Church History - up to 1998
Rev. Paul Babich retired in April, 1990 after 26 years of faithful service to the Church.
Rev. Martin Winters was called to the church after an extended search through many applications by the Consistory. Rev. Winters was Installed in July 1991 and the ministers family; wife - Jill, daughter - Christine and son - Samuel, moved into the parsonage. Martin Winters made many changes to the church service and the order of the Consistory. He introduced a children's "stump the minister" box. The children could place a small item into the box before the service. Rev. Winters would pull one item from the box and ad-lib a service special for the children. Rev. Winters left in January 1995.
The Consistory once again searched for a new minister. For the next year and a half there were many pulpit supply Ministers and many applications. Lay-persons and Consistory members filled in for Sunday services and we received support from a Classis appointed Supervisor - Rev. Andrew Reinstra of the Pompton Plains Reformed Church. Rev. Andrew Topp came to us in October 1995 as a pulpit supply minister. The Consistory asked Rev. Topp to return to the pulpit, often. There was a special connection made between Pastor Andy, the congregation and the children. Installed in April 1997, Rev. Andrew Topp is currently our Minister.
Rev. Topp has taken a special interest in the Youth Group of our church. The Youth Fellowship of past added to church life with Sunday evening programs and assisted financially with paper drives, candy sales and sub sandwich sales. Occasionally the Fellowship would take part in youth retreats and entertain at the Reformed Church Home for the aged at Livingston. Under the organization of Pastor Andy, the current Youth Group has grown and continues to be active in church affairs. They have meetings in the church, help with church work days, assist in the Food Pantry, serve at roast beef and fish dinners, attend retreats, sing for church services and much more.
The Women's Guild for Christian Services carries on the traditions of our church women of yesteryear. A bulwark of the church, they faithfully raise funds with rummage sales, covered dish suppers, fish and chips dinners, cake sales and evening entertainment. An informal group of our women meets periodically at the church, too, to make cancer dressings.
The Sunday School is growing, and we look forward to their many presentations, singing, reading and plays . The Sunday School meets every Sunday from 9:15 to 10:15. Children's day, in June, marks the end of the Sunday school year and school begins again in September.
An all-church picnic has been held each year, the past few years it has been at High Point State Park , with swimming, barbeque, fishing, hiking and lots of fun and fellowship.
For years, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Senior Citizen groups have held meetings in Fellowship Hall. There are currently two Girl Scout troops utilizing the Hall.
The Food Pantry serves many needy people in our community. The pantry is open on Thursday nights. There is a yearly food drive organized by the U.S. Post office, many items and monies are donated by congregation members and church organizations, a bakery supplies all the bread, rolls and buns we can utilize and the U.S. government suppliments our Pantry with many canned goods.
Come join us each Sunday for Services starting 10:30am and starting 10:00 during the summer months (June thru August ).