Christmas Pageant

Sunday was a day to remember.  It was our annual Christmas pageant, and my first while pastor at PCMK.  What a blessing it is to have such talented leaders and kids.  The Christmas Quiz Show was not only entertaining, but it told the Christmas story in a wonderful way.  The packed church was buzzing with excitement and joy. 
Now we look forward to the busy weekend of Lessons and Carols (Saturday at 8pm), Sunday worship (10am) and Christmas Eve services (5pm and 10pm).  Plan now to attend Sunday any one of these special services.  The music and the message will really make it feel like Christmas.  But don't expect me to cartwheel down the center aisle like Steve did at the pageant!
See you in church.

Here are a few of Lisa Flanagan's excellent pictures from the pageant.

Our Neighbors in Newtown

Like you, I am in shock over the tragedy that took place yesterday in Connecticut, less than an hour away from us.  Our hearts break with the families who had to hear that their beloved child would not come home from school.  There are also many families who lost a mother or sister, and an entire community has been traumatized.
At times like this we turn to our faith for comfort.  Churches and synagogues in Newtown were filled to capacity as people followed an inner desire to be together in a house of prayer.  I am grateful that we will gather tomorrow morning as a faith community and cherish our children.  It is our annual Christmas pageant, and it is going to be so wonderful.  It is also going to tell the story that gives us comfort at a time like this--the  story of Emmanuel, God with us.
If you want to talk about your reaction to this tragedy, please feel free to call me.  I don't have answers, but as a parent I can share your feelings of loss and anger.  As your pastor I can join you in prayer for the families in Newtown and for school children everywhere.
See you in church.

The Spin Cycle

I had a pastor friend in Oregon who liked to call this time of year the "spin cycle."  Like the washing machine when it starts to spin faster and faster, you have to make sure things are in balance or the machine will start banging and crashing.  Advent is like that.  There are so many things to get done it is easy to get out of balance and start banging your head against a wall--and that's no way to prepare for Christmas, is it?
So each and every year we vow to not get so busy this year.  Keep it simple is the rule.  But then there are so many parties and concerts to go to, how can it not be busy?
Perhaps what we need to do is stay focused in the midst of the busyness.  Try to see the purpose of the busyness.  For example, make shopping a time of gratitude for the loved ones in your life.  Make parties a time to treasure old friends and make new ones.  Let the music of the season enter your heart at concerts and on the radio.  Try an alternative gift from our "Advent Conspiracy" program.  These are some ways that even a long to-do list can have meaning and purpose.
I'm looking forward to my first Advent and Christmas season with you.  It is a special time of year.  I'm so thankful for all the children in our church.  What would Advent be without children?
I'm off now to our Family Fun Night where we will make Advent wreaths and begin the Advent journey together.  After a great worship service this morning with communion, I can't think of a better way to end the first Sunday of Advent.
Enjoy the spin cycle!
Pastor Dale

Truly Blessed

Blessed to be a blessing has been the theme for our stewardship season this year.  As we approach stewardship Sunday I have been reflecting on how blessed I am and we are as a church.  After the recent storm I heard so many encouraging stories of neighbor helping neighbor.  Our church building had power so members came by and sat in the library to use their computers, charge their phones, and just warm up.  The narthex was packed with items needed by those who lost everything in Long Beach.  At the same time our colorful Haiti house in the Great Hall symbolized our partnership with the people of Haiti.  This church really knows how to share its blessings.
So as we prepare to fill our our pledge cards for 2013 we should count our blessings.  Remember the old gospel song, "Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done." That song is in now in my head and as I count my blessings I keep coming back to the privilege of being your pastor.  I am blessed.  We are blessed.  Now we have the opportunity to be a blessing to others.
See you in Church

From Hot to Cold

Whew!  What a week it has been since we returned from Haiti.  The experience in Haiti was amazing and we wrote several entries to this blog while we were away.  But we were also able to watch the news about the hurricane that was pounding everyone back home (it had already passed through Haiti).  We were working in 90 degree weather looking for shade whenever we could and then we came home to the aftermath of the hurricane and then my first Nor'easter.  I don't think I have felt this cold since growing up in Alberta, Canada.
Fortunately the manse and church had power so Elisabeth was busy hosting families for meals and hot showers.  It's hard to believe there are still many families in our church who have no power almost two weeks after the storm.  How ironic, the intermittent power supply in Haiti was more than what thousands of folks have here in Westchester.
I have been pleased to see how much people have reached out to one another during this difficult time.  We have shared homes and donated clothes.  In the meantime some of our members have been in hospital and through it all I keep hearing about how much we appreciate our PCMK family--especially in times of need.
This Sunday will be a special reporting time from the Haitian team.  There will even be special food after worship on a Haitian theme.  Come hear stories and see pictures of all we saw and learned on this mission outreach to a beautiful, but struggling country.
Pastor Dale

Invitation to Soup at the Manse

If the events of the last week have gotten you down, what could be better than a pot of soup and good company with PCMK friends?  Everyone is invited to come to the manse after church this Sunday for a simple hot soup lunch.  If your house is without heat or power, come on over and warm up.  We've had power and heat, and we would love to share it.
Pastor Dale and Elisabeth

Last Day Celebrations

Today was our last day of rebuilding at the Lambi site and I am happy to report that we finished and presented all six homes to brand new homeowners at about 4:30 pm.  We started the day off with a short trip to Grace International Village. Here about 7,000 families still live in tents and hopefully wait for a chance to move into better living spaces. Also we visited the boys and girls homes (orphanages) where residents ages range from infants to adults. The village also run elementary school program for kids living in tents and the homes. We were privileged to visit temporary classrooms and visit briefly with the kids.  Grace village, in addition, runs "The Lord's Kitchen", a feeding program for the families living in the tents. Then we scrambled back to the work site where all hands were on deck to finish painting the last two homes. That was group work at its best!  Ours was an outstanding team! This was my first international service trip and I had the great pleasure of working alongside such great wonderful, hardworking and caring people.  After a long week of construction, it was rewarding to watch the six blessed and beautiful families graciously, with tears of joy and relief, receive the keys to their new homes. From Leogane, Haiti Mesi anpil - Lami Adebayo

A Little Beach Time

Maybe we shouldn't tell you this, but we went to the beach this afternoon.  We want you to think we are all working hard serving the people of Haiti.  You wouldn't want to see us laying around on a Caribbean vacation.  Well, today was a little of both.  We worked hard--really hard.  It was very hot today and we were all working towards our goals of completing various projects.  Tomorrow we will dedicate three homes for six families who are living in tents.  It will be a wonderful celebration.  But we still have work to do putting on roofs, painting, building railings and window screens.
So I think we earned a couple hours at the beach.  It was a beach club, Haitian style.  The water was warm and the music was lively.  We even had a live band that came and played to our tables.
The week is winding down and we can't wait to get back to all of you.  Our hearts are grieving with those who lost so much in the storm.  We feel so disconnected from all of it and you.
We'll see you in church on the 4th and then our special reporting Sunday on the 11th.  We have great plans for that day to tell you about our trip and to thank you for all your support!
See you in church
Pastor Dale

How Do They Do It?!

By Sarah Lucas
While I am tempted to post a blog similar to my sermon (this past August), one which goes on and on and on…. INSTEAD I am going to make this short, so that I can get back to stretching on the roof (I’m still recovering from “concrete day” yesterday) and you can get back to dealing with Sandy. Basically, I just cannot figure out HOW the vast majority of the Haitian’s are so clean!! I mean, I smell like a week old bag of trash at this point – the end of my fourth day here – and I have access to what passes for a shower here, with soap! I have wood chips plastered to my face, concrete and mud imbedded in my calves, ants crawling out of my clothes (no joke – this was earlier today), rocks sequestered in boots and socks, rivulets of sweat pouring down my limbs, and the left half of my hair is sticking straight up. But when we are careening to and from our work site – Grace Camp - through potholes and opaque streams of every color (depending upon what has been washed further up the creek!) and rubble and metal-stone-plastic shanties and blaring horns and skinny cows and dozens of motorbikes (with 2-4 persons perched atop each!) and broken down everything and metal being cut and carcasses hanging to be butchered and ‘pharmacies on feet’ (women with baskets filled with medicine balanced atop their heads) and the occasional snatches of a brilliant turquoise ocean through the perpetual dust and diesel haze; we have passed elegant young women dressed in pure white moving purposefully on stilettos and the odd group of men and women in sharp, formal suits and gowns! (sorry for that run-on sentence, but it conveys a bit of the atmosphere here!) And even at Grace Camp – those working alongside (and in several instances far beyond) us; they wave farewell at the end of a day with perhaps a few spots of mud and a chalk smear. How do they do it??! A few hand pumps, mires of never-drying mud, trash everywhere, wary livestock and farm fowl roaming about, no fans (AC is not even a question), no wardrobes or dressers, an income of less than $1 US a day per family, etc.. I cannot stay that clean for one day in New York! They have my absolute, awestruck respect.

Anyway, that’s my two-cents.

Sarah

pictures from Tuesday

Jeff and Nancy on paint duty.

The colorful houses.

Pastor Dale praying with four-month old Elijah who was sick.

Walter building trusses.

A Haitian taxi.

 Our pleasant residence hall.

The beautiful children!

Some of the "bucket brigade."

Day 2 in Lambi

Day 2 in Haiti was another one full of new adventures and experiences for all.  When we arrived at Lambi this morning, roofers and truss-makers got busy with their work while everyone else joined the residents in mixing and pouring concrete for the porches and floors of two houses.  Sand and stone were delivered by wheel barrow, dumped in piles, shoveled into buckets and poured into the concrete mixer.  Powdered cement and water were added, everything was mixed in an electric cement mixer and then the fun began!  Bucket brigade style, concrete was moved from the mixture pile into buckets, passed through the line and dumped onto the area being created. Empty buckets were returned and so the bucket line continued until the flooring was complete--a good 4 hours!  Lunch was a welcome respite for all.  After lunch Jonny took a small group on a tour of the current residences:  temporary houses, tents and two of the finished homes.  The tents and houses were very hot, small, and over-crowded.  The newly constructed homes felt safe, dry and comfortable in comparison.  After the tour, we began painting.  Each homeowner selects the top color for his/her home.  The bottom of all the houses is brick red.  Four houses were painted on the top:  two in creamy yellow and two in light blue.  The soon-to-be owners worked very hard alongside us all day.  The children were as endearing as yesterday.
Nancy Osborne

First Day of Work

Monday we began work at the Lambi site.  The homeowners were happy to see us and jumped right in to help us (they give "sweat equity" much like a Habitat for Humanity project).  We had teams painting, building roof trusses, railings and window screens.  These are really attractive little houses that are a world of improvement over the tent/tarp homes many are still living in.

The team is getting along well and surviving the difficult conditions.  

The ride from our residence hall to the work site is quite an adventure.  It is close to an hour of driving through the sights and sounds of daily Haitian life.  Thousands of motorcycles are heading everywhere, along with trucks, buses and the occasional hand cart.  We have made a difference for a few families, but there is much more to do in this beautiful, but tragic country.

As is often the case on a trip like this, the children are wonderful.  They shout "Hey you!" as their form of greeting.  They smile and want to have their "photo" taken.  We look forward to giving away some treats for the kids on Friday afternoon.

We have been following the progress of the storm back home and pray it passes quickly.

We have resources to deal with storms and other disasters.  Haiti had nothing before the earthquake and even less now.  I'm proud of the work PCMK and these other volunteers are doing to help these beloved children of God build a better future for their families.

Pastor Dale

Arrived in Haiti

From Dave Dobson

 

Hello to all our supporters back home and around the world. Our Team is almost all here and ready to work.. My co-leader Rebecca and husband Bill got entangled in an airlines checked luggage snafu and heroically still found their way to Miami with 5 huge checked bags. They will join us tomorrow. Plans for 6 homes to be completed on Friday.

Haiti is getting back to some state of "Haiti" normalcy after the floods,damaging winds and tragic deaths from Sandy. We hope everyone back in the states has a good outcome for Sandy's foray up the east coast. We will be thinking of our families back home.

The attached pictures show our arrival at the residence, our van loaded with luggage (Rebecca and Bill didn't have all the bags) and our Team meeting Sunday evening. Keep tuned for many more postings and pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Heading to Haiti

In the morning the PCMK team will head to JFK to start our mission to Haiti.  Hurricane Sandy has left Haiti and is on its way to New York, but we have a window of opportunity to travel around the storm.  Pray for us while we are gone and check this blog as we will write and include pictures every evening.
We'll pray for you as well that the storm will pass for you without much damage.
Pastor Dale

Back from Texas

It is good to be back in New York with fall colors in full swing.  The picture above gives you an idea of the view outside my office window at the church.

Welcome October

October is here, and it is my favorite month.  Perhaps it is the beauty of fall leaves; or perhaps it is the fact it is my birthday this month.  Whatever the reason, I love October.  Football is going strong, baseball is in the exciting postseason, and most years hockey is started.  October is a sports fan's best month.

October is also a great month in the church.  We are well into our routines and the energy is still growing.  Worship and Sunday School at PCMK have been strong in September and I look forward to a great October, including the "Trunk or Treat" family fun night.  What a creative idea!

On the last day of September I was officially installed as pastor of PCMK.  It was a wonderful day for me as my dear friend, the Rev. Debbie Whaley was in town to visit and preach.  But it was also wonderful to enjoy the great music from our choir, the organ and Elisabeth's moving solo, accompanied by Nelva's sweet violin.  The comments from all the speakers were inspiring. 

This was my third installation, and each time it is a powerful moment when the elders, deacons and pastors lay hands on me and pray for me.  How can I not succeed with that kind of support?  I appreciated all those who were in attendance and those who sent their warm wishes by card or email.  We are officially beginning a new journey together, and it is going to be great.

See you in church (in October!)
Pastor Dale

Sept 30th Installation Service 3pm

Have you ever wondered why pastor's need to be installed?  I know I have.  It sounds like an appliance, "The plumber's coming to install the new dishwasher."  Then again, pastors have been known to wash dishes; so maybe that is where the term comes from.

Whatever the source of the word, it is an important tradition in our church.  On the one hand, of course I have been your pastor since you confirmed my call at a congregational vote on April 22nd.  And then I began work (and getting a pay check) on June 1st.  But the service of installation is where the Presbytery of Hudson River makes it official.

What I appreciate most about the installation service is that it is done in the context of worship.  A commission of teaching and ruling elders from our Presbytery will lead us in a Reformed order of worship.  We will sing hymns, offer prayers and be inspired by our choir and a solo by Elisabeth.  The preacher will be a friend from California, the Rev. Debbie Whaley.  Then there will be questions asked of me and the congregation according to our Book of Order, followed by the prayer of installation and the laying on of hands.  

In my previous two churches I have found this to be an important, spiritually fulfilling milestone in my ministry.  I do hope you can be in attendance so we can officially begin our ministry together, which may very well include doing the dishes.

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Fall Festivities

Sunday was so much more than a typical "back to Sunday School" event.  It was a party!  It was probably the most fun we have had in the church parking lot for a long time.  The smell of hot dogs on the grill, the sound of smooth jazz, and the noise of children having a great time...now that's a fall festival!
The day started early with volunteers showing up to roll out tables and chairs and set up games.  The kitchen crew was busy setting up as well.
Then we all went to church.  I was thrilled when we nearly raised the roof as we sang, "O God Our Help in Ages Past."  A huge number of kids came forward for the children's time and then headed to their first day of Sunday School (after we prayed for the teachers).  I later heard we had 59 children in grades K - 6, and 16 more in youth groups.  That's a lot of energy.
When it was 11, all that energy came streaming down the hall and out into the parking lot.  The bouncing air castle was shaking and rocking with children for the next two hours.  The Carelli Orchestra entertained young and old alike, and the food was simple, but good.
Visitors came to check us out.  Some new families were there for church and Sunday School, while others "couldn't pass by a bouncy castle."  We hope and pray some of these folks come back and check us out again.  I think we made a good first impression.
There are so many people to thank, that I won't mention any names here other than my wife Elisabeth.  She spent her entire weekend on this project.  It wouldn't have happened without her.
I was so impressed by the efforts of so many.  From set up, to cooking and food prep, to games, to music, to publicity, to clean up--it was a great team effort.  And that is what being a community is all about.  Now we will turn that team effort into a great year of learning and growing in our faith together.
I've included a couple of Lisa Flanagan's amazing pictures.  We will have more on display at church and in the Bell Tower newsletter.
This coming Sunday will not be as exciting, but it will feel good to get back to normal (whatever that is?).
See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Music Once Again Fills the halls

Thursday night the sound of ringing and singing once again filled the halls of PCMK.  After a long quiet summer, our mid-week music rehearsals have resumed.  Something new we have added this year is a time to gather for coffee/tea/lemonade and something to munch on while we catch up with one another.  The handbell rehearsal ended at 7:45 and the ringers came to join the singers in the Great Hall.  Elisabeth prepared a batch of her famous brownies and the conversation began.  People had a lot of catching up to do and everyone was genuinely glad to be "back in action."
As a pastor, I have a deep appreciation for our musicians.  I know that many hours of thought, preparation and rehearsal go into each anthem that may only last a few minutes.  But what a glorious few minutes.  Our sanctuary was made for music with the excellent acoustics.  Even congregational singing sounds like the Met Opera chorus in that room.  I can't wait for this Sunday when we will begin another season with the classic hymn, "Our God, Our help in Ages Past."
I'm looking forward to this Sunday for another reason as well--actually for several reasons.  First, it will be wonderful to have the Sunday School back in full swing.  Our coordinators Angie Kung and Lynn Lucas have spent the summer preparing for another great year.
And then after church and Sunday School we will all go outside for our Fall Family Festival.  Pray for good weather so we can enjoy food, games and music outdoors.  In case of rain we can bring it inside, but it is always more fun outside.
I have now begun my second quarter as your pastor.  The first quarter was the easy one.  It was summer.  But this next quarter is what it is all about.  I look forward to worship and ministry with all of you as we begin this "new year" together.
See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Good to be Back

Last week I was as far away from New York as one can get on the continent (except for the tip of Alaska, I suppose).  I was on beautiful Vancouver Island for a short family reunion.  We gathered at my sister's beach house on Lake Cowichan.  It reminded me of the reservoirs of Westchester as it is surrounded by hills and trees. The weather was cloudy and cool, but no matter--we had campfires on the beach and played games next to the wood stove.  I came back through Chicago where we spent time with our daughter before driving back in our old mini-van that she had been borrowing.
While it is always good to get away, it is great to come home.  And Mount Kisco is feeling more like home every day.  I am grateful to the leadership of the Rev. Charles Barton who was back from summer vacation in time to help lead worship last Sunday.  I also appreciate the excellent preaching of our own Sarah Lucas and the Rev. Tom Hughart over the last two Sundays.
Now it is back to work...big time.  Summer is over and the fall season is upon us.  I am looking forward to Christian education and music programs getting underway.  It has been a good summer, but it always feels good to get back to routines. 
The kick off event this year is going to be great.  Plan now to attend church on September 9th and enjoy food, fun and music afterwards at what we are calling our Fall Family Festival.  Pray for good weather and we'll see you in church!

Another Great Sunday

Today's worship was once again the highlight of my week.  If you were unable to be there, you really missed out.  There was glorious music from Terry Flanagan on the Water organ, a beautiful offertory with Lisa Flanagan singing, Nelva TeBrake on violin and Terry at the organ.  The postlude featured Terry's young nephew with a rousing trumpet voluntary (I recognized it as the theme from Masterpiece Theater).
The sermon was excellent, if I don't say so myself.  Our own Sarah Lucas shared a thoughtful message on the book of Ecclesiastes.  It is a challenging book to say the least, and she handled its contradictions and its wisdom with grace.  I encourage everyone to listen to it on-line from by going to our website.
I'm now in the Ottawa airport waiting for a connection to Vancouver.  I will be away this week to visit my siblings and my dad out on Vancouver Island.  It's about as far away as you can get in North America.  Elisabeth is going to visit Debbie in Chicago while I'm away.
Pray for us while we are gone, and we'll see you in church.

New Members

This Sunday was quite a celebration.  First of all, it was the last Sunday that Nick Kung was with us before heading off to college.  He played a flute duet with Elisabeth and then shared a few "words of wisdom" as part of the sermon.  He quoted the verse from the Proverbs, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  He thanked his family and church for training him for life.  Our closing hymn for the day was his favorite, "Eternal Father Strong to Save."  As the organist (guest Dorothy Beach) started to play the hymn he turned to his mom and said, "What a coincidence!"  Little did he know that she and I had plotted to include it as part of the Summer Hymn Sing.
The other big event of the day was welcoming two new families into our church after worship.  Paul and Jessie Mignone and baby Celeste have been attending our church for several months.  We look forward to another baptism soon.  Paul is an opthamologist in Southern Westchester and Jessie is a former assistant to actor Robert DeNiro! We also welcomed Dr. Raymond Mutter and his wife Mary into our church family.  Dr. Mutter retired from an internal medicine practice in the Ossining/Tarrytown area.  Mary maintains membership ties to the Episcopal Church, but will be a full participant in the life of our church.  We look forward to getting to know these interesting people and benefiting from their gifts and experience.
During the coffee mingle Lit Anderson and Dave Dobson began a great fundraiser for the up-coming Haiti trip.  Dave has made a scale model of the houses we will be building.  Lit made bricks to fill in the walls.  The bricks sell for $10 each.
Finally, I'm looking forward to sharing the pulpit over the next two Sundays as we continue our Hebrew Poetry theme in August.  Our youth director, Sarah Lucas will share on the 19th and Rev. Tom Hughart (retired) will preach on the 26th.  They will focus on the poetry of Ecclesiastes and Job respectively.
Summer is going by so quickly!  Soon it will be back to Sunday School and our Fall Family Festival on September 9th.  Watch your mailbox for more information and plan to invite a friend!

First Baptism

Sunday, July 29th, I had the privilege of performing my first baptism as pastor of PCMK.  It was a wonderful day to welcome into God's family little Mackenzie Lynn Purvis, the daughter of Nathan Purvis and Kelly Lynn Haughton, and granddaughter of PCMK members Art and Patti Jay.  The sanctuary was full (even in July) with lots of families and many children.  Elder Roe Gift assisted in the sacrament, asking the questions of the congregation. 

Once I took her in my arms and poured water on her head, she stayed perfectly calm.  I then reminded her and all of us of the significance of baptism with these words, "Mackenzie Lynn, child of the covenant.  You have been sealed in baptism by the Holy Spirit and marked as God's own child forever." 

We then sang the beautiful baptismal hymn, "Batpized in Water, Sealed by the Spirit," which is to the tune of "Morning has Broken."  The highlight of the morning was when I brought our newest member down the center aisle so everyone could meet her up close while we sang the hymn.

We then went on with the service, which was filled with great music as usual.  After my sermon on Baby Moses in the bulrushes (appropriate for baptism), grandpa Art Jay sang "Shall we Gather at the River."  We had gathered at the river of God's grace that flows through each one of us.  Like Moses, who was adopted by Pharoah's daughter, we have both privilege and responsibility.  Our baptism gives us both--privilege (adopted by God) and responsibility (to serve God's people).

It was a great day, and I look forward to many more baptisms, and weddings, and communions and, and...

Summer Staff Lunches

I feel so blessed to have become part of such a great staff team.  We have fun working together during the week, and once a week we enjoy lunch together.
After the rummage sale a nice patio table was left on the upper patio, so we claimed it as our staff lunch table.  Terry has a mini outdoor grill, and so it began.  Each Wednesday in the summer we have grilled hotdogs and everyone brings something to share.  The regulars are Terry, Stephanie, Dale and sometimes Linda from the staff (we can't get Tim to sit down long enough to eat lunch).  Family and volunteers are often around as well, including Lynn Lucas, Elisabeth Southorn, Ginny Vickers, Maxine Gaddis and Terrance.  Dave Dobson has figured out that it is a good idea to plan his volunteer work around Wednesday noon.
So, if you have business at the church during the week, don't be surprised to find us out on the patio enjoying a summer picnic.  And feel free to join us (whether or not  you bring something to share--there's always plenty to eat)!

Midnight in Manhattan
On the hottest night of the year, I joined Rob Zelony and Paula Sigmon and Craig ? on the Midnight Run into the heart of the city.  We worked up a little sweat in the storefront in Dobbs Ferry where we got everything ready to load on  the van.  There was the food that had been packaged in our church kitchen earlier that day and clothes all neatly organized by size.  The air conditioning of the van ride in made us forget just how hot it was.  But when we opened the door in front of St. Bartholomew's on Park Avenue we got a blast of hot, humid air.
We quickly forgot about the heat and got to work because there was a huge crowd of 30 or 40 waiting for us.  Craig opened up shop at the back of the van and handled the requests (got a size 38 belt? Do you have one in brown?) with patience and dignity.  Paula scooped servings of Beth Zelony's famous pasta salad and poured cups of ice tea and cold water (hey, doesn't the gospel say something about offering a cup of cold water?).  My job was to hand out sandwiches and socks (it seemed the socks were more popular).  Rob supervised the whole operation and talked with folks he has seen for years doing the Run.
I met Julio from Mexico.  He looked tired, but was very pleasant.  We could talk a little about my travels in Mexico.  I couldn't tell if he missed Mexico or not.  Life was hard there and life is hard here.
There was a young couple navigating life on the streets together.  She spent a long time looking through a box of women's clothes, while he kept coming back for pasta.  He asked what the weather was supposed to be like the next day.  When we told him it was going to be even  hotter he began to formulate his plan to stay cool.  "We can ride trains all day," he said; but she reminded him that he would get arrested if he fell asleep on the train (not sure if that's true, but you're not supposed to sleep).  Then he listed off the other places they could go in Manhattan.  He didn't seem too worried.  I guess one hot day is not the biggest challenge he's faced in life.
The oldest Jewish Temple in the city was our last stop.  The crowds were thinning as it was now well after midnight.  At this stop I talked to a woman whose country of origin I never did figure out.  She wanted to tell me about her sons.  Her 19 year old lived with her in a shelter in Harlem.  Her 21 year old was on the streets, because he was too old for the shelter.  She prayed for her boys everyday.  I told her I would pray for them too.  She was grateful for what we could share with her and she settled in for the night right there because it was too late to go back to the shelter.
It was late when I got home to my shelter (after 2 am).  We were quiet on the way home.  We were tired, but we also had a lot to think about.  We all talked about how grateful we were to have beds to come home to and no one needed to be up real early the next day.
When I crawl into my warm bed for many nights to come I will think of people living on the streets.  When we gather for worship I will think of the words I read on a poster in the Midnight Run office, "How can you worship one homeless man on Sunday,  and the ignore another on Monday."  Enough said.  Thank you Midnight Run team.

The Bunny Song
If you know the Veggie Tale, "Rack, Shack and Benny," you know what I mean when I say I can't get that song out of my head.  Yesterday we opened the manse to kids and their families to come watch the Veggie Tale version of the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego story.  We had two families come with three children and seven grown children (like me).  We all sang the Veggie Tale theme song and then rocked out to the jazzie sounds of The Bunny Song.  We had a great time and got to know a young family just moving into our community who had visited our church for the first time Sunday.

We asked for favorite hymns on Sunday and we have quite a list already.  The challenge will be choosing which ones fit best.  If you like our choices, I'll take the credit.  If you don't like the selection, you can blame Terry!  How's that for covering your bases?

Summer Worship
Our worship services so far this summer have been great.  While many members are away on vacation, we have had strong attendance with members and visitors alike.  There have been children each week to come up and check on the progress of our container garden.  We'll be having cucumber sandwiches before the summer is over (every kid's favorite).  Last Sunday I had a kiss for everyone--a Hershey's kiss, that is, as the Bible story was about sharing.
In July we have been taking a closer look at some classic Old Testament Bible stories like David and Goliath and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  The title for the latter one is "These Guys are Hot!" (remember they were thrown in the fiery furnace and survived unscathed).  In the afternoon of this Sunday we are inviting kids and their famlies to come to the manse at 2pm to watch the Veggie Tales Version of that story called, Rack, Shack and Benny.  It is my favorite Veggie Tale.  We'll have popcorn and ice cream for kids of all ages.
August is going to be full of memorable worship services as well.  First, we are inviting members and friends to give us their favorite hymns and we will try to include them in worship services.  See the note on this in the bulletin or on the church website.
In August the sermons will take a look at Hebrew poetry.  The Bible has several books that are considered poetry rather than prose--they are: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.  THere are some wonderful words of wisdom in these ancient books.  We'll look at the features of Hebrew poetry which will help draw meaning from the text (the Hebrews did not worry about rhyming--they had other cool poetic devices).
Summer worship is more relaxed and informal.  We hope you will join us whenever you are in town this summer and start your week off right!
And in case you need one more reason to come to church this summer, we have great refreshments in the Great Hall with a cool drink and some tasty treats.
See you in church!

Thousands of Presbyterians
Downtown Pittsburgh has been overrun by Presbyterians wearing name tags and carrying Books of Order.  This is my first time to attend GA and it is really quite impressive.  The main assembly hall looks like something from a national political convention (minus the red, white and blue bunting). I continually run into people have known from my church in Portland, to my time at San Francisco and Austin Seminaries.  I have even met ruling and teaching elders from Hudson River Presbytery over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant on Tuesday evening.
The work of the GA is difficult, controversial, and important.  It is where we try to speak with one voice in the midst of our diversity.  Important issues about Palestine and marriage equality are on the docket this year.  You can follow developments at the pcusa.org website. 

musical office

As I sit in the pastor's study and work on my computer, prepare a sermon, or look out the window; I am often accompanied by organ music from the sanctuary.  Often it is soft and beautiful as it is right now.  Other times it is loud and powerful as it was yesterday (Terry is practicing a patriotic medley for the postlude on Sunday).

Leave for General Assembly 
Elisabeth and I are going to Pittsburgh to observe GA.  We want to attend committee meetings on Israel/Palestine as we have been active in peacemaking for years.  The Presbytery of Hudson River is hosting a dinner on Tuesday night that we will attend and meet some of our colleagues.  We will go through Erie on the way home and check on our house, which has not sold yet--please pray for that!

Summer Sunday School Sermon Series.
I've heard from some members who would like to hear sermons on Old Testament stories like Caleb and Joshua and the spies; and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace.  There may be room for one more ‘favorite.’  Let me know.

I am finally a blogger.  We have been in the manse of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Kisco, NY for two weeks now.  In some ways it seems much longer, but in other ways it doesn't seem real yet.
We have had many experiences since we arrived and one of the things I want to do on this blog is share some highlights.  I'll list them in bullet-point form so you can skim over them quickly.  But as you can see, it has been an eventful two weeks.

• Arrived in the middle of the famous rummage sale!  We should have backed our truck up to the church and gotten rid of half our stuff.  Actually, we did donate a few items that sold (and we bought a few of our own).
• Enjoyed worship in the park for our first Sunday.  My story of Art and Dorothy getting lost in the big city was a fun first sermon.  (You can listen on-line at the PCMK.org website--click on worship and sermons.  It was June 10th.
• My first session meeting was enjoyable and we were even done by 9pm.  A highlight of the meeting was renewing the parish associate relationship we have with the Rev. Charles Barton.
• Terry Flanagan and I have planned a couple worship services together.  I am really going to enjoy working with him.
• I've found my way around Northern Westchester Hospital visiting members and families.
• Elisabeth and I helped pack the Midnight Run lunch bags and served clients at the Food Pantry.
• Now I need to stop writing and go to a meeting of our amazing Social Justice Team.

First Day of Summer

Today is going to be a hot one.  I'm so glad we have AC!