New pastor introduced at interactive Apple Festival booth

The Apple Festival was the perfect time to introduce Pastor Keslinn Hohfeld-Stout to the community. Tehachapi Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ was open, and Pastor Keslinn was there or in the church sponsored booth to greet and meet people. It also gave her an opportunity to learn about Tehachapi, which is a new area for her.

The church's booth at the Apple Festival originated with the church's Social Justice Team. It was proposed as an effort to make the community aware of Tehachapi Community Congregational Church UCC, what it stands for and to introduce the new pastor. There were many enthusiastic volunteers who contributed items or managed the booth.

A popular feature of the booth was an area for children to decorate cardstock apples with glue, glitter, beads, stickers and marking pens. Youngsters lined up to create some interesting and artistic apples. Parents seemed to enjoy watching their children's creative efforts.

Adults were encouraged to pick up informational sheets about the church and also purchase tickets for an opportunity drawing. They could put their ticket in for the prize they wished to win. There was the very popular apple quilt, a gardening basket, a "bee" basket and a glass fish. Tickets were drawn on Sunday afternoon and winners were contacted.

The booth was not planned to be a fundraising event, but an interest-raising event to tell people about the Tehachapi Community Church UCC, which is the oldest protestant church in the area.