The John W's are a group of retired men who get together every Wednesday morning. They keep the Church in good repair, do renovations, and handle a wide variety of jobs that are too numerous to list.
They are a double blessing. Their efforts keep our Church beautiful and functional, for only the cost of materials. This saves our budget thousands upon thousands of dollars every year. Secondly, it provides them a way to continue contributing to our congregation and have social times together.
Their experiences gained over a lifetime,
that are constantly contributed is something from which we all benefit.
During the early stage of discussing with Dr. Steve Dixon, my idea on a work group of "retired" men in the Church, and on a name for the group, Steve suggest that we consider the name "John Witherspoon" who was well known in Presbyterian Church history. It was then decided that a shortened version of the "John W's" would be more appropriate and so we adopted same.
Our first meeting on January 8, 1992 was attended by the following men: Bill Innes, Hubert Laney, Dick Nelson, Percy Pentacost, Joe Rainier, Bill Rose and Tommy Weir. These became the "Original Charter Members".
After a "Walk Thru" of the building, we decided to break up into small work groups and we began to tackle the first of the many projects that needed repair.
One of the first projects undertaken, was the partial enclosure of the door way of the north entrance to Rand Hall. The material cost had already been donated by Dr. Milt Lowery.
The month of of January sped by very quickly and we continued meeting each Wednesday morning. After coffee and donuts, we would review the many new projects that were being given to the newly formed John W's. We attempted to complete same before 12 noon. If they were not finished, we would carry them to the following Wednesday.
The month of February was a continuation of our Wednesday morning meetings. Read the report of March 26, 1992 for one very interesting projects carried out in the sanctuary.
Before we knew it, our first full year was completed without missing a single Wednesday morning. In 1992 we took on the care of the lawn work which had become expensive to the budget at $125 per week. Soon after we began the cutting of the lawns, we received permission to purchase at a bargain price a new Sears 36" deck riding mower, which enabled us to finish the lawn in about half the time. We were still using the "old" single blade Snapper riding mower, plus two old donated push mowers.
The first 12 months went by very quickly, and then 1993 sped by and then 1994 came along. During the spring break we took on our first really big project.
With much prior planning, scale design drawings, the pre-purchase of sinks fixtures, new stove, vent hood, cabinets, and counter tops we began the total renovation of the Church kitchen.
We started bright and early on Monday morning, the first day of the spring break. We promised the day school that we would not let them be without the use of the kitchen and it would be back in use for their return from spring break.
Over the past four years, the John W's have completed too many projects large and small, to name here. Our group of men has grown in number to 13 regulars, and we have had extra help from time to time, from other men of the Church. I would not try to name them here, due to the possibility of over-looking one by name.
We are looking forward to 1996 and hopefully more years to come. We trust and pray that the John W's will always be an important factor in the life of covenant Presbyterian Church.
By Joe Rainier, Dated March 1996