O How Blest Are the Poor in Spirit

Paraphraser: Richard K. Avery

Rv Richard Kinsey Avery USA 1934-2020Born in the Central Valley of CA, he attended schools at Exeter, CA, where his family was active in the First Presbyterian Church. He decided to become a Christian minister at age 14 while at a Presbyterian youth conference. He attended Redlands U, Redlands, CA. He then attended Union Theological Seminary, NYC. He participated in the University Choir and associated with Christian friends there. He became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis, NY, (FPCPJ) for 40 years. Musically inclined, he composed a variety of songs (both lyrics and music), mostly with his close friend, Rv Donald S Marsh. Avery was commentator, preacher, and song leader for the duo, while Marsh conducted drama events… Go to person page >

Paraphraser: Donald S. Marsh

Donald Stuart Marsh USA 1923-2010. Born at Akron, OH, he spent his early years in Singapore and Sumatra, Indonesia, where his father was an accountant for rubber plantations. He attended Western Maryland College, Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College). He then attended the U of Houston, TX, and received Masters degrees in music, art, and drama. For 17 years he was involved with theatre, concert, and TV work in NYC as actor, choreographer, teacher, and pianist. For three decades he served at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis (FPCPJ), along with pastor, Richard K Avery, his friend and partner for 50 years. As an ordained elder, he directed 75+ plays and musicals, and conducted three choirs. With pastor Avery, the two wrote and pu… Go to person page >