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Addendum - Part 2

Just at a time when our congregation was smugly satisfied with the status quo the "bomb" burst. In November 1984 Dr. Kirkman notified the Session of his intent to become minister of the Royal Poinciana Chapel, Palm Beach, Florida. On Sunday, December 9, 1984 Dr. Kirkman's resignation was announced at a congregational meeting with his reasons for leaving:

1. I do not wish to overstay my ability to serve as a fulltime, competent pastor;

2. The congregation is strong which makes this Church a desirable pastorate.

The resignation was accepted with regrets.

On January 6, 1985, Thomas Kirkman delivered his last sermon as our minister. That evening an inspiring program, complete with Tom's beloved bagpipes piping Tom and Ruth into the sanctuary had been arranged. It was a nostalgic day for Royal Oak First Presbyterian Church but also a far-filled evening with chancel music, testimonials and good conversation. Gifts were presented to the Kirkmans and as a lasting farewell gesture Fellowship Hall was renamed Kirkman Fellowship Hall. Later, the Kirkmans extended their personal good-byes to the congregation at a large reception in "their" hall.

After the shock had subsided, the members sprang into action. A committee was appointed by the Session to choose an interim pastor. At the same time Presbytery advised us of the necessity of an updated profile of our Church and its members - average age, sex, education, average income, interests, years of membership, etc. The compilation of this information had to be completed before we could proceed further (with authority) in selecting appropriate ministerial candidates by using the profile as an aid.

We were very fortunate not only to secure Dr. LeRoy J. Peterson as a temporary supply minister but in the selection of Reverend Bruce Ingles of New Jersey as our regular interim pastor. Truly, we did not miss a "beat" in the life of our Church. When Reverend Ingles left Royal Oak the next year he became interim at Birmingham Presbyterian Church, then Grosse Pointe Memorial in Crosse Pointe and now at First Presbyterian Church, Flint.

In the meantime we elected a pastoral nominating committee, PNC, to screen candidates from the entire United States, many of whom remarked about our excellent profile. We must have answered the profile questions requested of us by Presbytery to our advantage because we were fortunate to have Dr. William J. Rumsey, his wife Nancy and their two sons, Jim and David, of Williamsport Pennsylvania choose our Church as their pastorate.

William J. Rumsey, a 1967 graduate of Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee, majoring in history, entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary that fall. He received a Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, in 1970. Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Princeton University, awarded Dr. Ramsey a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1985. Dr. Rumsey's previous pastorates include several Pennsylvania Churches, Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, the Presbyterian Church of Cochranton and Covenant-Central Presbyterian Church, Williamsport.

Mrs. Rumsey, Nancy, is a graduate of Capital University, Columbus, Ohio with a major in music education. She teaches music both in the public schools and privately. Nancy is a member of Chancel Choir and advisor for musical activities with our Church youth.

De Rumsey preached his first sermon at Royal Oak First Presbyterian Church on August 24, 1986 and was installed on September 28 of that year. We are delighted to say that it has been "onward and upward" since that time.

SERVICE OF INSTALLATION

for

The Reverend Dr. William J. Rumsey

at the
First Presbyterian Church
Royal Oak, Michigan

Sunday, September 28, 1986 - 4:00 p.m.

Conducted by
DETROIT PRESBYTERY
The Reverend Lawrence T. Glenn, Moderator
Presiding

Our Church and Society Committee in 1984 studied the concept of abortion. The Session did not take a Pro-life or Pro-choice stand reasoning that they could not take a position for the entire membership since the question is one of a very personal decision.

In 1985 General Assembly rules made it necessary to have ten percent of our members present at an annual congregational meeting to have it declared legal. Hence we were forced to change our annual meetings from an evening in January to the conclusion of an 11:00 am. Sunday service in January to comply with attendance requirements. The discussions, questions, camaraderie, the feeling of being a part of the decisions which we had at our evening meetings have given way to mandated progress with the procedure being somewhat stereotyped. The nominating committee now presents its candidates for Church officers in the fall of the year to give more time for strengthened officer training before the January takeover of a new administration.

One other change which became effective in 1984 eliminated the job title of "Assistant Pastor" thus all seminary graduates now begin as Associate Pastors. This means that the personnel committee of Session no longer has the power to employ new pastors. Associate Pastors are selected by a pastoral nominating committee and presented to the entire congregation for election.