On Sunday, October 7, the Amesville Presbyterian Church held a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Amesville/New England Cooperative Parish in Athens County.

The worship celebration included an inspiring bell choir, special music by 2 young sisters, greetings from Frank Hare, and a great sermon by John Gilmore, former student pastor and the first Commissioned Lay Pastor in Scioto Valley.

These 3 congregations, the United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in Amesville and the Presbyterian Church in New England, worked together closely for many years before they officially came together in 1987 to form this Ecumenical Cooperative Parish.

The First Presbyterian Church in Athens serves as a Partner in Mission.

The covenant agreement for the Amesville-New England Parish includes combined worship, church school and other programs.

This Cooperative Parish also provides a broad range of outreach programs to the community, the surrounding area and around the world!

Congratulations to The Reverend Frank and Educator Catherine Hare for so generously sharing their many talents, gifts and creative energy with this parish for over 20 years!

Photo: John Gilmore and Frank and Catherine Hare