Minute for Stewardship

Minute for Stewardship - Pam Mosenthal

Good morning. I am Pam Mosenthal, chair of the Stewardship Committee.

With the Stewardship season upon us, I have been reflecting on my 40-year faith journey in this church. In reminiscing on how Pleasantville Presbyterian Church became my church home and family, how it has influenced my life, and the ways I’ve been able to give back, I have so many great memories. I promise I won’t share them all, just a few.

Shortly after Scott and I were married, we moved to Foxwood Condominiums in Pleasantville. In our search for a church, we visited the Presbyterian Church in town, where we were warmly welcomed by Tom McConnell, Doris Kersten, Ruth Mahlstedt, and others. We felt so comfortable and knew this was where we belonged.

PPC quickly became our church home. I accepted invitations to join the Women’s Bible Fellowship, serve as a Deacon & later an Elder, teach Sunday School, and ring in the Handbell Choir, amongst other things, giving me opportunities for spiritual growth, friendship, leadership, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

Two years after we became members at PPC, our son Skyler was born. It was a miraculous experience, and to make it even more incredible, Pastor John Sheppard and his wife Linda came to White Plains Hospital to welcome baby Skyler into the world and pray for our family. It was an unexpected blessing that made a lasting impression on us, even little Skyler, who bonded with John and invited him to his childhood birthday parties for many years!

Later that spring of 1987, some women of the church encouraged me to join them in attending a Women’s Retreat at Stony Point Conference Center, with baby Skyler in tow! These are the women who would provide moral support during the years we raised Skyler and his sister Kirby in the church. One of the Bible passages we focused on at the retreat was Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” (verses1-2, 5-6.) At the time, hearing these words was a God moment for me. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I realized that God doesn’t just meet needs---He exceeds them abundantly. Jesus fed five thousand with a boy’s lunch and had twelve baskets leftover. He told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side and filled them to breaking. Through my retreat experience, I learned that our God is a God of overflow, abundance, and immeasurably more.

In recent years, I had the opportunity to serve as Clerk of Session and chair of the Stewardship Committee, which has given me an appreciation for the church finances and just how important pledging is. I remember Steve Berg, our faithful treasurer for many years, reassuring us that “It’s all good”.

As I give prayerful consideration to my stewardship pledge this season, I’ll be thinking about these memories, how blessed I am to be a part of this church family, and how we all are called to share the abundant gifts of time, talent, and treasure that God entrusted to us.