05/19/04 Center Chatter

Dear Friends,

"Hello" from the Presbyterian Center. I started my new job on Monday
morning and so far I'm still employed! This is a good thing. I thought
I'd share a little bit about my early days and some of the expectations on
my new job.

First of all I'm working on an I-Mac computer which means that I'm
learning a lot of new computer things as well as everything else! It's a
little frustrating, but there are similarities with the Personal Computers
(PC) so I hope it won't be too long before I catch on. I have my own
office. It's definitely smaller than at Beulah and no windows! But, it's
comfortable and I have more than enough room. I've got most pictures
hanging on my walls and I've also put up all of my photographs. Not as
much shelf room for those, but I think I've managed. I've got an official
"ID" badge that lets me into the building and a spot in the Witherspoon
Parking garage which costs a mere $67.50 per month! It's convenient. I
get into the office around 8 and leave around 4:30. I'm sure there will
be longer days when trying to meet editorial deadlines.

I am responsible for editing curriculum for grades K-5 and I'm also
responsible for what is called the "All Church" summer program. We are
currently editing for 2005 Spring, so you won't see my name on anything
until then. However, I do get a little bio as the editor on the inside
front cover of anything I edit that is published. the curriculum is
called "We Believe" and you are using it at Beulah. My co-worker, Betsy,
edits the preschool curriculum and multi-age as well as the VBS curriculum.
There are other editors who work with the Youth material and the adult
material. This morning at 9 a.m. they are holding a brief welcome
reception for me. I work in the Congregational Ministries Division of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and within that division I work with
Curriculum Publishing Ministries (or in the language down here -- I work
in CMP which is part of CMD). My official title is "Associate for
Curriculum for Children"

Some people might think it's a big deal to work at the national
headquarters of the church, but it's not really. It is a privilege. The
people I work with are normal people (as normal as anyone gets these days)
and so far they seem pretty reserved in their behavior and fairly
conservative in their thinking -- so don't worry about me thinking that
I'm down here being influenced by raging liberals! I have yet to hear the
word "homosexual" mentioned once -- except when I get home and turn on the
news. Nobody has invited me into a discussion of abortion, pre-marital
sex, homosexuality, or anti-Bush, anti-war. In fact, I haven't even heard
those words.

Although I haven't been in a corporate secular office for over 22 years,
my guess is that the Presbyterian
Center is just like every other corporate office -- different people with
different opinions, working hard, hoping they don't get down-sized, and
living from paycheck to paycheck. The human condition!

I better start working hard, so I can collect that paycheck with some
integrity. I miss you and will probably be back in worship around
Father's Day. I know I'll be preaching on June 27th. Thank you again for
the absolutely amazing "farewell" party that you gave me and the wonderful
gifts. My crystal cross with the years of service sits on a shelf facing
me, next to it is a gavel that Charlie Stirsman gave me once when he was
Clerk of Session the first time. On another shelf is a beautiful wood
cross that Jim Young carved for me not too long ago. I am surrounded by
pictures of family baptisms and weddings-- not just blood kin, but Christ
kin, too.

That's today's "Center Chatter". Blessings, Judy

Judy Hockenberry
Associate for Curriculum for Children
Office #1215
(502) 569-5483

back to News from the Pews