I love to read. As a third grader I saved money and bought the 16 volume Golden Book Encyclopedia and read it several times. After completing the fifth grade I read four books a day (the most the library would let me check out at a time) for my summer break.  I read several different genres and tend to focus on one for a while then switching to another. I enjoy mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, and suspense. I majored in history and enjoy reading about life in other times, places, and cultures. Several years ago I read Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s seven volume book, The Gulag Archipelago, and was deeply moved by the stories he told of brave men and women struggling to survive under Stalin. I enjoy reading popularized accounts of current scientific knowledge. I’m most interested in biology, astronomy, and physics. All of this is to say that I can’t identify my favorite books. There are too many books to have a favorite.

What do you think your biggest challenge will be here at Emmanuel?

The top three are:

I’m looking forward to working with an excellent staff and dedicated lay servants to meet the challenges God sets before us. With God’s leading and guidance we can make a difference in the lives of people in our community.

Tell us about your family.   I am the oldest of three brothers. My brother Steve has multiple sclerosis and is in an assisted living facility in Washington state. My brother Michael is disabled with epilepsy, asthma and migraines. He lives in northern California near my mother.

Where did you grow up?

I was born just outside Los Angeles. I lived in several L.A. suburbs until I finished my junior year of high school in Chino, California. That summer my family moved to the Seattle suburbs. I graduated from Kent-Meridian High School.

What kind of hobbies do you and/or Patty enjoy doing?

Patty used to do a lot of weaving but for the past 12 years she has focused on quilting. She loves sewing. She majored in creative writing writes poetry. She also enjoys reading and counted cross-stitch.

I have several interests outside church. I especially love to read. I love cooking. I like snowshoeing. I enjoy gardening and canning. I like to do calligraphy. I am learning photography. I am also learning how to touch up and repair damaged photographs. I used to write websites for small ministries as a hobby. I recently gave up managing the website at Church of the Pines due to...

There is a time and season for all things; including the length of a pastoral appointment. As many of you know, I am leaving Emmanuel Community this summer to take the position of Lead Pastor at First UMC in Madison.  After ten years, the life span of sharing ministry with you will come to an end.  June 24th will be the last Sunday I share with you as your pastor.

Most of us are quite stunned to see leaves on the trees, flowers blooming and grills out and grilling this early in the year.  We are still in the month of March and based on other years, it seems as though we are living in May.  What is going on?  Some say this is simply an early Spring, the result of the jet streams and weather patterns.  Others are sounding the alarm of climate change and global warming.