Pastor’s Column
Wow!

Wow! What a wonderful welcome you have extended to Barbara and me since I began my new role among you. I say "Barbara and me" because I do understand that you may very well have "hired" me to get Barbara (as someone told me in a previous congregation).
    Wow! Your warm welcome really hasn't been anything new:  it is of the same cloth as the way you have welcomed us into your midst since we first began worshipping at St. Paul's. But the warmth of your welcome has touched our hearts and we thank you very much.
    Wow! The reception following the service at which I was presented as your new pastor was delightful, and the welcoming words and hugs we received warmed our hearts and our spirits. And the cake welcomed both Barbara and me (see paragraph 1). What a nice touch!
    Wow!  Not one, but two balloon bouquets greeted me on September 15, my first day in the office. "Welcome," they said, "we are so glad to have you here!"  Another very nice touch.
    Wow! Two balloons greeted me . . . but no office door! Which was actually a good thing. At the vestry meeting on Monday night I had asked if a window could be cut in the door (a "security" issue). I was amazed and very pleased that before I arrived on Thursday morning Ted Inouye had the door removed and took it in to have the work done. Nice.
    Wow! Barbara (superglue) Hagiwara gave me a very attractive and very useful gift from you: The Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal in a single volume, with lots of ribbons that are very helpful in preparing to lead worship and larger print for my aging eyes. How very thoughtful. Another nice touch.
    Wow! I don't recall any indication in my interviews with the Search Committee or the Vestry that my first duties as your pastor would include German folk dancing (in costume) at an Oktoberfest and a "Blessing of Animals" (a first for me), but how cool is that?
    Wow! As I write this I've been "on the job" less than a month, but it doesn't seem that way. Everyone has been so welcoming and co-operative and helpful, I can only say, "Thank You, Lord," and thank you, too, good people of St. Paul's. God bless you.
                    ~Don