Getting to Know Pastor Carla
Word from Wiese
1 May 2024
Dear Friends in Faith,
Happy Wednesday! I’ve got two items for you on this fine spring morning.
Scripture & Signature
The first is an invitation to join us at tonight’s “Scripture & Signature” event. From 5.30-7.00 PM this evening, all interested parties will be shepherded from the entry doors downstairs through the music room, up the back stairwell, through the sacristy and on to the new chancel. (Since the carpet will be in removal process, we’ll take this safer passage and stay on the chancel). There you’ll have a chance to take a marker—bring one if you can—to sign the plywood with a Scripture verse that you hope ties into what God will help us do on that holy ground in years to come. In addition, maybe you can sign your name and a prayer for our life together. We want to bathe our refreshed sanctuary with God’s word, prayer, and dreams.
If you can’t make it tonight, mark your calendars for Pentecost, May 19, for our second “Scripture & Signature” Event. Come before the 11.00 service or stay after the 9.30 service to sign the sanctuary floor. The sanctuary will be closed once the Congregational Meeting begins at 12.10 PM. But if you stay for the whole meeting, we’ll open it up again 10 minutes more!
Pastor Carla Q&A
Secondly, let’s keep getting to know our knew ministry colleague, Interim Pastor Carla Knobler with the following Q & A session:
PF: Welcome Pastor Carla! We’re so glad you’ve been appointed as our 20 hour per week Interim Associate Pastor. Thanks for jumping in with both feet. Actually, last week we made you jump into the deep end of the pool. You joined us for Monday morning staff meeting, Monday afternoon meetings with me, and Monday evening Council meeting. Then on Tuesday staff calendar meeting and on Wednesday Bible study and youth dinner and ministry. And then worship on Sunday. What are your impressions after just the first week at COS?
PC: Thank you for asking. This has been a terrific week. I didn’t realize that the lunch with the staff and dinner with the council were in the course of my being welcomed. The salads were lovely, but the opportunity to meet and learn something about each person was so helpful. Each opportunity has been enlightening in its own right. There seems to be a good bit to learn, but I’m confident with God’s help it will all pull together (Matthew 19:26).
PF: When Bishop Kevin appointed you as interim associate pastor for us, he said one of the main reasons was because you lived in Peachtree City. How did that come about?
PC: To be honest, I didn’t connect the dots. I didn’t realize that Bishop Strickland had any idea that we live in PTC. When I retired in 2021, I had been pretty clear that I felt that I was done. Honestly, this has all proven to completely be a God thing. First, I’ve learned that one never tells God how things are going to be. Perhaps you have heard: “When you plan, God laughs!” Experience has shown that once one gives their life over to God things are going to transpire and if God puts you up to “IT” they are going to turn out terrific.
This whole scenario began and unfolded in three days. God, among many things, is a numerologist. God particularly likes to do things in 3s and 7s. In my case, it has been an affirmation that God is in the mix. So, How did it come about? What more can I say, on so many levels, it’s a God thing!
PF: Sounds like we have Columbus Ohio in common. My mom and dad still live on the north side of Columbus in Worthington. How about your family?
PC: My daughter (Mardi) and her husband (Ted) both have offices in Worthington, but they live in Pataskala, in Licking County. Ted is an IT consultant with a firm who handles Microsoft’s Corporate Clients. Mardi is an accountant with a small firm. While in college, she did her internship with the firm and was asked to continue on, when she graduated.
Mardi and Ted have blessed me with two granddaughters; the eldest (Brittney) is a second-grade teacher. Brittney spent her youth at COS. She enjoyed confirmation camps and mission trips here. The younger (Samantha), being 7 ½ years younger was involved in SS and VBS at COS. Today, she is both working in the hospital setting and going to school for nursing. Between the two girls, we are blessed with 3 great-grandchildren, who will be spending the summer with us, this year.
PF: I felt good hearing that Pastor Weber invited you to preach from time to time at COS. Tell me about your earlier chapter with our congregation.
PC: I am not only ordained, but also hold a SPC Ecclesiastical Endorsement to Pastoral Care and Counseling. Mostly, thanks to Pastor Miriam’s support and encouragement, I served as a Child, Family and Mediation Counselor at COS, during the time we were living here. I recall, fondly, that I did, on occasion have the privilege of leading worship during that time, as well.
PF: What kind of ministries have you been involved in over the years?
PC: A plethora of opportunities have been opened to me, over the years. I began as a SS teacher, then a Youth Minister in Norcross. Following ordination, I spent the greater portion of my ministry in Pennsylvania where I ultimately served as a parish pastor in 3 of their 7 synods. For 16 years of those years, I was a trained intentional interim in both PA and GA. I have served as a chaplain over the years for Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), Senior Care Facilities, Hospice, the Fire Department and now as a First Responder in Times of Disaster.
PF: Here at COS, we know 20 hours per week will go quickly. But we’re hoping you’ll help support our pastoral care teams and be available for counseling. Of course, you’ll help lead worship, preach, and help with funerals and special services when they arise. And after summer break, you’ll take your turn, along with me, in teaching confirmation, leading preschool chapel, and supporting the staff and volunteers involved in our children, youth, and family ministries. Are there certain ministry areas that really “make your heart sing”?
PC: Everyone brings a certain joy, in its own right. I consider everyone a pleasure for the opportunity to identify and share God’s happenings.
PF: I know you enjoy travel and took a little trip right before you started with us. Where did you go?
PC: We traveled through Alabama checking out waterfalls. Then we went into Mississippi traveling the Natchez Trail from Al through MS and did some rock hunting along the way. Finally, we went into Louisiana where we arrived in Baton Rouge at the time of the eclipse. It rained for the entire event and stopped as soon as the eclipse ended. We made some terrific new friends, originally from Mexico and look forward to getting together, again.
PF: What kind of hobbies do you enjoy Carla?
PC: Waterfalls and rock hounding and all that goes with it, are just 2 of my favorites. I also do stained glass restoration, throwing clay as well as built-up. My all-time favorite is traveling.
PF: Anything else we should know about you as we do ministry together these next several months?
PC: The only else is that I’m always open to what’s next that God has waiting around the corner.
