Full Week at PCMK

It was a full week at PCMK, but you wouldn't know it from my blog. It's been a week without posts!

Last Sunday I watched the initial rehearsal of the children's Christmas Pageant. It's clear that this is not-your-ordinary-Christmas-pageant. We're going to be edified and delighted by the production on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 10 AM.

I dealt with a number of property issues during the week, including getting a better understanding of how the heat works, and delving into the sanctuary's humidifier/dehumidifier setup. We'll have a visit from an electrician and a plumber in the near future.

I sent off the Congregational Life surveys and I expect to be able to post some results as early as a couple of weeks. We will have an after-church presentation January 9 to share a more comprehensive analysis of the results, and the Mission Study Team will be holding a series of "Holy-Conversation"-style meetings to take the church deeper into an understanding of who we are and what God is calling us to become as a congregation.

With Roe Gift and Sue Godshall, I attended a Presbytery meeting at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Westchester (also the Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle, where I was once an Assistant Pastor and our two older children were baptized). I said hello to two people I knew back then (and recognized and remembered the name of the former clerk of session from more than 30 years ago). I opened a hymnal and saw it was dedicated to the memory of Addie Council, who had served as custodian when we were there. I guess I'd heard that he passed on, but it evoked so many memories.

I attended my weekly clergy support gathering with Ken Mast (Lake Mahopac), Bill Weisenbach (Katonah), Paul Lent (Freedom Plains United) and Douglas Grandgeorge (Smithfield).

I talked with a local therapist recommended by Pastor Bill Weisenbach as a referral resource when I do pastoral counseling, and filed a second name for possible contact. (I am available to meet with people who want to talk about issues in their lives and have already done so a number of times. There's no charge for pastoral counseling, but I can't take on long-term therapy.)

I worked with Terry Flanagan and Herb Reinke on the program for next Saturday's Lessons & Carols at 8 PM. (It's going to be beautiful.)

I went to choir rehearsal on Thursday and they burst out singing "Happy Birthday" to me!

I had several special family gatherings to celebrate that Janice still needs me and feeds me, now that I'm 64! We shopped for the upcoming Open House, cleaned and planned. Saturday our son Michael flew in from San Diego.

Saturday, we held a beautiful and simple service with Ruth Fenton and her family for the interment of her husband Richard's ashes in the columbarium. Terry Flanagan was there to offer evocative hymns on the Water Organ.

Yesterday was a Sunday I'll remember for a long time. It was a meaningful worship service, filled with beautiful music, ancient liturgy and modern messages as well. When I invited members of the congregation to consider sharing something of their faith journey and Janet Fink spoke so movingly, I was deeply grateful. (Yes, I had spoken with her in advance. But the number of other people who said they were almost ready makes me believe that this element of "testimony" could be an important occasional part of our worship.)

Then nearly fifty of us shared food, drink and festive conversation at the manse afternoon "Open House." I'm grateful to Janice for all the preparations, to our son Michael, daughter Rebeca, and son-in-law Nicholas for their help, and to all who attended.

--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor