A Word From the Pastor (May 2007)

Dear Friends in Christ:

The storms are passed but the work continues. On Tuesday, April 17, vigilant church members arrived early to check on the building in the wake of fierce rains. What they found was devastating to behold. The entire ground floor was approximately four feet under water. In anticipation of possible problems, pumps had been set up the night before, and valuables had been placed on tables, but the effort proved to be in vain. Everything was under water. Our Stepping Stones Pre-School and the Senior High Sunday School/Youth room took the brunt of it. However, the furnace and electrical systems were also damaged. The current estimate of losses comes to over $70,000.00. What a lot of damage a little rain can do! That's the bad news.

The good news -- thanks be to God! -- is that many have given generously of themselves in the days since the storm. Many have given generously to help us recover and to empower us to move forward in ministry. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Protection Engine Co. #1, along with S. Wetherbee for getting the water on the ground floor pumped out, the necessary first step so that clean-up could begin. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the 30 church members plus staff, volunteers from Boy Scout Troop #41, along with a couple of United Methodist friends on the District, who went to work in the days following the storm to remove debris and begin cleaning walls and floors. Workmen were called in to get the furnace up and running and to make electrical repairs. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Stepping Stones Pre-School staff, the Pre-School Board, and a group of Pre-School parents, who worked tirelessly to salvage the remains of our Pre-School's belongings and to create a temporary classroom space in a top floor Sunday School room. Stepping Stones Pre-School reopened on Monday, April 30, in a fresh environment. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Village of Fishkill for the large dumpster that the mayor made available to us for our clean-up effort and to the Village building inspector and other Village and Town staff for their helpful guidance along the way. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees, who met in a joint emergency session on April 19 to strategize a positive response to this unexpected crisis. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to J. Clark who stepped forward to lead and give oversight to our building restoration effort. Thank you, Jim!

And of course we thank God for the unexpected blessing that Hanover Insurance has agreed to provide coverage for this disaster under the broad water seepage clause of our policy, since we do not have flood insurance. As pastor I have been on site day and night for the last two weeks, and I praise God for all the generous gifts of time, wisdom, and energy that have been offered up in this short period. I also praise God for financial and material gifts received (gift cards from Home Depot and Walmart, cleaning supplies from Shop Rite, replacement books, toys, and craft supplies from parents and friends of the Pre-School.) I am especially grateful to God that all worship services and Sunday School classes have continued, special events like the "Young at Heart" Brunch to honor our senior citizens happened on schedule, the wedding of J. Weidner and C. Palmateer went on as planned, a beautiful memorial service and reception could be offered for S. Johnson. The church has continued to be the church. And as of Saturday, April 21, outside groups such as 12-step programs (AA, Alanon, Alateen, CODA) and the Girl Scouts were able to resume use of the building. Even with our ground floor in disarray, we continue to be the church, people bound together to do the work of Jesus Christ in this place and beyond. On Sunday, April 29, we began our new mission focus "Nothing But Nets" to help fight malaria in developing nations, and on May 4 and 5, the youth of our congregation will hold their annual 30-Hour Famine to fight world hunger.

In the days ahead I pray that we will seek God's guidance and trust in God's providence. I pray that the Lord will lead us forward every step of the journey. I also pray that, as we move forward, we will remember our neighbors, stores, and homes that were affected by this storm, and find ways to offer encouragement and compassionate care. I pray that we might even join hands with our neighbors to help prevent future disasters. In these days, Paul's words to the church at Philippi ring in my ears. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." --Philippians 4:13. May we move forward in confidence for as the angel Gabriel declared to Mary, "Nothing will be impossible with God."

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Peggy Ann Sauerhoff