The Prairie Ridge Reformed Dispatch returns this week to several developing stories our readers have followed through the spring. As is consistent with the life of a congregation that takes its deliberations seriously, some matters have advanced, some have been tabled, and one has generated more comment than its surface area would suggest was warranted. We report the record as it stands. Prairie Ridge does not rush.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL — STATUS: ACTIVE

VBS began Monday. Attendance on Day One was described by Jess Kimball as “strong” and by Dorothy Vance as “adequate.” The theme — still nine words long, still including a colon, now also featuring a banner that required a font size adjustment the Dispatch understands was not universally welcomed — has been received by the children with what Pastor Williams called “genuine engagement” and what three volunteers called “polite tolerance.” The snack compromise is holding. The goldfish crackers are present. Dorothy Vance has said nothing further about them. The Dispatch is monitoring the situation.

THE FELLOWSHIP HALL RENOVATION — STATUS: SUBCOMMITTEE NOW EXISTS

Elder Langley’s motion to form the fellowship hall renovation subcommittee passed at Tuesday’s business meeting by a vote of three to one. The subcommittee now exists. It has not yet met. Its first meeting is scheduled for mid-July, pending confirmation of a date that works for all members. Elder Langley described the vote as “a historic moment.” He said this without irony. Elder Hoffstead cast the dissenting vote and confirmed he would participate in the subcommittee regardless, noting that participation was not the same as agreement.

THE WORSHIP MUSIC CRITERIA — STATUS: FRAMEWORK PENDING RATIFICATION

The worship committee’s theological review criteria for contemporary song candidates — now in its third draft following feedback from Elder Hoffstead, a counterproposal from Brandon Keyes, and a simplification request from Elder Langley that reduced the rubric from eleven criteria to five — has been submitted to the elder board for ratification. A vote is expected at the July meeting. The summer hymn selections for June and July have been confirmed as traditional. Brandon Keyes called this “a wise interim posture.” Elder Hoffstead called it “the worship schedule.”

CALEB MERCER AND THE 1992 CONSTITUTION — STATUS: PAGE 52 OF 71

Caleb Mercer is on page fifty-two of the church’s 1992 constitution. Nineteen pages remain. His questions have grown in specificity as he has progressed through the document. Elder Hoffstead received two of the questions via email this week and reached for his coffee before responding to the first one. His responses were substantive. Caleb has printed them and added them to the notebook. The notebook is nearly full.

TALLOW & THEOLOGY — STATUS: SUMMER COLLECTION LAUNCHED

Haley Novak launched the Tallow & Theology summer collection this week, adding two new products: a lip balm called Perseverance and a body butter called Sanctified Summer, which Haley described as “lightweight enough for the season but serious enough for the name.” Travis Novak confirmed the laundry room surface is now also in active use and that he has “made peace with the situation.” Brandon Keyes has not yet submitted a theological review request for the summer collection. Haley told the Dispatch she considers this an encouraging development.

THE NURSERY KEURIG — STATUS: UNADDRESSED

A Keurig single-serve coffee machine appeared in the Prairie Ridge Reformed nursery room in mid-May. Its provenance has not been officially established. No motion has been made regarding it. No elder has formally acknowledged it in a meeting. It has, however, been used. Elder Hoffstead’s position on single-serve coffee is not a matter of public record. Multiple sources confirm he is aware of the machine. The Dispatch will continue to monitor this situation with the attentiveness it deserves.

AT PRESS TIME: Pastor Williams’s sermon series has acquired a Part 2, which also has a subtitle. The subtitle is longer than the title. He is calling the overall series “a cohesive arc.” The congregation is calling it summer.

DEVELOPING: The Dispatch has learned that the Prairie Ridge Reformed men’s study group has received a request to add a new discussion topic to its fall lineup. The request was submitted anonymously. The topic is described only as “covenant headship in the modern household.” Nathan Briggs has confirmed he did not submit it. He then asked who did. He has not yet received an answer.