First Day on the Job!

I'm HERE! And delighted to be getting started as Interim Pastor.

Welcoming Sunshine at the Manse

Janice and I (and Payton, our German Shepherd-mix companion) officially took up residence at the manse last night in the midst of the deluge. Our trip from Cape Cod had taken 7 hours with weather and traffic! The Sunday NY Times in our driveway had soaked up an additional 6 pounds of water by that that hour. But what joy we felt, coming HOME to the manse, and seeing the rebuild of the front porch and steps, the work of the fixers, painters and gardeners (and the professional cleaners). I'll be recognizing and thanking all who worked so hard to get our home ready, both at worship this Sunday and in my first column for The Bell Tower. We are delighted to be here! And we giggled to be visited by two wild turkeys early this morning as we sat drinking coffee by the back deck. (They seemed to be looking for birdseed that used to drop from the many bird-feeders in the back yard.)

Already I've had a welcome (with flowers on behalf of the church) from Roe Gift. I've talked with with Linda Mones and Terry Flanagan who were in their offices. And I've had my first office drop-in (Charles Barton).

Mondays appear to be fairly quiet around the office. With Linda's help, I've started learning to use the office equipment and computer programs. I've read through the files Molly left in the office desk. I'm beginning the transfer of books from the manse garage to the office (a few boxes each time I come down the hill). And I've fielded my first inquiry on the phone, from someone urgently looking for more information about The Blue Book.

I tried to make contact with the Northern Westchester Hospital Chaplain, Don Herringa, but he's on vacation 'til Sept. 7.

WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY FIRST REQUEST: If any of you know of someone who's hospitalized, or in need of a pastoral care visit, please let me know. My new e-mail address is pastor@pcmk.org

AND A SECOND ASK: To help me set priorities for pastoral contacts, could each of you drop me a note with your suggestions of no more than 10 persons you think I should reach out to early on in my tenure as interim? I'd appreciate names and a brief note why you think they need to hear from me.

I'm eager to get to know all the staff and core volunteers who make the office hum. I'm looking forward to meeting you all on Sundays and sharing in ministry with this dynamic and committed congregation of God's people! If there's any way I can help as your Interim Pastor, please let me know!

--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor