PCJH Quarterly Pinnacle Newsletter. September 2018

PINNACLE

Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole

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Quarterly Newsletter I VolUME no 1 Fall 2018

The tr ansforming Power of Stones

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forming the christi an heart Q&A Interview ONE22

seeing lives being t r a n s f o r m e d in Jesus Christ

Table of Contents Volume NO 1 I Fall 2018

PINNACLE ̬ t r a n s f o r m at i o n ˆ

The Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole’s vision is to see lives being transformed in Jesus Christ. The Fall 2018 edition of the Pinnacle focuses on the theme of transformation.

Transformation is God’s mighty work that we have the privilege to participate in as witnesses to Christ’s ongoing movement in our lives and in the world.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. u Romans 12:2

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The transforming Power of Stones

Q & A interview Sharel Lund Love

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~ Rev Ben Pascal

~ Re v Tammy Mitchell

forming the christian heart

~ Kenny Hadden

this was not my plan

~ Liz Collins

ON THE cover: Rev Ben Pascal and Rev Tammy Mitchell officiating—Alicia, Patrick, Penelope, Travers, and Rosalie McGaugh’s Outdoor Baptisms on String Lake in Grand Teton Natinal Park. Photo: kathy robertson

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TransformED by ownership

~ Cindy Dahlin

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shalom

~ Sarah Scott

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community

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calendar

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@pcjh.org/events

september 04 ~~ 08 ~ 09 ~ ~

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Little Lambs Preschool starts

wednesday

UPWARD Basketball & Cheerleadig practices begin!

community

Old Bills Fun Run

dinners

Revelation Sermon Series begins

“The Hard Sayings of Jesus” New Adult Sunday Education Class begins

6:15pm

~ 12 ~

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After School Adventures PCJH Choir practice begins

28-30

Wednesday Night Adult Classes Women’s Community Bible Study with Deborah Buckingham

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ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT Lakeside Lodge on Fremont Lake, Pinedale, WY “Moving Beyond Ordinary.” Special Guest Speaker Chris Welch. Women are invited to get away, enjoy some rest, be in fellowship, and worship.

youth Ministry

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Ugandan Children’s Choir Concert 5:30pm concert!!

october

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Pinedale, WY

november 04 ~ 25 ~ Daylight Savings Ends

05- 06

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Wyoming Presbytery Meeting at Camp Story near Sheridan, WY

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Stewardship Pledge Sunday

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PCJH Belong Class, Sunday 11:30am

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Closing Ceremonies

SPeciaL

UPWARD Basketball & Cheerleading

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World Communion Sunday, Rev Ameer Issak from Syria/Lebanon

26 ~ 29 ~

HOLIDAY

community

Parents Night Out! 5:30-8:00pm

dinner

Find Your Voice. Singing Series for Youths with Cathedral Voices

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As we were driving along the scenic road around the Sea of Galilee, we had no idea WHAT we were about to experience.

The

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forming

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transformation

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n the morning of April 26, 2018, our tour guide, Andre Moubarak, told me that the site we were headed to was “Spirit-filled.”

We were headed to Magdala. Five years ago it was not part of the itinerary on my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land because it hadn’t yet been open to the public. Thus, this was a new place for me and I was not prepared for what I was about to experience.

The Ancient Stones of Palestine

rans Power

g of Stones

~ Rev Ben Pascal

Photographs by Beth Ricciardi

Magdala is a new pilgrimage site located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee at the base of Mount Arbel, along the ancient commercial trade route, the Via Maris. It is quite possibly one of the most exciting recent discoveries in biblical archaeology. Magdala is the town where Mary Magdalene is thought to have lived. It was a first century fishing village. In 2009 archaeologists discovered it unexpectedly when an excavator came upon the ruins while working to expand a Christian retreat center.

One of the more noteworthy discoveries in Magdala was a first century synagogue. As we walked around this ancient house of worship, we observed archaeologists working on the site, scrubbing the first century mosaic tiles on the synagogue floor. It is amazing to me how we continue to discover new biblical sites in Israel today.

Archaeologists believe we are going to discover even more sites in the next 100 years that will continue to prove the authenticity of Scripture.

As we stood around this first century synagogue we were reminded of how Jesus preached in all the synagogues around Galilee. This was his stomping grounds where he walked and taught and performed miracles. It suddenly dawned on me that Jesus and his disciples most likely stood right here in this synagogue and taught the people of Magdala. I placed both of my hands on the first century synagogue stones that lay before me and tears unexpectedly filled my eyes as I felt the presence of the Lord in our midst. It was a surreal experience. I suddenly realized what Andre meant about this place being “Spirit-filled.” I indeed felt the presence of God in our midst and it moved me to tears.

As my hands lay on these ancient stones, I wondered what these rocks had heard 2,000 years ago.

They most likely heard our Lord Jesus teach words of truth and grace. They also most likely heard �

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Mary as she came running back from the empty tomb that first Easter saying, “I have seen the Lord!”

I reflected on Jesus’ words from that very first Palm Sunday when the he rode a donkey into Jerusalem as people waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” signifying him as the Messiah. Some of the Pharisees told Christ to rebuke his followers so that they would be silent, but Jesus replied, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!”

As crazy as it sounds, these stones in Magdala were crying out to me. They were proclaiming the reality of Jesus Christ, the Risen One, in our midst. The one who has conquered sin and death. The one who saves us and transforms us and ultimately brings peace to our lives and the world.

Magdala was a transformational place for me. I had a very real experience of the Risen Lord in our midst.

I will never forget this. This is how transformation happens. Transformation occurs when we encounter the Risen Christ.

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As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by

precious to him – you also, like living stones,

priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to

The Living Stones of Palestine While historical ruins of ancient stones may cry out to us, as they did in Magdala for me, the most powerful stones to proclaim the reality of Christ in our midst are the living stones.

1 Peter 2:4-5 says, “As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Peter uses the image of stones to illustrate who we are as the church. Jesus is the Cornerstone, our foundation. Jesus is the ultimate living Stone with a capital “S.” We are living stones with a lower case “s.” Together we are the church.

Peter further clarifies our purpose as living stones in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As living stones we are God’s chosen people, and called to declare his praise. As living stones we cry out and proclaim the reality of God’s redeeming work in the world.

The Christians in the Holy Land call themselves the living stones. They encourage Christian pilgrims who are touring the ancient stones of biblical ruins not to forget to visit the living stones of modern day Palestine. Christians are 1% of the population of Israel and they are mostly Arab Palestinians. They are the living stones who continue to bear witness to

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men but chosen by God and are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy God through Jesus Christ. u 1 Peter 2:4-5

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We Are Living Stones Too

2 4 1 Magdala, One of the most important biblical archeological sites 2 Tent of Nations’ family compound overlooks a growing Jewish settlement 3 Andre Moubarak, our guide and “living stone,” an Arab, Palestinian Christian.

4 Tent of Nations’ “Mantra” 5 Rev Ben Pascal enveloped by the Nasser family story 6 Black water tank anchored above

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Christ, in the Holy Land. They trace their family history back to the first Pentecost in Acts 2:11 They have borne witness to Jesus Christ in the Holy Land since the Holy Spirit was poured out on their ancestors two thousand years ago.

Just as I was transformed by the ancient stones of Magdala, I was even more transformed by the living stones of Palestine. These brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing persecution from all sides: from Muslims, Jews, and even Christians in America. Life is extremely hard for them, yet they continue to proclaim the hope they have in Jesus Christ to bring justice and peace to their divided land.

We met with a living stone who lives on his family’s farm surrounded by Jewish settlements in the West Bank just outside of Bethlehem. His name is Daoud Nasser and he is a Palestinian Christian. In an effort to discourage him to the point of abandoning his family’s land, the Israeli government has shut off his water and electricity.

Settlers dug up 250 of their olive trees and the authorities refuse them building permits to develop their property. They have been fighting a costly legal battle with the government for over 25 years even though the deed to their family’s property dates back to the Ottoman Empire.

Despite injustices, persecution and discouragement, Daoud Nasser continues to be faithful to Jesus Christ in working non-violently for justice and keeping the peace of Christ in his heart. “We refuse to be enemies” is painted on a rock as you enter his family’s farm. This is their mantra. Hearing their story and witnessing Christ’s love and grace in their midst moved me deeply. They are teaching me what it means to live with hope and grace in the midst of difficult circumstances.

building illustrates the water

While on pilgrimage to the Holy Land I experienced the transforming power of the ancient and living stones that reside in that place through the very real presence of the Living Stone, Jesus Christ. I pray I will be a faithful living stone here in Jackson Hole and beyond. How about you?

We are called to be living stones, bearing witness to the Risen Christ. First we must encounter Jesus, the Cornerstone, so that we can become living stones. In other words, we must first be transformed in Jesus Christ.

Have you had an encounter with Christ, the Risen One? Have you been transformed by Jesus calling you out of sin and darkness into his wonderful light? You don’t need to go across the world to experience transformation in Christ. He is right here in Jackson Hole and he is present wherever you go. My prayer is that we will all experience and be witnesses to the transforming power of stones, Jesus Christ in our midst. ✝

struggles in the West Bank.

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Q & A

Interview with One22 executive director

“Transformation assumes that you are building on what was and embarking on a process -- one with strategy but also a degree of organic-ness, and discovery. You are becoming something more. It’s an ongoing thing. .”

Coffee talk at locals

hangout Picnic Cafe.

Photo: Beth Ricciardi

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knowing

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neighbors

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” u Mark 12:30-31

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had the privilege of sitting down with Sharel Lund Love, the Executive Director of One22 Resource Center, for a morning coffee at Picnic.

One22 has had a long history with PCJH. In 2003, members of the church joined with other churches and organizations and created the Community Resource Center, which provided emergency assistance and an information source linking those who need help with people and organizations who can help. In 2016, One22 was established as the result of a merger of three long-time legacy organizations, each with more than a decade of service to our neighbors lacking resources or needing assistance: The Community Resource Center, Latino Resource Center, and El Puente. By joining the expertise and resources of three grass-roots organizations, One22 is able to enhance the efficiency of operations in order to help our neighbors in a more complete way.

PCJH: Let’s begin by telling us about One22 and what led to your involvement with the organization.

Sharel Lund Love: Throughout my 11-year experience as Executive Director of Community Safety Network, a domestic violence shelter and education program, I was well-aware of the importance of One22 and the services provided. While the work of CSN remains really close to my heart, I was ready for a new challenge and opportunity. I felt as though my experience in human service administration could provide a foundation for One22’s development.

PCJH: How would you describe the mission of One22?

SLL: As you know, One22 was formed with a merger of three different organizations. We recently formed a new mission statement, which is a significant step. Simply put, we support a thriving and diverse Greater Teton Community, especially those facing health, financial and cultural challenges. One benefit of our merger is that we have the opportunity to give strategic thought in ways our set of skills and resources can be of greatest value to today’s Jackson Hole—and to thoughtfully examine our community’s current needs. Many of our neighbors struggle to make ends meet, and face serious challenges to their overall well-being because of health and cultural challenges. And while we are not defined as a religious organization, I personally think often of One22’s role as providing service and comfort when our neighbors feel at their least-best, which certainly can be tied to spirituality.

~ with Re v Tammy Mitchell

PCJH: What are some ways that One22 has improved over time?

SLL: With enormous respect to our three legacy organizations, I am very proud of the progress we have made in truly merging and re-arranging. Our neighbors face challenges that are urgent, and our donors are generous. We owe it to all involved to make the most efficient and compassionate impact we can. Through the financial assistance program, we try and look at the entire situation of a client and not only the presenting problem.

Sometimes people just need “mercy” for their situation. But we also ask ourselves where the stresses are for those coming to us. Do they need temporary funds? Do they need longer term assistance? We want to see where we can address some of the more underlying areas like more specialized financial and counseling aid to regain stability long-term.

PCJH: Where do you personally spend most of your time?

SLL: Relationships—with staff, board, donors, and colleague organizations. One of the very best parts of my job is the people I get to work with. Everyone who comes to work with, or work for, One22 has compassion beyond compare. My job is to make sure that our team is equipped to do their best work with the resources they need.

PCJH: What excites you about One22?

SLL: Watching the organization transform over time. I was glad to hear that the theme of the Pinnacle was “transformation”. I like that so much better than the word “change”. Change to me implies something that you’re going away from, or a predetermined, linear route. Change has a sense in which you went from one place and you’re no longer doing “that” and now you’re doing “this”. Transformation assumes that you are building on what was and embarking on a process—one with strategy but also a degree of organic-ness, and discovery.

You are becoming something more. It’s an ongoing thing. There is also an element that you are comfortable with the future. We don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like but that’s OK. In fact, it’s best, because we know a situation will change and we embrace that we will change with it. We see our organization transforming, as well as seeing individual lives transform for the better. ✝

pcjh.org

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TRANSFORMED

BY OWNERSHIp

~ Cindy Dahlin

Most people know which chair in the sanctuary I ‘rent’ and can find me readily by my Sunday routine and habit.

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ne of the greatest joys of being in my position is hearing how people’s lives are visibly changed and transformed in God through PCJH. The following is just one example of how special it is to be a part of the body of Christ: “I’ve been attending PCJH for years. Two hours are designated most Sunday mornings to get ready, drive to town, attend worship, tithe, and possibly stay for a maximum of five minutes of fellowship after service— but often I just go straight to my car. Most people know which chair in the sanctuary I ‘rent’ and can find me readily by my Sunday routine and habit. I am comfortable with this level of commitment. It works for me.

“That is until one day, for no apparent reason, except the leading of The Holy Spirit, I was approached by a church member to help greet one Sunday, as there was a shortage of volunteers that morning. Why not? I was here anyway, but definitely not part of my Sunday morning routine. Oh no! What if someone took my seat?

The verbal instructions were easy enough to follow so I manned my station with great hesitation. That single morning, I had stepped over from renting to ownership at PCJH. Nothing grand, nothing monumental—except for the fact that I was part of making this worship experience better for others.

“My fears of not being skilled at any opportunities to serve this church were diminished. I can do this. I can welcome people, I can be part of a team, I can answer a simple question, I can make connections to faces and names, I can serve this church! I can be that instrument of Jesus Christ, that we are all meant to be.”

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Rivers of believers, and those just exploring their faith, come through these doors every day of the week.

Like this story, “renters” are totally welcome here.

Yet this person didn’t experience real transformation until they took that step from “renting to ownership”. Up until that time, PCJH was a place to go to. Now it has become a place where they belong. Transformation happens when we realize we belong to Christ and one another and where our presence can truly make a difference.

The Holy Spirit has brought us together here in Jackson for a purpose. We have the joy of serving alongside each other, of being a visible expression of God’s love. God wants YOU to be an active part of this church community. He wants YOU to have that piece in your life. God wants YOU to be transformed in Christ in order to be God’s special instrument for others. God wants YOU to find the same joy in being a part of something greater.

There are literally a hundred opportunities for us to use the gifts that God has graced us with to be a vibrant part of this church family, from gardening, to teaching, to leadership, to bringing food, to praying. Regardless of the level of involvement, the key is to understand that the church is more than just a place to go to, it is an “us” to belong to. As the scriptures says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5. Allow yourself to be transformed from “renter” to “owner” and watch how God will work through you to make a difference for others. ✝

Forming the Christian Heart

~ Kenny Hadden

We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and yet much of our Sunday worship is devoted primarily to the mind.

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nly the singing is specifically intended to touch the heart, to elevate the soul, to engage the body. As a young skeptic, despite my love of music, I routinely came to services late on purpose so I’d miss the opening songs. I enjoyed experimenting with the ideas of faith as I listened to the prayer and the sermon, but I found I simply couldn’t sing the songs of faith without the pangs of doubt welling up and stilling my tongue.

At that time, I was meeting with Paul Hayden frequently and devouring classic Christian texts to try to work through my misgivings. One of my most important obstacles was the concept of Jesus’ atonement for our sins through his death on the cross. How could a just God allow a perfect man to be executed for the misdeeds of others? One Sunday morning, we sang Stuart Townend’s How Deep the Father’s Love for Us, and the final line produced unexpected tears:

Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom.

One of the many graceful olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane Photo: Beth Ricciardi

The honesty of that line captured me. Yes: it is a profound mystery, and yet I know it with all my heart. I processed the lyrics as I sang along, and God’s love worked its way through the layers of my doubt and pierced my heart.

In a moment, I was transformed. I embraced the fact that God’s love overcomes my inability to understand it, and I decided to seek God not only with my mind, but with all that I am. Some people call this the moment of salvation, when a person gives their life to Christ. But in fact, this is only one decision point of many. Giving your life to Christ must be done minute by minute; it is a process that takes a lifetime.

Years later, I traveled to Israel with A pilgrimage group from PCJH, and we had the opportunity to worship and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night before his crucifixion.

Now, as a worship leader, I began to play that familiar Stuart Townend song, and it touched me in a new way. The lyrics, no longer so intellectually challenging, instead helped me connect with the emotional state of Jesus on that night. The rhythm of the song is unsteady, giving a sense of the uneasiness Jesus felt, his combination of fear and faith: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:42. The beauty and peace of the garden in the midst of the political turmoil of the region perfectly mirrored the coexistent glory and horror of the death of Jesus. The collective voice of our group rose above the nearby traffic noise, calling our minds beyond the here and now to the eternal significance of the place. Again, in that moment, I gave myself over to Christ—with less trepidation and more confidence than before—and I felt I had been made new.

“To worship God in spirit and in truth,” John 4:24 means to open yourself to being transformed. The specific song or style is not so important as the openness of the soul. I have had equally powerful experiences singing Come Thou Fount, Blessed Be Your Name, Amazing Grace and others. Through song, we allow Christ to remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh Ezekiel 36:26. If singing in church is hard for you, consider why. Perhaps, like me, you find it is hard to sing something without meaning it. By choosing to overcome that – choosing to sing from the heart – we take a physical step toward moving past our doubts and allowing ourselves to be made new by the transforming love of God. ✝

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This was not the plan ~ Liz Collins Last month, I accepted the position as Youth & Young Adult Ministries Coordinator.

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hen I took on the role as PARTtime Communications Coordinator a year ago, I was working four jobs, earning a little money to go back to school to earn a Master’s degree. Little did I know that God would call me to a completely new path which led to accepting the position as Youth & Young Adult Ministries Coordinator.

My plan transformed - altered, changed, converted.

It’s not that I didn’t have a plan. I did have one - a fairly decent one that most of my family thought I was foolish to not embark on. But God had a different plan that I eventually came around to understanding. I now feel blessed to be called to this role alongside this particular congregation.

So far, in my young adult life, I’ve lived my journey open to change, open to what might be next. I fell in love with seasonal work; to experience a new place, to meet new people, to gain a new skill-set. But it wasn’t always easy. Change isn’t always easy. I realize most people have experienced this, and are fully aware of this reality.

But a larger lesson I’m learning is how to calibrate myself towards change.

And I don’t mean to be like the storyteller of Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken. Which, ironically, was written to poke fun at how we look back on our lives and tell our stories as though we heroically made daring, distinctive choices to land us in our current positions, especially when those positions are ones of contentment.

I mean to say if we tune ourselves to God, we might often realize we are being asked to transform. And even when we take the road less traveled, the equally worn path, or the wrong route altogether—God will be there calling us to transformation. So maybe our goal is to learn how to be open to transformation.

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My experience resonates with the PCJH Vision: to see lives being transformed in Jesus Christ. Transformation develops ... Transformation multiplies ...

Transformation continues ... I know this to be true in my life.

I worked as an environmental educator in Indiana, North Carolina, and in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In each place, the underlying goal was to instill in students a sense of ownership. Illuminating that these public spaces belonged to the students never failed to bring unexpected tears to my eyes.

Not unlike how our public lands belong to us, our students belong to us. They don’t just belong to their parents. They don’t just belong to the youth leaders. They don’t just belong to each other. They belong to PCJH as a whole, and ultimately to Jesus Christ.

I see God transforming their lives as they grow in their faith. What a blessing!

My hope is to also help us transform our notions of how we relate to the youth in our midst. It’s not a separate ministry, but an integrated part of our whole story. I know we can engage the younger generation in ways that bring energy and joy into the full life of the church, affirming their value as a part of the church community.

This past year, a seventh grade student was asking me, wanting to make sure that when they entered high school, there would be a youth group for them then as well. Wow. If this student was already having the vision to look two years down the road, and wanting to make sure there was a place for them here at PCJH, then our answer is—YES. We are all on a journey of being transformed in Christ. The Good News is that we do not walk alone, but we are walking together, as one. ✝

shalom

~ Sarah Scott

God alone has the ability to transform our spirits to the point of complete oneness.

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ithout GOD, we remain broken, unfulfilled, easily confused beings that continually corrupt creation and ultimately ourselves. I experienced peace for the first time this past January while I was in Hawaii studying the biblical theme of ‘Shalom.’

Shalom can be defined and used many different ways.

However, most theologians understand shalom as peace, completeness, or contentedness that motivates an individual to act through tranquility. Shalom originates from the Hebrew root shalam meaning “to be safe.” Ironically, my first encounter with shalom did not necessarily involve being safe or experiencing tranquility.

My morning began like it had every morning prior.

I rose early to take advantage of the waves on North Shore Oahu and surf alongside a sea turtle family I was acquainted with. While I was out among the waves I took in the silence and spent my time appreciating creation.

I quietly lifted my praises to the Lord. Serenity.

After my surf and devotional time, I headed in to eat breakfast with my peers and study for the exam we had that day. Our theological debates were interrupted by a cacophony of notifications. All of our cell phone screens read:

“BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” We promptly loaded the vans and drove to the nearest fallout shelter, the gymnasium of a nearby high school.

As I sat listening to the sniffles and choked-up “I love yous” I was taken back to my devotional time that morning. The dichotomy between what I had experienced less than 30 minutes prior could not be more stark in contrast to what we were experiencing in that van. It felt

like I had been in two separate worlds. In that moment I felt like God’s kingdom and the kingdom of humankind could not be further apart.

A van full of 27 students prepared to die.

I scanned the faces of my peers and considered the large diversity of potential sitting beside me. Future doctors, artists, ministers, parents, and developing souls who hadn’t (in my mind) fulfilled their prospective purposes sat preparing to meet their Maker. But, this didn’t make sense to me. Why would God cut us short? Had we all discerned our callings incorrectly? Did we fulfill what we were supposed to? What would this missile strike mean for the world?

Though my psyche was strife with conflict, I was comforted by two words that penetrated the white noise: “Not yet.” My inner machinations were silenced. Utter peace, silence, and oneness within my restless mind.

I was not in denial. I was not afraid. I was solely made aware of truth. Shalom.

Only the Great I Am has the ability to transform our spirits to the point of oneness. No amount of perfect waves, tranquil environments, or ideal relationships can recreate that sense of contentedness. I experienced shalom for 38 minutes.

“There is no missile threat or danger to the state of Hawaii. Repeat. False Alarm.”

I was not the only student transformed that day. I was transformed by experiencing shalom, even for a short while. The Lord jump-started the drive and passion of my peers and transformed them by revealing the intention and purpose of their lives.

God alone has the ability to transform our spirits into shalom. He alone sacrificed it all so we can experience oneness with self, oneness with creation, oneness among each other and most importantly, oneness with Him. ✝

pcjh.org

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PCJ h B i r t h d ay s / a n n i v e r s a r i e s

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Pastoral Staff

01

01

01 Deb Kopp Sharon Schoen

Jason Irvine Susanne Young

Rev. Ben Pascal Senior Pastor

Meg Womack Patty Crawford

Mike & Liz Jorgenson (16) Peter & Deb Keenan (11) Kerry & Sue Murphy (28) 02 Jeff Hanson Ken Thomasma

Kraig Kobert & Julie Birrer (23) Tom & Kris Thompson (40) Steve & Cindy Weber (39) 03 Louise Deland

Dennis Holton 04 Paula Jorgenson Judy Scarboroug

Billy & Kathy Robertson (42) 05 Bob Copyak

Matt Faupel Caroline Taylor

Louisa Sandvig

William & Sharon Schoen (52) 02 Cindy Weber 03 Marian Meyers

Erin Rosenberg

Ralph & Jean Hudelson (26) Frank & Judy Scarborough (54) 04

07

05 Kent Nichols

Alan & Sue Bybee (48)

07

09 David Conine Bob Jones George Scarlett

Dylan Wade David Meyers

08 Susan Ordway Katie Mendenhall

Brad & Barb Andrews (24) Kenny & Mandy Hadden (7) 10

Darla Jackson Kae Brockermeyer

11 Catherine Wade

07 Owen Orchard 08

12 Corrine Berg

09 Mary Neal 10 Joni Upsher 13 Shirley Cheramy Scott Smith Laura Soltau 14 Brandie Orchard 15 Duane Schneider 16 DeeDee Sorsby 17 Ruth Ann Petroff 18 Aaron Nydam

John Hanlon 19

Alan & Irene Lund (37) 20 21

Larry VanGenderen

Phil & Betsy Stevenson (27) 23 Lynn Friess

Mitch Lewis 25

Jeff & Sandra Zender (13)

08 Sue Sullivan Kim Billimoria

Steve & Sharon Fralin (15)

Warren & Sue Myers (20)

Ed & Shirley Cheramy (32)

04 Barbara Carlsberg Corrine DeGoey

13 Sierra Fulton

Shawn & Katie Robertson (6) 14

Mike Halpin

Harry & Jodeen Tebay (18) 15

Brett & Gaylyn Frantz (24) 16 Nancy Brumsted Martha VanGenderen 17 Barb Andrew Fred Walker

Bill & Celia Dillon (37) 18 Sue Consolo-Murphy Ashleigh Walker

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Colter & Ali Lane (6) 11 Mike Taylor Kerry Murphy

Ben & Karen Brennan (12) 13 Bob Emrick Becky Jordan

Eileen Blackwell

Michael & Claudia Schrotz (31)

Rev. Tammy Mitchell Associate Pastor

bpascal@pcjh.org

x 101 tmitchell@pcjh.org x 104

Office Staff Cindy Dahlin Church Administrator

cdahlin@pcjh.org x109

Beth Ricciardi communications@pcjh.org Interim Communications Coordinator Pam Flores Office Assistant

pflores@pcjh.org x107

Program Staff Kenny Hadden Worship Coordinator Amanda Lack Little Lambs Director

music@pcjh.org x123

Dylan Wade Children’s Ministry Coordinator

alack@pcjh.org x111 dwade@pcjh.org x103

14 Brad Andrews Alan Brumsted

Liz Collins lcollins@pcjh.org Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator x124

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Ruling Elders

Ed Lavino

18 Angela Lewis 19

Mandy Hadden Eric Johnson

20 Michael Adams Addie Pascal

Eric Winthers Sandra Zender

Class of 2018

2019

2020

Barb Andrews Youth Ministry

Alan Lund* Finance

Kathy Robertson Vision

Pat Wright Stewardship

Meg Womack Congregational Life

Caryn Haman Personnel

Peter Keenan Buildings & Grounds

Aaron Nydam Children’s Ministry

Ken Blount* Clerk of Session Adult Ministries

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Eunice Conine

Bill & Mary Neal (31)

22

Jack Herman

21 Cindy Leinonen

23

28 Beth Ricciardi 30

John & Barbara Simms (39)

Chris & Louisa Sandvig (8)

25

31

Scott & Cindy Zabriskie (29)

Class of 2018

2019

2020

27

Jen Baki

Liz Jorgenson

Nancy Brumsted*

Barb Huhn*

Annie Mueller

Jackie Montgomery*

Paula Jorgenson

Marge McCallister

Carol Poole*

Tena Webb*

Alicia Neathery

Sandra Zender*

Erin Rosenberg

Kenlyn Long*

Michael Schrotz

Deb Keenan

Dorothy Neckels

Claudia Schrotz

Yvonne Henze*

Susan Conner

George Scarlett

Pete Forster

28 Lynn Finkel 29 Deb Keenan Frank Scarborough

24 Alli Lane Warren VanGenderen Mack Mendenhall Dave Sparks

30 Claudia Schrotz Leah Nydam

Tom Segerstrom Nominating & Assimilation

Warren VanGenderen Mission

Deacons

Bill Klyn

14

transformation

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*Serving second term

fa l l 2 0 1 8

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get to know US

Beth Ricciardi / creative director Beth moved to Jackson Hole, just five years ago and while walking into PCJH seeking a preschool for her daughter Chantal-Marie, and soon to be born son Andre—she didn’t realize entering our church would initiate a transformation in her life. AND PCJH’s website, and the Pinnacle Newsletter, and PCJH marketing at large. Beth brings her 25 years publishing background to contribute—concept, design and photography to most all of our PCJH communictions and marketing efforts to date. In hind sight she will admit a thought immediately entered her mind on that day. PCJH would be a challenging and fun client for revamping their branding. Little did she know, what God had in store...

In HER words It is no doubt, not a coincidence. God intended this perfect symbiotic relationship for me to be challenged, curious, inspired—to awaken and grow a deeper connection with God by creating and sharing stories of his kingdom and our community here at PCJH. A dream come true—I was so grateful to have been chosen to join the PCJH Holy Land Pilgrimage this spring. The Holy Land is beyond words. My hopes and prayers are that the images I captured will resonate with others a connection, an illustration—the glory of the Holy Spirit. An image that speaks volumes, see Spirit Sightings on back page: A white dove soars above us, at the possible location Jesus was baptized, on the Jordan river—a conflict border between Jordan, Israel and Palestine. OMG! Check out more imagery at pcjh.org/holyland

Aaron NydaM / ELDER Children’s MINIstryA Nydam is PCJH’s Children’s Ministry Elder. Aaron was drawn to the Tetons in 2002 to join the Graduate Program at Teton Science Schools. There he was able to find the intersection of his passions to teach science and to immerse himself in and care for God’s Creation. Through his career, Aaron taught middle school and high school science for over a decade in public and private schools from Kenya back to Denver. More recently he spent five years teaching at Journeys School before transitioning to the Graduate Program as faculty, mentoring graduate students.

Today, he serves as the Director. Aaron is married to Leah, and has his most important job as father to his children Greta, Nora, and Samuel. He also considers himself blessed to be a part of PCJH’s calling to serve children and their parents.

In HIS words Parenting has challenged me and through God is transforming me. I am coming to understand more and more that Faith is no longer as much about my life, my salvation. It is, instead, about bringing my children (and others) into relationship with God. Fatherhood demands that my commitment to God and to my faith tradition must be much greater than my personal quiet time and even my contributions to ministry. My faith must be more than my choices but how I fit into the greater kingdom. Understanding that my identity lies in Christ has become much more profound as I experience the deep impact I have raising my children. It is truly is no longer about me. It is something so much greater.

Jen Baki / Deacon secretary Jen Baki, originally from New Jersey, relocated to the Jackson Hole area four years ago with her husband Chas and their two daughters, Magnolia (9) and Daphne (5). Since moving to Wyoming, Jen and Chas have added a third daughter, Zhara (2) to their family! Jen teaches second grade in Star Valley. Outside of work, Jen enjoys skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, watching movies, and reading with her family. PCJH has played an integral part in Jen’s life not only with growing in her faith, but also with finding a community which she can rely on for just about anything.

In HER words Belonging to a church and living life as a Christian has transformed me and set me free in many ways. When faced with trauma, sadness, or difficult situations I am able to look at these experiences with a completely different lens. Rather than getting angry or carrying a “why me?” attitude, I am able to focus on the grace of others during these times, draw strength from our God, and use these experiences as opportunities to grow in my faith. Another way God’s love has transformed me is with my attitude towards my belongings. I no longer see them as mine and try my best everyday to rid myself of a “what’s mine is mine” frame of mind. What has been gifted to me is ours and shall be used in accordance with the Lord. My treasures, time, and talents should be shared with those who are in need of them. A new pair of cute boots can bring a smile to my face but giving to others fills my soul :)

pcjh.org

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Pinnacle

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Address Service Requested Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 189 Jackson, WY 83002

1251 South Park Loop Road, Mailing P.O. Box 7530, Jackson, WY 83002 I pcjh.org I 307 - 734 - 0388

S P iRiT sightings

A white dove soars near a women reflecting after her baptism on the banks of the Jordan River—which borders Jordan and Israel. An important spot on our recent PCJH Holy Land Pilgrimage to stand where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist two thousand years earlier.

PHOTO: BETH RICCIARDI

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.

At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. u Matthew 4:16