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.
Monday Mailing 32
Welcome to the Monday Mailing #32 - Just because you can. . . . My sainted Mother would often reply to my requests with the above – just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I was so irritated when she would say that. I know it was a way for me to think carefully...
Monday Mailing 31
Welcome to the Monday Mailing #31 - Days, Weeks, Months, Years – Seven Months Children count time differently than adults do, or at least we tell ourselves that. Children count months, weeks, days . . . to birthdays, and holidays (SANTA! Which, as of today is 68...
Mission Study Meeting #3
Discussion Questions Mission Study Meeting #3: Leadership, Stewardship/Fundraisers and Communications Tuesday, October 20, 2020 The last of three Zoom meetings to discuss goals identified in our Mission Study is coming up this Tuesday, October 20 at 7:15 PM....
Monday Mailing 30
Welcome to the Monday Mailing #30 - Tuesday Edition: Hybrid Worship The time has come. . .to begin worshiping together in the Sanctuary. Precautions have been taken, and will be detailed in this Mailing. I look forward to the opportunity of having people join me (at...
Monday Mailing 29
Welcome to the Monday Mailing #29 - Welcome To “Spoof-land” It happened again, and it will probably happen more in the future. . .I was spoofed while on vacation. Spoofing is where someone attempts to be “you”, and asks others for something “in your name.” Often...
Message to the Congregation about the Second Mission Study Meeting Thursday, October 8 at 7:15 PM
A reminder: The second of three Zoom meetings to discuss goals identified in our Mission Study is coming up this Thursday, October 8 at 7:15 PM. Pastor Janice will “open the doors” for the meeting at 7 pm. This meeting will focus on Membership/Evangelism, Christian Ed...