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West Side Presbyterian Church thrives with the arts
http://westside.org/325783.ihtml
West Side Presbyterian Church thrives with the arts
MONDAY OCTOBER 8, 2012, 12:00 PM
BY BETSY MURPHY
CORRESPONDENT
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Strolling into the office of Joanne Rodland, minister of music, where she is having lunch with the associate minister of music, Debbi Holden Holloway, The Rev. Dr. Gareth Icenogle, pastor of West Side Presbyterian Church, offers peanut butter pretzels from a huge plastic jar he is carrying. He is offered Oreos in return. Dr. Icenogle is a man who enjoys camaraderie and good conversation and knows he can find both here as the two staff members take a lunch break.
He is also quick to say, “The people of West Side Presbyterian Church rely less on talk and more on action, always looking for constructive ways to put their faith into action. Not judgmental, they have big hearts, abound in grace to people in trouble, care about families and children who are struggling, give generously to house the homeless and keep people from being evicted from their homes.”
Coming from the National Cathedral in Washington, he is proud of the people he has served since Feb. 1, 2009.
“They are rooted in historic orthodoxy and classicism while very concerned about contemporary issues and conflicts; centered in Christian liturgy while being entrepreneurial with new ventures of faith,” he says. “At the same time, they are heavily invested in nurturing the arts as acts of faith: music, drama, painting, drawing, photography.”
It is the arts that play an important part of the celebration of the church’s 100 years. And Rodland and Holden-Holloway have been working closely with co-chairs Cheryl Mensing and Marilyn Ewell to ensure the proper use of the congregation’s talent.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/173132661_West_Side_Presbyterian_Church_thrives_with_the_arts.html
