December 26 Today in OPC History

On December 26, 1977, three cars filled with Orthodox Presbyterian young people from Denver traveled the 650 miles north and east to Lark, North Dakota (population 3 - and all OPC members!) for a Presbytery of the Dakotas youth retreat. Awaiting them when they arrived at Lark was 35 inches of snow with drifts as high as 10 feet. Pastor James Bosgraf of Park Hill OPC of Denver tried to be king of the hill on the highest drift but according to several reports was easily knocked off.

Everyone slept at Ron and Marion VandenBurgs' - girls upstairs and boys downstairs. Pastor Jack Peterson of the host church not only served breakfast each day, but led morning Bible study classes in I Corinthians 13. Mr. Bosgraf spoke in the evening on other parts of Paul's letter and how they fit in with the concept of love.

Spirited basketball games took place in the Lark Hall, whose claim to fame was that Lawrence Welk played there in 1928. Tackle football games took place in the snow while ping-pong was a favorite indoor game. Mr. VandenBurg, an elder in the Lark Church, gathered four snowmobiles together, and the youth people rode them for a couple hours, including sled rides attached to the snowmobile.

Picture: Presbytery of Dakota youth enjoying themselves - front row, Hayes, Gregory, Campbell, Hardwick, Campbell; back row, Broyles, Shannon and Shannon.