1962

Pastor Norman C. Krapf, pictured here, conducting services. (To enlarge the picture, just click it.) Pastor Krapf later had these reminiscences of his ministry:(1)

I remember my nearly eight years as Pastor of Christ's Church as a time of beginnings. It was my first parish. I was married during my ministry there.… It was a time of change. The LCA was born. A new parish education curriculum and Service Book and Hymnal was introduced. New members joined with existing members to maintain and advance our life and work.… It was a time when deep friendships were made.… I recall the many deep relationships with so many which remain among the richest treasures of my ministry at Christ's Church. Above all, I rejoice with you in Christ because he enabled us to come together, sharing joy and sorrow, as we sought to render service together, in His Name.…

It was good to know the many fine people who were members… and this is the most significant recollection I have of my ministry there. I recall an emphasis on fundamentals, Baptism, worship. education, support of our life and work, catechetics, weddings and funerals.… Christ's Church was the first parish I served following seminary graduation.… I remember hearing a world traveler saying: "the Woodstock area is one of the most beautiful areas of the world." Upon gazing at Overlook Mountain…, I felt a sense of awe at its majesty and beauty. It was always a joy to look out of the parsonage window and see the mountain. In making pastoral calls, it was always an inspiration to view the natural beauty of Woodstock and the surrounding area as I traveled to and from the homes of those I visited. Many of the members I knew are now with the Lord. I remember them with thanksgiving and their contribution to the life and work of Christ's Church. I recall a colleague once saying: "that among the parishes I served in my ministry, there is something special about my very first parish and my service there." He was right. I still see and inexperienced Pastor moving into an area of inspiring natural beauty called to serve a parish and learning that yes, the Pastor molds the congregation but likewise the congregation molds the Pastor.…

Raising money for building a Fellowship Hall was difficult, and the project foundered for a while.

The 1958 Service Book and Hymnal (or SBH) was introduced in our church as a gift from Percy Croswell.

The national United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA), of which our congregation was a member, morphed into the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). Our large regional group, the United Lutheran Synod of New York and New England, was subdivided into three smaller synods: the New England Synod, the Upper New York Synod, and the fairly liberal Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS). Christ's Lutheran Church was part of the MNYS, continuing its tendency to take a fairly relaxed, or "liberal," view of Lutheranism. According to the June issue of The Scroll(3):

Leaders of the new church are hopeful for a more inclusive union of Lutheran bodies in America in the near future.

At Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA, a woman was an influential teacher of sociology.

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John F. Kennedy (Democrat) was President. The 87th Congress was in session. (The midterm elections that year would elect the 88th Congress.) A dollar in that year would be worth $6.29 in 2006 for most consumable products.

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