Dear Friends at First
Verona:
In the summer of 1984 I moved
to Verona to work at what was known as the sheep farm on Lowell Greenway Rd. I
had only recently become a Presbyterian at a church in Maryland, and so on a
Sunday morning I set out to find the local Presbyterian Church. I missed you the
first Sunday I was there, arriving too late, but before a few weeks had passed I
found you. Mr. Paul Anderson immediately made me welcome, as did everyone in the
church. (I remember Andy Anderson, Ann Aikens, and several others) Writing
now, it hardly seems like that long ago!
Prior to that time, First of
Verona had been linked with Oneida Castle church. But the pastor had only very
recently retired, and an interim, Pat Brindisi, was serving the two churches.
Oneida castle felt strong enough to go on their own, and in a few months found a
pastor. First of Verona was served ably by the Rev. Brindisi as long as I was
there.
There was no Sunday School
when I came, and I called the pastor and asked about starting an adult class.
The Session approved it, and I began teaching a class for about 6 people. This
was in the fall, and not too much later at the annual meeting I was elected to
be ordained an elder. I was then ordained in your sanctuary. Right away I
started going to Presbytery meetings whenever I could go. I found it very
inspiring to be in those worship services and see all the old historical
churches and beautiful scenery of the Presbytery of Utica.
I believe it was that next
summer that we held a Vacation Bible School and there may have been a strawberry
festival held by the women’s group- I remember they didn’t have it in the
spring, but froze the strawberries and had it later.
About a year after I moved
there, I lost my job at the sheep farm, but I stayed in the area, moving to an
apartment in Vernon, substitute teaching and shearing sheep wherever I could
find them. I remember (Bev? Or Barb?) Zebelee calling me to teach on several
occasions. During that time I preached a sermon one week in the absence of the
pastor, and it was very well received. The congregation was very helpful to me,
even having a sort of shower to collect some gifts for me when I ended up moving
back to Maryland.
What I want to share with you
is that I eventually felt called to the ministry, went to Princeton Seminary,
and was ordained a minister in 1997. Your congregation was instrumental in God’s
working in my life, and I am grateful for what you did and I am excited about
the good things I see happening there today.
The Rev. George R.
Pasley
Garnett & Miami
Presbyterian Churches
138 W. 5th
Ave.
Garnett KS
66032