Rev. Kay Ash

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

Now and then, I want to use these weekly columns to brag about our great staff. I intend to write you about each of them, eventually. Today, I’d like to start out by bragging on Kay Ash.

In the past two weeks, I’ve seen Kay do remarkable things with two different groups of children. Each Wednesday night, she takes a large group of neighborhood kids —who have found our church and the incredible program we now have for children— and she shares a story time. I’ve now watched in awe several times, as the children sit spellbound by her storytelling skill.

I saw this same skill last week with the Kessler School kids too. Once a month, we lead chapel for the Kessler School children. On a morning last week, Kay grabbed and held the attention of those 100 or so elementary children, through storytelling and song.

In both cases, the children were mesmerized as they listened to Kay tell stories of the Bible and our faith.

I told Kay after both events something I hope you all realize too: It’s an incredible gift to be able to do that…to be able to keep and hold the attention of children as you spin out a story. Not everybody can do it, but Kay can.

In case you didn’t know, we are averaging 25-30 children on Wednesday nights, who are coming for supper, a craft, playtime…but always also a time of prayer and a Bible story led by Kay. Many of these are neighborhood kids who we are privileged to serve and to help, in our way, with their spiritual and social development.

She is slowly, and masterfully, working through the entire Biblical story with them, using words and visual aids each week that help her tell a story at a child’s level.

Kay has also done marvelous things to bring new organization and structure to our church’s “Parent’s Day Out” (PDO) program. The care with which she’s shepherded the school through a challenging transitional time is impressive.

We have a newly formed “Parent’s Group” for our PDO program. This is a group that has bubbled up from among the PDO families. Their goal is to function as something akin to a “PTA” for the program. They arose, I’m convinced, because Kay’s presence has inspired them to get involved and give of their own time and talents to support the school.

And, finally, I know you all appreciate Kay’s leadership in worship, and the caring pastoral presence she brings to our worship life every Sunday.

God bless Kay Ash for her many ministerial gifts and skills. I give thanks for her presence at Kessler Park. I’m sure you do too.

See you on Sunday,

Eric Folkerth