Ask any Pathfinder, and he or she will tell you that Pathfinder fairs in Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) are always special. But this year several amazing things occurred.
The first Certified Pathfinder Adenturer Director Award was given to Steve Meharry. Following the bestowing of the award by Wayne Hicks, UCC Pathfinder director, Meharry pinned Hicks and June Cross with the same awards as they, along with “Frosty” Cross, were originators of the program. In 2007 the UCC Pathfinder department instituted a program called the Certified Pathfinder Adventurer Counselor program. Soon after, the program began to also certify directors.
Baptisms are always special, but this year something out of the ordinary occurred. In the afternoon, Hicks and Gerald Haeger, UCC ministerial director, jointly baptized Carly Haeger, Haeger's granddaughter, then Hicks baptized two more Pathfinders. Following the evening worship by Dick Stanbakken, commitment cards were given to the Pathfinders. These cards allow Pathfinders to indicate they want to study the Bible, give their heart to Jesus or indicate they have accepted Jesus. Usually five to 10 of them request baptism. Get ready to praise the Lord! because this year there were 45 Pathfinders requesting baptism!
Many Bible characters were portrayed by Dick Stenbakken, the guest speaker. The lives of Moses, Jonah, Nehemiah and Enoch became tangible patriarchs to the Pathfinders. The theme of these Bible characters resonated with their desire to go to heaven soon and was appropriately titled, “I Want to Go Home.” Another highlight Sabbath afternoon was the recitation of Chapter 7 of The Desire of Ages by Karissa Sharley.
This fair was the last Pathfinder Fair with Hicks as “official” UCC Pathfinder director. Due to illness, Hicks was there as a guest, and John Wenger, head Pathfinder coordinator, led out. Hicks and his wife, Jeri, were able to enjoy the event from a different perspective with their sons' families and their granddaughters, Zoey and Daisy.
On Sunday, following drilling and marching and Pathfinder awards, the sound of six trumpets heralded the beginning of a special “goodbye.” Music was specially written for the Hickses by Jerry Bobbitt of the Torchbearers Pathfinder Club. A color guard presented the Pathfinder flag with signatures of Pathfinders, coordinators and club directors and an Adventurer flag with Adventurer signatures by club directors and coordinators. The Hickses were seated in large chairs. They received a framed Pathfinder patch specifically for this Pathfinder Fair and a memory book full of photos taken through the years of clubs, events and Pathfinders.
Letters were read from James Black, North American Division Pathfinder director; Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union Pathfinder director; and Leo Ranzolin, former world Pathfinder director. Then a brief video presentation, created by Shaina Hicks, daughter-in-law, recounted the Hickses years of service in pictures. Needless to say, both Jeri and Wayne rained tears of joy and sadness at the occasion.
“All I asked my secretary to do was to have ice cream for the Pathfinders," says Wayne. "Let’s all have some huckleberry ice cream!”
Thirty-eight years as UCC Pathfinder director is an amazing legacy of godly leadership that has been replicated, in turn, in the lives of Pathfinders and staff in UCC and all over the world. But Wayne says, "Our retirement is a celebration of coordinators, staff and phenomenal secretary(s) united in one goal. It really isn't about Wayne and Jeri." So thanks to all who work with Pathfinders, making Jesus real.
A scrapbook of Pathfinder memories is presented to Wayne and Jeri Hicks.
Carly Haeger, daughter of Eric and Michelle Haeger, wanted her grandpa and Wayne Hicks to baptize her.
This patch was made specifically for this Pathfinder Fair. Wayne Hicks was affectionately called "Chief Rain Cloud" since it "always" rains at Pathfinder Fairs.
Riding in the parade as the grand marshal in an old tin lizzie.
After Steve Meharry received his director award, he pinned a director award on Wayne Hicks.
Wayne and Jeri Hicks celebrate their retirement with granddaughter Daisy.
Wayne and Jeri Hicks began their ministry as a young couple.
A framed version of the Pathfinder patch created for this Pathfinder Fair shows Wayne Hicks' years of service in UCC.
