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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Walden’s Trinity Church celebrates 60 years
By GARY M. AYD
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
celebrated its 60-year anniversary with
a special service followed by some games
and cookout on its property in Walden on
Sept. 8.
Trinity traces its roots to the summer of
1958 when founding pastor Paul Behling
began canvassing the Walden area to
determine if there would be interest in
the yet-to-be-founded church.
The following spring, Behling
performed his first Walden service, on
Easter Sunday.
“I remember the small organ we had on a
hot stifling second floor,” Charter member
Ruth McMahon said. “I remember the
wonderful potluck suppers, my 11 a.m. to
3 p.m. nursey confirmation Sunday shifts
and just the wonderful fellowship we had
as we grew.”
“My husband Ed and I were dating in
1959 and he attended the first service,”
Bobbie Richert, another charter member
said. “Ed and I attended together the
groundbreaking of our current building.”
“It was so nice to see the excitement and
how everyone worked together.”
The church’s current pastor, Ray
Cummings has served two terms leading
the church, his first and longest stint
began in January of 1970 and ending with
his acceptance of an associate pastorate
in 2008 to make room for Pastor Clark
who led the church until 2016 at which
point Cummings resumed the head role
which he still holds.
“A number of people have grown up in
this church,” Pastor Cummings said. “One
such person is Andrew Burke (present
by video message) who now works with
many poor people in PA.”
I learned many years ago how important
it is to be thankful,” Cummings said.
“Thank you to all the families that have
Ruth McMahon spoke of the early days of
the church.
Pastor Raymond Cummings speaking during the 60th-birthday celebration of Trinity
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
helped make this all happen.”
Providing an example of Cummings’
point that many have grown up in the
church, Richert, added “I would not be
who I am today if not for my 60-years here
at Trinity.”
Two other prominent long-time
members who moved out of the area
in 2009 were Bruce and Nancy Carlson
who while unable to attend in person
submitted a detailed video message
commemorating the special anniversary.
“The wonderful memories I have of the
classes we taught are very much still with
me,” Bruce said. “Congrats to Trinity for
being a beacon of the Hudson Valley.”
“I loved working with the children’s
The ElkinCondon Brothers 2019
choir,” Nancy said. “We were blessed to
do so much at Trinity and it was just a joy
for us to be there.”
The service began with praise & worship
followed by offerings and announcements,
a brief history of the church, a slide-
show presentation, testimony from those
quoted above, before finishing with
closing remarks by Pastor Cummings,
Jonathan
32 years
Dennis Michael
30 years
prayer and a benediction.
Trinity is located on Route 208
Walden and offers Sunday Services
8 a.m. and 11 a.m. More information
its other offerings can be found on
website: tlcinwalden.com.
WEEKEND OF
WALLKILL
In the hamlet of Wallkill
Friday – September 20 th Saturday – September 21 st
5:30 – 9:30 pm 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Beauty of Wallkill Art Show
Stuffed Animal Pet Show
Team Trivia Contest Touch A Truck
Vendor Fair
Wizard Academy
Free Family Movie:
Mamma Mia!
Jameson
35 years
Afterwards, cake was served as a celebra-
tory luncheon.
In the event of rain, movie will be shown in
the Town Hall Community Room
(tickets will be sold for the academy)
Contests, Pony Rides
Wallkill Rocks
Music, Demos
All events are at or near Wallkill Public Library and Town Hall
in
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its