Excerpts- Through
Crisis…
July 6, 1967. Regular Council Meeting
“Pastor Wentzell’s letter
of acceptance of a call to Bethany was read as Correspondence to the Council.”
Under “New Business:
It was requested that council discover the owners
of the symbols on the church walls and the reason why they remain there.”
August 3, 1967. Regular Council Meeting
“It was moved by V. Muth,
seconded by R. Goddard, that Allied Van Lines, Bigham the Mover, be given the
job of moving Pastor Wentzell’s effects from Spryfield, Nova Scotia to
Woodstock.” [$1,143.50]
“It was moved by Victor
Muth, seconded by R. MacKenzie, that the symbols on the chapel walls be removed
and packed away for future use.”
Thurs., Aug. 31, 1967.
“A request was submitted by
Dr. Harold Hedley, on behalf of the Woodstock Board of Education ...to rent the
facilities of the Sunday School room on a temporary basis.”
Dec. 7, 1967. Regular Council Meeting
Under “Correspondence: “...a thank you from Mr. B. Rice,
principal of Springbank public school,
expressing appreciation for our co-operation during the time classes were held
in our church.”
Dec. 10th,
1967. Special Council Meeting
-concern: what to do with $5,000.00 Building Fund
surplus after re-organization of Mortgage arrangements.
-choices: a) pay off 2nd Mortgage
b) part to landscape Church property, rest to 2nd
Mortgage
c) build a ‘Storm Vestibule’ at the north entrance
d) furnish one room as a comfortable parlour
e) add additional Sunday School room
f) provide curtains for Sunday School
dividers “
*Note: Council decided on
the a) choice, reducing the Second Mortgage.
January 21, 1968. Annual Meeting
*42 members present, barely
a quorum.
Under “Finance Committee “
Payments on new 15-yr. AAL mortgage now being made
at about $472.00 per month, U.S. funds.
Our total indebtedness now is $78,00.00 while the estimated value of our
total property is $185,541.00. This
leaves an equity in our property of $107,541.00.
Motion for acceptance by A.
Robinson, seconded by K. Riehl. Carried.”
Treasurer’s Report of
February, 1969.
Total Receipts Total
Expenditures [difference]
1968 $3,132.83 $4,661.25 $1,528.42
1969 $3,308.68 $3,819.94 $511.26
Friday, March 22nd,
1968. Special Council Meeting
“—called for the sole
purpose of ascertaining Council’s feeling with regard to the proposed taxation
of church property...”
“A. Campbell: ‘...tax would
be in the region of $6,000.00 per annum. ...almost impossible for a new
congregation to build a place of worship with such a tax load. ...—maybe
justifiable when there is income—capital gain when church property is sold or
Bake Sales, Bazaars, rentals...active church goer (already taxed on income)
would now be paying a church tax. The
non-church goer would pay no tax but would never-the-less expect the church to
be ‘there’ in time of personal need, and at no charge...”
_”-...general reaction of
the Council was to deplore the fact that Taxation of Church Property had been
raised...”.
May 2, 1968. Regular Council Meeting
“The Pastor recommended
that the five pupils in the confirmation class...be accepted for
confirmation. These pupils are Benta
Nielsen, Pamela Schneider, Elizabeth Vinnins, LouAnn Klein and Glenn Schwartz.”
June 6th, 1968.
“Council learned that the
Luther League was to be disbanded, and that in its place a Central Youth
Committee would promulgate ideas only, leaving each Congregation to organize
its own Youth program.”
Sept. 5, 1968. Under “Worship and Music: Council accepted ‘with deep regret’ the
resignation of Mrs. Irwin Bennewies as church organist.”
Oct. 3rd, 1968.
Under “Committee Reports: Moved by Lydia Klein ‘That there should be no Every
Member Visitation this year but that we should hold a Congregational Supper to
which all active members would be invited, at which the congregation could be
advised of our financial needs...’
-seconded by Mr. A. Campbell.”
“Moved by Mr. Chambers ‘That an every Member
Response programme should take the form of a prepared programme for
presentation at a Congregational Dinner...a group discussion [and later] the
distribution of pledge cards...”
Thurs. Nov. 7, 1968. The Congregational Dinner was changed to a
Dessert and Coffee Hour
“At this time the
congregation will have the opportunity to enjoy fellowship, listen to the
presentation of the program committee and be offered the chance to pledge their
money, time and talents. Council was in
agreement...”
Under “Correspondence: Letter from St. Paul’s in Niagara Falls
requesting transfer to membership for Mr. And Mrs. Gary Tubbe”
June 5th, 1969.
Under “Finance Committee”
“Mr. G. McNabb reported to
Council that the finances of this congregation were in a critical state ...
Basically on the rate of income from the congregation as now received, we could
not afford to maintain this church nor meet our mortgage commitments and unless
drastic action was taken ‘closing our doors’ would be a very real possibility.”
--“bring the urgency of the
situation before the congregation...”
*-one suggested method of
approach:
“—a letter outlining the situation, requesting a
special financial response of $10.00 per member for the three summer months
over and above regular giving...”
July 3rd, 1969.
“Dick MacKenzie suggested
the future use of Post-Dated cheques as a means of maintaining equilibrium once
our finances were improved.”
Jan. 15,1970. Regular Council Meeting
“Mrs. Lydia Klein’s
resignation from Council is final.”
Under “Correspondence:
“Ministerial Association
re: ‘Flying Fathers’
Moved by L. Jacky ‘That Council authorize a
donation of $10.00 to this programme.’
Seconded by Wm. Thrower and carried.”
Under “Other Business”
“Moved by Mr. L. Jacky
‘That Mr. Kenneth Bond and family from St. Phillips Lutheran Church Toronto,
and moving to Woodstock, be reinstated as members of Bethany Congregation. Seconded by Mr. H. Wittig and carried.”
July 2, 1970. Regular Council Meeting
“Pastor Wentzell announced
that here have been no replies to the ad in the Shopping News for an
organist...”
Under Correspondence:
“—item 2 Letter from Wm. Lovelace, organist of Delhi
United Church wishing to have the use of a room in the church for teaching
pupils piano, and stating that he would supply his own piano.”
“--item 5 Letter appointing Pastor Wentzell as
Vice—Pastor to St. John’s Church in Aylmer.”
1970 Annual Report
--from Pastor’s Report:
“...giving prayers at
Commencement—Huron Park, WCI; dedication
of Woodingford Lodge, guest preacher at All Saints, addressing Student Nurses,
hosting a pastor’s retreat, steering a course for The Canada Lutheran, turning
out Signals and weekly bulletins, presiding at ministerial sessions, teaching
vacation church school, confirmation classes, preaching, administering
sacraments at weddings, burials,
officiating at worship, on radio, writing, teaching confirmation classes,
visiting institutions, hospitals, jail, homes, sharing in discussion groups,
and counselling sessions ... “
Under “Stewardship
Committee Report”
-“sponsored a
congregational supper --Henning Hansen,
Glen McNabb
--70 people attended
Monday Evening Bible Study-
Pastor Wentzell’s Report
“Pastor Richard Holm sang a
sermon as he strummed his guitar during MISSION POSSIBLE and Pastor Herbert
Hartig led us through some bubbly sessions and animated discussions.”
--“Picnic and outdoor
worship at Otterville”
--“We changed the landscape
appearance around Bethany...Up went the swing bowling pole...”
Under “Worship and Music
Committee Report”
“Mr. Ray Koopman of
Principal Pipe Organ is our new organist.”
“Chorally Bethany Singers
won a ‘First’ at the Woodstock Festival and the Liturgical Choir achieved a
‘Third’...”
July 8, 1971. Regular Council Meeting
Under “Business Arising”
“2. Re:
Selling Lots. Moved that Finance
Committee investigate fully possibilities of disposing of some of church
property.”
Aug 12, 1971.
“Re: Swing Bowling—Pastor reported that pole has
been prepared and moved to church property for installation. Approximately 30 persons have indicated
interest in bowling.”
Oct. 7, 1971.
Under “Worship and
Music” “Joel Pye engaged as organist for
a probationary period of 3 months.”
February 3, 1972.
“D. Chapman reported
Redmond Conroy, seminarian student will cover both services on Sunday, February
6.”
March 2, 1972.
“Reported by E. Chambers
that sign for church would cost $4.50 per letter one foot high, made from
fiberglas and glued to bricks.”
June 1, 1972.
“E. Chambers reported on
‘pigeon hole’ racks—one containing 182 holes to cost $125.00. Council deferred action on this and M.
Mortimer will investigate having this rack made in shop class at high school.”
“Families have been
delegated for janitorial duties over the past year as cost-saving measure...”
Nov. 2, 1972.
“...organist resigned as of
year end. Reason: organ was in poor condition
1974—40th
Anniversary
*The invitation states that
Rev. Julius Badke [1914 pastor] was the grandfather of Rev. J.S. Neff.
News Release of September 9th,
1974.
“Homecoming Service
The Reverend George Orth, Hepworth, Ontario will
be the guest preacher at Bethany Lutheran Church, Woodstock for the 4oth
Anniversary Homecoming Service, Sunday September 15th at 11:00 a.m.
...The Reverend Victor Monk, Tillsonburg, will
assist in the service.”
Jan. 4, 1973. Under “Service and Publicity”
“Mrs. Klein—chairman --New Directory undertaken. Promotional letter mailed to congregation...”
Feb. 1, 1973. Under “Other Business”
“...the general feeling of
council was that a nursery should be provided.. Pastor is to again make plea
from pulpit for women, men and youth to assist in the nursery.”
Dec. 16, 1973.
“Moved by E. Doherty,
seconded by B. Vik, that Council approach Ed Horman re: his setting up a new set of financial
records for us as of Jan. 1,/74.Council to meet with Ed Horman to see just what
we are trying to accomplish. Carried.”
Jan. 3, 1974.
“Ed Horman discussed our
accounting system; described a system which he felt to be an improvement, and
offered to oversee such system for a period of three months.”
Feb. 7, 1974. Correspondence
“Walter Pidlubny –re:
estate of Mary Pruss, bequest of $100.00 to be used for building fund.”
Pastor’s Report
“Recommended that we
appoint an anniversary committee charged with the responsibility of arranging
40th Anniversary celebrations for Bethany Lutheran Church. ...Suggested to serve on this committee, and
to be contacted by pastor: Mrs. Mae Otto, A. Campbell, E. Chambers.”
March 7, 1974. Business Arising
“E. Frombach moved, B. Vik
seconded, the money in the ‘Poor Box’ be applied toward the purchase of an
electric kettle. The electric broom has
been repaired and seems to be working satisfactorily. Carried.”
March 7, 1974.
“Pulpit Exchange Program
initiated within Eastern Canada Synod.
Bethany’s partner is St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brantford, Pastor Lindstrom.”
April 4, 1974.
“...letter from Ministry of
Consumer and Commercial Relations explaining that ‘Church Directories of Canada
Ltd.’ is now defunct.
May 2, 1974. Confirmands: “...Kevin Blackmore,
Phillip Chambers, James Doherty, Betty Hucsko, Timothy Jackey, John Sneyd,
Charles Vinnins, Christine Mortimer, Susan Riffel, Henry Joneit, Sandra
Holtzhauer.”
-“Church Picnic and
Service -June 23rd. At
Otterville.
-“LCW requested a door be
installed between the kitchen and the Fellowship Hall.”
June 6, 1974. “Jack and Violet Bell accepted as transfer
from Trinity, Walkerton.”
*Note: Church being used by SCRC since mid May, 1973
[Second Christian Reformed Church]. It
would have been difficult to meet our budget without their donation.
Aug. 1, 1974. “...council determined to provide a hymn book
as a memorial to Sally Vik, B. Vik’s
wife.”
Sept. 5, 1974. Pastor’s Report
“40th
Anniversary Committee: 250 Signals, 100
Service Invitations, Community
Invitations and 30 District Invitations, along with posters were
mailed.”
“40th
Anniversary Committee requested permission...to provide a ‘picture gallery’ of
former and present pastors.”
Dec. 5, 1974. Correspondence
“Pastor Cronmiller returned
the $25.00 check sent him for his services during our 40th
Anniversary celebrations, along with his thanks for our thoughts and words of
appreciation.”
Pastor’s Report
“Pastor Wentzell moved that
Mr. and Mrs. Helmut Hagedorn and children Steven, Ronald and John from Our
Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Chatham be received into Bethany’s church family on
December 15th.”
Dec. 15, 1974.
“Helmut Hagedorn &
family accepted.”
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