The picture above is from the "Abraham's Table" hosted by the Presbytery of Newton at First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway, New Jersey. Our congregation has long been involved in interfaith dialogue and that evening (January 10, 2012) ruling & teaching elders from our presbytery joined in food and dialogue with members of White Meadow Temple, a Conservative Jewish congregation, and members of the Islamic Center of Morris County in Rockaway and the Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center of Boonton. It was a wonderful and enlightening evening for everyone involved - we're very thankful for our many interfaith friends. Since then Sue and Mitch have facilitated the creation of "The Interfaith Neighborhood." It is a group of Christians, Muslims, and Jews working together to address issues in our community like drug prevention and a greatly needed youth center. It is truly a blessing to work together.
Sue, the "born & bred" Presbyterian
That's "Rosebud" to the left there, the clown ministry character that Sue adopts when the make-up goes on. It's just one of the many creative aspects Sue brings to her ministry.
Sue has been a life-long Presbyterian. Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in 1996, Sue's ministry began long before that. She was active in the Presbyterian church her entire life and after graduation from college (Buena Vista College of Storm Lake, Iowa, a Presbyterian college), Sue began working as a Christian educator in the church. She was blessed to work with some of the top Christian educators in the denomination and Sue has continued her passion for Christian Education throughout her ordained ministry. 
Sue (third from the left) in Moliere's "Tartuffe, at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa in the early 1980's.
Sue as Tzietel in Fiddler on the Roof at BVC in the 80's.
Sue and Kate after they danced in a performance of The Nutcracker with the Harrison Dance Academy in Harrison, Ar.
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Mitch, "ecumenical" by nature
It's either Ben Franklin or Mitch, dressed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway, New Jersey, founded in 1758.
Mitch's religious background is truly ecumenical. Born and baptized in the Roman Catholic church, Mitch spent his early years in the Episcopal Church, where he was confirmed and served as an altar boy. When his family moved from the Twin Cities of Minnesota to the small town of Everly, Iowa at the beginning of his high school years, Mitch began attending the local Methodist church, becoming active in the youth group at the local and regional level. A number of years later, he met Sue and suddenly the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) looked interesting. Years later, Mitch & Sue were ordained together as Ministers of Word & Sacrament and began an interesting journey in ministry.
In 2013 Kate married McClain who has become a great addition to our family.
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Two great kids...
Kate & Charlie on Easter Sunday 2008.
One of the biggest joys of our life together has to be our children Kate & Charlie. Although they are 12 years apart, they are very close to each other and their parents. Thanks to modern technology, we talk every day with Kate, although we are 1500 miles apart.
Kate & Charlie at the Easter Egg Hunt at United Presbyterian Church in Cincinnatus, New York in 2006.
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Enjoying the winter snow in Binghamton, New York in 2004.
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Kate & Charlie at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2012.
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A social justice advocate since childhood...
Kate never needed any direction from us to become involved in the church from an early age. She may, however, have been influenced by attending more General Assemblies of the PC(USA) than most pastors. In the picture to the left (from Horizons magazine, the publication of Presbyterian Women), Kate was attending her first General Assembly at Syracuse, New York, in 1997. With a couple of other little girls, Kate spent much of her time at the Assembly helping to raise money for a women's seminary in Central America - just something she wanted to do when she heard about it (at the age of 7).
Her passion for social justice grew over the years and in 2006, Kate was a YAD (Youth Advisory Delegate) to the General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama. At the next Assembly in San Jose, California in 2008, Kate was a YAD Liaison with the Covenant Network, a group working for a fully inclusive church. In 2010, at the General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kate worked with That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS), a team of talented people advocating full inclusion of LGBT people in ordained ministry in the PC(USA). In 2012, Kate joined the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Voices for Justice (formed by a merger of The Witherspoon Society and Voices of Sophia back in 2010).
Kate is a 2011 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a dual major in Theatre/Dance and Religion and Classical Studies. She served two years with CTEP (Community Technology Empowerment Project) AmeriCorps in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while she was also the Sunday School director at Grace-Trinity Community Church in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. In July 2013, Kate married McClain Duffert in Minneapolis. Kate currently serves as the Assistant as a consultant in institutional fund raising for Luther Seminary, Chicago, IL. She is also pursuing a Masters of Religion at our Alma Mater, Louisville Seminary.
Her passion for social justice grew over the years and in 2006, Kate was a YAD (Youth Advisory Delegate) to the General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama. At the next Assembly in San Jose, California in 2008, Kate was a YAD Liaison with the Covenant Network, a group working for a fully inclusive church. In 2010, at the General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kate worked with That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS), a team of talented people advocating full inclusion of LGBT people in ordained ministry in the PC(USA). In 2012, Kate joined the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Voices for Justice (formed by a merger of The Witherspoon Society and Voices of Sophia back in 2010).
Kate is a 2011 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a dual major in Theatre/Dance and Religion and Classical Studies. She served two years with CTEP (Community Technology Empowerment Project) AmeriCorps in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while she was also the Sunday School director at Grace-Trinity Community Church in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. In July 2013, Kate married McClain Duffert in Minneapolis. Kate currently serves as the Assistant as a consultant in institutional fund raising for Luther Seminary, Chicago, IL. She is also pursuing a Masters of Religion at our Alma Mater, Louisville Seminary.
Kate with Moderator Cynthia Bolbach at the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2010. It was a privilege to meet and have a wonderful conversation with Cindy, who recently died after a recurrence of cancer. She is greatly missed!
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Kate assisting in worship at the Voices of Sophia Breakfast at the 2012 General Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Our mini "Soren Kierkegaard"
Charlie with Mom and a "rainbow friend."
Charlie too has attended many General Assemblys of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since he was born in 2001. Charlie gave us a special term back in 2006 at the Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama. We had some interviews with churches and needed someone to watch Charlie while we were interviewing (Kate was a YAD that year). In the Exhibit Hall, people staffing the booths of More Light Presbyterians and That All May Freely Serve offered to watch Charlie. When we returned a couple of hours later, we found Charlie laughing and having a good time with his new friends. Ever since that time, Charlie looks forward to returning to the General Assembly and seeing his "rainbow friends."
Charlie is often found thinking "deep thoughts." Once he was in a store with Mitch when he stopped, turned to his dad and said, "Do you every just stop and think about life?" When Mitch replied, "Of course I do, Charlie," our son continued, "Me too and I think we're pretty lucky to have our family." At age 16 he enjoys reading history and mythology from many cultures, especially Viking and Celtic. His talents include woodworking and creative arts, music and theatre. He was selected to sing with American Music Abroad in the summer of 2018 for a tour of Italy, Croatia, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Charlie is often found thinking "deep thoughts." Once he was in a store with Mitch when he stopped, turned to his dad and said, "Do you every just stop and think about life?" When Mitch replied, "Of course I do, Charlie," our son continued, "Me too and I think we're pretty lucky to have our family." At age 16 he enjoys reading history and mythology from many cultures, especially Viking and Celtic. His talents include woodworking and creative arts, music and theatre. He was selected to sing with American Music Abroad in the summer of 2018 for a tour of Italy, Croatia, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Charlie helping out at the booth of Presbyterian Voices for Justice at the 2012 General Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Charlie dressed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway, New Jersey, founded in 1758.
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Charlie takes voice and bagpipe lessons. Here he was preparing to perform in the annual recital with the music academy where he studies voice.
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