in grades K-9. Grade 9 was added in 1975 after the construction of our science lab made available additional classroom space. The teaching staff consists of 11 full time and two part-time instructors. In addition a full time custodian and part-time school secretary-librarian are employed.

Mr. David Engelsma, who has been on the staff for 8 years, now has the Administrator-Teacher position vacated by Mr. W.H. VanMeeteren who was with us for 17 years. Dr. Gordon Deur is our School Board President succeeding Mr. Jacob DeBruine who served in that capacity for several years.

Besides the basic curriculum, music theory and appreciation is taught in grades ? - 9, while wood shop, knitting and sewing are offered to Jr. High students.

Since our students also come from a large area in and around the city of Grand Rapids a bus fleet consisting of 6 mini buses and 2 large buses is maintained with additional help in the form of 3 large buses from the Grand Rapids Public School Transportation Dept. Our bus routes average about 25-30 miles in length with a maximum of one hour of riding time involved for students.

Our school is supported by direct tuition payments from each of the families with students in the school, plus regular scheduled church collections and numerous gifts. Many of the gifts being ‘in memoriam’ of members of the congregation who have passed away. Approximately sixty percent of our budget is derived from tuition and the balance by gifts and collections.

The school is governed by a board of ten men, an elder, who is also the school board president, and two deacons appointed by the Consistory. These are appointed or renewed at the beginning of each year. The balance of the school board is made up of members of the congregation nominated by the Consistory and voted into office for a two year term at the annual congregational meeting. Although the principal is present at the School Board meetings he is not a voting member of the board. The Consistory is the final ruling body.

The hand of the Lord has been evident in the affairs of the school to the present time. Had they been left in the hand of men it had come to ruin. The hearts and hands of many have been inclined to undertake the responsibility placed upon them and with the help of an Almighty God and the prayers of His people He has made it to prosper.

The School Board

If any further information is desired, please feel free to write or call:

Plymouth Christian School

965 Plymouth Ave. N.E.

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505

WHAT A HEAVY STROKE!

In the night between January 23 and 24, our school in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada, was burned to the ground. At present the cause is still unknown, the Lord only knows what happened. It was a school of 8 rooms in which 230 children received daily instruction according to the Word of God. The Lord strengthen our brothers, Rev. A.W. Verhoef with the consistory and the schoolboard, but also especially the principal, Mr. James Beeke, and the other teachers. A steel file with the school records was saved, but everything else, including textbooks, was consumed by the flames.

Our thoughts multiply in such trials. This time no lives were lost as in the previous tragedy, but the financial loss is about $430,000.00.

The Lord says in His Word, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” May we remember the sorely tried congregation, including the schoolboard, the principal, and the teachers in our prayers. They need that above all else. Consistories, members, and friends, show compassion by your prayers and your gifts for this sister congregation that has been so sorely tried again. Above all, may the Lord humble us under His mighty hand. May we not just live on without concern. We are so prone to do that, but may this incident bring us to the right place. There is no evil in the city that the Lord has not done. The Lord does not work evil, but He governs all things.

The Lord keep us from rebellion and opposition, but grant that we may receive profit from all these warnings that He sends us.

Rev. W.C. Lamain

PRINCIPAL AND TEACHERS REQUIRED

The Lord willing, the Rehoboth Christian School of Dundas, Ontario will be opening in September, 1978. The school will have grades one to eight inclusive and is supported mainly by members of the Free Reformed congregations of Dundas and Hamilton.

The Education Committee would like to receive applications from persons dedicated to Christian Education.

Salary and assignment will depend upo: educational background and experience.

Anyone interested in applying for a position is requested to send a handwritten resume to:

The Rehoboth Christian School Society

c/o Mr. J. Hamstra,

R.R. #1,

Millgrove, Ontario,

Canada LOR 1V0

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