Being an IHN host congregation allows us to live out the message of the Gospel and call of Jesus to ministry:
“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly, I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35,40)
Clicking on the photo of Rev. Davenport above will take you to more photographs from the 9:30 am and 11:00 am worship service at which Rev. Davenport did his candidating sermon prior to being chosen as our next Head Pastor
by Paul Thwaite
At a congregational meeting held Sunday April 20th, after preaching his candidating sermon at both worship services, the Rev. LaVerne A. Davenport was elected by a vote of 249-33 as the 6th called Senior Pastor in the nearly 70 year history of the Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church. LaVerne will conclude his ministry in Dixon, IL and begin his duties as Senior Pastor on August 1, 2008.
It was an exciting weekend at PHCPC as the Davenports arrived Thursday evening. LaVerne, his wife Mary Jane, and 3 of their 4 children – Sylvia (21), Daniel (14), and Jennifer (12) (son John [18] had a track meet and had to remain behind) – were hosted for the weekend by Joe and Carol Swartz. The Davenports had a very busy weekend as they spent time getting to know the community better along with the many activities connected with the candidating weekend. After some househunting on Friday, we enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Davenports, Thwaites, Hanns, and Swartzs as hosts.
Saturday was a busy day for the Davenports. A luncheon with the church staff and spouses and Pastor Nominating Committee and spouses was held in the Courtyard Lounge to provide a chance for the Davenports to meet those they would be working with most closely. It was a relaxed time of fellowship and conversation with LaVerne sharing his excitement about the chance to join this faith community. He answered some questions about his sense of call to this ministry and a few other things before heading off for more househunting in our community.
Saturday evening provided the opportunity for members of the congregation to meet the Davenports at a reception in Fellowship Hall. Barb Nieman and others provided a beautiful reception and well over 100 people came to meet the Davenports and have the chance to interact with them. It had already been quite a busy weekend, and “the main event” had yet to arrive!
Candidating Sunday brought out many from the congregation to hear the recommended candidate for Senior Pastor. Nearly 400 were in attendance at the 9:30 worship service and 460 at the 11 a.m. service as people came to participate in this important event in the life of our congregation. Following the worship services, nearly 300 participated in the congregational meeting where LaVerne’s name was placed in nomination and the written vote was held to confirm his election as our new Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. After expressing thanks for the hard work of the PNC and dismissing them with gratitude, the meeting was closed in prayer.
This weekend was the culmination of many months of prayer, hard work, and anticipation on the part of many in our faith community. I hope you will personally express your thanks to the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee – Chair Steve Heys, Darlene Bachman, Eric Birch, David Greiner, Blanche McManus, Kristin Palmer, Rich Virgin, and Glema Burke (personnel trustee, ex-officio) – who on behalf of the congregation offered dedicated service over the past 17 months. And I hope you will continue to pray for the Davenports, our congregation, and for these next few months of anticipation and preparation for their arrival to be a time where we all ask for God’s blessing and guidance as we move forward by faith. These will be exciting and challenging times as we together seek to be God’s people for this time in our community!
Rev. LaVerne A. Davenport2238 Center LaneDixon, IL 61021