New Pastor At Heritage Wants Broader Church Understanding

One of the Rev. Joe Clarke’s goals as the new pastor of Heritage Congregational Church on Spokane’s South Side is to spread the word around town about what Congregationalism is.

“It’s the church of the Pilgrims and the Puritans,” Clarke said. “But it’s a free church which allows its members latitude in interpretation of the Scriptures. We have no set creed or doctrines that we hand out.

“We want our members to come to their own understanding of the Scriptures.”

Clarke will be welcomed as Heritage’s new pastor with a barbecue at 10 this morning.

Clarke became a minister 12 years ago after a first career as a social worker with the mentally retarded. He originally intended to become a minister in his retirement years, but the opportunity presented itself sooner.

He received his theology degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theology Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif. He has served churches in California, Iowa and, most recently, East Freetown, Mass.

Clarke said another of his goals for the 200-member church is to expand its ministry and attract more families with young children to complement the present older congregation.

Today’s event on the church lawn at 1801 E. 29th will include The Sweet Adelines, a ventriloquist, and lots of food.

Couple to present concert

Dana Talley, former New York Metropolitan Opera principal tenor, and his wife, Sue, a concert pianist, will stage “A Ministry of Joy!” with hymns, spirituals and sacred songs at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N. Washington, at 7 p.m., Sunday.

The Talleys tour the United States, Canada and Europe, performing a repertoire of religious songs. They recently returned from Albania and Russia, where they founded a ministry called “Russia for Jesus.”

During Sunday’s program of music from this country and abroad, the Talleys will give a historical background of the pieces and tell of their ministry overseas.

The public concert is free, but donations will be accepted.

Pastor installation service

An installation service will be at 2:30 p.m. today for the Rev. B. Andrew King, pastor of First United Pentecostal Church, 1803 E. DeSmet.

The service will be led by the Rev. Richard Denny, Washington district superintendent.

King recently succeeded the Revs. Verneal and Tiny Crossley, who served as co-pastors for 28 years.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo