Oct 30
Carol Veldman Rudie, Jim Skilen
In addition to the book of remembrances presented by Harold Heie, the CPJ trustees also gave Jim a “book-clock” to help him keep track of time as he writes his next several books.
Mark Davies, John Hulst, Rockne McCarthy, Case Hoogendoorn
While he was being honored for his service to CPJ, Jim also honored people present at the celebration who had been involved with CPJ from the very beginning: Mark Davies, John Hulst, Rockne McCarthy, and Case Hoogendoorn. The camaraderie between these stalwarts of a public justice-oriented approach to politics is encouraging as we look forward to encouraging a next generation towards graceful citizenship.
Norm Steen
Norm Steen, Gideon Strauss
Pastor Norm Steen of the Washington DC Christian Reformed Church, Jim and Doreen Skillen’s home congregation, closed the evening in prayer.
Oct 30
We celebrated Jim Skillen’s leadership of the Center over the past 28 years last week at an event attended from far and wide. For a wonderful picture of Jim and Doreen at the podium, see the main page for the event.
Jerry Herbert
Jerry Herbert, a sometime CPJ trustee presently working at Nyack College in Washington DC, emceed the evening’s program with wit and verve.
Priscilla Gault
Priscilla Gault and her husband have been friends of Jim and Doreen Skillen from their school years. As I listened to her reminisce about the headlines Jim made over the years I prayed that my own children, now college age, would have friendships like these, stretching over the decades.
Case Hoogendoorn
Case Hoogendoorn is another friend of Jim who has supported the Center for the length of its existence. (I am personally grateful to Case for his wise counsel since I started thinking about CPJ as a potential place to work. Angela and I are growing fond of people like Case and CPJ board chair Harold Heie, who are not only stalwart supporters of CPJ, but admirable for their kindness… and their humor!)
