A Day on the River

On Sunday, August 17th, Sarah Lucas and I took some high schoolers out on the river for some summer fun. We put the boat in the water at George's Island Park in Montrose.  The wind was blowing down from the north and was kicking up some good-size waves.  But we found a sheltered cove just south of the park and we began to take turns on the big tube.

Sarah was the bravest.  She went first and showed how fun it was to skim around behind the boat on both sides of the wake.  In turn Alexa, Isaac, and Theo also got on the tube.  Each had a great ride, and I enjoyed taking lots of turns to send them swinging around behind us.  The real challenge was to make Theo tip over as he was going to try to go without holding on (look, mom, no hands!).  Well, he was no match for the river and my driving as I had him flipped off the tube in seconds.  I dumped him in a second time even after he was trying to hang on.

We came back and grilled some dogs in the park, overlooking the beautiful Hudson.  It was a perfect afternoon/evening until I went to put the trailer in the water to pick up the boat--I had a flat tire on the trailer.  To make a long story short, everyone got home safe, sound and a little tired.

I enjoy any time I get to spend with our youth.  It was especially nice to have one more outing with Akin Adebayo who left for college last week.  We will miss him and look forward to his return home at Christmas or sooner.

Speaking of Christmas, summer is slipping away and it will soon be fall.  I think I'm ready, but I need at least one more day on the water.  Anyone want to take the no-hands tubing challenge?

See you in church (or on the water)
Pastor Dale

A PCMK Summer

Girls in disguise at McDonalds

A Sunset Boat Ride on the Hudson

Our third summer here in Mount Kisco has been busy and relaxing at the same time.  In July we were able to get out of town and spend a week by the lake.  Morning and evening boat rides, along with afternoon naps were just what the doctor ordered.  I then travelled to Canada to share in the celebration of my sister's 40th wedding anniversary.

Back here at home we have had some excellent guest preachers.  The two women who were in the pulpit in July were excellent.  I encourage you to check out their messages on our PCMKNY Youtube channel.  One of them, Dorothy Muller is a chaplain at Bedford Hills Women's Prison.  She brought to our awareness the opportunities for ministry with a group of people Jesus seemed to care a lot about.  We are working on coordinating the many prison ministry possibilities and providing some focus as part of our social justice outreach.

Elisabeth and I have participated in one prison related ministry that has been just delightful.  For the second year in a row we have hosted two girls who are participating in a summer visitation program at Bedford Hills.  Their mothers are incarcerated and the Children's Center at the prison makes this week of mother-child interaction possible.  We pick up the girls on Sunday and have them each evening and overnight.  During the day  they are with the moms doing crafts and playing games.  It breaks your heart to see these families struggle with the separation, but this program offers at least a few hours of much needed family time.

Other PCMK families have participated in this program and they all report it is a rewarding experience.  I know I enjoyed having toys to step over at night and kids to rush out the door in the morning.  It was exhausting and fun at the same time.  That's what summers here at PCMK are all about.

See you in church (soon, I hope),
Pastor Dale