A Letter to our Muslim Friends

سلام

(Arabic for “peace”)

 “I want to end by saying that peace and love for everyone is a basic fundamental principle of both this school and of Islam.  In light of recent events, all our hearts, tears, and prayers go to those who lost loved ones in the recent attacks.  I want to say that these terrorists claiming to be of Islam are not Muslims because terror has no religion.”

(A quote from a teenager from the Islamic School of Upper Westchester)

To our brothers and sisters of faith in the Islamic School of Upper Westchester, we want you to know we stand with your community in this time of such senseless violence carried on in the name of religion.  We know you represent Islam as a religion of peace.  We know you and love you as individuals, families and a community of faith that shares much more than just these walls.  We share a commitment to peace, love and justice for all God’s children; and we celebrate our common bond as descendants in the faith of Abraham.  We pledge to you our friendship and our dedication to countering the fearmongering and scapegoating of Muslims in our nation.  In this Christian season of Advent we renew ourselves to praying for and actively speaking up for God’s peace, pas, shalom, salaam.

Your brothers and sisters of PCMK

The aftermath of the latest mass shooting in California has been so hateful and ignorant, I felt we needed to do and say something as a church.  We have the privilege of hosting the Islamic School of Upper Westchester in our building.  We share more than just the roof we gather under.  Our women get together, along with the women from the Mount Zion Apostolic Church, in May for a Mothers' Day Tea.

Last month our 3 youth groups got together for our first Interfaith Youth Event.  At that latter event we got together for bowling and pizza, and each youth group had a spokesperson tell about life in their faith community.  The young man from the Islamic School moved us all as he spoke less than a week after the Paris attacks.  It seemed as though he felt the weight of the whole Muslim world on his shoulders.

I share with you some of his words and our letter of response that I invited the congregation to sign after worship this last Sunday.  Nearly 100 members of PCMK have signed it!  It is the least we can d to stand up for a group of decent people who are being vilified in some very offensive and ominous ways.

See you in church (the one we share with our Muslim neighbors),
Pastor Dale

A Perfect Fall Day in New York

Crop Walk Refreshment Stand 

Making "Veggie Packs" to Roast

When are we going to have S'mores?

Fresh Apple Cider!

Sunday, October 25th was a perfect fall day for many reasons.  After an overnight rain, the sun came out for a warm autumn afternoon.  I was praying for good weather because we had two outdoor activities that afternoon--the Crop Walk and the Youth Bonfire.

The Crop Walk has been an annual tradition with churches around the country for decades.  I remember walking Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA.  It is an easy walk so we can talk with one another along the way.  Children are even able to participate, and this year our kids set up a refreshment station for walkers who had made the turnaround and were on their way back.  Over $1000 was raised for hunger relief through Church World Service and our own Interfaith Food Pantry.

Later in the day the middle and high school youth gathered at the Lucas' farm for their annual bonfire.  Over 20 excited kids gathered around a beautiful fire and roasted vegetables, hot dogs and s'mores (of course).  They then played a crazy game of "Ghost in the Graveyard."  It was so appropriate to be together as our youth leader, Sarah Lucas, had just delivered a powerful sermon on how our food choices impact the earth.  Her theological training and organic farming experience have come together to form a world-view that just may help save our planet.

I hit the pillow that night tired but happy.  It was a perfect fall day!

The Best Youth Anywhere!

Sunday our high school mission team shared stories from their time in Portland, Maine earlier this summer.  In fact, when you think about it, the mission trip acted like bookends for the summer season.  We left on the trip June 28th, about one week into summer; and they told their stories on September 20th, the last Sunday of summer.

In between there were some life-changing experiences.  It was great to sit back (not have to prepare a sermon) and to remember the work we did, the fun we had, and the people we met.  I smiled as Theo described the day we made 600 pancakes together.  That moment and many others were captured in photos we all enjoyed seeing on our new digital picture frame in the narthex.

One of the highlights of the morning is caught in the picture above.  It was when three of our youth shared the skit that they shared with the children of Portland.  Young and old laughed at the jokes and got the message about patience, which came from our scripture for the day, I Corinthians 13.  That passage ends with, "love never fails."  I love our youth, and watching them serve others on these mission trips never fails to impress me.  I know they made an impression on everyone in church on Sunday, and I know they made an impression on the people of Portland, Maine.  Where are we going to go next year?

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Fall Festival Fun

Sunday was the perfect day for our fourth annual Fall Family Festival.  After threatening rain all week, it was a perfectly beautiful fall day--sunny but not too hot.  We were prepared for a rain plan, but the last of the rain moved through overnight and we awoke to a perfect day.

It was a perfect day because we had a great turnout for worship, Sunday School, and, of course, the festival.  On Labor Day weekend I had two children on the steps for the Children's Time.  On Sunday there were over 30 children lining the steps completely across the sanctuary.

Sanctuary was the theme for the day in worship.   After the terrible images of refugees desperately seeking sanctuary in Europe, we looked to see what Scripture had to say about the issue.  Of all places, we found a teaching of generosity in Leviticus 19 where we are taught to respect and even LOVE the alien in our midst.  As a former Resident Alien who was welcomed into this country, I believe hospitality to tired migrants is the only Christian response.


It was a perfect day because we were able to show hospitality to many visitors, some of whom were new to the community.  We have been blessed with a steady stream of new families who find us to be a welcoming community with everything they are looking for in a church.  One father even admitted that when his children saw a picture of last year's Fall Festival on our website, they wanted to go to that church.  How many churches have a bouncy castle and a visit from the ice cream truck?  Only the perfect church!

See you in Church,

Pastor Dale

Bells Across New York

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of that terrible 11th day of September that we know simply as 9-11.  Every year it makes us stop and remember where we were as we saw those unbelievable images unfold on TV (or before your very eyes in NYC).  It has now been long enough that there is a generation of high school freshmen who were born on or after that day.  Of course, the entire class of current high schoolers were too young to remember much of anything.  So it is important we help them remember.

At the 9-11 memorial there was the annual telecast of the solemn ceremony of reading the names of those who lost their lives in that explosion of terror.  At the moment each tower was hit they paused for a moment of silence.  Then in that silence the large bell on our bell tower began to peal steadily and powerfully.  I opened the door of our house to listen.  I remembered that Terry had programmed the bell to peal at the moment of each of that day's horrible moments.  I was able to go outside and record the one that rang at 9:59 am, which was the moment that the South Tower collapsed.

Maybe you heard bells ring out yesterday morning wherever you may have been as these moments came and went.  Time is moving on, but the memory of that day is still powerful.  After that day our country went to war and many, many more lives were lost, so when we ring the bells on 9-11, we should remember all the innocent victims of war and violence.  Including those running for their lives across Europe.

I invite you to play the video above and say a prayer for peace in our world and sanctuary for all God's children.

See you in Church,
Pastor Dale

Saying Goodbye to Summer

Last Wednesday we had a perfect, warm, low-humidity day to enjoy an outdoor lunch with church staff, volunteers and family.  We try to share lunch after staff meeting once a month or so, but summer schedules had made it hard to get together.  Well, it all came together on the last Wednesday of August to relax before the buzyness of September was upon us.

Speaking of September, it is now here and we are ready.  We are ready for our fourth-annual Fall Family Festival on the 13th.  Plan now to attend worship and the party afterwards with food and fun for the whole family.  We are ready for Sunday School, youth groups, adult education and choirs.  We are ready with opportunities to serve in our ministries of social justice.  We are ready for you!

On Sunday, September 20th, we will hold our annual Ministry Fair where you can meet folks involved in each of these ministries and find where you would like to get more involved this year.  Also, on that Sunday our youth group will report on their recent mission trip to Portland, Maine.

So you can see why we needed to relax over lunch while we had the chance!

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

He was an Inspiration!

My ride from the airport on a chilly day in October 2014

This morning the phone rang at 6 am, and the area code was from Alberta, Canada where it would be 4 am.  My mind snapped awake as I anticipated what the call might be about.  I answered and heard the sweet voice of my dear sister, Sharon.  I held my breath waiting for the bad news, and then it came.  Her husband Keith had passed away that night after being rushed to the hospital.  Apparently it was some kind of blood clot to the lung, a complication of his cancer.

Sharon and I cried together on the phone, but I remember crying with her 11 years ago when she called to say Keith had pancreatic cancer.  My dear friend and colleague, Gary Lawson, had just died weeks after having the same diagnosis.  We thought Keith would not be with us for long.  But for more than a decade we got to celebrate life with Keith.  He saw all of his children get married and 8  grandchildren born.

Keith was an inspiration to us all.  His long survival with a terrible form of cancer was just the beginning.  He was inspiring in so many ways.  He loved God and his church; he loved his family and my dear Sharon; he loved life.  He was ambitious and generous at the same time (which is not always the case).  He had strong convictions, but he respected the views of others.  I am grateful to have had him as a brother in law, a mentor and a friend.  He is now reunited with his father and his son, Brendan.  I am comforted by that knowledge and with my many wonderful memories.

May God bless to our hearts the legacy of this inspiring Christian family man, Keith Nielsen.

Pastor Dale

Last Day in Portland

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We're home.  Thursday was a full day at the soup kitchen and holding kids club.  Friday was a wonderful last day together, complete with a nice last lunch and some time at the beach.

We'll tell some stories at church on Sunday, and then a complete report in September.

Thanks for all your support and prayers!

Our Day at Work and Free Time Photos

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Today was probably the best day of the trip so far. I started off going to the soup kitchen with my group of Austin, Isaac, Jenna, and Lindsay. After working the breakfast shift we headed back to the Root Cellar to watch a movie with the kids, and eat lunch. The best part of the day was when we went to this sick lobster pace that Dale got for us right on the beach. It was just good to have some group time to ourselves and eat some juicy lobsters. We also wen't exploring on these rocks next to the ocean and me and my bro even wen't for a dip.
Seamus Blair

Day Three in Portland

Day Three in Portland

Shoutout to all the ballers and the hype beast :)

Another early wakeup call this morning at 6:15, my group traveled to Prebble Street, the local soup kitchen. My group consisting of Seamus, Isaac, Jenna, Austin, and myself went to work. We had already been there on Monday and we were slowly starting to get the hang of things. Instead of the harsh working conditions of being a dishwasher, which I was on Monday, instead I helped with food prep. With Jenna by my side cracking over three hundred eggs, I stacked yogurts and set up the tables for service. Seamus and Isaac set up the pastries and Austin helped cook tamales and home fries for service. Once service started, Jenna, Austin, and myself went to work serving. Jenna served the oatmeal and variety of soups that were a big hit. I was able to serve pasta dish which was initially mac and cheese with chicken and bacon. Austin by far had one of the hardest jobs. He was in charge of serving eggs. For the past two weeks, none of the people who came to eat had any eggs. The Avian Flu has prevented the kitchen from getting any eggs and at one time, they had cost as low as $30 and as high as $90 for a case. Austin had to tell people that there was only one serving of eggs that he was able to give out. Although, as service started to die down and when people asked nicely, he was more than willing to shell out another spoonful or so. They were so grateful for the wonderful eggs that they were able to eat. Some were even surprised that they were all fresh eggs! Seamus and Isaac both worked on dishes and did a fantastic job keeping up with the influx of people throughout the service. Sarah helped with dishes as well as the cleaning of plates and helping the boys with the rest of the washing. Pastor Dale on the other hand, was anywhere and everywhere! He helped switched out trays that needed more food and even started cracking his own eggs and frying some of his own on the griddle!

Other than cleaning tables and picking up the salt and pepper shakers from the tables, one of the best experiences I have had on this trip was where I least expected it - in the kitchen alongside one of the head chefs. Mary helped me clean the buckets filled with soapy and grimy water from the tables in the eating area. Formerly a caterer, Mary has been working in the soup kitchen for four years. Even though she is one of the sweetest women I have ever met, she had so much turmoil in her life. She lost four of the most important figures in her life within six months and struggled from a deep depression. After years of grieving, she decided to go back to school to study psychology and became a counselor for people struggling with addiction. She dug herself out from a deep hole and was able to make something good out of her personal struggle. Combining two of her personal struggles, she took to cooking where she could also help people with her newfound knowledge. Mary was one of the amazing people I had the privilege of  meeting this trip. We also helped organize a closet at the Root Cellar and watch Rio 2 with the kids who came to eat lunch. After we finish the movie that we are currently watching, we have the rest of the day off where we are going to have dinner and visit a few places because we have the rest of the day off. (It was supposed to be a beach day, but it is raining a lot)
Lindsay

It's day 3 of our mission trip and virtually everything has run smoothly. Here and there we'll encounter minor conflicts whether it be within or outside of our actual PCMK group, but all are always solved with an optimistic attitude. I'm pleased to say that everyone has been nothing but gracious towards each other and there's nothing more gratifying than being acknowledged for your strengths. Last night, Theo took the initiative to recognize my compassion and patience with children. It truly made my day and it was nice to know that we are all so aware of each other and our interactions. It really makes for a better bond. Yesterday, my group of 5 stayed at The Root Cellar for kids club. The children are wonderful; rowdy and eager, but wonderful. Each is a pleasure to work with and they could not have been more happy to be in our hands for the afternoon. We ate lunch with them, sang songs, did arts and crafts, and performed a skit for them. They totally ate it up and could not have been more enthusiastic. Following that, we began to set up in the finished basement of The Root Cellar for a dance party that would take place from 6:00-7:30. We set up streamers to hang from the ceiling and decorated the walls with rainbow lights and the kids could not wait for the DJ to arrive. The dance party was adorable. What's better than 5-10 year old kids dancing around like nobody's watching to mainstream pop songs? That's right...nothing is better. I can't tell you how many pounds I carried and spun around that night. At one point I had a 9 year old on my back, a 5 year old in my right arm on my hip, and a 7 year old hanging onto my leg for dear life. I got more of a workout in that hour and a half than I ever would have at the gym. Prior to yesterday, my team painted a housing complex that was pretty close to "home". We really demonstrated teamwork and patience. It was a tedious task to say the least, but we got it done with smiling faces and a good disposition. I can't wait to see what the next few days have to offer!

Note to all upcoming high schoolers: These trips are unlike anything you have ever experienced. Exposure to the real world is something that we don't get enough of at our age and it is so important to educate yourself and immerse yourself in the things that will impact you for life, such as these trips. I can't express my encouragement enough and I hope all of you who are of age at PCMK will partake in these trips in the future. You can bring your friends too! It's a stunning and life changing journey and very much worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears. Just something to keep in mind!! :)
Bailey

A Link to Photos

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Day Two in Portland

We awoke to a beautiful day in northern New England.  Our group is divided into two, based on preparation for two days of Kids Club.  YEsterday one group worked in the soup kitchen all day, while the other group painted a public housing unit.  Today we had new assignments.  One group prepared for our first day of kids club while the other group took their turn at painting and yard work for the Portland Housing Authority.
Once again we were proud of our youth.  The preparation our group engaged in really showed.  In our meetings we had rehearsed the skit each group had for kids club.  We also practiced a classic campfire song, "Boom Chicka Boom," and our youth pulled it off verse after verse, to the delight of the children.  Elisabeth is a pro at the kids club stuff and had all the crafts ready to go.  So Kids club was a success with a large group of children (mostly from African refugee families).
The group that worked hard outdoors came back tired, but once they had a few moments to sit we all got back to work.  Our next assignment late in the afternoon was to decorate the hall for a dance party for the neighborhood kids.  They really make the most of this facility in service to the community (and they make the most of having our youth here ready to help)!
Pastor Dale

Today was a really crazy day so far. My group was assigned to work with the Kids' Club here. Kids from the area came to the Root Cellar. We served them a free lunch, played games with them, performed a skit for them to teach them about patience (the theme of the week), taught and sang them songs, and helped them decorate wooden chests to take home. Altogether we were with them for around three hours! They were all very sweet, even if they were super crazy, and hanging out with them was so much fun. Today is one that I definitely won't forget, not just because of the unique experience, but because of the unique kids that we got to know and the unique friendships that we formed with them. Luckily we will probably be seeing them more throughout the week. Right now it's about 4:30 we're all pretty exhausted, but we can't rest yet. Tonight the Root Cellar is having a dance party for the kids so we have to prepare for that now, eat dinner, then go to the dance. It's going to be a long day, but a rewarding one.
Gianina

Day One: Painting and Cooking

Editor's Note:  We are having trouble posting pictures this year.  We will get it figured out.  We have hundreds to post!  But in the meantime, enjoy reading about this amazing experience!

This morning I woke up at 6:30. I walked over to the bathroom to brush my teeth. On the way back to my room, I passed a kitchen where Honey Nut Cheerios were opened and on the table. Of course, I checked the fridge for milk, and when I found it, I helped myself to three bowls. Later on, I was told that the food in this kitchen was only for a different mission group and that it was all the food that they had. I still had a bagel when I went to breakfast with our group, but it wasn't as good as the cereal.
Graham
(Editor's note: Graham will be going to Walmart to resupply the Cheerios)

After a long day of traveling, stopping, hurry up and wait, and orientation, we finally arrived at the church we would be staying at for the week. The rooms were surprisingly very bright and spacious with lots of floor space for air mattresses and sleeping bags. Beforehand, we had sat through an evening service hosted in one of the main rooms of "The Root Cellar"(the heart of Portland) which was lead by a spunky bald dude who knew how to keep our attention. Two singers, a male and female, serenaded us three times both before and after the service. It was actually fairly entertaining and allowed for us to look at this week through lenses of compassion, appreciation, and empathy. We truly are lucky for all we've been blessed with and there's nothing more eye opening and humbling than witnessing and living through those who are not as fortunate. We are constantly reminded that sometimes our so called "problems" aren't as significant as we may deem them to be when they're put into perspective. Each day is a blessing. Our lives are absolute blessings. Words can't describe how anxious and excited I am to build these, what I believe are, essential relationships with the people of this community. The stories of the children and adults touch our hearts and minds and feed our souls. It allows for us to see things in a different light, which isn't something we always get much of in Westchester. I could not be more grateful to be apart of this trip (for a third year in a row) and the first day has yet to begin!..It's 8:40am as I type. Wish us luck and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we take on this awesome journey! (I love and miss you mom, dad, and Phoebe!!)
Bailey

Our first day volunteering was a success! We started with an early wakeup of 6:00 am, splitting off into two groups. While the first group painted a housing complex, our group went to the local food shelter to prepare and serve both breakfast and lunch for the homeless. We donned our aprons, and delivered a wonderful breakfast and lunch for three hundred hungry patrons. It was exhausting work and lasted for hours. After serving breakfast, we had a quick rest while eating our sandwiches we prepared beforehand. For lunch that day, a local pizza restaurant donated about one hundred whole pizzas! Seamus and I spent the whole time slicing, seasoning, and heating a total of 400 individual slices. It was an experience, and I had never seen so much pizza in one place. After both breakfast and lunch was served, we finished off by enjoying some iced coffee at a local coffee shop, talking about the day with each other. Finally, we all regrouped and met at a park, spending time with a ton of local kids. We tossed frisbees and footballs, climbed on the monkey bars, and enjoyed the sun for a few hours. It was a blast. With the rest of the groups from around the country, we enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti, getting to know one another. The entire day was exhausting, and i'm certainly ready for what's ahead.
Isaac

Arriving in Portland on a Dreary Wet Day

Sorry we are posting our first blog so late, but it was a long day.  After driving in a steady drizzly rain, with some high winds at times; we arrived mid afternoon.  We are staying in a church in Scarborough, ME, just outside Portland.  Then we went into town to the Root Cellar--a community center where we will eat our meals and work with neighborhood children.

Tomorrow we are up early to begin our work with the people here.  Some will go on construction detail, while others will work at the homeless shelter/soup kitchen.  Should be quite a day.

Here are some thoughts from two of the boys:

After a long and enjoyable bus ride with our companions, we arrived in rainy, windy portland. we met up at the church and got settled around 4 o'clock. at 5 o'clock we all made our way to the Root Cellar and got to know some of the other groups on the trip by eating together and working together to clean up after ourselves. we then got back into the vans and drove around town aimlessly packed into the vehicle like sardines, singing songs and sharing a good laugh, haha. after having a brief meal at the infamous McDonalds, we made our way back to the church and had a half hour of quality time between all of the groups, we now have trouble finding the light switch to eventually end the night.
Austin

T-oday was really fun. We spent a lot of time as a group and preparing for the trip ahead of us. We all cannot wait to help out these people and change their lives.
Seamus

Supreme Wisdom

This was quite a week for the Supreme Court.  It made history once again on two fronts.  First it affirmed the program that has helped millions of Americans to get affordable health insurance.  Then on Friday it affirmed the right of all Americans to marry the person they love.  It has been quite a journey for us as a nation, our Presbyterian denomination, and PCMK.  But most of all it has been a journey for justice and equality for millions of people created in the image of God.

Just over a year ago I was able to officiate at the wedding of our son in our beautiful sanctuary.  Now, thanks to the courageous decisions of PCMK, the PC(USA), the State of New York, and now the US Supreme Court, I could officiate at the wedding of my daughter!  Is this a great country (and church) or what?

See you in our wonderful, inclusive church,

Pastor Dale

A Day in the Park

Sunday was our annual Worship in Gedney Park and Church Picnic. It was everything a church picnic should be:  the weather was perfect, the worship was uplifting, the food was wonderful and the games were fun for children of all ages.  I got in on the fun by being the target for the kids and their water balloons.  The point was to raise money for our Living Waters Project.  At $1 a balloon we raised $300!  Everyone seemed eager to pay up for the privilege.  Elisabeth got the biggest boys she could find and paid for them to take a shot or two.  I'm glad it was a warm day because I was soaking wet.

Many thanks to our deacons who once again put together a successful event.  They thought of everything from reserving the shelter to hiring Nick the ice-cream man.

Worship in the park is always meaningful for me as it was my first Sunday as Pastor here at PCMK in 2012.  This year's event marks the beginning of my 4th year.  I look forward to  making more memories in Gedney Park next year and beyond.  I just hope our fundraiser never involves bricks!

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Memorial Days 2015

No, it's not a typo in the title.  Did you know there is an alternate date for Memorial Day?  I found this out when I was invited to speak at the Mt. Kisco American Legion's Memorial Day recognition this Saturday, May 30th. When I asked why it was on Saturday, my host said that the 30th is the original (and appropriate date) in their view.  So I went to Wikipedia to learn about the history of the holiday.  It was in 1968 that congress passed the "Uniform Monday Holiday Act," to ensure that Memorial Day, and three other holidays, always landed on a Monday (who doesn't like a three-day weekend?).

I was alive in 1968, but I was a kid in Canada, so I never knew of the Memorial Day controversy. What is not controversial is the debt we owe to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.  While it is great to celebrate the start of summer, we must never forget the true meaning of the day.  Elisabeth's father was killed before she was born while serving in the U.S. Navy, so we know a little of the sacrifice millions of families have made (about one million Americans have died in all wars combined).

A nice Memorial Day tradition here in Chappaqua is the annual parade and ceremony.  It is truly a small-town affair with world-class celebrities.  The parade is small with a handful of Viet Nam veterans and a small bagpipe band.  Marching in front of the parade were Bill and Hilary Clinton.  I was able to get close to both of them after the parade and even shook the former President's hand.  While it was exciting to have the ultimate power couple in attendance, the program went forward with recitations of the biographies of several home-town heroes.  Some were even read by local high school students.  The Greeley High School band, including some PCMK youth, played several patriotic songs.

I will have a new appreciation for Memorial Day in the future, whether or not I get to shake the hand of a former President (or a current Governor like two years ago).

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Our Greatest Blessing -- Our Youth

Confirmation Class of 2015

Presenting Statements of Faith to Session

These have been busy weeks as we prepare for our annual Youth Sunday and the celebration of our 2015 Confirmation Class.  Last Sunday we baptized three youth who will be confirmed this coming Sunday, and three other children from two of those families also came to the font.  I particularly enjoyed the giggles that the youngest children got as they got wet!

Our confirmation class has been on a journey that began in January.  Fifteen of our 7th and 8th graders attended early Sunday morning classes, read the gospel of Mark and the Catechism, went on a retreat and prepared their own faith statements.  The highlight of the program was reading those faith statements before the session on May 6th.  The elders and parents were totally impressed at the depth of understanding and the personal insights of these faith statements.

On Sunday we will welcome these newest member as part of our annual Youth Sunday.  Our own Alexandra Kung, graduating high school senior will bring the sermon. As you can see below, these young people recognize that confirmation is not the end of the journey, it is just the beginning.  I'm as proud as any pastor could be of our youth and confident of the future of our church and world because of them.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Combined Statement of Faith 

Confirmation Class of 2015

I believe in the trinity.  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  The triune God brings us together and gives us faith. NH  The trinity lets us see God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in different ways.  LC

God created the planet Earth and created all of us.  God loves everyone on Earth.  WC  I believe that God is the creator of everything and provides us our own special talents and abilities. EP

I believe Jesus, the Son of God, came down to Earth.  He taught people the Word of God and healed the sick and injured… Jesus didn’t only teach, but ate and talked in the presence of the lowest people in society, to show that God’s love has no boundaries.  SS  Jesus Christ lived life and experienced pain as well as joy like one of us. JP

I believe the Holy Spirit is with us all the time.  It is in the beauty of nature, from the most beautiful sunset to the most simple insect.  I believe the church is a safe, loving place where we can express our faith in God.  I am proud to belong to a church where people of any race or sexual orientation are welcomed. LM  The church is a community of people who don’t just come to pray, but to help people in need. RC  Service to others is important.  It’s a way to follow Jesus’ path because he helped people in many ways.  TF

I was baptized here, which was my welcome into the church.  Now I am being confirmed, part 2 of the baptism, and becoming an official member of the church. LB  Baptism links us to God and the church forever from when we are children.  Communion serves to remind us of all the goodness of Jesus and to have faith as we live our lives. JM

I believe the Bible is a guidebook when we need it.  It’s full of stories to teach us lessons and it teaches us what God wants us to know.  PD  Having faith in the Bible isn’t memorizing the whole book, it is taking the teachings and putting them to use in everyday life. HT

Christ’s life may be up in heaven, but I am still down here; until I make it to heaven I will remain a Christian of faith and integrity. HB  In honor of my faith, I will live simply, worry less, be more patient, kind and give of myself to others…My confirmation is just the beginning of my relationship with God and my faith. RM

(Initials refer to the youth responsible for that line of the statement).

Good News/Bad News

The Great Emancipator

Site of Some of Our Meetings in D.C. 

Getting a Jump on Spring Flowers in D.C.

What's Left of a Family Car!

These weeks following Easter have been full of activity at church and beyond.  As I look back I see several stories of good news/bad news.  

Two weeks ago I was in Washington D.C. for a conference on Mass Incarceration: Breaking the Chains of Injustice.  The good news is that mass incarceration is a new term in our nation's vocabulary and people are starting to get it.  There is even bi-partisan support to end the ridiculously high rates and long terms of incarceration in our country.  The bad news is that there are millions of Americans locked up for years and years, many of them for petty drug possession.  We will share more of what we learned in sermons, adult ed classes and social justice projects.

The good news is that spring is here and there is a freshness and joy in the air.  The bad news is that it is allergy season for many.

The bad news is a young family had a car burn up in our church parking lot last Saturday afternoon.  The good news is everyone got out safely.  She saw smoke coming from the engine and then she wisely pulled in our parking lot and got the kids out!  The Mount Kisco Fire Department did a great job putting out the fire.

The bad news is the terrible earthquake in Nepal.  The scenes of the destruction are terrible.  I lived through many earthquakes in California so I know how terrifying they can be.  The good news is you can help by donating to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund.  Go to www.pda.pcusa.org and give generously.  PDA has a great reputation of getting funds into the hands of people who are there helping people.  PCMK did mission projects through PDA after Katrina.

So while there is suffering all around us, it is always good to know that God is on the side of those most in need of help.  That's the best news of all.

PCMK Welcomes an Old Friend

Disclaimer!  Let's be clear--by "old friend" I mean she has been a friend of PCMK for a long time, not that she is old!

On Sunday PCMK welcomed Dr. Susan Andrews, General Presbyter of Hudson River Presbytery, to worship and fellowship with us.  We made the most of her time as she taught the confirmation youth about Presbyterian Polity (who better!) and then preached an amazing Easter sermon on John 20.  She was surrounded with well-wishers in the coffee hour and then Elisabeth and I took her to lunch.

We were glad and proud to have her with us on Sunday.  Glad because she is weeks away from retirement as our Presbytery leader.  Proud because she is a distinguished national leader of our denomination as well.  Her wisdom and experience will be missed in Hudson River, and I will miss her as a colleague and friend.

Dozens of PCMK members signed our well-wishes as did the session at its last meeting.  Dr. Andrews was a true friend to this church in times of transition and she will not be forgotten.  If you would like to add your message of appreciation, just email the church office and we will forward along with the others.

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

A Truly Holy Week

A Stark Sanctuary for Good Friday

Choir Preparing Easter Morning

A Full Sanctuary Easter Morning

Children Counting Their Easter Eggs

Easter Finest--Nigerian Style!

An Easter Brunch With Friends!

Holy Week was a wonderful, memorable, spiritually rewarding time for us all at PCMK.  It started with the joyful procession of Palm Sunday, moved through the reflection of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and then erupted in the joy of Easter morning.

We are blessed at PCMK in so many ways.  We have children all over the place; and Easter without children just isn't the same.  We have fabulous music; and Sunday had many highlights from the prelude, to the hymns, anthems and the Hallelujah chorus.  We are blessed to  have a great fellowship team who show hospitality with such style!  And, oh yes, there was a sermon which I found a blessing to prepare.  I preached it to an empty sanctuary on Saturday night to get out the jitters, and I found myself listening to the message more than usual.  He is risen, just as he said.  He has gone on ahead to Galilee, go find him there.  The message for me is that we need to go find the risen Jesus in places of ministry in our "Galilees."

The joy of Easter was made even more special with a surprise visit with dear friends from Erie, PA. We had a great lunch together on a beautiful Spring day.  It doesn't get much better than this (except to include our own children who were not able to be home for Easter).

Easter is the highlight of the church year, but there are many more exciting things to come in the weeks and months ahead at PCMK.  It starts with the Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews as our guest preacher this Sunday.  We are blessed to have her with us as she is just weeks away from her retirement as our General Presbyter.

We are blessed in so many ways, and the hope of Easter is at the top of the list!

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Sermon in German

Sunday was a day of glorious music.  The words were by Martin Luther set to music by Bach.  Not a bad combination, eh?  My job was to say something intelligent in a few minutes before we gave the morning to the musicians.  The theme of the day was the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the music was truly divine.  The cantata included our wonderful choir, a small orchestra, soloists and even our children's choir learned the German for the last chorale.

Music is truly an important part of worship at PCMK.  On Sunday, the music was even the sermon.
Thanks be to God!

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Proud of the "P" in PCMK

The New York Times

"Presbyterians Approve Gay Marriage in Church Constitution"

This has been a good week to be a Presbyterian.  Once again the Presbyterian Church (USA) made headlines, including the NY Times.  On Tuesday, our neighbors of the Palisades Presbytery in New Jersey voted to affirm the change to our constitution which defines marriage as "a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives."  Palisades was the 86th Presbytery (out of 171) to affirm, so it is now part of our Book of Order.  I am particularly proud because I was one of the commissioners from Hudson River Presbytery to the 221st General Assembly where we approved this language.  I was there when the amendment was made to add the words, "traditionally a man and a woman."  That clause seemed to calm any last minute jitters and it was passed by a wide margin.

It has been quite a journey, but it feels like we can finally move beyond decades of conflict at Presbytery and General Assembly gatherings.  There are those who think the denomination has lost its soul, but I think we have been wise and even inspired as we have taken steps to remove a significant barrier to the inclusive justice we proclaim.  There is room in our church for people who are not yet comfortable with gay pastors or same sex marriage, but more importantly there is room and a warm welcome for those who face so much discrimination in life.

It's a proud day to be a Presbyterian, and it is a proud day to be a part of PCMK.  On Sunday our Church School children packed over 100 lunches for the homeless of New York City.  One touching story is shared by our CE Director, Kathy Anderson.  While helping the younger children decorate the lunch bags one child asked why their mommies didn't make lunches for these people.  When Kathy explained that these people are grown ups who don't have mommies around, the child said she wanted to give lots of hugs through her lunch bag.  She proceeded to completely cover it in X's and O's (hugs and kisses).

So, I think you can see why I am proud to be a "P", especially since it is part of PCMK!

Seeking Light for the Journey

It has been a long dark winter, but the light is on the way.  Tonight we move our clocks ahead and suddenly there will be daylight that lasts beyond dinner.  It will feel so good to go for a walk and see neighbors who have hibernated for months.  But first we  have mountains of snow to melt.  I grew up in Canada and spent several winters in the Great Lakes snow belt, but this winter has taken the cake.  In fact, the pyramid of snow on our patio table looks like a giant white cake. 


Our mission statement starts with the line, "seeking light for the journey," which feels even more appropriate than ever.  The growing light of spring accompanies us on the journey through Lent.  In a few weeks we will celebrate the light of Easter with joy.  In the weeks between now and then we should get all we can out of the season of Lent.  There are small groups exploring the question, "what Jesus is this?", and there will be a beautiful Bach cantata in worship on March 22nd.


So, even though we are looking forward to spring, there is plenty of light for the journey in these last weeks of winter.


See you in church,
Pastor Dale

The Lenten Journey Begins Today

Miss Kathy burning palm crosses to make Ashes

(notice Gerard peeking around the corner!)

Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 day journey we call Lent.  For centuries Christians have used this season to deepen their faith.  In the early centuries of the Christian era, Lent was a season of preparation for new members.  For 40 days they would fast, be taught the essentials of the faith in preparation for their baptism during the Easter vigil.  It was a gruelling schedule that made these potential new members think twice about what they were getting themselves into.

As 21st Century Presbyterian Christians, our schedule is not nearly as tough.  In fact, we can put very little effort into our faith journey if we choose.  But then Lent comes along and disrupts our busy lives with a call to pay attention--there is more to life than careers and entertainment.  The Lenten journey calls us to draw closer to God and to recognize there are other people on the planet besides ourselves.

The Lenten journey is different for everyone.  For some it may involve giving something up for 40 days, while others may choose to take on some personal discipline.  Whether or not you have followed some Lenten journey in the past, I invite you to join us on the journey beginning today at our Ash Wednesday service at 1 or 7:30 pm.  Then I invite you to join one of our Lenten small groups that will meet in PCMK members' homes.  Together we will explore the question, "What Jesus is This?"

There is really only one reason we should do anything different during Lent--Easter!  Easter is the  celebration of new life that is made all the more meaningful if we spend time on the Lenten journey.

So no matter where the Lenten journey takes you, I look forward to seeing you on the way.

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Tragedy on the Train

I was just coming out of a Social Justice committee meeting when I heard the news of the terrible accident on the Metro North Train in Valhalla.  Several PCMK members were in the kitchen preparing food for our Emergency Shelter Program guests.  Several of them had spouses that normally take that train and they were understandably shaken.

As far as we know, no one from PCMK is among the injured or worse.  (Actually I have since learned that one of our members was in the second to last car and is okay).  But somewhere in our county 6 families have heard the terrible news.  Like the Governor said on TV, "Six people went about their business on a routine day, but they won't make it home tonight."  He also said how precious life is and how random it can be.

My thoughts are with those families, to be sure.  But I am also thinking of all our PCMK families who send a loved one to work in the City on the train everyday.  Besides the anxiety that will follow this accident, there is the grueling schedule that this lifestyle represents.  Moms and dads get up very early, stand on a cold platform, squeeze into a seat on the train and an hour later they join the crowds spreading out from Grand Central Station on subway or by foot.  At night they reverse their steps and head home to loved ones, often arriving too late to enjoy much of an evening at home.

For a few years I commuted from Oakland to San Franciso on BART trains or by driving the Bay Bridge, so I know how exhausting that lifestyle is.  Perhaps that was part of my desire to enter the ministry and to choose to live near the churches I've served.

I've always respected the sacrifices commuting parents make for the sake of their families.  This accident underscores the dedication and innocence of hard-working people who spend a good percentage of their adult lives on Metro North trains.  My prayers are with you and your families as you have to resume that lifestyle with the thought of what happened on a cold February night fresh on your minds.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

An ICY MLK Weekend

Sunday morning we had to cancel church services for the first time since I have been here in Mount Kisco.  The icy conditions reminded me of Portland, Oregon which had freezing rain more often than snow.  We actually cancelled services more often there than we ever did in Pennsylvania or New York.

The big disappointment was the baptisms that were scheduled for the Ma family's two little girls.  They had family from Georgia (who may never return to New York in January) and New Jersey.  So Terry, a handful of PCMK members and the Ma family gathered in the evening and we held an abbreviated worship service and baptized those babies.  It was a Sunday we won't soon forget.

This is also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in America and we had planned music and prayers that lifted up his legacy.  In preparation for the service I came across this prayer of Dr. King's that could not be more appropriate with what is going on in the world today.  I encourage you to read it, pray it, and live it.

See you in church (hopefully next Sunday's better),
Pastor Dale

A prayer for peace by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

O God, we thank you for the fact that you have inspired men and women in all nations and in all cultures.  We call you different names: some call you Allah, some call you Elohim, some call you Jehovah, some call you Brahma, some call you the Unnmoved Mover.  But we know that these are all names for one and the same God.  Grant that we follow you and become so committed to your way and your kingdom that we will be able to establish in our lives and in this world a brother and sisterhood, that we will be able to establish here a kingdom of understanding, where men and women will live together as brothers and sisters and respect the dignity and worth of every human being.  In the name and spirit of Jesus.  Amen.

Winter's Charm

The Christmas season is over and winter has finally settled in.  It is a bitter cold day, but the sun is shining and it is actually very beautiful.  I love watching the finches come in to our bird feeder.  They must keep themselves warm by flying back and forth.  They certainly get their exercise.

Exercise is something we are all supposed to get after eating too many goodies over the holidays.  I may not go to the gym, but I get a lot of exercise running up and down from the manse to the church and back.   Sometimes I feel like those finches zipping back and forth from meeting to meeting.  January is a very busy month in the life of the church.  In many ways it feels busier than December.  At least it is a different kind of busy.  There are committee and session meetings, planning for upcoming events, and preparing for the annual meeting.

Those finches are a good lesson in what we need to do when we are busy.  We need to keep coming back to the feeder.  Our feeder is the spiritual home we find in our church, in Scripture, in prayer and in nature.  Those are places where we encounter God's spirit and we can be renewed for our busy lives.

So stay warm, but bundle up and take a walk on a bright winter day, read a Psalm, or just be still for a moment.  You'll find your time at the feeder will get you through whatever you need to do today.

See you at the feeder (our church)

Pastor Dale