The Institute

Church started late today because a Canadian Pacific train was unexpectedly stopped on the tracks in Jenkins Township, delaying Pastor Laura on her way to church.  And also delaying arrival of the bulletins for this morning's service.  On the way through the vestibule, I picked up a historical pamphlet about Wyoming Presbyterian Church and the Institute.  The Presbytery of Luzerne established the Luzerne Presbyterial Institute in 1949 as a parochial school - which included in its curriculum Latin, Greek, German, music and painting.  We learned that it had a natural science collection as well as a library.  The school closed about 1875, and ultimately the property was transferred to the Church. The photograph above must have been taken after 1927, when the east and west wings were added on.  You can clearly see the bell, which was taken down last year after determining that the bell tower was in very bad condition and the bell was in danger of crashing down.  It's now mounted to the right of the front entrance - quite handsome.

When Grandad became the minister at Old Swedes Church and we moved into the rectory on the same property, the parish hall next door became a fixture of our lives.  I tried coffee as a very young girl during coffee (and usually cake) hour after church - a styrofoam cup filled half way with coffee, then lots of milk & sugar.  Aunt Julie and I helped at church dinners there and ultimately a kitchen utility cart was named after us - the "Chris & Julie".  Now that was annoying.  Eventually we lost interest in helping, but I never lost interest in old parish buildings including their old fashioned kitchens.  (I never heard if the next contingent of Rivers children had any equipment named after them e.g., a "Diana and John" tea pot.)

Much later, I occasionally went to Wyoming Presbyterian with Dad.  My first memory of the Institute is the rumage sale.  This was a major annual event, staffed by many long-time church people like the Murdoch's, Mrs. Helfrich, Mary and Paul Williams, Aunt Rebecca & Uncle George and Grandma.  Grandma was always in charge of the jewelry table.  Set up was by far the worst stage, since it requires going through the many bags and other items that people dropped off.  It was usually quite successful as well as exhausting.

Another fundraising event was making Welsh cookies.  Well, now things sound a little more familiar, right?  Rob, you are now a fixture of cookie-making Saturdays which are typically in May and October.  It's a highly organized production, under the stern direction of Mrs. Murdoch.  There are mixers, rollers, grillers (mostly ladies), and baggers (men*) - but only one (VERY important) position as a runner.   Rob, you are Mrs. Murdoch's right-hand assistant in charge of getting flour & other ingredients, delivering cookies to the grillers & baggers, etc.  If I can't it make to rolling or grilling duty that's not a big deal, but your attendance is essential.  As we work away, I am often thinking about our predecessors and wishing we could all be together again.

*Specifically, Mr. Fleming and Mr. Kanaske...  who are not to be trusted, as I discovered while taking a break from rolling to sample a cookie.  After munching on a cookie they offered me from the pile of cookies that were cooling, they had a good laugh after letting me know that it had been picked up after falling on the floor.

Rob I hope you too will have fond memories of the Institute, which also include Sunday School & confirmation classes with Pastor Jim, church dinners and now tutoring with fellow Key Club members a couple times each month.  Your contributions to church life really do matter and are appreciated.