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).