Welcome To The Mountain Times

Rev. Matthew has been a pastor for ten years in both large and small churches. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2001. The last 3-½ years (from 2006 through June 2010) he served as Executive Pastor in a ninety-five year old interdenominational church in Makati, Philippines (the Union Church of Manila-average 1350 worshipers). He was responsible for the direct supervision of seven staff members. Rev. Matthew also co-led an effort that raised $100,000 to purchase and distribute rice and bibles to Manila’s poor through local churches. His skills as a leader, planner and administrator, working with all ages, positions and backgrounds will be valuable assets in helping the Church through the Union Church’s “In-between" Time. (The Union Church of Proctor’s Pastor of twenty years left in June, 2010)

Prior to his position in Manila, Rev. Matthew was sole pastor for five years at the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Seattle (a small church with an average congregation of 60). Matthew received his Master of Divinity degree in 1999 from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA

Matthew was raised in Maine and Massachusetts and still has strong family ties in New England. Matthew and his wife Margot, their two son’s Callum (10) & Isaac (8) and their daughter Gwyneth (6) are residing at the parsonage, in Proctor. Rev. Matthew is a Red Sox fan and enjoyed apple growing in Seattle before moving to Manila. He and his family are athletic and outdoorsy, whether it be skiing, hiking, soccer or gardening and are looking forward to pursuing these interests in this area.

Reverend Matthew’s will preach his first sermon at the Union Church of Proctor on Sept. 5h. There will be a special Pot-Luck Luncheon to welcome Reverend Matthew and his family on Sept. 19th. Thank you to Muriel Sedergren for submitting this copy and photo.

The Proctor School Board meeting minutes for August 11 were just recently made available for publication. Here are a few highlights. PHS principal June Sargent spoke with the teacher’s union about the proposed boys and girl’s varsity and JV coaching positions. The union was ok with the 50/50 split for the girls’ team, having the same coaches. They also agreed to the 65/35 split for the boys’ team having the same coached for the varsity and JV. Superintendent Wendy Savery had these coaching contracts with her in need of approval. Chuck Hall and Kevin Ratti, JV Boys soccer; Chuck Hall and Kevin Ratti, Varsity Boys soccer; Tom Valach and John Ojala; JV Girls soccer and Varsity Girls soccer; and Chad Eugair and Tim Clain, Junior High Boys soccer. Savery also had a contract for Michelle Aftuck for High School guidance counselor. She noted that the board’s attorney had reviewed and he approves of the contract. The contract is for an 80% position with nine extra days at 80% for $42,434.00. Mary made a motion to accept the contract. Karen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Wendy met with the finalist for the special education position at the high school. She will have a contract for the board to act on at the next meeting. June mentioned that she would be interviewing two candidates for the Spanish position on August 12, 2010 and she hoped that the contract would also be available at the next meeting.

PES welcomes Jennifer Parent as their new school nurse. She will be teaching some health classes to students this year in collaboration with their PE teacher, Jake Eaton. Mrs. Parent is an experienced school nurse and they are delighted that she is joining the PES family.