Rev. Catherine Day
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens . . . . He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecc. 3:1, 11)
It is my joy to greet you as your new pastor. I know that you have been searching for some time for your next pastor, and I have been searching for the past four months to know where God wanted me to serve him. I believe, as the verses from Ecclesiastes say, there is a time for everything and God works those things out in his perfection. We are never too early or too late if we are trusting God for his direction. I believe God has brought us together for this time, to serve him together. This is the time and the season for us to minister together.
Over the next few months, we will get to know each other more fully, but let me briefly introduce myself. I retired in September as a PCUSA mission co-worker, where I served for the past 9 years in Rwanda and for 5 years before that in Malawi. In both places, I trained pastors and I pastored churches, practicing what I preached, so to speak. Prior to moving to Africa, I was involved in the Pittsburgh-Malawi Partnership of Pittsburgh Presbytery. During that I time, I served as the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Church in Greentree and before that Bellevue U.P and Hoboken Church in Blawnox and Presbyterian Senior Care as a chaplain. Prior to ordination as a pastor, I was an English teacher at the high school and then the college level. I have masters' degrees in English and in Divinity, so I come with a varied background, and experience in a number of contexts.
The one thing that has remained constant in all of these positions is that I have sought to use the gifts God has given me to his glory in the places that he has called me to serve. My gifts are especially strong in teaching, preaching and discipling. God has given me a spirit of collaboration as I lead. Beyond ministry, I enjoy photography, reading, crocheting, watching Steelers football and walking (can't run because of two artificial hips). I want to combine these gifts with the many gifts God has given each of you, so that together we may please him and serve him in Castle Shannon and beyond. I am a person of prayer and I believe that God has answered my prayers to continue to serve him and your prayers for a pastor, bringing us together at this time and in this place. I believe God is preparing to make something beautiful out of our energies and passions together. God has a purpose for us for this time for us in Castle Shannon. I look forward to ministering with you and our growing together in faith.
Yours in faith,
Pastor Kay
Veronika Schmidt
Veronika Schmidt has a BMus (hons) degree in vocal performance from South Australia. She has been a chorister for the State Opera of South Australia and is a 22+ years current chorister with the Pittsburgh Opera.
Veronika has had many years of experience in vocal coaching and performance, and has been an active member of the Worship Team at FPCCS for over 20 years.
She is passionate about using her gift of music for the glory of God and is honored to be a part of the FPCCS team.
Tabby Niespodzianski
Tabby is a graduate of Grove City College with a degree in education. She enjoys playing games, writing stories and poetry, and playing with her cats in her spare time. She lives in Whitehall with her husband, Nick, and their three cats - Homura, Rosie, and Skylar.