Pequea Valley OCTOBER 9, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 42
A change of view BY ANN MEAD ASH
S
itting on the ridge, with a view to both Pequea Valley and the EL 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 histor y and English, completing a five-year 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
Look Inside
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
See Ridgeview Mennonite Church pg 5
Katelyn Robbins in the sanctuary at Ridgeview Mennonite Church
Run, auction to benefit West Fallowfield Christian School
A play on perfection Cavod to produce “Mary Poppins”
BY FRANCINE FULTON
BY ANN MEAD ASH
West Fallowfield Christian School (WFCS), 795 Fallowfield Road, Atglen, will hold its sixth annual fun run and 43rd annual auction on the weekend of Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12. Both events are open to the community. Activities will begin on Oct. 11 with the fun run, during which participants will be invited to walk or run 1 mile around the WFCS campus. All participants will be doused with color at the Jen Woltman (back, right) and students from West Fallowfield
In 1964, the Walt Disney company introduced the world to its version of the magical nanny Mar y Poppins, who is “practically perfect in every way.” The movie “Mary Poppins” was based on P.L. Travers book of the same name. Now, Cavod Theatre invites audiences to experience anew the story of the “practically perfect” caregiver’s transformative visit to the Banks family. Directed by Jaime Hilton, the show will be
presented at the Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, with a dinner theater at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays Oct. 20 and 27. Set in early 20th- centur y London, “Mary Poppins” introduces the mysterious title character, played by Sophia Grado, who appears seemingly out of nowhere with the intention of bringing order to chaos with an “element of fun.” Mary’s unique blend of
See WFCS pg 11 Christian School display some of the auction items.
See Cavod Theatre pg 12
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