Wellsville Area Ministerial Association

Tuesday - November 9: The Wellsville Area Ministerial Association (WAMA) held their regular meeting today at Tonda's Place. President, Pastor Troy Warner presided. There were 12 members present at the breakfast meeting. At his final meeting as President and a member of WAMA, Pastor Warner offered devotions followed by prayer around the table. With no secretary present Warner recapped the minutes of the October meeting and Deacon Terry McCuen gave the Treasurer's Report.

Under Correspondence Pastor Warner also recapped a letter for the Moore's Youth With A Purpose Home. The home, located in Salineville, is a place for troubled boys as a Christian alternative to detention centers. Effective January 1, 2011 the home will sever all ties as a government funded organization and will depend solely as a faith based supported mission. With 17 years experience the home has been struggling the last few years with steady cut backs in government funding during the recession. The change will free up the home from costly expenditures required by government regulations. Calling it a pivotal point in the home's existence, Warner implored the other pastors to continue their donations in support of the home's mission. Warner was a member of the home's advisory board. Members of WAMA voted to make a donation to the home.

Rev. Bill Betteridge reported on the annual Thanksgiving Community Service to be held Sunday, November 21. The Riverside Presbyterian Church will host this years service. It is set to begin at 7 P.M. with Pastor Eddie Renfoe giving the message and other area pastors participating. Aaron Bunfill and the First Christian Church's choir will lead the musical selections along with guest organist Clark Wilson. There will be a hospitality reception following the service. The church is located at 525 Riverside and the annual service is open to the public. The members of WAMA voted to donate the offering from the service to the Chaplian's Department that serves the Columbiana County Tobin Center. Installation of the 2011 WAMA officers will also take place at the service.

Plans were made for the annual WAMA Christmas party to be held Friday, December 3. More information will be forthcoming once details are confirmed.

As announced at last month's meeting Pastor Troy Warner has accepted a new assignment as pastor of the Paris First Baptist Church in Paris, Illinois. He will conduct his last Sunday service on November 14 at Wellsville's First Christian Church. The Warner family will be departing for Illinois following a Thanksgiving/Farewell Dinner to be held immediately following the combined 10:45 A.M. service next Sunday. Warner has been the First Christian pastor for over five years.

Pictured above is Rev. Roosevelt Thompson, WAMA VP on the left, Warner in the center and retired Pastor Jay Nightengale on the right. Nightengale will be installed as the new WAMA President at the Thanksgiving Community Service.

The annual Christmas party will replace the regular meeting in December. The next scheduled, regular WAMA meeting is Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 9 A.M. at Tonda's Place on the 4th St. Square. Aaron Smith will offer the devotions.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Pastor Troy and his family good luck in their new home. Wellsville will miss you...

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