PINNACLE to be a community, Rooted in c h R ist, R eaching out in love SUMMER 2022 + two f R iends on a jou R neypg.4+ m y wow g R knowblessedouppg.9+pg.10+gettouspg.13 Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole ~ Quarterly Newsletter I v ol ume no 16 Peo P le Who h InfluencedaveourfaIth
v olume no 16 I SUMMER 2022 table of Contents PINNACLE ˆ ˆˆˆˆ ˆ 2 Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur fa I th In this summer Pinnacle edition we will be exploring the ways in which relationships with other people can have a significant impact on our spiritual formation. In the following pages our volunteer PCJH authors will be sharing their own experiences with people who have left a significant mark on their lives as a follower of Jesus Christ. Our hope is that you will reflect on the people in your life who have played a transformational role in your discipleship and spiritual formation. Give thanks to God for them. Better yet, if you are able, write them a note and let them know the difference they have made in your life. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” u Proverbs 27:17 Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur f a I th ~ summe R 2022 04 paul & t imothy: t wo fR iends on a jou R ney ~ r ev. Ben Pascal 10 blessed ~ Carol Kellehan 08 as a pa R ent ~ a aron Nydam 11 sp R ite of a women ~ l ori Dodd 13 joy of a chRistian home ~ l arry Van Gendren 09 wowmygR oup ~ Becky Brewer Kimmel 12 amma ~ Heather Martin 14 get to know us
*Serving second term 3pcjh.o R g ~ P I nnacle JUNE 1 ~ l ast take-out wednesday's 5-6pm to resume in the fall 5 ~ c onfirmation s unday transition s unday 19 ~ father's day! 20 ~ joy summer camp begins JULY thththth 4 ~ happy fourth! 5 ~ PCJH Office Closed all-chuRch Campi N g t rip @ CoLtEr BaY groUp SitE ~ calendar @pcjh.org/events a U g US t 1 ~ St th th1 4~ thRu ~ ascent backpac k t R ip w ind Rive R Range St St1 31~ thRu ~ PCJH will be accepting Rummage sale items email office@pcjh.org 13th youth & young adult ongoing events, details > pcjh.org/events/ < Contact Megan Walker thth M e g a n W a l k e r P C J H ' s n e w Y o u t h & Y o u n g A d u l t C o o r d i n a t o r ! aUg 5~ 6th pcjh Rummage sale summecampaignRstewaRdship
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~ r ev. Ben Pascal
am G rateful f O r t H e P e OP le I n my life who have played a significant role in my spiritual formation. my parents had me baptized as a child, we attended church regularly as a family, they brought me to Sunday School, and nurtured my faith. my grandfather was an episcopal priest and a man I looked up to as a leader, a person of influence in our community, and someone who was an example of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the way he showed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. I am grateful for robert
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and tanya Graham, Greg Schoch and other adults who poured into my life as a teenager and young adult. I needed encouragement, guidance, and a place I felt like I belonged. they provided that for me. Paul Hayden came alongside me when I moved to Jackson Hole and he mentored me as a pastor and continues to do so to this day. I am also grateful for people who I have had a chance to mentor, people that have invited me to walk alongside them as a guide and pastor. I am incredibly thankful for all the people pouring into my family and my children too. It takes a village.
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mentoring and mentee relationships are so beau tiful. the church is a great place for these kinds of re lationships to happen as we live life together. are you building these kinds of relationships here at PCJH? I would call these Paul and timothy relationships. We all need a Paul and a timothy in our lives; spurring one another on in Christ. let’s take a look at Paul and timothy’s relationship and see what we can learn from to timothy in acts 16 as a “disciple” and that the brothers in lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. He was a young man, probably in his late teens or early twenties. Paul was in his forties at this time. timothy’s mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek. We learn from the book of Second timothy that timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him the faith and the Jewish Scriptures. He was raised in the faith. He was also a mixed-race and for whatever reason, even though his mother was a Jew, timothy was never circumcised, perhaps because his father was a Greek. His father was absent, perhaps dead. His mother was not only a Jew but also a believer and follower of Jesus. She might very well have come to faith through Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey three years prior. Paul sees something in timothy and wants to bring him along on the journey. Here we see that a disciple ship relationship starts with a simple invitation. Want to grab coffee? Can we meet sometime? Want to go ski ing? Grab a beer? talk? But before they go on the journey together Paul en courages timothy and perhaps requires timothy to be circumcised. Why? Didn’t the Council in Jerusalem just rule that circumcision wasn’t required for Gentiles (and timothy’s father was a Gentile). However, his mother was a Jew, so therefore timothy was a Jew and Jews still required circumcision, even for Christian Jews that was the custom. Paul wanted to break down any barri ers of effectiveness as they journeyed through Jewish communities in asia minor. Paul always went to the synagogue first to preach and timothy would be coming with him. Perhaps this would protect timothy, it would give him credibility and an ability to speak into people’s lives. It wasn’t required for salvation but it was effective for ministry.Circumcision would have been painful for timothy and perhaps a difficult decision. Paul encouraged him.
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Sometimes our mentors encourage us to do things that aren’t easy, that are difficult. We need someone like Paul in our life to say “I know this is a hard thing for you to do, and maybe even painful, but it is best and right for you to do it in order to be effective in your life and tministry.”hiswasthe beginning of Paul and timothy’s re lationship. timothy would travel with Paul throughout his second and third missionary journeys. Paul often used timothy as his messenger to the churches around modern day turkey and Greece. eventually Paul sta tioned timothy in ephesus to oversee the churches there. timothy was likely with him on his journey to rome and they stayed in touch for the rest of their lives through visits and letters. the new testament contains two letters Paul wrote to timothy. these letters were authentically written by Paul and they are often called the pastoral letters in which Paul not only wrote to timothy but also to titus. Second timothy was written by Paul while in prison in rome under emperor nero, awaiting execution. It was the end of his life and he knew his death was imminent. these words from Paul to timothy are Paul’s last words. Whenever we gather around a loved one who is dying we often listen intently to their last words. these are Paul’s famous last words to his disciple, his colleague, his mentee, his friend, his son… timothy.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuad ed, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of �
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Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur f a I th ~ summe R 20226 me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffer ing for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. – 2 Timothy 1:1-10 Paul and timothy’s relationship is what I would call a discipleship relationship. It’s not just about having fun together: skiing, golfing, fishing and drinking some beers and watching the football game. It’s centered around Je sus Christ and Christ’s calling for us to be set apart and on mission to share God’s love with others. It’s a journey taken together; living life together; allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. timothy had been thrust into leadership in ephesus at a young age and he was timid and people looked down on him because he was a young leader. timothy needed Paul’s encouragement to lead and be a man of courage, power, love and self-discipline for the sake of the gospel. there are many dynamics to a discipleship relation ship so let’s see what we can learn from Paul and timothy in regards to what this type of relationship looks like. first, a discipleship relationship involves regular communication and time together. Paul and timothy spent time on the road together, living life together, do ing ministry together, and working together. Paul wrote to timothy and stayed in communication with him. a discipleship relationship involves picking up the phone, writing an email, sending a short text, being in commu nication, spending time, showing up, and being present in each other’s life.
Paul was perhaps one of the most important men in the early church (an apostle) and he had a mentee in t imothy. t his is a good reminder that you are never too important or too busy to have a mentee.
In verse 3 Paul thanks God for timothy as he remem bers him in his prayers. Paul prays for timothy. not only is this kind of relationship something to be thankful for, but notice that Paul constantly remembers timothy in his prayers: day and night. a discipleship relationship holds one another in gratitude and prayer, daily. at this point in their journey they have parted ways and Paul misses timothy, which brings him to tears. a discipleship relationship is one where it is safe to cry to gether, to share the hard stuff, to share our emotions, to be able to say “I love you.”
In verse one Paul calls himself an apostle (remem bering his call from Christ) and declares the promise of God in Christ. In a way, he is reminding t imothy of who Paul is, his call, his good God who not only offers life but also promises life. It is something Paul would have taken solace in as he awaits execution.
Paul calls timothy his dear son and bestows the grace, mercy and peace of Christ on him. In his letter to the Cor inthians Paul says that he has no one else like timothy in his life. His relationship with timothy is a close intimate relationship. timothy is like family to Paul. that’s what a discipleship relationship is like, like family.
“here we see that a discipleship relationship starts with a simple invitation. Want to grab coffee? Can we meet sometime? Want to go skiing? grab a beer? talk?"
In verse 4 Paul alludes to the fact that he would be filled with joy if he could be with timothy. Joy comes with being together! mentorship goes both ways. Paul needed timothy as much as timothy needed Paul. a discipleship relationship is one that brings joy and laughter. Paul affirms timothy’s sincere faith and his up bringing. later in the letter Paul remarks how timothy had grown up knowing the Jewish Scriptures since he was an infant. Paul knew timothy’s story. Paul knew timothy’s mother and grandmother by name. Paul and timothy’s relationship was an intimate relationship connected to the extended family. a discipleship rela tionship is even more influential when we partner fam ily and congregation. It’s also a reminder that discipleship happens in the family too. But notice it is timothy’s mother and grand mother who were formational in timothy’s walk with God. What about his dad? He may have been dead, we don’t know… but dads… if you are not dead… your kids need you to be alive spiritually and they need you to guide them in their faith and to model what it means to be a
Church isn’t just about coming to worship on Sun days, or even going to a class. It’s about living life togeth er centered in Jesus Christ. Crying together, laughing together, encouraging one another to live out the good news of Jesus in our lives and in our world.
“Christ wants to fan into flame the gift god has given us. Christ wants us to be courageous, to rely on his power, and his love."
pcjh.o R g ~ P I nnacle godly man following Jesus Christ. If you are a parent, remind yourself of the profound effect a Christian home will have on your child. also notice that faith usually begins in the family and then someone like Paul comes alongside an individual when they are in their teens or twenties and can mentor them further in the faith. It’s an intergenerational dynamic.
Discipleship relationships take time, investment, commitment, being engaged, willing to risk being known and knowing others, opening the scriptures together, doing life together, praying together, encouraging each other, and challenging each other.
In verse 6 Paul encourages timothy to rekindle the gift of God that is within him. fan it into flame! Paul reminds timothy that he has a gift from God. a disciple ship relationship is one of encouragement and spurring one another on. Paul reminds timothy of his call and ordination, the laying on of hands. this shows Paul’s belief and confi dence in timothy to be a leader. this legacy must have felt good for Paul as he was hoping the next generation was going to continue the work. a discipleship relation ship is one of confidence and empowerment.
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In verse 7 Paul gives timothy four encouragements to live into his gift: courage, power, love, and self-dis cipline. He reminds timothy that he has a gift but he must use it! He must be courageous with it. the same is true for us. When we are brave with our gifts we will be amazed at God’s power when He uses it for his glory! We must use our gift for love. We must have self-discipline to further refine and develop our gift. a discipleship rela tionship is one of encouragement and challenge in using our unique God-given gifts. Paul encourages timothy not to be ashamed to testi fy to the lord but to share in his suffering. to live a holy life. the power of death has been destroyed. there is life and light! We must continue to rely on and point people to God’s grace that has always been and continues to be and was revealed through Jesus Christ. Our discipleship relationship is not an end of itself, it is a means to the end. It’s not just about each other but about God and sharing the gospel of Christ with others. a discipleship relationship is about loving God and loving others. timothy and Paul encourage one another to be faithful to the end. What a beautiful and powerful re lationship Paul and timothy had! Do you have a rela tionship like this in your life? It’s a rare and special thing, but it is not impossible. If you already have this relationship, thank God for that person. Write a letter to that person like Paul wrote a letter to t im othy. Or perhaps you need to reach out to that per son because you have lost touch with them. r each out to them. Or perhaps you don’t have this kind of relationship in your life. Pray and ask God to lead you to this person, whether it be a Paul or a t imothy or both. We all need a Paul and we all need a t imo thy in our life.
I believe PCJH is a place where we can have disciple ship relationships. these relationships are often formed through small groups, ministry groups, mission groups, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, and through families together partnering home and congregation.
Discipleship relationships are where we see real transformation happen because it is ultimately encour aging people to have a discipleship relationship with Je sus Christ.thinkabout it: Jesus Christ calls each of us a child of God, someone who is dearly loved. Christ always re members us and intercedes for us. Christ longs to spend time with us. Christ weeps with us. Christ takes delight in us. Christ knows us and our upbringing (the good and the bad). Christ wants to fan into flame the gift God has given us. Christ wants us to be courageous, to rely on his power, and his love. Christ wants us to practice obedience and self-discipline. Christ doesn’t want us to be ashamed of Him or His good news of salvation but to be people of faith, hope and love. Paul and timothy were two friends on a journey. Do you have friends to journey with in Christ? are you on the journey with Jesus Christ? Spend time with him… in prayer… with others… in his Word… serving alongside him in the world. It is a blessed journey and we aren’t meant to travel alone. ✝
In each memory there is SOmeOne there with me leading me, holding me, supporting me. there is my mother beside me. there is a coach on a field praying for strength and courage, youth leaders on a mission trip helping us process inequality, a pastor behind a pulpit sharing the grace of God. there is my life-long friend on his knees crying and even a stranger on a curbside offering me a ride home. Who will be that SOmeOne for my children?
weeks ago I turned to look down the row to check on my children. as a parent in church I often find myself attempting to balance the pulls of parenting and worship ing. managing behavior and singing. leah and I strive to be mindful of our family’s impact on the service while also being a part of the service. We also are parents who care deeply about the spiritual growth of our children. these balancing acts raise important questions for all of us to consider: How do we, as a community, share the love of God? How do we open space for the Holy Spirit? How do our children experience God’s love with worship and reverence? How do we do that without falling into a culture of compliance, consequence and fear? How do we influence the faith journey of our children? Prompted with this Pinna cle's theme of those who influ enced our faith journey, I can't help but reflect through the lens of an adult and a parent: When did I first feel the love of God? When will my children? When did I feel a sense of belonging in the church? When will my children? When was I overcome with the grace of God? When will my children? When did I begin to comprehend the sal vation offered us on the cross? When will my children?
Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur f a I th ~ summe R 20228 d ur I n G t H e S erv IC e at PCJH a fe W
I believe the faith journey is truly a journey. It is our life journey threading through the collective fabric of society. from our earliest memories, this journey is the formation of our identity shaped by a progression of increasing complex questions: am I loved? Who am I? Who are they? How do I fit? How do I make sense of this life full of peace and violence, joy and anger? Our children are ask ing these questions. and, you and I are the SOme giving them answers. ot only am I a parent, I am also serving as the In terim Children’s ministry Coordinator. I pray that God will work through me, PCJH and each member of this community to reveal to our children that God made them beautiful, loves them and wants to know them. and, together as a commu nity of SOmeOneS, we are together equipped with the Holy Spirit to share our lives with children in a manner that reveals God’s truths: We are created in the image of our heavenly father who has an unend ing love for each of us. What we can see reveals a Cre ator we cannot see. We can trust God even when life doesn’t make sense. God’s Spirit is transforming each of our unique and imperfect lives into the character of Jesus. Our response to God’s word shapes how we see God’s story of redemption at work. God designed each of us to participate in restoring a broken world. Our faith in Christ is revealed by our compassion and care for others. and, we choose to live in the complexities of family and community because God values them. When I looked down the row during our service, my chil dren were not in their seats. they were out in the middle of the center aisle. my immediate cortisol stress response quick ly abated, and for the first time ever, I witnessed them singing their hearts out. I witnessed them worshiping. thank you to this community and the SOmeOneS influ encing my children! ✝ as a pa R ent
t he R e’s no magic fo R mula o R specific p R aye R ... ~ a aron Nydam
aaRon nydam and his wife Leah work and play here in Jackson Hole with their three children. Currently Aaron is serving as PCJH's interim children’s ministry coordinator.
w omen of the w o R d. t hey a R e wise and patient... m y P arent S , O f CO ur S e. tH ey raised me in a Presbyterian home. mom taught Sunday school for 66 years. my dad was the Clerk of Session for our church, at least until his work moved our family from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to toronto, Ontario, Canada. there was a small Presbyterian Church in tottenham Ontar io that we attended after leaving Pennsylvania. my father died three years later and I wandered through the wilderness for 20 years afterwards, blaming God for “taking my dad away from me.” I was 17 when he died and nearly 40 years old before finding my way back to the Christian church. Sandy Casey-mar tus was instrumental in my returning home. She is an episcopal priest and at one time worked in alta, Wy. Sandy attempted to build a retreat center inspired by thomas Keating’s work in Snowmass, CO on the contemplative prayer traditions. the Holy Spirit spoke to me in that week-long silent retreat. I realized that Buddhism and other faith traditions were not filling the God-shaped hole inside of me. after that week-long retreat, I began a crash course in Christianity, even though I had been baptized and confirmed in the church. I credit a group of women who invited me to join them in weekly covenant prayer and study 15 years ago. We are still meeting today, and even though so many of our members have moved out of Jackson Hole, we are enjoying the benefits offered by technology. We stay in touch by email, do a weekly Zoom call and a deep dive study two times per year. I love my WOW group; Women of the Word. they are wise and patient and have taught me so much. I’m also inspired by our professional pastors and oth er teachers at PCJH. I’m a sponge. I try to attend several book studies per year at the Presbyterian Church, as well as other studies that have been offered, including Deborah Buck ingham’s women’s bible studies. I appreciate that her work crosses denominational lines and I learn so much from my other sisters in Christ. Our women’s retreats have also been transformational. I miss those opportunities, and I know it’s a lot of work to organize. I fondly recall the long drive with Barb Huhn and a car full of women to make it around a forest fire to a weekend retreat center at fremont lake. that was in 2018. I am an avid student, always reading, joining those studies that work in my schedule. I loved the ‘Color of Compromise’ book study recently taught by both Pastors Ben and tammy via Zoom; and I’m now enrolled in the “new Catechumenate; Discipleship Journey” with the Whitworth Office of Church engagement. I was so impressed with Philip yancy’s “vanishing Grace”, class. So yes, daily bible reading, listening to podcasts, watching my favorite teachers on the trinity Broadcasting network. I often do housework with headphones while I’m listening to so many influential pastors, hearing the word, praying without ceasing. I use the nIv life application Study bible, often reading the notes. I visited the Holy land. I’ve been twice, most recently in 2010 with Paul and terri Hayden. If it is possible for anyone to make that trip, go and walk where Jesus walked. I give myself a Sabbath day of rest. I am slowing down. the other spiritual disciplines are getting easier as I am aging. I love to pray while I walk, and listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading. and of course, I worship with our church family. I missed being together in worship during Covid, but I loved that our church was able to offer online live streaming. I have for years played catch-up with our sermons which is great, how ever, when we cannot be together in corporate worship, live streaming is the next best thing. ✝
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becky bReweR kimmel is currently serving as the worship elder on the session of pcjh She humbly looks forward to serving in this capacity for the coming three years.
Becky Brewer Kimmel
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caRol kelleghan and her husband have been full time residents in Jackson for 10 years and feel greatly blessed to worship at pcjh. ~ Carol Kelleghan b lessed i have been blessed with so many inc R edible c h R istian R ole models du R ing my life.
When my first husband died at 42, and I had 2 children under 5 yrs old, my mother put her hand on my shoulder and assured me, “we won’t know why now, but for sure we will know when we join Jesus.” She confidently reminded me that Jesus wasn’t just watching us, he was beside us crying and hurting with us. Her depth of assurance and faith in God is what helped me to keep my faith. But she passed away 27 years ago and I got old, achy, forgetful, and weary with retirement and so many changes in this world. then God lead me to the perfect setting for my faithtrecharge.hetuesday women’s prayer group!! How could I ever express how incredible it has been to learn from women like meta Sternberg and yvonne Henze, always mentoring us all to never let an opportunity to help someone else and be useful pass unnoticed. they encouraged me to continue to find new strength to move forward with God. Joanie Shipman is the perfect prototype Deacon, always considering what is the right thing to do, always finding ways to care for others, and help others. Kay Brockermeyer searching the Bible and never letting Bible study be forgotten. Caryn Hamon shows us all how strong, commitment can be to read, study and serve others. So many amaZInG WOmen who have kept us motivated. these women have enriched my Christian life. they’ve shown me exactly what my mother meant when she said, “life is hard work, but you’ll have the best of it if you do it with God.” ✝
Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur f a I th ~ summe R 2022
f all t HO u GH , I’ D S ay my m O t H er was the greatest mentor and role model. She was born in the mountains of northern a labama in 1916 and had lived through an era when there were no women’s rights. Women even had to wait to come to the table to eat after all the working men had been fed! Her father wouldn’t let her accept a college schol arship because she had to stay home to nurse sick siblings during a diphtheria epidemic. She lived through the Great Depression, and WWII. Her father sent her to Detroit to work in Cadillac m otors manufacturing air planes for the war. She was one of many “ r osie the r ivet ers.” Of course, she was expected to send money back home. t here were so many changes in her lifetime and few de cisions she could make on her own that it makes me feel like a real complainer when I lament about all the changes that have come in my life during Covid times. through it all, she maintained a joyful and grateful love of Jesus. She encouraged a positive and hope-filled attitude that was full of love, joy, peace, patience and faithfulness that was so real that any one who knew her would say “whatever she’s got, I’ll have some of that.” (a lot like our own wonderful Cindy Dahlin!)
Storie S of r e S urrection Life ~ SPRING 202010
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loRi dodd has served as a PCJH Deacon for several years, as well sings in the PCJH choir. sp R ite of a women
11pcjh.org ~ Pinnaclepcjh.o R g P I nnacle s he was a consummate voluntee R , which spoke to me on so many diffe R ent levels.
• Love the Lord. Yvonne had a great love and relation ship with both Jesus and God the father. Because of this steadfast relationship she had no fear of death, she knew where she was going! I only hope that I can exit this world with the grace that yvonne did everything.
• You are never too old to try something new. I have never been a skier; I took some very basic lessons as a youth minister when I took a group of teens skiing decades ago. But I decided very quickly that I enjoyed sitting by a roaring fire and reading a book much better than falling in the snow. yvonne was always talking about cross country skiing and how much fun it was. She said if I wanted to come out with her it would be great because she wasn’t moving very fast, which would be perfect for me as a beginner. I’m sorry to say, yvonne and I never got to go skiing, but she did encourage me to get out and try cross country skiing and I hope to get better. When I get out there next, I will think of yvonne and say I’m doing this in honor of you!
vOnne HenZe, a tIny SPrIte Of a WOman, barreled into my life right after I joined PCJH and luckily became fully imbedded in my heart. How did I meet yvonne? She asked me to join a group that was go ing to breakfast at the virginian after church, I soon learned that was so yvonne. She was always trying to make everyone feel welcome and included. Once yvonne took you under her wing, she never let you go. So, for five years I knew I would be getting an invitation for whichever holiday was coming up. What’s a little funny, I was lucky enough to have family in town, but I never turned her down, because I didn’t want yvonne to be alone on a holiday either. She was a consummate volunteer, which spoke to me on so many different levels. One day I walked into the library and yvonne was there. I asked her if she was getting a book and she said it was just another place she volunteered. I used to joke with her that I wanted to be just like her when I grew up! She would just laugh at me. I knew if I ever had ques tions about recycling, yvonne was the person to ask and she always had the correct answer for me! We always sat at the same table for the Wednesday Com munity dinners. She had the habit of saying – “why don’t you grab that person and invite them to sit with us?” Soon we had another member to add to “yvonne’s group.” When the pandemic hit, yvonne and I worked together helping package carry out dinners for the community. We would share stories with each other and wow, did yvonne have stories. Stories about when she worked for the national Parks, all her hikes, the wildflowers and wildlife she saw, her cross-country ski ing. She was so active – which really blew me away! yvonne didn’t have it easy, she had a plethora of aller gies, but she never complained. Once she told me that her main food group was pretzels (because they didn’t affect her allergies.) She shared that if she ate something too often, she’d suddenly develop an allergy to that food. every once and a while she’d look at something we were having and say “oh, I used to love that” but never in a negative way. One Christmas I made home-made body butter as gifts. yvonne took a lavender one (after I had told her what was in it.) She later told me it was the only cream she had found that didn’t irritate her skin. I told yvonne whenever she ran out just to let me know and I would make her some more. It was such a small thing to do for someone who gave so much to me and others. a couple of lessons I learned from yvonne:
• Be a better recycler. I like to think I do a good job at recycling… but I know I have a long way to go. my goal for the remainder of 2022 will to be a better steward of the planet that God gifted us with. I can do more and will do more, thank you for your education, yvonne. When you move across the country, to a new place where the only person you know is your brother, it’s a little daunt ing. PCJH and yvonne made my move so much easier, I hope your latest move was just as easy and joyous yvonne. ✝
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r OWI n G u P, t H e G ran DKIDS alWay S referred to my grandma on my mother's side as a mma ( u h-muh) which is simply the Icelandic word for grandma. I have always felt very connect ed to a mma and I think one part of that has been having an old soul from a young age, but anoth er huge reason is the fact that she has guided me, encouraged me, and inspired me through out my faith journey. Without her, I can con fidently say my faith would be nonexistent. a mma, along with my mother, were the only adults within my family who were believers that I could look up to and learn from in that way. I am very thankful that God has placed her in my life.amma has been able to shape me and help me grow through the years. When I was younger it was shown in her way of popping pepper mints and Werther’s caramel can dies out of her purse in the middle of a church service and offering us a dollar for the offering on Sundays. But as I got older, she was reading scripture in the kitchen during visits from Illinois where she lived and buying me my Bibles that I have asked for over the years. e very child wants to be known and seen and heard. a mma and I have had a strong connection since I was a young girl and I have received all of these things from her through out my life and have truly felt the love of Jesus be cause of this. t he joy that she has simply by hearing my voice on the other end of the phone makes me feel so special and want ed, and that’s the way we are seen by our Heaven ly father. Her passion to know the Bible and to share that knowledge with others, like the Bible studies she used to lead is only one example that has inspired me to strengthen my own knowledge and passion to grow in my faith. With her guidance and influence in my life I have been able to know the l ord and have a rela tionship with Him. r ecently a mma has been diagnosed with De mentia. Whenever I call her, the conversation usually ends up going in circles as she asks the same questions over and over again. t he one thing that never changes and is never forgotten is her love for me as well as her love for the ord. I am very grateful to have her in my life and to have her not only be a large reason I came to know the l ord, but for also continuously being someone I can look up to and hope to emulate the way that she has shown me God’s love. She has strongly impacted my faith journey from childhood to now. I know she is always praying for me and shows me what a solid rela tionship with the l ord looks like. She speaks scripture over me and is an overall solid reminder of the strong faith I strive for in my everyday life. ✝ ~ Heather Martin amma heatheR maRtin has been with little Lambs Preschool and JOY Summer Camp for five years now. She will be pursuing other adventures outside of Jackson in the next months, and we will miss her dearly. w ithout he R , i can confidently say my faith would be nonexistent.
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life-long by Christian love, beginning with parents, grandparents, relatives, siblings, cousins, teachers, classmates and friends. I hardly knew of any other kind. this blessing and joy of a Christian home, church and school was mine as far back as I can remember.
my grandmother was filled with love and stoically bore all the difficulties of life that passed her way. It was she who taught me to re cite the 42nd Psalm in Dutch and how to gather eggs out from under disapproving laying hens. We also liked to sit with her in church, on one of two special wooden chairs provided to give some comfort to her disabled, crippled back. a professional mentor helped me first en counter the mysteries of medicine, disease, injury, treatment and recovery. I knew from an early age that, if I were afforded the opportunity, the heal ing arts would be the life that I hoped to follow. I would be willing to set aside all else for that. I had so many mentors who cared for me, one who even permitted me to watch my broth er’s appendectomy. Countless others invested in me during medical school, externship, in ternship, residency and fellowship. Over the decades, many of my colleagues have given me the privilege of learning the art and science of caring and providing. many of my adult relationships proved to be more maturing, as well as thought and deed-pro voking. College presidents, faculty and peers had pro found influences on my life. the woman who became my wife and life provided an all-encompassing and profound union. She brought out the best of me by merely being her dear, sweet self. together, we were able to enjoy the most meaningful life imaginable. now, even though separated in a physical sense, we still share a deep and meaningful presence together.
laRRy van gendeRen and his late wife, Barbara, have raise their four children and grandchildren in the valley. They have been involved in PCJH since its inception and included in its original charter membership.
In addition to praying parents, who were always there to support and nurture me, there were grandparents. One was a grandfather we grandchildren called “Detroity”. this was our version of the name of his residence when we were in grade-school. During each visit, he would carve out special time to be with his Denver grandchildren and go on “adventures”. most of these trips included watching trains go by and playing in parks, but it was mainly to enjoy each other’s company away from parents. He also made an effort to talk with us.
I have been blessed to have it all, marry the love of my life, raise a family together, follow the professional discipline I was created for and carry on that practice in a meaningful and satisfying way. ✝
~
chRistian home
l arry Van Genderen joy of a
14 01june larry huhn alex maher june nystrom danny weber 03 Duane and Nancy schneider (46) 05 pam mettler 06 Daniel Primich 07 paul boillot Linda Walker 08 Steve Poole 09 Jeff and sarah Hanson (37) Dean & Carol lewis (44) 12 jeff crabtree scott & Diane McGee (18) 13 Ponteir Sackrey 16 Bob & Deb Kopp (44) Ken & Bobbie thomasma (66) 18 tina edwards David &eunice Conine (56 ) 19 ted kimmel 20 cheri hauser mary ann tapp 22 Robert carr 25 buffy allen trent & traci Doyle (28) 26 judy swann Jim & sally Byrne (62) 27 Jenny Pascal Bob & Bonnie lewis (41) tom & Jan segerstrom (29) 28 gregg ward Jeff & lana Crabtree (42) ray & Meg womack (47) 29 Matt & Julie Faupel (20) 01julyBlake & Donna Clark (34) lance & Christine windey (27) 03 melissa snider Bill & eileen Blackwell (57) 06 mary walton 08 Jane Lavino Mike & Carol Marshall (55) 09 stan & Becky Zaist (39) 11 jan benz Steve Iobst 12 amy boillot John & Joanie shipman (36) 14 Cathy Wikoff 15 mills halpin jay kemmerer 17 Steve Weber 18 stan steiner 19 Becky Zaist 20 annie mueller tom & Becky Jordan (54) 21 irene lund suzanne vanhatten Steve Fralin Julie Whitlock Jeff & Cindy Dahlin (32) 22 stan pugmire 23 Ed MarcScottCalder ted & Becky Kimmel (34) 24 lana crabtree 25 katie Robertson 26 bonnie lewis Mel & Brandie Orchard (27) 27 Paul & terri Hayden (19) 29 alan lund gaylyn frantz 30 Kay Brockermeyer jim hamilton Jack & Jan larimer (56) 31 jennifer wolf Jason & Melissa snider (13) 01august alex & Macye Maher (21) Clara McGee sayre jorgenson 02 Vickie WilliamJonesSchoen 03 bobbi thomasma Jeff & Julie Huot (48) 04 Ron miller 05 bob lewis Dan Matzke 06 jeff huot cynthia nigro Ken & Cathy Blount (28) alan & Nancy Brumsted (45) Brian & Maddy remlinger (17) 07 Mel Orchard 08 Paul & Jean Bruun (13) 09 EricLanceVanGenderenWindey ed & Jane lavino (36) 10 ed cheramy will & laura soltau (9) 11 Ben Pascal 12 joanie shipman Nancy Stockhouse Dan & Julie Matzke (50) Dylan & Catherine wade (16) 15 julie winthers 17 Dave Dunlap claudia gillette Ray Womack Phil Stevenson Bill & Karen Fox (37) Jim & Jessica Miller (9) 19 sue unruh 20 Randy Reed Josh Ziolkowski 23 karen terra 24 Bill Blackwell Bill & Kenlyn long (42) 25 Marcia Taylor Mack & Katie Mendenhall (15) 26 joy steiner 27 Michael Schrotz 29 larry jorgenson warren & Martha VanGenderen(63) 30 kenlyn long 31 Ken & Caroline taylor (54) Peo P le Who h ave Influenced o ur f a I th ~ summe R 2022 Pastoral Staff Rev. Ben Pascal bpascal@pcjh.org senior Pastor x 101 Rev. Tammy Mitchell tmitchell@pcjh.org associate Pastor x 104 Office Staff Cindy Dahlin cdahlin@pcjh.org Church administrator x109 Ally Kiefer akiefer@pcjh.org Communications Coordinator x102 Program Staff Laura Huckin huckin@silverstar.net worship & Music Coordinator x123 Amanda Lack alack@pcjh.org little lambs Director x111 Aaron Nydam anydam@pcjh.org Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator x103 Megan Walker mwalker@pcjh.org youth & young adult Ministry Coordinator x124 Ruling DeaconsEldersClassof2022BillKlyn*DorothyNeckelsCatherineWadeSierraFulton Class of 2023 Michael Schrotz* Ponteir Sackery Brian FernandezSandraBultimaGuido Class of 2024 Lori TomJoyBradDodd*Herman*Steiner*Segerstrom teaching elders: rev. Ben Pascal & rev. tamara Mitchell Clerk of session: Ken Blount Class of 2022 Laura Soltau* Mission Ryan Allen Children’s Ministry Susan Conner Congregational life John Scott Finance Caryn2023 Haman adult Ministry Josh Ziolkowski young adult Ministry Alan Lund Personnel Patty McDonald assimilation & Nomination Wes2024 Lucas* stewardship Steve Iobst* Buildings, Grounds & Vehicles Marian Meyers youth Ministry Becky Kimmel worship
DARLA JACKSON / nuRseRy cooRdinatoR
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NANCY FAuNTLEROY & ROBY HuRLEY / new membeRs
I am sorry to inform you that after 36 years in Jackson and almost that many years here at PCJH my husband, michael and I are leaving the valley. I have been faithful servant here at church but mainly as the Head Director of our beloved nursery. What a blessing it has been to see you all blossom and grow! It’s funny what a bag of goldfish and juice boxes will do! michael and I decided on our 35th anniversary to start a new adventure. We will be heading to the Colorado area near fort Collins. Our son and daughter-in-law reside in Denver and hopefully there will be little ones on the way, and what is better than having grandparents close by? Jackson will always be our home, as our youngest Corey is still here in the valley. I’m sure I will be finding any reason to come get a squeeze from him and his cute girlfriend. you know that if I am in Jackson, I will certainly make my way into the church to see how many hugs I can get to tide me over until my next visit. I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the love my family has received over the years. you’ve helped my children know the lord and blessed my husband and me in too many ways to count. this is not a goodbye, just a “see you later!”
nancy fauntleroy and roby Hurley, Jackson transplants from the eastern Shore of maryland, joined the PCJH congregation in march of this year. nancy was baptized, and raised in the Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania and roby in the lutheran Church, also in Pennsylvania. they moved to Jackson eight years ago after visiting the area for twenty fall seasons. roby is re tired from a career in natural resource planning and continues to volunteer in several non-profit associations, including the Board of Supervisors for the teton County Conservation District, the Wildlife foundation and trout unlimited. He loves being out in nature in every way, although his true passion is fly fishing. you may encounter him on the Snake river with rod in hand as he declared it as his new office upon retirement! His wife, nancy, comes to PCJH after a career, as both a clinical and administrative social worker. She enjoys hiking, biking, animals, traveling, knitting and most of all, taking care of her great nephew who is 14 months old one day a week and is pure joy! you may see her in one of Belle Cose’s many Jackson locations as she enjoys working a couple of days a week with them. Both are looking forward to being active in the PCJH church after a lengthy search for a local church home. PCJH won their hearts after attending for several months. “We loved the 10:15 service, the message, the music, and the outreach to both local and global communities, not to mention Pastors Ben and tammy!” NYDAM / inteRim childen's ministRy cooRidnatoR
IN HIS WORDS I am excited to help support PCJH as our Children's Ministry Team looks for new leadership. Personally, it is an incredible blessing to re-engage our faith community and connect my children to the church. I am incredibly grateful for all the work that Dylan Wade accomplished through his years. it is a strong foundation to build upon into the future.
~ get to know U s AARON
aaron nydam serves PCJH as the interim Children’s ministry Coordinator. Born and raised in Colorado, aaron moved here in 2005 now lives here in Jackson with wife leah and three children: Greta, nora and Samuel. aaron carries a deep passion for education and nature which brought him to teton Science Schools were he helped build Journeys School while teaching high school science and math. He moved through the organization eventually directing their Graduate Program in Place-based education. Prior, aaron taught primary school in Kenya and spent many summers working for Colorado Outward Bound School. Currently, aaron is pursuing a Doctorate in education at the university of Wyoming between bike rides and washing dishes.
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. u Psalm 18:28 Address Service Requested Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 189 Jackson, WY 83002 1251 South Park Loop Road, P.O. Box 7530, Jackson, WY 83002 I pcjh.org I sightings307-734-0388S P iRiT Fireside Worship and s'mores at the PCJH All-Church Colter Bay Camp Out in 2021
