Initial sermon set

Initial sermon set
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dean M. Robinson, who has been ministering in music since he was 3, will give his first sermon at 5 p.m. Sunday in Everlife Worship Center, where he is presently serving as the center's worship leader. Minister Dean is an accomplished songwriter and arranger who attended Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and Sebastian Music School, also in Youngstown.
He also ministers in music and in word with his brothers, The Robinson Brothers, who have appeared with many great performers such as James Cleveland, The Winans, Keith Pringle and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Robinson has also been involved in major street crusades in many states.
Dean is the son of Deacon Willard and Minister Ruth Robinson, and is a twin and the youngest of four brothers. His twin, Denis, plays bass guitar for the ministry and brother David is senior pastor of Everlife.
Director named
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Thiel College alumnus Albert U. Gesler III was recently named director of church relations at Thiel.
Gesler earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from the college in 1990. Prior to his appointment at Thiel, he had served as district representative for Aid Association for Lutherans in Erie.
As director of church relations, Gesler will serve as the college's liaison with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the six ELCA synods related to Thiel College, pastors and congregations.
He will also direct the college's fundraising drive to construct a $1.4 million chapel, the first free-standing chapel in the college's 136-year history.
Summer Fest set
STRUTHERS -- The second annual Summer Fest will be sponsored by the Midlothian Area Ministerial Association from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Yellow Creek Park.
There will be activities for adults and children, a dinner, campfire devotions and a sing-along featuring Ted Walker and the Colporteurs from New Castle, Pa.
The ministerial association will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages and ice cream. Those attending should bring a covered dish.
The ministerial association includes: Faith Community, Brownlee Woods Presbyterian, Struthers Presbyterian, Struthers United Methodist, St. Nicholas Catholic, St. Luke Catholic, Pleasant Grove Presbyterian, Gibson Heights Second Presbyterian, Bethlehem Lutheran and Hungarian Presbyterian churches.
Novitiate completed
LATROBE, Pa. -- Six men completed their novitiate at St. Vincent Archabbey and made first profession of vows as Benedictine monks July 10.
Among them was Brother Dominic J. Shipsky, who renewed his vows as a junior monk. He is the son of Ruth Jane Shipsky of Poland and the late John C. Shipsky. He is a 1984 graduate of Poland High School.
The novitiate is a year of prayer and study designed to help the men in discerning their vocation as monks. Following their first vows, the monks remain as junior monks for three years before making solemn profession, or vows for life.
In 2001, Brother Dominic was named assistant master of ceremonies/sacristan at the archabbey, assistant director of vocations, and miller at the St. Vincent Gristmill.
Training seminars set
YOUNGSTOWN -- Christ Church Presbyterian has become a host-site for the Church Communications Network. Through live, interactive satellite broadcasts, the church will be able to provide leadership training seminars, high-profile speakers and special events, according to Pastor Bob Offerdahl.
The church plans to offer at least two seminars a month. Upcoming ones are "Leadership: Building Your Dream Team," with Dr. John Trent, the author of "The Blessing," on Aug. 27, and "Halftime: Training Your Leaders to Move from Success to Significance," with Bob Buford, Ken Blanchard, and Gene Getz" on Sept. 10. For more information, call (330) 782-2611.