The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-05-20
REV.C. \. MCELH|NEY
RESIGNS
Plans for the Future
Not Announced
Associate Minister OF the Federated
Church Has Been Here Since 19t5
To Leave in August

PARISH h#HHeFS oil Inc + tuelditu ti@i
Baptist and Gong1 churches were
somewhat surprised during the morn
ing service last Sabbath when Rev {
H. Mckinney. an associate minister
aud formerly pastor OF the Congrega-
tional rendered his resignation. Rev
O. II. Tracy. the First Baptist pastor
read the letter of resignation. Mr.
Mckinney has been located in Skow-
hegan since the fall of 1915. During
his stay here he has identified himself
with various local organizations in
Guiding war work and lodge activities
as well as attention to church duties
acquiring thereby a very large ac-
uuaintance in this section of the state
lie and his family formerly lived in
Searsport where he held a pastorate
Mr. Mckinney stated Monday to the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that so far as
he then knew he should not become
pastor of the Congregational church
in Madison. as had been rumored
about town.
The following was his message of
resignation.
TO the Officers. Members and Parish
oners of the Federated Church
First Baptist. CongreEationalisD
Dear Fellow-workers:-
Having come to the time when per-
sonallv. there is the feeling and coll
victon, that this splendid effort in
Christian co-operation-the federation
of the First Baptist and Congregation
certainly passed the experimental
stage in experience That it is now
thoroly organized, fully oflicered and
in happy and prosperous relations in
all important departments Of its work
That one of its important ideas was
and is. the combination of the tWo
churches under the leadership of one
pastor with Young man Cor womanl
who shall be trained in the Education-
nj ard Welfare work among young
reonle. esnecialv acting as the pas
tors assistant. so releasing one pastor
for needier or pastOrless church
elsewhere. That the type of work
which this Federated Church may de
in this town with such assistant. my
distinguished and much-loyed asso-
ciate nastor DR. O. H. Tracy, is fully
capable of successfully achieving
under present circumstances. You
arc to be highly CONGRATULATED for this
most fortunate situation. That as
a fitting and proper recognition of the
Christian spirit and not small sacri-
fee. on the part of DR.. Tracv and his
people in leaving their church build
ing to make workable the Federation
the last of the present two co-operat-
ing pastors. To be relieved of their po-
sition, should be he who was formerly
the pastor of the Baptist church; al
least for the present. That with the
further equally important fact, as the
oldest and largest salaried of the two
pastors, in these days OF increasing
costs and serious demand for greater
frugality. I feel 1t incumbent upon me
to do what | can to relieve the united
parish
Only clearly defined duty toward
the future success of this splendidly
demonstrated principle Of cooperation
In local church life and work, coulc
enable me to overcome the deep re
luctance of severing the present enjoy
able pastoral relation at this time
But we are for the church and com
munity-not otherwise. Hence | de
sire and do hereby present my resig
nation as pastor of the Island Avenue
Congregational church, also associate
pastor of the Federated First Baptist
and Congregational churches of Sk'w
hegan; the same to take effect mol
later than August first, next
One year of praying. living and
working together will have passed In
to a significant if not notable religi.
Ous history of this town. and of these
parishes. ere this resignation become
effective surely a sufficiently Ions
period. to guarantee lOng-continuet
or permanent relationship. Certain
ly there could not be a religious ef
fort. bearing truer marks of divine
leadership in its inception. plans AM
practical workings. nor of a NOR
nearly unanimous unselfishness. co
operation and thoro enjoyment. on tn
part of pastors with each other or O
each pastor with the members and pa
rishoners OF the other. and all togeth
er, than this. thru these past months
The same spirit Of unSelfish loYalt.
to Jesus Christ, and punctual coop
Grafton of each and all to the intelli
gently expressed decision of the ma
iority opinion, together with a "Wil
to Win must produce much larger re
suits in time to come.
No pastor and his family could de
sire more thotful attention, pleasante
associations or more comfortable re
lations with the members and parish
oners of his church, or with the bust
ness men and townspeople generally
than has been constantly bestowed
upon us. For all of which We wisl
herein to express our very real ap
probation and extend sincere graft
tude. As a deep wish for you all.
would like to use the first nine verses
of Joshua Il to S; especially the las
yerse@"Be strong and of goot
courage. be not afraid neither be
thou dismayed; for the Lord thy Coo
is with thee, whithersoever thou 60
est"
May Grace. Mercy and Peace be with
you all.
Sincerely,