Rolling Up Our Sleeves

As you can see from the picture, the staff is enjoying a rare outdoor Wednesday lunch.  We share a potluck lunch every Wednesday after staff meeting, but we were only outdoors one other time this summer.  It was either too hot, or too cold, or raining, or windy.  It was a little hot this week, but we just had to take advantage of one of the last days of summer.  (You'll notice the empty chair for Stephanie Boorman, who took the day off, and we have with us most weeks volunteers Lynn Lucas, Ginny Vickers, MaxineGaddis and, of course, family members like Elisabeth and little Terrance.)

We are enjoying a few minutes of relaxation together, but we have been hard at work.  We have been preparing brochures, planning events, holding committee meetings, preparing mailings and in general getting ready for Fall.  Our new CE director, Kathy Anderson, is doing double duty of learning the ropes and getting ready for Fall all at once.  Fortunately, Angie Kung and Lynn Lucas have been offering help and support.  Terry is planning for choir rehearsals, Elisabeth is preparing for children's choir, Fred is painting everything in sight, Linda is making sure the bills are paid, and Stephanie is at command central, holding everything together.  I am doing my usual pastoral stuff, and I fell honored to have such a great staff team.

As much fun as we have working together, we are looking forward to working with all of you once again in September on Sunday School and choir and deacons and trustees and session and committees and fellowship and adult education and social justice and...and...and.

Summer Open House

Sunday was the perfect day for an open house at the manse.  The weather was relatively cool with a cloud-cover, which made the back deck perfect for visiting.  I even turned on my gas fire pit for ambiance and even a little warmth.  Rain threatened, but the few drops never drove anyone inside.
We had over 40 PCMK members of all ages drop by for food and conversation.  As always, Elisabeth did a lovely job preparing nice refreshments with the help of Alexa La Pierre.  (Alexa had gone with us on the mission trip and we "sponsored" her and in return she was willing to help host the event.)  We couldn't have done it without her.
A highlight of the event was the opportunity to get to meet Kathy Anderson, our new Christian Education Director.  Kathy had her first day in the church office last week and is getting her feet on the ground.  If you haven't met her yet, come to church this Sunday.  She'll be with us every Sunday from now on!  Welcome Kathy!
I've attached a few pictures of the event.  It's hard to believe summer is fast fading away.  So it was nice to linger over a summer afternoon with our church family.
See you in church.
Pastor Dale

Welcoming Kathy to PCMK!

Coast to Coast

We're back!  It's good to be back on the East Coast after covering the West Coast from British Columbia to California.  It was a great vacation with the opportunity to see family, friends and beautiful scenery.  Our first stop was Portland, Oregon where I officiated at a wedding of a young man who grew up with our son David.  It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and the couple looked so young and happy!  We then headed nortth to Canada to be with my Dad, brother and sisters.
We had a few days to travel by ourselves and then visited friends from Seattle and back in Portland.  We ended the trip in California with Elisabeth's family.
We came back to beautiful weather here in NY and it was good to be back in our home, to see the staff and to get to work.
There are still a few weeks of summer, but fall is fast approaching.  Plans are underway for a wonderful and full season of worship, discipleship and service to others.  Actually, all those things never really took a vacation, did they?
See you in church.
Pastor Dale