LCPC Memories Evoked

          My review of the hymnal and room dedications at the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church has evoked memories that I’d like to share. First though, the data in no particular order of importance:

293 Hymnals were reviewed

60 different combinations of donors and dedications

58 Hymnals were not donated

43 Hymnals have lost their donation slips leaving a patch of yellowed glue

19 donors did not make a dedication in 76 hymnals

13 hymnals were provided from the General Memorial Fund

19 hymnals were provided by The Cathedral Choir

4 were dedicated to “Our Parents” with one of them as “Our Singing Parents”

1 was to “Our Mothers”

1 couple donated 27 hymnals spread over 4 dedications

Those are the raw numbers; now for some personal observations. Regarding the number of hymnals found, a total of 293 in the sanctuary, Koopman’s Hall, The Chapel, Choir Room, Bell Room, The John Estelle Room, and the Robert E. Rumer Youth Center; I don’t believe Presbyterians are capable of purchasing any type of item in any prime number like 293 except for possibly 2 and therefore I draw the conclusion that 300 were purchased and that the missing hymnals have found their way into the great hymnal heaven or folks’ home concert halls.

The dedication from Estelle Potter is as sweet as any: “In Appreciation for the Choir’s Dedication”, 4 hymnals are labeled thusly. I remember Estelle as a beautiful spirit who took great joy when our youth groups caroled at her house. Her helper would wheel her to the doorway and we sang. At the end of our singing she always gave us the best prayer and blessing.

Ted and Valerie Pfeifer’s donation evoked the memory of singing in the choir as a high school student along with my dad and how much fun that was. I think my friend Jim (wrong) as there as well and we sang for Art Baker at some point in time. It wasn’t until my second LCPC stint and well into adulthood that I got the message that I really can’t sing. It took a while after that but I’m worshipping just fine again for a human, thank you very much.

Broberg and Cathedral Choir

The dedication from Gene and June Broberg for their son Dennis has to be the most poignant for me. Dennis had been a childhood friend and while we were into different things while at CVHS, he into cars and me into basketball, we remained friends. Dennis and another friend, Jeff Barnes, were killed and Dennis’ high school sweetheart (they planned on getting married) was crippled in an accident by a drunk driver on La Tuna Canyon Road during our senior year. We still talk about it at reunions; I remember the shock and going from group to group in the quad trying to process our loss for many days afterwards.

The dedication from Gene and Madeline La Clair brought to mind my start at LCPC as a third grader and how Mr. La Clair taught us the stories about Jesus and made that introduction in lessons and the way he lived his life. He seemed so very old to us eight year olds; maybe that’s why when Cindy and I came back to LCPC the first thing I did was to teach third grade Sunday School which included my future son-in-law. I actually had him in mind when I took on third graders at VBS this past summer.

Two of our named rooms are for people dedicated to Youth Ministry and/or Christian Education. Having just returned from the Reverend Walt Estelle’s memorial service where we had a chance to catch up with John Estelle and Woody Garvin, my old youth leaders are on my heart, Woody being the last one I had as we did the College Workers and Bums group after my CVHS graduation. I remember them all as will our youth today remember theirs. We had Gary Baker who played The Mad Baker to my dad’s Batman in a snow camp skit, fully costumed and priceless. There was Dale Cry (not sure of the spelling here) for high school and Dr. Rumer my senior year, Tom and Judy Theriault. There were many volunteers including the Estelles, my parents, and a great many of our existing Cruiser group; I love them all.

Regarding the Lost donor slips; where have they gotten off to? It made me a little sad each time I found one gone and I gave a fist pump when I found one thoughtfully tucked away in the pages of the hymnal so that I could re-glue it to the opening cover. When I found two in row gone I got a little miffed. Maybe some of them are stowed away somewhere in a drawer of the church.

In general, so many of the donors could have books and rooms named for themselves now. They are the friends of my parents and some of them became my friends in the care and feeding of the church family. Most of them led lives worthy of a dedication but never expected one and would have been embarrassed to receive one. We should all lead such a life and we should each take the time to express our appreciation for the servants of the church, from the servers at PEAK to the musicians in our services, to the maintenance staff, to the childcare providers…you catch my drift.

In His grip, jerry