To the Editor:

Maybe it was a cold, clear winter day. Maybe it was a winter thaw day that encourages us that spring is coming.

We do know it was in February 1765 that Dominie ("Pastor") Peter Nicholas Sommer wrote in his journal that he rode up the hill from his post at the Lutheran Church in Schoharie to conduct a worship service at the Berne farmhouse of Johannes Zeh. That is the earliest record of an official Lutheran service on the Hill.

The history of the Dutch Reformed Church in Berne also dates back to 1765, when Johannes Schuyler came up from First Church in Albany. He would stop in Berne either on the way to or home from the Stone Fort in Schoharie. The early settlers would also sometimes travel to Schoharie to worship until they had their own building on the current Beaverdam Cemetery site. 

This means there have been Lutheran and Reformed worship services in Berne for the past 250 years. The congregations of Helderberg Lutheran Church and First Reformed Church in Berne consider this worthy of celebration!

The public is invited to a series of events co-hosted by the two Berne churches. These are intended solely as fun activities in the community. We heartily hope that people will join us on these dates: 

— June 19, at 7 p.m. at the Berne town park: A Dance! Square, line and contra dancing will be taught by a professional caller. No experience is needed. Admission is $2.50 and includes refreshments.

— July 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berne town park: A Picnic! Food, games, music, fun and laughter! No charge.

— Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the Berne Reformed Church: Berne Reformed and Helderberg Lutheran congregations together will offer a special musical worship service. 

We plan to have a great time and hope that the community will join us!

Pastor Wendy Cook                                    

Helderberg Lutheran Church

Pastor Bob Hoffman

First Reformed Church of Berne                       

Berne