The Rev. Frank Hare of Amesville was among those honored recently at the sixth annual Jenco Awards in Athens.

The awards go to residents of the Appalachian corridor of West Virginia and Ohio who are instrumental in improving the quality of life for those living in the area.

Hare was recognized with the Inspired Community Service Award for his local and international ministries, advocating for the poor in the area and service work.

Catherine Hare received the award in 2005. Both were nominated by a member of the Amesville / New England Parish.

The Father Martin Lawrence Jenco Foundation was established in 2001 by Athens resident Terry Anderson, Associated Press correspondent, to honor the priest who was imprisoned with him in Lebanon for 19 months until 1991.

A second Presbyterian honored this year is retired India Medical Mission worker Dr. Ronald Seaton who with his wife continues to provide medical service in the Hinton WV area.

Frank Hare began his Athens County ministry in 1967, serving The Athens Area Ministry of congregations at New England, Amesville, Doanville and Alexander.

He has been minister of the Amesville-NewEngland Cooperative Parish since 1981 while serving with the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry. He has also served as Mayor of Amesville since 1992.

Hare and his family took this ministry to Nicaragua beginning in 2002 helping low-income families improve their food supplies and nutrition levels through agricultural training.

Son Mark Hare continues as a MIssion Worker for the PCUSA now in Haiti. The Hare family is known in the Presbytery for their work with Geneva Hills Camp and in particular with specialty camping experiences.

(Sources: Some portions from Athens Messenger Oct. 8, 2007 : Frank Hare, phone)

See also: Amesville / New England Parish celebrates 20 years.

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

During October, 2007, over 140 presbyteries will be visited by a mission co-worker for one week.  These missionaries will be inviting every PC(USA) congregation to be in relationship with at least one PC(USA) co-worker. The goal is to increase our understanding of the needs of the mission field and to enhance the sense of support for our mission workers. 

Presbytery of Scioto Valley will host Rev. Ted Wright from October 19 to 26. Until his appointment as a mission co-worker, Ted was the pastor and head of staff of the Langhorne Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for 22 years. During that church’s partnership with a congregation in Zimbabwe, Ted and his wife, Sue, felt God’s call to serve full-time in Africa.  Since July, 2005, they have served as regional liaisons for east and central Africa with special attention to Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. 

First Presbyterian Church, Delaware — Saturday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 pm Potluck dinner (table service and beverages will be furnished); 6:15 pm Program 

First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon — Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6 :30 pm Program 

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Columbus — Monday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 pm Program 

Hilliard Presbyterian Church — Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 pm Program 

Second Presbyterian Church, Portsmouth — Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 6:00 pm Light dinner, 7:00 pm Program.

First Presbyterian Church, Athens — Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7:00 pm Program 

Please encourage and arrange for interested members of your congregation to attend one of these gatherings!

For further information, contact Bruce Henderson at the Presbytery office (1-800-244-7207), home (1-740-344-8826), or email (kbhenderson1806@msn.com).

For more information on Ted Wright, see http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/wrightc.htm