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Addendum - Part 3

During these last twenty-five years Royal Oak First Presbyterian Church has truly been blessed with excellent, devoted associate ministers. On the other side of tire coin, they apparently enjoyed serving our congregation and learned much from their tenure with us. As one minister stated, "I shall never forget my years in Royal Oak. The members were so generous with their cooperation and praise, the administration so patient in teaching necessary skills to direct a Church successfully, that Royal Oak was literally a stepping stone to greater heights." Their success with us is evidenced by the fact that they are now senior ministers in other Churches.

James Coombes resigned in April 1967 to accept a position with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at University of Iowa. Thomas D. Kennedy of Arkansas, a graduate of Louisville Seminary was chosen as a replacement and became assistant minister, coming to us from Anderson, Indiana. While in Royal Oak he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. He was installed as associate pastor on November 15, 1970. Then in January, 1972, much to the delight and enthusiasm of the entire congregation who wished them a lifetime of happiness Tom Kennedy and Christine Meyer of Grosse Pointe Shores were married. The ceremony was performed by Dr. Kirkman in our sanctuary. In April 1975 the Kennedys left Royal Oak to reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky where Tom was named pastor of the Presbyterian Church there. In November 1981 the Kennedys moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where Tom is senior minister of the Presbyterian Church in that city.

To replace Dr. Kennedy we chose Craig Davies with his wife Marcia of First Presbyterian Church, Lake Worth, Florida. Craig studied at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania and at McCormick Seminary. Their children, Ton and Becky, were both born while they resided in Royal Oak area. The Davies family left us in 1983 when Craig became senior pastor at a Presbyterian Church in Littleton, Colorado, where they still live.

In July 1983 Dr. James Duncan Boyd III with his wife Nancy of Deerfield Beach, Florida became our assistant minister. Duncan had studied at Stetson University, Louisville Seminary and at Trinity College and Seminary where he received his Doctor of Theology degree. Tire Boyds continued with us until February 25,1986, when Duncan accepted the call of Erin Presbyterian Church, Roseville, Michigan. He is an active member of Detroit Presbytery.

James Russell, in 1986, was selected for a six-month stay as interim associate pastor, leaving to go to Northville Presbyterian Church. Mr. Russell of Portage, Indiana, a graduate of Dubuque Seminary and the University of Kansas, lead previously served at Redford and at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Churches in the Detroit area.

On May 3, 1987, Dr. Daniel Festa, with his wife Laura and their son Benjamin, became our associate pastor. Daniel Festa was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia m 1987. Previously he had earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, College of Charleston, South Carolina and Master of Librarianship, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Dan has served St. John's Hospital, Richmond, Virginia as chaplain, served as advisor and leader of the Montreat Youth Conferences and as seminary assistant to the Moderator of 196th General Assembly. Laura Festa earned her Doctorate of Education, Master of Science in Health Education and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina. In Royal Oak Laura has already assumed a vital, exciting role in our Church life using her academic expertise to its fullest. In addition to her Church associations, Laura is an associate professor, Wayne State University.

At a congregational meeting in April, 1988, Jeffrey B. Wilson of Colorado with his wife Heidi was elected as our second Associate Pastor, assuming responsibility for the senior high mid singles ministries programs. In January of 1989, the Junior High Fellowship was added to his responsibilities. Jeffrey studied at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology. He continued his education at Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Jeff served as a religious intern at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas where his work encompassed education, small group formations, visitation and community outreach. Heidi is a registered nurse recently receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from the Medical College, Virginia.