Rev. Kyle Delhagen
Biography
One of the things you learn growing up as the son of a minister, is that a pastor’s family is as much called to a congregation and place as the pastor themself. My wife, Elena, and our two children,
Jumah - 18, and Atticus - 8, not only keep me grounded and remind me of God’s love and joy every day, but they deepen my ministry in profound ways. As a husband, a biological father, and a father of an adopted daughter, my understanding of our relationship with God has been stretched, challenged, and changed in amazing ways.
My life of faith has been profoundly shaped by many people and in many places. As a young person, I found my spiritual life being influenced by the church family and friends I was always around. My church youth group provided many opportunities to study God’s Word, talk about what it means to be a Christian, and also to put our faith into action. Some of the most formational moments in my spiritual development were on service trips during school breaks to Staten Island to work with the homeless, hungry, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. All of this set me on a very early path to ministry.
Throughout college, I struggled with my call to be a pastor. Having grown up as a pastor’s kid, I tried to avoid where I sensed God was pulling me, but when God has a desire for your life, it is hard to ignore! I spent six summers during and after college working at Camp Fowler in the Adirondacks, and then two years working in youth ministry before going to seminary at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Following graduation from Seminary, I spent a year working as a Resident Chaplain at a Philadelphia Hospital, which taught me a lot about being a pastoral presence in times of grief and trauma.
In the few years following, I turned to teaching at a private Christian school in center city Philadelphia, where I taught tenth and twelfth grade English. During that time I was a part-time pastor of a small Reformed Church outside of Philadelphia. In that experience, I found myself drawn more and more to full time parish ministry. Since October of 2016, I have served as Pastor of Western Presbyterian Church in Palmyra, where I have continued to be challenged and stretched, finding fullness in this particular time and place of God’s family.
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Help Hamilton Union fill an Ark with Animals!
As part of our congregational focus on Hunger this year, we have a series of special presentations during Worship in October focusing on the work of Heifer International. Heifer International is a charity that works to alleviate hunger in the United States and around...
A Letter from Pastor Kyle
Friends in faith, It has been just over three months since I began to serve as your pastor. Getting to know you - as individuals and as a congregation - has been such a joy. If I have not had a chance to meet with you one on one yet, please know that I look forward to...
Mailing Vol 2, Ed 18
Welcome to the Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday Mailing Vol 2, Ed 18 - Top Ten Don’t compare Kyle with other BFPs (beloved former pastors) Remind Kyle of your name Don’t hide from him (he has a whole bunch of you to get to know, you have he – and his family...
Monday/Tuesday Mailing Vol 2, Ed 17
Welcome to the Monday/Tuesday Mailing Vol 2, Ed 17 - Nostalgia My big break in my genealogical research came this last week as I was reading an article by a local genealogical society, and discovered my ancestor listed in the article! That is always a...
A Message from the Session, to the Congregation about Reopening
Your Session is very aware that many of us are now vaccinated against Covid and activities and venues are gradually reopening. Many of you are eager to return to in-person worship, and many of us are also. It is time to discuss and plan for reopening, and we began...
Monday Mailing Vol 2, Ed 16
Welcome to the Monday Mailing Vol 2, Ed 16 - Then a Miracle Occurs I made reference to this cartoon sometime in the last week or two. . .I don’t really recall when, but I remember talking about it. Then A Miracle Occurs. I participated in a miracle yesterday,...