Save These Dates:
July 10 & 11, 2010
Polson Presbyterian’s Centennial Celebration

I Go to Prepare a Place for You
   That’s Jesus talking about the after life.  However, for all of us still on earth, it seems appropriate that just perhaps, there are some “things” we need to be doing now to be ready for that meeting with Jesus.  He gave us a list of priorities, i.e., “feed my sheep”, and more which define a true believer.  Jesus spoke about helping others, loving your neighbor.  We are a Parish of two small churches filled with wonderful, committed people.  Pulse tries to present a wide variety of local ministry and service opportunities that are ongoing.  If this is a shared ministry, shouldn’t we each ask ourselves, “Am I doing, with my life, what God wants me to be doing?”

In the Good Old Summer Time
   Because life for everyone in the Flathead gets busier in the summer, with guests, gardens and going places, Pulse lays out the Parish events for both June and July.  Worship and work still go on at our churches each Sunday.  Worship, rest up, become inspired.  Pulse will return in early August with end of summer and fresh fall program news.

Polson Presbyterian Church Celebrates it’s Centennial July 10-11, 2010
   Hundredth birthdays are rare events.  This is one you don’t want to miss. Gerri Guinn and Genevieve Clement, Co- chairpersons aided by Marsha Anson, Adell Hansen, Karen Lenz, Paul Fugleberg and minister Dave have these big events for you:  Saturday afternoon, July 10, voice and bell choir performances in our sanctuary.  The public is invited.  Afterwards there will be an old fashion ice cream social for all in Fellowship Hall.  On Sunday, July 11, after worship, a free catered dinner for the church family and special program with the 100 years of history memorialized on a DVD.  Also, the opening of a time capsule from 25 years ago with messages for us on our 100^th birthday.  Because of this special century mark birthday celebration, the “annual” summer church picnic won’t happen this year.  It will resume in 2011.

Time change
Summer worship time change in the Polson church will start Sunday June 6th.
We will meet for worship at 10:30 a.m. from June 6th thru September 5th.

Pioneer Family Remembrances of Our Church by Gina Devlin
   The year was 1910, and my grandparents, Clint and Clara Loveland lived in Fort Collins, Colorado where my grandfather was a contractor building houses.  He had adventure in his soul and left the family temporarily to go to Seattle, Washington.  There, he heard of an Indian reservation in Montana, located on a lake and the government was opening that reservation also to non-tribal settlement.  Clint came to this place by the beautiful lake and decided this was the place where he wanted to build a permanent home for his family.

   Property then was inexpensive and Clint was able to buy two lots on 5^th Ave. West.  He first built a workshop on the back of the lot with an upper floor for living quarters.  Then, he sent for his family, wife Clara and two teenage daughters.  There was a third, older married daughter, Gina’s mother who would come to Polson later.

   Gina’s grandfather met his family when the Klondike brought them down from Kalispell and took them to their new home on 5^th Ave., West.

   A group of Presbyterians then living in the area met weekly for Sunday worship in the upper floor of a store on Main Street.  By 1916 they had raised money and probably secured a loan.  They hired Gina’s grandfather and another man to build a Presbyterian church in Polson.

   In 1918, WW I had ended and Gina’s father was discharged from the military and with Gina’s mother also came to Polson.  They settled in a house near Gina’s grandfather.  Gina was born there in 1923 and her brother Keith was born in 1925.  Gina notes that she was always glad her grandfather found this beautiful place where his family could live.

Adult Education and Children’s Sunday School

   Teachers numbering a dozen or more in the Children’s program were honored with certificates of recognition and appreciation in worship on May 16^th.  Then, at the coffee/punch fellowship time after worship, there was a lovely big sheet cake with the words “Teachers” on it. A “Happy Birthday” cake for all the Sunday School students with summer birthdays was also enjoyed.  Yes, a deserved recognition for very special people.

   The last day for Sunday School for the children was May 16^th.  Then, children and teachers can take a summer recess.

   Adult Sunday School will take an informal approach for the month of June. We will gather at 9:00 a.m. in the Fries room for some coffee and fellowship. Official class will begin around 9:15 a.m. and will be structured around a video presentation with discussion to follow. The videos will be varied and as usual the discussion shall be lively. If this casual approach works, then we will continue for the month July and August. Any questions please contact Tricia Campbell.

Carolyn Heinz Is Glacier Presbytery Elder Delegate to General Assembly
   When our Presbyterian General Assembly (G.A.) meets in Minneapolis on July 2-10, Carolyn will be there.  She tells Pulse that she has received a committee assignment and comprehensive papers to read in preparation for the work that will be done at G.A. in establishing new denominational guidelines for our churches.  A summary of Carolyn’s experiences will be included in a future Pulse article.

The Summer Sound of Music
   Voice and Bell choirs will take their traditional recess in the summer starting in mid-June.  However, both Voice and Bell choirs will return to participate musically with a concert at the Polson church centennial celebration on July 10-11^th.  In other summer worship services there will be music from instrumentalists, quartets and soloists.

   Saying thanks is always appropriate and Pulse is pleased to recognize those individuals who so faithfully sing and ring in our two choirs.  Also, we say thanks to choir directors, Arlene Kintz and Marilyn Coffee and organist, Gay Cochrane, for their dedication and contributions.  Musicians are committed and special people.  Most of us don’t realize that the fine music we hear is the result of serious rehearsal and practice sessions that happen weekly and take 1-2 hours.  Imagine, a whole group [up to 25-30 people] taking 2 hours of their time each week, just so we can hear inspiring music on Sunday morning.  Seems like saying thanks is hardly enough.  Give ‘em a hug AND your words of thanks.

Deacons Activities
   June Hommas has been elected to fill the vacant Moderator’s roll.  This energetic group continues with their ministry of service.  Most notably, the deacon of the month is in charge of providing weekly refreshments after each Sunday worship service.  That means securing volunteered bakers of cookies, punch, coffee preparation and setting the serving tables.  Then, there’s the clean up where volunteers often offer their help.  Visitations, providing food for those in need, and sending cards to cheer are also some of the other quietly done deacon service tasks. 

Jan Campbell has taken on the responsibility for maintaining kitchen supplies.  She buys the coffee, napkins, paper plates, cream, sugar and whatever is needed to keep the kitchen functional.  Every deacon does their work with a smile, and glad heart.  Bless ‘em all!

The 2^nd Friday, Monthly Community Dinners at PPC
   Our May Friendship Table Community Dinner was held on May 14th. The meal was hosted by Session with several key volunteers, who were willing to help as long as they did not have to attend an actual session meeting. The dinner was spaghetti, salad, bread, with a plethora of desserts.

   Brian Campbell made the spaghetti sauce, Dave Anson provided and cooked the noodles, Don and Mary Patterson and provided the bread, Jill Southerland provided the salad, Carolyn Heinz made punch, and Bessie Argo kept the kitchen running smoothly.  Major help came from Donna Cason and Jane Bronson who are not on session yet lent their assistance with cooking, serving and cleaning up.

   There were about 95 meals served. An exact count could not be made as rumor has it that several people went back for a second plate which is always a compliment to the cooks. The evening was graced by some impromptu music from the Pixie Chicks, an upcoming musical quartet who attends Nancy Hauserman’s after school program. However, the highlight of the dinner was the huge quantity and variety of  desserts. There were so many cakes and goodies dropped off that it became impossible to keep track of who you all were, So thanks to all of the volunteers for goodies as it made an ordinary meal extra special.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Meets June 5th
   After our great breakfast of scrambled eggs and link sausage, biscuits or Texas toast (new item) and seasonal fruit, the men will be asked for their ideas on how to best re-organize ourselves into a self sustaining body.  It has been suggested we might try two, possibly three, complete and rotating kitchen and cooking teams.  Everyone knows that some grown men don’t eat quiche, others don’t choose to cook, but they all like to eat.  As we work into the future to continue our men’s fun, fellowship and a meal,  we need to involve a wider circle of crew.  And those can include non cooking patrons that will do table setting and clean up .  Although most of our 16-28 regular patrons are here year around we do have some summer only members.  Bring your appetite and ideas to the tables.

A New Cabinet for the Safe Storage of the Hand Bells
   For over 1½ years, there has been a need for a more convenient place to store the hand bells.  That location will be the inside wall of Fellowship hall closest to the outside parking lot.  And lead man for this work in Polson will come from, yes, the Dayton church – he’s Jeff Meslin, a cabinet maker with his shop in Big Arm.  Marilyn Coffee, Hand Bell Choir director, has given design input to Jeff.  Several men in Poison will assist Jeff when it’s time to make the installation in the Poison church.  Memorial funds given in memory of Keenie Christopher, a long time Bell Choir member, are funding the project.

2010 Vacation Bible School
   This year’s Vacation Bible School will be hosted by the First United Methodist Church. Our church along with Good Shepherd Lutheran will provide needed manpower and support for this ecumenical Vacation Bible School. We will be doing a different format this year and the day camp promises to be an exciting adventure. The camp theme is High Seas Expeditions and will run June 29th thru July 2nd. Please contact Tricia Campbell if you would like to be a part of this adventure or have any questions.

Successful in Athletics and Professions, They Grew Up in Our Church
   Jason Delaney, son of Wes and Twyla Delaney, went on to an engineering degree from the University of Wyoming. He followed with a Masters in Engineering in Southern California and now works for a large engineering firm in Colorado.  Jason trained early as a marathon runner but did not reach his peak performance until recently.  In the Boston Marathon in April, Jason placed as #7 USA runner and #20 of all world runners who entered.  Remarkable, says Matt Seeley.  Congratulations,  Delaneys!

   Lindsy Campbell, a senior in pre-physical therapy at the University of Montana, recently was in the 2010 National Collegiate Bike Races in Madison, Wisconsin.  Lindsy placed 7th  in the road race and 12th in the criterium.   Parents, Brian and Tricia Campbell, drove Lindsy to Wisconsin, in order to watch this National Collegiate race.  Congratulations to the entire Campbell clan, all three generations of them.

Local Mission - Loaves and Fishes
   Blessed with plentiful resources and adequate financial support, it is easy for us to lose touch with the desperate needs of people right here in our local community.  Many people in this valley confront hunger on a regular basis and struggle to provide sufficient nutrition for their families.  Following Jesus’ example, our Loaves and Fish program provides an effective way for us to be God’s hands as we share food with our less fortunate neighbors.  A can of soup or bag of rice might seem insignificant, but the cooperative generosity of our entire congregation can make a real difference.

   Please make it a point to bring some healthful, non-perishable food items with you to church and drop them off in the basket just outside the door to the fellowship hall.  These items will be collected and distributed to needy folks through the local Loaves and Fish program.  You might also consider making a financial donation or volunteering some of your time to help with this effort.  Polson Loaves and Fish was organized in 1982 and operates solely using volunteer labor.  They have experienced dramatic increases in local food needs in recent years, including a 59% increase from 2008 to 2009.  Contact the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry at 883-6864.

   Thank you for helping make this program such a success over the years.

Presbyterian Women News
   Save the date!!! August 20-22, 2010 will be the Glacier Camp PWP Retreat. Karen Finch will be the featured speaker. Her topic will be, “Who Is The Holy Spirit?” More information will be coming from Amy Peterson, Moderator of Glacier Presbyterian Women.

   Horizons is a magazine published for Presbyterian Women. It’s how we stay connected! Every issue of Horizons provides ideas, inspiration, and information for Presbyterian Women by addressing current issues facing the church and the world. If this magazine sounds interesting to you please contact June Hommas. If we can get 10 or more women interested in subscribing we will be able to get the bulk rate of $16.00 per subscription per year.

Deacons News
   The Board of Deacons wish to thank Francis Davidson who has worked diligently to keep us connected to do the Lord’s work in sympathy, witness, and service. Francis has been a superb leader in helping us reach many goals for our church and community.

June Hommas is now the moderator of the board of Deacons, with a co-moderator to be named in the near future. Jane Bronson and Jan Campbell will be nominated as new Deacons.

Wanted:  Volunteers to help with Vacation Bible School June 29th thru July 2nd.  Please contact Tricia Campbell if you would like to be a part of this adventure.