Kids, Kids and More Kids

Rehearsing for Palm Sunday 

Agelikids climbing the backyard

Baby Shower for Hyunjoo Ki

Welcome baby Charlie Mignone!

Sunday was another great day at PCMK.  It was Palm Sunday and what would Palm Sunday be without children?  We are blessed to have so many.  The children's choir processed up the center aisle, flanked by the adult choir on the sides (the kids waved their palm branches a little more enthusiastically than the adults!).  Then they sang a lively Hosanna which got the whole congregation involved with the waving of our branches.  Worship then moved from the joy of Palm Sunday to the sober reflection of the week that is to come.  We ended worship with "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

After worship the Angelikids Choir and their parents came to the manse for a baby shower for the choir's volunteer accompanist, Hyunjoo Ki, who is expecting her third baby at the end of the month.  It was a beautiful day so we could be out on the deck grilling hot dogs and pretending it was summer.  The kids had a great time watching Hyunjoo open gifts and then we all had cake.

And here's the best news of all.  While we were holding a baby shower for the Ki family, Charlie Mignone decided to make his arrival.  Paul and Jessie are now the proud parents of two beautiful children.  Celeste has made herself at home at PCMK and now she will have to show Charlie the ropes.  We hope that includes joining the Angelikids choir in a few years!  Palm Sundays of the future are waiting for more kids to wave palms and sing, Hosanna!

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

A Great Team

Sanctuary of Scarborough Presbyterian

Site of PCMK Session Retreat, March 29, 2014

No, I'm not talking about U Conn or Florida headed for the Final Four.  I'm talking about a great team right here at PCMK.  Saturday was our annual session retreat where 14 elders and pastor get together to talk strategy for the upcoming season.  And let me tell you, we have a winning game plan.

We looked back to our story five years ago, our story today and what we want our story to be five years from now.  We strategized about the roll out of our new church logo and branding.  We discussed forming a new youth ministry committee to support Sarah Lucas in her ministry with our teenagers.  We reflected on how to build on our strengths and fill in our gaps.  The good news is there aren't many gaps.

From opening worship to lunch to heading home, it was an inspiring day.  I've worked with lots of sessions in my 20 years of ministry, and this is certainly a championship team.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Showing Off PCMK

Wednesday PCMK hosted a luncheon for pastors in Hudson River Presbytery, and we made a good impression.  It was a sunny day so the Great Hall was bathed in bright light through those massive windows.  The tables were beautifully set and our new chairs looked great. Since it was March 18th we stayed with the St. Patrick's Day theme in decorating and the menu.  Elisabeth prepared the food and Kathy Anderson was a big help serving our guests.
These pastors serve churches with 250 or more members, so we have a lot in common.  Hudson River Presbytery has a wonderful sense of collegiality which is not always the case.  I have made many good friends among these men and women.  Some have been in the pulpit at PCMK in the past, including Rev. Tami Siedel from the Yorktown church.
The new tables and chairs have not only made the Great Hall more attractive, they are easier to set up and put away.  Soon we will have new carpet as a result of the insurance claim for the flood last fall.  So renewal of the building is symbolic of the spiritual renewal taking place in our church.
See you in our beautiful church,
Pastor Dale

New Leadership

Sunday was a gold-medal day in the life of PCMK.  We had a lot of fun on the Olympics and the fact that my Canadian Teams came home with the gold.  The US teams had set a high bar for themselves and came up short.  Even a silver medal for the women was a disappointment.

The choir had some fun with the Olympic theme and held up score cards at the end of my sermon. I did not expect laughter after I said "Amen."  But when I turned around I was tickled to see their scores.  Some judges were more generous than others.  My response was "I guess it was good enough for bronze."  It was a memorable moment.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus sets a high bar for us.  We are to love our enemies and turn the other cheek.  But the good news is that we don't have to be perfect.  We are forgiven for the times we fall short.  Silver and bronze medals are not failure.

On Sunday there was a group of team PCMK who stepped up to the podium.  They have already earned a medal in my book.  They have said yes to serving as elders, deacons and trustees.  These boards have their respective responsibilities and these leaders have been gifted by God to serve in the many ministries of PCMK.  When you see them, congratulate them and thank them for their service.

Good Friend, Great Message

This weekend an old friend came to town.  The Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelly is a friend of mine from my years in Lake Erie Presbytery, and she is a college classmate of Lisa Flanagan.  Ellie is now the Ministry Liaison of the Northeast for the Presbyterian Foundation.  She came to our area to meet with church and presbytery leaders in NYC, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.  When I knew she was going to be in town I invited her to preach.  I knew her to be a good preacher and her message is timeless.

She shared insights into stewardship.  No, not just that Sunday in the fall when we turn in our pledge cards.  But stewardship that responds to God's gracious gift with an attitude of abundance.  The widow who gave her one coin out of her poverty, actually gave out of an abundance of hope.

Her thoughts were timely because it is my goal that we continue to develop a "culture of generosity" here at PCMK.  What that means is that we are willing to share of all we have with one another and with the community.  It means we will take risks for God, having faith that God will provide all we need.  It means having a vision of growth and inclusivity.  We are well on our way with these goals.  We are a generous church.  Tonight homeless men and women from our community will spend the night under our roof.  But it's not our roof--it's God's roof and these are God's children.

It was a another wonderful Sunday at PCMK.  I got to spend time with a good friend and introduce her to our great church.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale

Jazzy Sunday

Sunday was another wonderful day at PCMK.  The morning worship was inspiring with the "Best Sermon Ever."  Actually, we had a lot of fun with that sermon title.  It was not my sermon that was the best ever, but Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which was the text for the sermon.  We were reminded that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  During this snowy dark winter we need lots of salt and light!
There was a little snow Sunday evening, but that did not slow down our Jazz Vespers.  The beat went on--and wow, did it go on!  "Blow Man Blow" was one of the tunes Gerard Carelli wrote and performed for us, along with his band.  His son Marcello even took a turn at the drums.  It was a fantastic evening with a glamorous reception afterwards.
That was a great Sunday.  Now I think I can get through the rest of this winter.
See you in church,
Pastor Dale

The Pastor's Study

My home study

Pastors are supposed to study.  No, we don't usually have to study for an exam.  But we do have to get out the books to prepare for sermons and for ideas on church leadership.  Traditionally the pastor's office in the church was referred to as the "pastor's study."  I like the custom, but for me it doesn't work.  I can't do any serious study or reading at the church office.  I go the church for meetings, to meet with staff and to answer emails.  I prepare sermons and do all my reading at home.

 Fortunately, I have a great 'study' in the manse.  I have a beautiful view of the woods behind the house where I can watch the changing of the seasons.  But then every once in a while a pastor needs to get out of town to study in a different setting.

Since last fall I have been enrolled in a program at McCormick Seminary in Chicago.  I have completed three of the four classes, with one more in April.  The focus has been on church leadership, and it has been stimulating and helpful.  I plan on using some of the material with the session at our retreat in March.

So, if you don't see me at the church, it doesn't mean I am goofing off.  I am probably in my study reading, writing and thinking.

See you in church,
Pastor Dale