Garden Spot townlively.com
OCTOBER 16, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 43
A change of view BY ANN MEAD ASH
S
itting on the ridge, with a view to both Pequea Valley and the E L A NCO area , Ridgeview Mennonite Church has been a beacon for the Anabaptist faith since 1963. In late August, the church called a new pastor. Katelyn Robbins, who lives in the Hempfield School District, began preaching and overseeing the small but active congregation situated on the hilltop. “I grew up at Neffsville Mennonite Church, and that has been my spiritual home,” said Robbins, who graduated from Hempfield High School before attending Penn State University in University Park. Robbins earned degrees in both history and English, completing a fiveyear program to obtain her master’s degree in English in 2021. When she started college, Robbins planned to become a professor, but she was not sure the halls of academia were the right place
for her. While matriculating at Penn State, Robbins had become involved with the ministry of a local church. “(Working with that church) really gave me a lot of life,” recalled Robbins. “It gave me a lot of purpose.” Robbins realized she could utilize her skills and love of reading, writing, and history with work in a community. Acting on that epiphany, she attended seminary at Boston University School of Theology in Boston. “(The seminary) is historically Methodist, but there were people there from lots of denominations, which is something I was looking for,” said Robbins. As she approached graduation in the spring of 2024, Robbins knew that she wanted to stay true to her Mennonite roots, so she contacted Mennonite Church USA. “I reached out to them and got into the system,” said Robbins, who soon learned Ridgeview was looking for a pastor. She interviewed with the Ridgeview search committee twice before taking
part in a “candidating” weekend where she enjoyed a fellowship meal with members of the congregation and preached a sermon. Robbins was attracted to the church’s willingness to nurture a new pastor. “It’s a congregation that does have a lot of people who have worked in ministry,” said Robbins, who was also attracted to the church’s appreciation for marking life events. “There was a lot of overlap in needs for the ritual acknowledgement of transition, which is something I feel passionate about,” said Robbins, who referred to “moments of change and transition, including retirement, graduations, and funerals.” “For me, that’s a big part of the life of the church,” she said. Robbins added that search committee members showed enthusiasm about Ridgeview being a place where differing opinions can thrive side by side. “I look for that because we live in a polarized time,” reflected Robbins, who noted that being See Church pg 7
Katelyn Robbins in the sanctuary at Ridgeview Mennonite Church
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Last year, when David Kieffer was interviewed about the first FaithfulGive, the board president said that he hoped the online giving event would raise $500,000. “My minimum goal was to do $300,000,” recalled Kieffer. “(I thought), ‘If we do $500,000, it’s a resounding success.’” When all the donations were tallied up at the end of the event, the 2023 FaithfulGive had raised more than $729,000. “That more than met my expectations,” said Kieffer.
This year’s FaithfulGive will begin on Sunday, Oct. 20, and conclude on Tuesday, Oct. 22. This year, more than 70 local organizations have signed on to take part in the fundraiser, and each day will be designated for certain activities. “While people can give on Sunday, (Oct. 20), the goal is to lay these organizations before the throne in prayer,” explained Kieffer of the opening day. “This year we are calling it Faithful Give Sunday - A Day of Prayer.” Kieffer noted that organizers See FaithfulGive pg 5
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Second online giving event planned
Barbecue, auction to benefit Conestoga Christian School BY FRANCINE FULTON
Conestoga Christian School (CCS) will hold its 51st annual chicken barbecue and auction on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19. The funds raised at the event will benefit the overall financial operation of the school, which offers classes for students in preschool through 12th grade. The event will begin with the barbecue dinner
on Oct. 18. Dinners may be picked up in the school’s front parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinners can be eaten on-site from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium. “ We added a dine-in comp onent this year dur ing dinner time,” noted Michelle Parris, CCS admissions director, explaining that the eat-in Displaying auction items are Conestoga Christian option was not offered School students (front, from left) Alexander Gring, during the pandemic. Colette Grego, (back) Brock Harkins, Madison Horst, Nate Phillips and Ella Perechinsky, who is
See Conestoga Christian pg 8 holding artwork that she painted.
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Staying faithful