[Szt-newsletter] Fwd: report of SZT family reunion August 27,2023

[Patrick Babcock]

Snell-Zimmerman-Timmerman Family Reunion – Snells Bush Church

August 27, 2023

Hello:

Our traditional family reunion for the Snell-Zimmerman-Timmerman families
was held on August 27. 2023. The SZT board decided to hold the reunion at
the end of August to try to improve attendance – it was about the same as
last year. It is very sad to see lower attendance – which tells us that the
younger members are too busy to attend the “church of our fathers”. We need
to encourage the younger members of the family to attend to keep our
historic church active. We need younger members as we are getting older and
often handicapped in our mobility. Some of the other family reunions had to
disband, such as the Klock & Kilts family reunions.

This year on Saturday we held a tent sale to encourage members to donate
items as a fundraiser for the church. It was a busy time as the locals came
to the event. Besides selling items, we gave tours of the church and
cemeteries. Later that day, we held the annual ice cream social which
started at 6 pm. Stewart’s Ice Cream Company donates the ice cream and
toppings! Everyone enjoys the ice cream and relaxing under the tents
watching the sun set over the valley. The church looked great as the
painting of the steeple had been completed and the steeple lights were
repaired. Sunday, August 27 th was our 84 th reunion. We started the day
with the flag raising ceremony conducted by the American Legion from St.
Johnsville. We continued with the dedication of our patriots buried and
Wreaths were placed on their gravesites. The American Legion did a gun
salute and taps. We also had a volunteer bagpiper lead the American Legion
men out of the cemetery. At 11 am the church bell rang to summon everyone
to the church service. This year we had a lay-speaker: Paul Ammerman. Nancy
Schuyler provided the service with hymns played on the pump organ and the
piano. The service started with a worship call – Genesis 2:15-17 followed
by our traditional hymn, “Faith of Our Fathers”. The Lord’s Prayer and
Gloria Patria followed. Gertrude Ortlieb, our soloist sang the special
music, “Grace Alone”. Silent prayer for the departed was next and pastoral
prayer. The next hymn was entitled “Sweet Hour of Prayer”. The scripture
reading was text from Gospel of John and Revelations. The offering music
was sung by Gertrude Ortlieb entitled “Give Thanks”. Paul Ammerman’s
message was on the importance of the texts from the Bible read today. The
last hymn was entitled “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Bill Timmerman,
our president, made announcements inviting everyone to stay for a short
business meeting and the lunch to follow.

President Bill Timmerman called the meeting to order. Stephanie Timmerman,
secretary gave a complete report of the activities during the year. The
painting was completed which included getting a lift to paint the steeple
and replace the lights on the steeple. The cemeteries were mowed and some
of the stones were straightened. The 1755 patent was moved to the
Dolgeville/Manheim Historical Society museum. They have been promoting the
patent to the community. Since this patent covers 3600 acres in the Town of
Manheim, it is a very good place for it to be housed during the year. The
church window restoration project is nearing completion with 6 windows done
and the last two to be worked on over the next 2 winters. The cost has been
$3100 per window. The board decided to have a memorial plaque made honoring
individuals who contributed to Snells Bush Church through the years. A
second plaque was made to “Thank” all who donated to help meet the expense
of the church foundation repair. Your board gets requests for members to be
buried at Snells Bush Church. Since it is an historic cemetery, there can
be only burial of cremated ashes. It was suggested to have a section
used--- where the old stables were located – (an open field) for future
cremation burials of SZT members. Members could provide a marker for their
gravesite.

Nancy Cioch and I reprinted and updated the booklet, “Faith of Our Fathers”
which was written by Edith Timmerman in 1988 on the 50 th anniversary of
the incorporation of SZT Reunion Inc. It is the history of the Snell &
Timmerman families and the Snells Bush Church. It has an updated list of
all officers and directors of the reunion and the work that was done over
the years ($20). I also had a poster size copy of the 1755 patent made
which we can sell – ($20).

It is sad news to tell – Carol Timmerman died September 9, 2023. She was an
officer of the reunion since the early 1960s. She volunteered as assistant
secretary, first working with her mother, Edith Timmerman and in more
recent years has been a mainstay of the Reunion every year. She made sure
that everyone signed the attendance book and performed as our soloist many
times during the church services. She will be greatly missed.

Please contact us with suggestions, address corrections, etc. We love to
hear from you. We have genealogy books for sale and they are a great way to
learn about the families. Our mailing address is

SZT Reunion Inc.
PO Box 623
Little Falls, NY 13365


Contact email addresses/phone numbers:

sarahtisrael at yahoo.com 518-489-2725
ncioch at yahoo.com 315-866-3419


Visit us on facebook – Snells Bush Church

Web Site is https://www.szt-genealogy.org

Sincerely,
Sarah Timmerman Israel – corresponding Secretary/ Historian
Bill Timmerman, President
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