603 North Burdick, Kalamazoo MI 49007 269.345.1848 north1864@sbcglobal.net
A place for you . . .
young and old and in-between,
high and low and in-between,
poor and rich and in-between,
people of all kinds are welcome here.
North Church Is:
Welcoming,
Nurturing,
Filled with Spirit,
Energized by Love,
Lifted by Compassion,
Birthed by Hope,
Raised through God's power.
Mission Statement:
Through the rich diversity of God's people,
and our heritage as a congregation of the
Presbyterian Church (USA)
we express the faith of Christ
seeking to model in our life
together the Beloved Community.
Together we are ambassadors for Christ . . .
joining together to praise . . .
standing together in service . . .
marching together for justice . . .
praying together for peace.
Our New Elder:
Cathy Serra
Cathy Serra joined North Church twelve years ago on Pentecost Sunday when she and a fellow WMU college student did some clowning at the church. North reminded her of her home church in Benton Harbor – full of life, important to be there and to take part in its activities.
Cathy was born in Petosky and bap-tized at age two in the Presbyterian Church. In fourth grade, she and her family moved to Benton Harbor where she lived until leaving for college. Her interests include knitting and anything that has to do with the out of doors.
Our New Deacons:
Eric Eschenfelder
Eric Eschenfelder joined North Church two years ago. He was attracted to the church as it reminded him of other churches he had attended that were different and not traditional. He is drawn to churches that don’t feel judgmental.
Eric grew up in Indianapolis. He was baptized in 1981 at the House of Prayer, on the outskirts of Indianapolis. He drives the van for the Togetherness Group and enjoys playing keyboard, drums, and guitar. He also is an avid distance runner and likes to participate in food preparation at church.
Judith Scott
Judy Scott joined North Church two years ago. She was attracted to this church by its positive atmosphere and the overwhelming sense of love. All people are accepted and no one is rejected.
Judy grew up in Kalamazoo. She was baptized as an infant in the Christian Reformed Church. She enjoys making connections with people and teaching music to children. She has a love of nature and respecting the earth. Some of her special interests include performing with others, helping people, painting, fishing, and writing poetry and songs.
Pastor: Rev Linda Cook MacDonald
Linda has been pastor of North Church since
2000, when she was called as the Designated
Pastor. A graduate of McCormick Semenary in Chicago, she is a trained interim pastor and
served the Presbytery of Lake Michigan as
Peace and Hunger Action staff for many years.
North Church Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Linda MacDonald
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Robert Rasmussen
Parish Associate: Rev. Steve Doughty
Musician: Julie K. Lyons
Administration: Wade MacDonald
Session:
Jean Doughty-Treasurer
Sandy Lipsey
Greg Rosine
Ella Fabel-Ryder
Cathy Serra
Lenore Huston
Don Roe
Deacons:
Calvin Roux
Joanne Marlow
Diane Steeg
Ferdi Hintze
Tonja Oswald
Jean Doughty
Katie Trowbridge
Judith Scott
Pauline Pefok
Eric Eschenfelder
Helen Fokunang
Melissa Walden
New Deacons (continued):
Helen Fokunang
Helen Fokunang joined North Church last year. She and her husband, Lovet, were looking for a Presbyterian Church and when they came to this one, they felt welcomed.
Helen grew up in Bamenda in Cameroon. She was baptized at All Saints Catholic Parish when she was 8 years old. Her first experience in the Presbyterian Church was at Parks United in Detroit.
Helen is the mother of Nagwa (4) and Feh (2). Her main interest is in being a mum for her kids and family. She is presently working and going to school, studying nursing.
Katie Trowbridge
Katie Trowbridge joined North Church on March 27, 2005. When she was quite young, she started coming to church with her grandma, LaVonna Trowbridge.
Katie has grown up in Kalamazoo and was baptized at North at the age of eleven. This fall she will be entering eleventh grade at Plainwell High School. She likes sports and hanging with friends.
Melissa Walden
Melissa Walden joined North Church two years ago. She had been attending the Togetherness Group and knew members of the church, including Deacon Dorothy Sells. She liked that important positions in the church were open to all its members.
Melissa grew up in Grand Rapids. She was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church. She continues to take an active role in the Togetherness Group. Some of her special interests include a love of animals (horses, dogs, cats – in that order) and music. She has played the flute since fourth grade.
Pauline Pefok
Pauline Pefok joined North Church last year. When she and her family lived in Detroit, they worshipped with her son, Banyuga and his family, at Parks United, where Banyuga is an elder and deacon.
Pauline grew up in Kumba in Camaroon in a Presbyterian family. She was baptized in the church in 1950. Her husband died last year and she has six living children in Camaroon, Detroit, London, as well as Lovet in Kalamazoo. Her interests include singing and gardening, but most especially, being a grandma and taking care of her grand kids.