Presbyterian Church Offers Johnston Residents Sweet Treats

A table full of homemade ice cream and cakes -- plus a nearby bounce house -- welcomed Johnston residents to St. Paul Presbyterian Church's ice cream social July 28.

Dean Nihart, representing the church's Membership and Evangelism Committee, said the church has held the ice cream social every summer for 20 years for two main reasons.

“One reason we do this is an outreach to the community,” Nihart said. “We try to get community members to see our church and also to be a presence in the community. The second reason is to get our members together.”

Pete Landis of Johnston enjoyed the homemade melon ice cream. Landis said he lives very close to the church.

“I love this town and everyone loves ice cream,” Landis said.

The ice cream social was free, but donations were accepted. Nihart said the donations will go to the church.

“There was discussion this year to use some of the donations for mission projects,” Nihart said. “The rest will go to help fund other events that this committee will do.”

The next event the church will hold is a luncheon after the service on Sept. 15 to introduce Bill O’Connell, the church’s new pastor.

“Our hope is that people will come and visit and see our new pastor,” Nihart said. “He brings an energy to what we are trying to do in the community. Personally, this church is very much a place that families like to be. We are trying to grow our church.”