BOYDSTUN FAMILY

by Patty Hovdey

Thank you so much for honoring the Boydstun family in the celebration of your 100 years of serving God, and the community of McCall. It is truly humbling and so very meaningful. It is unusual in this day and age to find many people who were born in a community, grew up, and have spent their entire adult married life in the same home town. I am blessed to be one of those folks.

Upon taking a stroll through the “Heritage Hall” downstairs the other day, I was struck by the sea of memories as well as an intense sense of heritage that I found on the walls as I pondered the pictures, names and memories. I was impacted in several ways.

This church was approximately 40 years old when I was born. I have memories and relationships here in this church that span my ENTIRE life.

As one begins the journey of walking that historical hallway, the first framed piece on the wall is a quote from Pastor Char: “Where there is no vision, the people perish. We are called by God to pass on to other generations our heritage.”

June 9, 1946 - my brother, Barry, was baptized in this church.

April 5, 1953 - I was baptized here.

Indeed, our parents started passing along a spiritual heritage long before either one of us had memory or understood the significance of the meaning of the events. One of my very first memories in life was as a toddler, standing up on my mother’s lap, while seated in the old sanctuary, looking backwards to the people seated in the pew behind us.

I recall many early memories in this church vividly. Attending and graduating from kindergarten in the basement of this church in the late ‘50s, under the direction of Joy Koskella. Just as clearly, I remember as a youngster, during worship services, studying and staring at the beautiful picture “The Last Supper”, then placed behind the altar. I was a second grader when asked to be a flower girl in my uncle’s wedding in this church. In the mid-60s, under the leadership of Rev. Elmer Jeske, I was confirmed. Sunday School, boy scouts, 4-H and Brownie Scouts were held here, as well as many community events, family functions and socials. I remember my grandmother, Pearl Boydstun, helping in the kitchen for many of these functions. Many of the names in “Heritage Hall” were household names and pictures on those walls were and are close friends of my family. Many of those names were my pastors, school teachers, neighbors and fond friends and peers of Johnny and Virginia and Neal and Pearl, my grandparents.

A couple of months ago, Stan Tate was honored and spoke as a former pastor here during the 60s. He actually started the first ecumenical “All McCall Churches Youth Group” and later became the priest at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. My older brother, Barry, followed Stan to St. Andrews, and influenced me to tag along. During my junior high and high school years, I was part of the “Popular Youth Group” across town at another church. Our parents never said too much, as I’m sure they were just relieved their kids were attending church somewhere and they were always fond of Stan and Lynn Tate. In the meantime, Johnny and Virginia remained faithful to the Community Congregational Church and supported the church through tumultuous years. My father, Johnny, served on the church committee when they were interviewing for a new pastor.

We jump ahead to a new generation.

Our children, Eric and Anna, remember seeing their grandmother, Virginia, working downstairs in the kitchen for community events, family funerals, church gatherings, etc. Both children attended and graduated from preschool held in the basement of this church, under the direction of Donna Darling. They were always eager to attend church with their grandparents, because they would have the important assignment of ringing the church bells or lighting the candles at the beginning of the service. As a second grader, Anna was a flower girl in a wedding here. You all prayerfully and financially supported Eric on a high school mission trip to Costa Rica. Grandma Pearl’s funeral service was held in this church. I remember Dean and Eric playing a guitar duet that day, “Ode To Joy”, right down front. Our Uncle Jimmy’s funeral service was held in this church. I have been a part of the McCall Chorale concerts held in this very place. My brother, Barry and his wife, Patty, were married here in 2003. Our father, Johnny’s funeral service and life celebra-tion was held here and officiated by Pastor Char. Our children always knew their Grandpa Johnny thought Charlottie was “one special lady”. But as life would have it however, our children joined the “Popular Youth Group” across town, at an-other church. Dean and I never said too much, we were just glad they were attending church somewhere. Do you see a pattern developing?

Even though Dean’s and my family was not officially in membership here, you all have supported us, loved us, and welcomed us, and continue to do so. You have done the same for the community of McCall for 100 years. You have been such an important anchor to this little resort town of McCall. Your struggles over the years have made you stronger. Your current music ministry to the whole valley is a blessing beyond belief. It is not just about this beautiful building, the stained glass windows, or the meaningful pictures. It is more importantly about you as people and as a church body. That is what REALLY makes a church. A town WITHOUT a church is just a town. A town WITH a church is a community. Thank you for being the Body of Christ to this little mountain community. Thank you for preaching the Gospel, for your faithfulness and for being who you are to McCall. Thank you for giving me, and our family, spiritual heritage that now covers multiple generations. Thank you for loving us and ministering to us throughout our lives.

By the way, if anyone asks where the “Popular Youth Group” in town meets, I just say, “10:45 a.m. sharp at the Community Congregational Church in the heart of downtown McCall. You will find kids there of ALL ages, and you will be warmly welcomed.”

May God Continue to bless you and this beautiful church as you make your own life’s precious memories, in serving God and our community. Thank you! We love you.

Honoring the Boydstun Family

by Charlottie Havlicak

There are many words and many ways to describe Johnny and Virginia Boydstun and the Boydstun family. The first words that come to mind for me are faithful, honorable, hard working, dependable. Their word was true.

They loved each other and they loved this community. They loved their children, Barry and Patty, and now their children’s spouses, Dean and Patty. They loved their grandchildren, Eric and Anna, and together they have passed on to their family all their kind and wonderful traits.

Johnny was a deep thinker. He was a slow talker, called by his family as the Boydstun pause. But the words that mean the most to me are, “Johnny was a good man!”

Virginia is kind, warm and loving, and she has created a warm and loving home for her family and friends. Virginia and Johnny built their home together and they have been faithful members of this church for over fifty years.

How many families do we know that can say with assurance, they are through and through good, honest, hardworking family. Yes, what we call as just a common everyday family, not known out into the world, but truly giants in this town called McCall.

At the Little Ski Hill, on Brundage Mountain, to all their friends in Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. I mean these words with the utmost love and respect, for the Boydstun family still has what we might call “old fashioned values.”

They were true to their own selves and to their family and friends. I must tell you that I rejoice that I am here to be the pastor who had the privilege to minister and share and touch the lives of the Boydstun family.

In May of 1995, the trustees and deacons here at the church asked me to present my profile. One Sunday after worship, Harry Warden called and said, “Char, we want to hire you as our pastor.”

That afternoon, I saw this small motor home pull in Pilgrim Cove Campground. I knew immediately who drove that motor home, and I also knew in my heart that Johnny was coming to check me out for himself.

Well, that afternoon we sat on the deck looking at Payette Lake, and Johnny and I got to know each other. I learned early on to wait for the Boydstun pause. And when you wait, Johnny opens up and shares his heart and thoughts with you.

Johnny shared with me that also in this calling the church was making to me came another responsibility. That I stay here with the congregation to officiate at their weddings, baptisms, memberships, and to comfort and lift them all the days of their lives. This I have done and this I continue to do.

He told me later that when he left that afternoon, he knew that I was the one to be called as pastor for this church. He called the other trustees and said, “This lady will be just fine.”