You’re in Good Hands

I am on a Southwest plane headed for McComick Theological Seminary in Chicago.  Of course, by the time I got on board there were only middle seats left.  So I am trying to type with my elbows in front of me (wish there was less of me to be in front of!).  I am looking forward to this program I have enrolled in at our mid-west Presbyterian Seminary.  It is called the “Certificate in Executive Leadership.”  The program is designed to help develop leadership skills for pastors and non-profit administrators.  So far the readings and advance assignements have helped me focus on my strengths and weaknesses (they call them ‘growing edges’ these days). 

I enjoy getting away for a time of study and reflection, but I leave with great excitement about PCMK—who we are and where we are going.  In fact, I am working on an October sermon series that will explore our excellent mission statement.  When I was preparing to become your pastor I naturally reviewed things like the PCMK mission statement.  I was so pleased I have decided not to change a word.  It says everything I would want to say about being a healthy, forward and outward looking church.

Last Sunday, with the high school mission team reporting is a great example of what is so exciting about PCMK.  We have a church that cares about its youth and helping others.  Put those two things together and you have an experience like our trip to West Virginia that has had an impact on us all (maybe especially me—I was so proud of these young people last summer and last Sunday.

While I am away I am pleased to leave the church in such capable hands.  Our staff will take care of church business and prepare for yet another great Sunday at PCMK.  My colleague and friend, our parish associate, Charles Barton will preach a sermon with a provocative title.  I can’t wait to hear it online from my room in Chicago.

See you in church, next week.

Pastor Dale

Lindsay E. - Call to Worship

Theo C. - Prayer of Confession

Lindsay E. and Alexa L. - Children's Time

Alexandra K - Scripture Reading

Graham B. - Living in West Virginia

Juliet K. - Road Trip

Bailey F. - People we met at the worksite

Lindsay E. - Worksites

Akin A. - Kid's Club 

Team Photo

Welcoming our new member, Suzanne Katz

Meetings, meetings, meetings

Fall is here.  On Sunday the sanctuary was full, children were in Sunday School and after worship there were several meetings happening at the same time.  In the Akin room the trustees were reviewing the stewardship of the church's finances and the building.  In the conference room new Sunday School teachers were getting their game plan for the year.  Next door in the little 'pocket' room the deacons were reviewing the needs in our caring ministries.  In the library four new members were meeting with the membership committee.

What a busy and thriving church we have.  I am so grateful for all these boards and committees who are working hard to help our church thrive and grow even as we care for one another and the community.

In addition to meetings, there were two rehearsals going on in the time after worship.  In the community room the youth hand bells were getting back into ringing shape.  In the sanctuary the children's choir was learning some new songs.

As I was going back to the office after the trustee meeting the pizza man was delivering lunch to the middle school youth group.

I enjoyed summer, but I am glad summer is here.  I'm glad to see so much ministry taking place under one roof (a roof recently repaired by our trustees).

See you in our busy church,
Pastor Dale

A Dozen Years Ago

Where were you on that morning 12 years ago today?  If we are older than 16 or 17 we undoubtedly remember that day.  We were living in Portland, Oregon and Elisabeth woke me up with the terrible news that someone had crashed a plane into the World Trade Center.

Immediately I remembered my visit to the Towers some years earlier.  I was so impressed I even read a book on the engineering marvel of the twin towers and PATH station below.  But all I could think about was the staggering number of casualties we should expect.  Up to 50000 worked in the buildings.  I gasped a prayer for all those families, and all of us.  The death toll was not in that range, but it was still staggering.  In the words of Mayor Giuliani that day, "More than any of us can bear."

Since moving to New York, we have visited the World Trade Center site and the 9/11 memorial many times.  I even know where you can find free parking after 7pm.  We always take out of town visitors there.  I think it is especially powerful at night.  Touching the names and hearing the rush of water falling into the darkness captures the mood of the moment very powerfully.

I was not a New Yorker then, so I don't claim to know how powerfully 9/11 affected those of you who were here.  You have my respect and my prayers on this day 12 years later.

Our sanctuary will be open today for a place of quiet prayer and reflection.

Happy New Year

On Sunday, September 8th, the PCMK family celebrated the start of a New Year with our second annual Fall Family Festival.  The New Year theme seemed to fit as it was a few days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year; and of course, it was the start of a new year of Sunday School.  The sanctuary was full of children as we introduced Kathy Anderson as our new Christan Education Director and prayed for our SS teachers.  The theme of worship was "The Church as Family," where we celebrated PCMK as a healthy and growing faith family.
But the real party started when we went outside for our Fall Family Festival.  The kids came rushing down the stairs and out the door to play games and jump in the bouncy castle.  We know they got something to eat because there was a long line at the ice cream truck when he arrived.  He even knew some of our kids by name (from visiting their Mt. Kisco neighborhood).
The adults enjoyed an amazing lunch of home-made salads, burgers and dogs grilled to perfection, and fabulous desserts.  We then went outside with our plates and were entertained with top-notch jazz with the Carelli Orchestra.  Their smooth sounds were complimented by the talents of some of our members who played flute and sang on several songs.
It was a fun party for our PCMK family, but it was also great opportunity to meet new families.  Some had visited worship, but others wandered in from the neighborhood (who can resist the smell of the grill, the sounds of live jazz, and the fun of a bouncy castle?).
The new year is here and if Sunday was any indication, it is going to be a great year of living, loving and growing together at PCMK.

Cheryl, Kelly, Lisa, and Phyllis

All smiles at the buffet lunch line

Music from Gerard Carelli 

Anne performing a solo with the band

Playing carnival games

Patiently waiting by the ice cream truck