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MISSIONARIES TO OKINAWA AND JAPAN, 1951 - 1982
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Pastoring in Rural Vermont The Summer of 1942 found the Rickards starting a new venture - pastoring to the Union Church of Danby Four Corners, Vermont. This rural church facility had been closed nearly 25 years prior to Harold and Margaret's arrival. Only the basement of the building saw regular activity, as it was used as a Town Hall by the "town" of Danby. |
Above: The Union Church in Danby Four Corners, Vermont (1942). |
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| Previously, all local denominations of Danby Township had been invited to use the Danby Four Corners church building - with the exception of the Mormons! Those that did each scheduled a time to use the church facility. After careful study by the few remaining church members and the Rickards, the "Constitution of the Union Church of Danby Four Corners" was written and adopted. All Christians were then welcome as members of the one Union church. Harold and Margaret worked in Danby Four Corners for a total of five years before transferring to Essex Junction, Vermont, where Harold pastored for three more. It was during their time in Vermont that WWII drew to an end. | ||
| "We were dismayed and saddened by news of the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by our nation..." |
| For Harold and Margaret, the call to missionary service in Japan had become increasingly stronger throughout WWII. Harold's friendship with James Kuranosuke "Kei" Sasaki, a fellow student at Boston University, deepened the call. Another influence was the lifetime works of Rev. Toyohiko Kagawa. |
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Above: Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa Left: Near the Atomic Dome, Hiroshima The dropping of atomic bombs by the U.S. on Hiroshima and Nagasaki greatly saddened the Rickards. They resolved then to work in Japan, in some way, for peace and reconciliation -- while helping people to know Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Next: A New Calling. [click]. |
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Last Revised: October 4, 2002.