By the Rev. Joe Tagliaferre
April 29th of this year, I woke up early in the morning at my home in Jefferson City Missouri where I have been living for a couple years and have begun to take root. I was happily driving coach bus after having been a pastor for 40 years. Was I retired from ministry? Maybe? But God had other plans.
That morning at 7:33 CT I received the following message on Facebook messenger from Jill Fandrich at Westminster: “Hi Joe, I am reaching out to see if you are still doing any temporary/bridge/transitional pastor work in the summers when you are not driving teams around. And if so, would you be interested in talking to us about spending some time in Auburn as a temporary pastor while we continue to search for an installed pastor. I know that kind of comes out of the blue but I saw you were doing some temporary church work in previous summers in the Midwest.”
Thanks Jill. So after I recovered this message from Jill a question came to mind. I asked, “Why me?” But not in the mindset of, “Woe is me, why me?” Not “Why in the world would God send me to Auburn, NY?” I actually lived in Auburn for a few years seventeen years ago.
It was more like, “God are you really going to do this good thing for me? Why me?What did I do to deserve something good?” You see, I planned on spending my summers in New York two years from now when I retire. My son and his family live in Rochester NY and I have grandchildren to spoil. And the added bonus is that I love bass fishing, and started tournament fishing when I was here seventeen years ago. So, bass fishing has been on the agenda as well. How did God know that?
I ask that question tongue in cheek, because I believe God is all knowing. The older I get, the more I realize that I cannot predict Gods plan for my life. I try, and I whine when it does not go my way, but God’s plan always is the best plan!
For me, returning to Auburn, is like Groundhog Day! I’m reliving past experiences. I’ve already tapped into some of my previous joys. Besides connecting with some old friends, I’ve been pleased to note that Reese’s Dairy is still open and still has my favorite cone, the Creansicle Twist.
I can still find fresh fruit at Morgan Half Acre Produce (and some really good Zucchini Bread). And I’ve also found some new things. Heart and Hand Pie Shop and Bakery will be a new regular stop!
I have to admit returning to Auburn is like living a part of my life all over again, not unlike what happens in the movie, Groundhog Day. The only difference is that it’s a much more pleasant experience for me! I am enjoying my return to Auburn, many things have not changed, and some have.
All in all, it’s a pleasant experience to be back and a blessing to join in the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church as their temporary pastor. Plus, being close to the family and good bass fishing are true bonuses! God’s plans often exceed our hopes and expectations! He knows! God is good!
The Rev. Joe Tagliaferre is the Temporary Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, providing pastoral leadership while the church searches for a permanent pastor. Joe has a BS from Geneva College, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a M.Div from Pittsburgh Seminary. He has served 12 churches in an interim position as well as other churches in other capacities in his 40 year career as a pastor. In between churches, Joe drives coach buses for college sports teams in the midwest!
April 29th of this year, I woke up early in the morning at my home in Jefferson City Missouri where I have been living for a couple years and have begun to take root. I was happily driving coach bus after having been a pastor for 40 years. Was I retired from ministry? Maybe? But God had other plans.
That morning at 7:33 CT I received the following message on Facebook messenger from Jill Fandrich at Westminster: “Hi Joe, I am reaching out to see if you are still doing any temporary/bridge/transitional pastor work in the summers when you are not driving teams around. And if so, would you be interested in talking to us about spending some time in Auburn as a temporary pastor while we continue to search for an installed pastor. I know that kind of comes out of the blue but I saw you were doing some temporary church work in previous summers in the Midwest.”
Thanks Jill. So after I recovered this message from Jill a question came to mind. I asked, “Why me?” But not in the mindset of, “Woe is me, why me?” Not “Why in the world would God send me to Auburn, NY?” I actually lived in Auburn for a few years seventeen years ago.
It was more like, “God are you really going to do this good thing for me? Why me?What did I do to deserve something good?” You see, I planned on spending my summers in New York two years from now when I retire. My son and his family live in Rochester NY and I have grandchildren to spoil. And the added bonus is that I love bass fishing, and started tournament fishing when I was here seventeen years ago. So, bass fishing has been on the agenda as well. How did God know that?
I ask that question tongue in cheek, because I believe God is all knowing. The older I get, the more I realize that I cannot predict Gods plan for my life. I try, and I whine when it does not go my way, but God’s plan always is the best plan!
For me, returning to Auburn, is like Groundhog Day! I’m reliving past experiences. I’ve already tapped into some of my previous joys. Besides connecting with some old friends, I’ve been pleased to note that Reese’s Dairy is still open and still has my favorite cone, the Creansicle Twist.
I can still find fresh fruit at Morgan Half Acre Produce (and some really good Zucchini Bread). And I’ve also found some new things. Heart and Hand Pie Shop and Bakery will be a new regular stop!
I have to admit returning to Auburn is like living a part of my life all over again, not unlike what happens in the movie, Groundhog Day. The only difference is that it’s a much more pleasant experience for me! I am enjoying my return to Auburn, many things have not changed, and some have.
All in all, it’s a pleasant experience to be back and a blessing to join in the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church as their temporary pastor. Plus, being close to the family and good bass fishing are true bonuses! God’s plans often exceed our hopes and expectations! He knows! God is good!
The Rev. Joe Tagliaferre is the Temporary Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, providing pastoral leadership while the church searches for a permanent pastor. Joe has a BS from Geneva College, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a M.Div from Pittsburgh Seminary. He has served 12 churches in an interim position as well as other churches in other capacities in his 40 year career as a pastor. In between churches, Joe drives coach buses for college sports teams in the midwest!
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