Change and Growth at Sligo

Pastor William Loveless (1961-1970), an Associate Pastor under Pastor Osborn, was named Senior Pastor when Pastor Osborn moved on to the Southeastern California Conference. Pastor Loveless, a thirty-three year-old from Spokane, Washington, would significantly shape Sligo Church's image during one of this country's most interesting decades.

In 1961 the College became Columbia Union College and plans were set for constructing a new building to house Sligo Adventist School. The Candlelight Winter Concert series began in this year. During the season of Advent, Sligo Adventist School, Takoma Academy, the College, and the Sligo Church Choir, among others, gather on Friday night for a musical celebration. The musical tradition at Sligo has been a strong one, with many notable choir directors, singers, and talented musicians filling the Sanctuary with sounds of praise.

In the spring of 1962, Pastor Loveless, who also served as Chair of the Sligo Church Board, put on the Board's agenda the question of recognizing the transfer in of AfricanAmericans and allowing their baptism in Sligo Church. For a few years, Sligo Church had accepted some Asian Americans, but did not accommodate African Americans. According to Pastor Loveless, many of his elders counseled against bringing up this topic. They argued that Sligo Church would split. Pastor Loveless responded that it might be "time to split the Church then." To understand the depth of this problem, one should know that the Sligo Elementary School constitution was drafted to preclude non-Sligo Church members' children from attending the school. Because Sligo Church itself was segregated, children of color were guaranteed to be kept out of the School.

In spite of firm opposition, Pastor Loveless stuck to his resolve, saying, "it's [the matter of integrating African-Americans] going to the Board until we decide what to do, and we better do the right thing." For four months the debate raged. Members came forth with all sorts of justifications for and against integration. Finally, instead of acrimonious debate, the Sligo Church Board unanimously and enthusiastically settled on dispensing with its restrictive membership policy. As Sligo Church membership was unencumbered, the path was set for the face of the local congregation to reflect that of the larger world.

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Maupin, Sr., were among the first African American families to join Sligo. According, to Dr. John Butler, who along with his wife, Shirley, joined Sligo in 1968, an elder came to his home to interview him and his wife after they had expressed an interest in joining Sligo. Whatever the vetting process was, they apparently passed it. With the color bar broken, persons of color eventually were elected to leadership positions in Sligo Church. Dr. Butler, for example, went on to serve as Head Elder, Chairman of the Sligo School Board, and Sabbath School Superintendent, among other posts.

In 1963, groundbreaking for Sligo Elementary School took place at 8300 Carroll Avenue. Former Guide Editor Lawrence Maxwell was one of the leaders of the building project. When Sligo Elementary School opened in 1964, enrollment was planned for 320 students. An additional forty children put the enrollment at 360 for that year. In 2008, the School, now named Sligo Adventist School, celebrated its 90th anniversary!

The painting of Jesus in the Garden that hangs is the foyer has a story to tell. Harry Baerg, husband of Sligo Adventist School teacher Ida Mae Baerg, modified the painting, originally done by Harry Anderson ( created in 1957 for the Review and Herald Publishing Association). The Baergs wanted the painting to represent the racial balance found among students and administration at the School. Artist Baerg modified the children from Anderson's original work and added two children to the painting: Karen Yoon, an Asian American girl (far left), and Arjun Moses, an Indian American boy (fourth from the left in blue and white striped shirt). Karen and Arjun were third-graders in Mrs. Baerg's class in 1984-85 when their photos were taken to serve as a guide for Mr. Baerg.

In 1965, Pastor Loveless and College president Winton Beaven produced Concept, a television program that aired locally on Channel 7. More than 7,000 Bibles were given away during the first year that Concept was on the air.

The 3,000 membership barrier fell the next year. Also in 1966, a Sligo Church paper, the Sligo Scene, made its debut. It was published for approximately two years and then was revived under the name Sligoscope in 1971. The Mosaic continued on with the mission of the Sligoscope. Today, Sligo Church publishes eVangel and eWeekend, and has a robust Internet site (www.sligochurch.org), which was launched in 2002 by Cheerie Lou Capman. Sligo sermons are webcast and downloaded by listeners the world over.

1966 also saw the genesis of Sligo-by-the-Sea, Sligo Church's Sabbath programming in Ocean City, Maryland. This relaxed, informal worship service began with a weekly attendance that averaged eighty-five persons. For forty-two years, Sligo by the Sea has been a respite for those wishing to get away from the summer heat and humidity of Washington, D.C. Wellknown preachers routinely appear on its circuit. Sligo by the Sea meets in the St. Peter's Lutheran Church off of the Coastal Highway in Ocean City, Maryland.

Another program started in 1966, was the Christian Urban Service Corps. College Missionary Volunteer leader Ed Peterson and Pastor Loveless initiated this program that teamed inner-city children with a mentor. In 1968-69, more than 150 College and Takoma Academy students tutored children in Washington, D.C.

The chapel in Sligo Church's basement was remodeled in 1967 and turned into the Memorial Chapel, the name for which was selected "as an appropriate way to remember the spirit and contribution of our early denominational pioneers." Sligo Church member Robert F. Schwindt (he would later Chair the Psychology Department at the College) designed the Memorial Chapel. The first wedding to take place in the Memorial Chapel was that of Barbara Mauer and George Bestpitch on March 26, 1967. Barbara served for many years as Sligo Church's Secretary and George would become the Pastor for Visitation. The Memorial Chapel was dedicated on January 13, 1968. Social and political calls for change reverberating through the country impacted the Seventh-day Adventist campus in Takoma Park. Starting in 1969, some in Sligo Church's Missionary Volunteer program discussed starting a coffeehouse in the Washington, D.C., area. Those early leaders included, Verlin Chalmers, Gabe Romero, Melinda Howes, and Sharon Reed. Verlin Chalmers had visited Southern Missionary College (now Southern University) and the Gate coffeehouse. He had also met with Wayne Estep and Bob Hunter who had started that program. With support from Sligo Church and other denominational and non-denominational entities, a building at 3338 M Street in Georgetown was leased and renovated. Given the complex nature of the Gate program, which planned to include a general medical practice, counseling, nutrition classes, pre-natal care, drug counseling, stop-smoking clinics, and a laboratory and pharmacy, it was disengaged from the Missionary Volunteer department. Verlin Chalmers and Wayne Eastep were tapped to take on management roles. The Xerox corporation even lent one of its executives, Lionel Reim, to the Gate for a full year (paid leave of absence) beginning January 1, 1970. Xerox's evaluation committee chose twenty proposals from more over 1,000 with its first priority the social worth of the project and its relevance to the dominant problems of the decade. Many College and Sligo Church members became involved in this cutting-edge ministry, which provided cooking and weight-reduction classes, cardiovascular screening tests, films, worship services, concerts, and vegetarian meals.

In 1969, Sligo Church broke the $1,000,000 mark for tithe. For purposes of comparison, tithe given was $2,872,655.62 at the close of 2007. Sligo Church for 2008 was $690,000.

Pastor Loveless took a call in 1970 to serve at the University Church, Loma Linda, California. The new Senior Pastor, M. Dale Hannah (1970-74), came from pastoring the college churches in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Keene, Texas. Interestingly, future Sligo Church Senior Pastor Ron Halvorsen, Jr., would pastor at Keene and then leave Sligo Church to take the Senior Pastor post at Lincoln.

Sligo Church purchased its Gapville, Pennsylvania property in 1971. Known as Sligoin-the-Woods, the property is located 110 miles away from Takoma Park. Pathfinders and others enjoyed its forest and stream. Later years would see Sligo Church deal with ARCO Oil Company for leasing rights to this property.

The grand Festival of Praise started in 1971. During the annual Thanksgiving worship service, members of the congregation, assisted by the Pathfinders, bring their offerings, gifts, note cards of thanks, and grocery items to the platform where a cornucopia of food items is collected and displayed. Members bag the food, making sure to have food staples needed by members of the many ethnic groups that are Sligo Church's neighbors, and sort them for distribution based on lists provided by the Adventist Community Services Center and local agencies. Volunteers from Sligo Church and community then deliver the food and supplies to those in need. The Festival of Praise is a highlight on Sligo Church's calendar, enjoyed by members and community friends.

Both Sligo Church and Sligo Adventist School saw renovation take place in 1972. The portion of the School behind the cafeteria was added; it included music, home economics, and art rooms, a spacious library and room for the Sligo Challenger Pathfinders. Sligo Church met at Takoma Academy while the first major renovation since the 1944 construction took place. It would take a similar hiatus in 2004 when the second major renovation commenced. As with its latter-day counterpart, the work would also entail handling competing design visions. The Sligoscope reported at the time that the "committee is bound to study the practical as well as the aesthetic aspects of the renovation programs and come up with recommendations that will please 3,000 people."

The 1972 work covered the front walls, which were opened to connect the organ chambers over the choir loft with the sanctuary and thousands of new organ pipes were added. Walnut woodwork, matching that from the Memorial Chapel and Sligo Church entrances, was installed on the platform. Sligo Church was also carpeted and a plan for new landscaping was set for the following year.

Pastor Hannah accepted the call to Sligo Church with the understanding that he would suggest the candidates for pastoral replacements to the Potomac Conference. In 1973, Kit Watts became the first female pastor at Sligo Church when she accepted the post of Minister of Publications. Four months later, Josephine Benton joined the pastoral team. Pastor Hannah related that, at first, there were some minor rumblings, but that to the credit of the Sligo congregation, Pastor Benton and Pastor Watts were enthusiastically accepted. He added that their "reception was easy to understand as the quality of their leadership and services quickly became apparent." Pastor Benton was the first woman to hold the title of Associate Pastor in the North American Division. She was also the first woman ordained as a local church elder (in 1973 by the Brotherhood Church); Sligo Church recognized that ordination and elected her a local church elder the following year.

Since that time, numerous women pastors have ably served the Sligo Church, among them: Janice Daffern (1980-85); Marianne Scriven (1986-89); Hyveth Williams (1986-89); Norma Osborn (1987-99); Esther Knott (1990-1997); Kendra Haloviak (1991-92); Rebecca Brillhart (1997-present); Gail Enikeev (1998-1999); Debbie Eisele (2001-present); Sabine Vatel (2001-04); Kitty Pilli (2003-07); Buffy Halvorsen (2005-07); and Jacqui Sanchez (2008).

1974 was a busy year at Sligo Church: the first singles meeting was held; the first outdoor baptism of Sligo School candidates took place; the first pictorial directory was published; and Sligo Church purchased a row-house on 12th Place, Washington, D.C., for live-in Christian ministry. Also, in 1974, the Brotherhood Church, which directly sprang from a Sligo Church adult education class on African-American history, was recognized by the Conference as a church. The Sligo Church family has sponsored and continues to support many smaller groups, including the French-American company and the Mizo group.

Senior Pastor Hannah left in 1974 and was replaced in 1975 by Pastor James Londis

(1975-85), who came to Sligo Church from Atlantic Union College, Massachusetts. He would become Sligo Church's longest tenured Senior Pastor. Grounded in scripture and sound scholarship, Senior Pastor Londis' s sermons addressed contemporary issues in terms that both the theologian and unchurched could find understandable. Besides essays and articles written and published for various Adventist publications, while at Sligo Church, Senior Pastor Londis wrote the book "God's Finger Wrote Freedom." Of note, Ron Halvorsen, Jr., the son of Pastor Londis' childhood friend, Pastor Ron Halvorsen, Sr., would come to serve Sligo Church as its Senior Pastor two decades after Pastor Londis' departure.

Pastor Robert Uhran, an Associate Minister, chaired the pastoral team until Pastor Londis' arrival. Senior Pastor Hannah was the last Senior Pastor directly appointed to Sligo Church. Nine lay members worked with the Potomac Conference to select Senior Pastor Londis. That tradition of collaborative trust continues today with the Sligo Church Board and the Potomac Conference officers researching and vetting names for pastoral openings at Sligo Church.

In 1975, Sligo Church and its faithful members started to participate in the Meals on Wheels program that delivers food to shut-ins. This benevolent effort is coordinated with other faith communities in the Washington, D.C. area.

Plans laid in 1977 for a new Adventist Community Services Center (ACS) came to fruition in 1983 with the opening of a new facility on Sligo A venue, in Silver Spring. ACS is operated by a consortium of local Adventist churches, including Sligo Church. Sligo Church put $65,000 plus the $72,000 proceeds from the sale of its Philadelphia Avenue property towards the ACS facility. ACS serves those in need by offering assistance with rent, emergency utility payments, groceries, clothing, and other related services. Several Sligo Church members have served as the Director of the ACS. Sligo Church Pastor Herbert Thurber was recognized as the "quiet" force behind this project. Former Sligo Church member Ron Wylie now leads the ACS and has marshaled significant resources and support to put the ACS on a stable footing to ensure that it continues to provide much needed services to those in need. Of note, the A CS Boardroom is dedicated to Sligo Church member Florence Dom. Florence, who served for many years as Secretary to the ACS Board, and her husband, Walter Dom, D.D.S., were strong pillars of Sligo Church, and, among other things, supported ACS and WGTS with their time and resources.

In 1978, Sligo Church purchased property in Boonsboro, Maryland, near the Antietam National Battlefield. The Antietam Creek runs through the property. Sligo Church baptisms have taken place in Antietam Creek. Sligo Adventist School has used the Boonsboro property for Outdoor School. Pathfinders and others find the land amenable for learning outdoor skills, getting away from the hustle and bustle of a busier Takoma Park and environs, and to contemplate God's "Second Book"-nature.

In 1981, the pastoral team and Office staff moved into the old Stewart house from space in Sligo Church. Over the years, the Stewart house has seen significant repair and renovation. It serves as the hub of Sligo Church business during the weekdays and nights, and provides meeting space for the Pathfinders, Mizo group, and office space for Action in Montgomery (AIM).

A link to Sligo Church's past disappeared in 1982 when the "old San," as it was affectionately known, was razed. The successor to the Sanitarium is Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH). The Seventh-day Adventist denomination's medical institutions and facilities in this region come under the umbrella of Adventist Healthcare. Adventist Healthcare faithfully carries on the medical missionary work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and provides financial support to church institutions, including generous gifts to Sligo Church. In its second century of service to the people of this region, AHC is looking to expand and build a new primary and acute care facility in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is but a few minutes walk from the Seventh-day Adventist denomination's world headquarters located now in Silver Spring.

In 1985, Charles Scriven (1985-92) came to Sligo Church from Walla Walla College, where he taught Systematic Theology. His focus was a contemporary expression of Adventist doctrine. Senior Pastor Scriven incorporated baseball analogies, along with the seemingly sim pie, yet highly symbolic interactions between the characters from the Charles Schultz Peanuts cartoon strip into his sermons.

In 1985, Sligo Church completed a long-sought after addition to house the Youth and provide additional meeting space. Prior to this addition, teen and children's classes were held in Richards Hall and the Science Building, with not so many somehow losing their way to class when presented with an enticing diversion. Now, the words "Fellowship Hall," "Youth Room," and "Atrium," are words in common usage. Furthermore, all the teens and children under one roof on Sabbath morning.

Children's programs are a strong suit at Sligo Church. Families drive long distances, passing by many other Seventh-day Adventist churches on the way, just to come to Sligo Church's excellent Children's Sabbath Schools. During her tenure, Pastor Norma Osborn organized these ministries and injected creative ideas and programming. Strong lay leadership is an essential part of the success in this area, with numerous volunteers faithfully teaching classes, assisting behind the scenes, and leading ministry areas.

In 1990, Senior Pastor Scriven announced that a Praise Service would replace the traditional First Service. Old and new praise songs with guitar accompaniment, time for personal testimony, more congregational participation, and a focus on prayer were constitute key elements of this programming change.

The following year, the Parent's Room, located in the back left of the portion of the Sanctuary (looking at the platform) was built. It offers a glass-enclosed space where parents may cater to young children. Previously, the last few rows were reserved for parents and a room under the balcony was set aside for their use.

Down the road at Sligo Adventist School, a new Child Development Center (CDC), was set to open. Designed to serve pre-school aged children, the CDC now provides a good avenue of recruiting and revenue for the School.

In 1992, Pastor Rudy Torres (1992-97) came to replace Senior Pastor Scriven. Sligo Church was already home to Senior Pastor Torres, for he had served on the staff from 1970-73. The defining moment of his tenure was the ordination of three women pastors in 1995: Kendra Haloviak, Norma Osborn, and Penny Shell.

Senior Pastor Torres' service stints included the U.S. Army, as well as big city, inner city, and rural churches. He moved across the platform when presenting his points, often with an open Bible in his hand. He preached grace-filled sermons.

The Deacons, looking for help and those interested in Deacon work, included two women, Nahla Wu and Rose Melendez, into their ranks in 1992. Both were ordained as Deacons and joined their husbands in this service.

The 55+ Club, for those retired members, started in 1993. The group meets for Sunday Brunch, and has a full calendar of social activities on its plate. All are welcome to this gathering. Sligo Church's former Business Administrator and Treasurer, Israel Castro, serves as the Senior Ministries Coordinator for this segment of Sligo Church; his wife, Dr. Rosella Castro, assists with this ministry. The 55+ Club takes trips to area attractions in a bus purchased for Senior Ministries by the Castros. The Castros have been faithful stewards in their service to Sligo Church. On Sabbath mornings, the Senior Ministries bus makes the rounds picking up those needing a ride to Sligo Church.

In 1994, a powerful lay movement began at Sligo for more intentional disciple-making that eventually renamed and reorganized "personal ministries" into a continuum for spiritual growth and equipping servant leaders. Since 1995, more than 750 persons have participated in DISCIPLE Bible study groups, which are an in-depth encounter with the Bible that inspires service as well as informs it. Pastor Rebecca Brillhart (1997-present) joined the Pastoral staff as the first Pastor of Discipleship to help Sligo Church become more accountable to its mission of making disciples. A Discipleship Action Team makes recommendations to the pastoral team to keep discipleship alive and well at Sligo Church.

In 1995, after debate within the Sligo Church Board and a Church in Business Session, Sligo Church voted with a very strong majority to ordain three women pastors: Kendra Haloviak, Norma Osborn, and Penny Shell. Layman Robert Visser, who chaired the Church in Business Session meeting, recalled that there was some tension in the air as to how the meeting would unfold, as there were advocates for both sides of the issue present. Given the prominence of Sligo Church, it counted and counts among its members, senior elected and appointed leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Some of them were present during the Church in Business Session meeting. Of the persons speaking that evening, Chairman Visser recounted, they cogently articulated their positions, whether for or against the ordination, yet the meeting went smoothly and moved to decisive action.

Each of the women pastors was qualified to be ordained, but could not under the general position adopted by delegates to General Conference Session in Utrecht, Holland. The three women followed in the path formed by the pioneering footsteps of Pastor Benton and Pastor Watts, and Pastor Janice Daffern, who, in 1984, performed the second baptism by a woman pastor in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination (the first performed two weeks earlier in nearby Fairfax, Virginia).

Senior Pastor Torres delivered the homily for the ordination program, which took place on Sabbath, September 23, 1995, at 3:30 p.m. in the Sligo Church sanctuary. His topic, "Let the Future Begin." Pastor Penny Shell commented on the pain of belonging to a denomination that did not sanction the ordination of women, and added that, "I no longer belong to such a church, and it's a great joy." Looking back on that day, Senior Pastor Torres recounted that he has no regrets about his decision. Regardless of the perspective one takes on this issue, it stands as a milestone in the history of Sligo Church.

In the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the senior pastor or head elder in the absence of the senior pastor, holds the title of Chairman of the Church Board. Pastor Torres, wishing to engage in substantive discussion at Board meetings without compromising his role of Chair, sought out assistance from Robert Visser, a layman to serve as the Chairman. Pastor Torres knew "Bob" Visser well; together they had served in the U.S. Army and even in a quartet (Rudy sang bass and Bob sang second tenor). The Lay Board tradition continues at Sligo Church. Bob Visser's service in this role matched Pastor Torres's tenure. When Pastor Torres left, Bob Visser stepped down. He was succeeded by Allan Manuel (1998-2005) and current Lay Board Chair Steve Chavez (2005-present).

The Youth program received a huge boost when Pastor Terry Johnsson joined the Pastoral staff in 1996. A dynamic speaker, Pastor Johnsson incorporated innovative programs to develop youth leaders and empower them to pursue ministry ideas. Youth choir, mission trips to El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, New Orleans, West Virginia, Belize, Hour of Hope-a youth prayer gathering, are just some of the offerings provided to the youth. In 2003, the North American Division recognized the quality of Sligo Church's Youth Department by presenting it the John Hancock award for excellence.

Next in line to take up the pulpit at Sligo Church was Pastor Michael Oxentenko (1998- 99). He was a strong, biblical preacher who had a keen interest in eschatology. His sermons and revival of the weekly prayer meeting resonated with many members. During this time, however, divisions in Sligo Church and its leadership surfaced that may have been percolating for some time. The Potomac Conference intervened, which itself caused much confusion and strong feelings among a portion of Sligo Church's membership. Senior Pastor Oxentenko left Sligo Church and started a new congregation under the Allegheny East Conference; several Sligo Church families joined him.

Former Associate Sligo Pastor George Digel and then Pastor William Johnsson, Editor of the Adventist Review, stepped into the leadership role at Sligo Church until former Sligo Church member, Pastor Walter Scragg (1999-2000), came out of retirement and away from his native Australia to serve as Sligo Church's Senior Pastor on an interim basis. Senior Pastor Scragg, who had served as President of two Divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, brought senior-level experience and biblical preaching to Sligo Church. Senior Pastor Scragg, working with Lay Board Chair Allan Manuel and the Sligo Church Board, led a search process that resulted in Pastor Peter Bath accepting the call to service.