Saratoga church gets new pastor

new pastor the beginning of March.

Rev. Helen Young of Florissant, Mo., arrived to Saratoga to assume her duties as temporary pastor for the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga.

She moved into the manse on the west bench March 1 and assisted with her fisrt service March 3. She also served communion to the congregation.

Young conducted her initial service March 10.

In February, Young was hired by the session as the church’s temporary pastor for an indefinite period.

Since the death of the Rev. Revel Matheke last fall, the church has been served by lay clergy and visiting pastors.

If you ask Young why she wanted to be the temporary pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga, she will tell you it was the hugs.

“After preaching the service on Feb.17, a number of people freely offered hugs as they made their way to the Fellowship Hall,” Young said in a letter. “How can a person go wrong when people offer sincere expressions of love and acceptance? Thank you for that greeting and the warmth offered since my arrival.”