Retired pastor takes interim post
Retired pastortakes interim post
CAMPBELL -- The Rev. Lonnie K.A. Simon, 77, became the interim pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Massillon last week, when the Rev. David Dodson, formerly of Youngstown, retired after serving that congregation for 30 years. The Rev. Mr. Simon will commute to Massillon two days a week until a full-time pastor is called.
In 1995, Mr. Simon retired from New Bethel Baptist Church, where he was senior pastor for 33 years. His son, the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, was chosen to succeed him. In 1997, he was called to Friendship Baptist Church in Farrell, Pa., for two and a half years. In 2000, he was called to serve as interim pastor of the Alpha-Omega First Baptist Church in Youngstown for 11 months.
He was called to the ministry in 1951 and has been a pastor for 44 years. He attended Youngstown University, where he majored in philosophy and religion. He graduated from Central Bible College in Cleveland in 1963 and graduated from American Baptist Theological Seminary-Youngstown Unit in 1973.
30th anniversary
BOARDMAN -- The Rev. William R. Wolfgang will celebrate 30 years of service at his church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, formerly Robinwood Reformed Presbyterian Church, with a service at 11 a.m. April 14. A dinner will follow.
The Rev. Mr. Wolfgang was installed as pastor of the church on the second Sunday of April in 1972. Since then he has served the church through a merger of congregations and a merger of denominations.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Wolfgang is a 1955 graduate of South High School, Covenant College of Lookout Mountain, Ga., and Covenant Seminary of St. Louis, Mo. He was ordained in 1971 at Fairview Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania where he ministered until coming to Boardman. He is chairman of the board of Meals on Wheels, a hospital chaplain for the Organization of Protestant Men and a member of Downtown Kiwanis.
Concert set at YSU
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Ronald Gould, professor of organ at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, will perform a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in St. John's Episcopal Church. Also performing are Lesley Gent, soprano, and Leslie Kitchen, alto. An offering will be taken to benefit Protestant Campus Ministry at YSU.
Catholic conference
NORTH CANTON -- The Office of Pro-Life Activities of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and Walsh University, North Canton, will co-sponsor a conference from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.April 27 at Walsh. The U.S. Bishops' new "Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Campaign in Support of Life," is the theme. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will preside over the opening prayer service. Gail Quinn, executive director for the U.S. Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, will give the keynote address. There will be workshops focusing on the main areas of the plan (education, pastoral care, public policy and prayer and worship). Workshop presenters include Ryan Coiner, association director of the national committee for a human life amendment; Sister Pauline Dalpe, post-abortion pastoral counselor for the Catholic Charities Regional Agency; and Jim Tobin, associate director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio. The $15 cost includes lunch. For a registration form, list of workshop topics and presenters, call (330) 744-8451 or visit the Web site at www.doy.org. Registrations must be received by April 15 at the Office of Pro-Life Activities, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, Ohio 44503.