Recently, the First Presbyterian Church of Marlboro honored Patricia Mikkelsen at a luncheon for her ten years of service as their Administrative Assistant. She also handles the First Presbyterian Church in Highland.

Patricia works two days a week.

“I keep track of the church records, I do the bulletin send emails to the congregation every week, answer the phone, post the offerings, send out letters for various events and notify committees when they are having meetings, she said.

Patricia said, “This has been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had and it’s been 10 years of joy.” She also taught Junior High School in Florida and Iowa for 8 years, at a pre-school for 3 years, and kindergarten for 23 years in Port Clinton, Ohio, near Lake Erie.

Patricia moved to Marlborough to be near her daughter and met her future husband B.J. Mikkelsen at a comedy club fundraiser.

“When he walked in I was the only one in the auditorium and he looked around and said where is everybody and I thought you’re not from around here because people in New York do not go to things early. I’m from Ohio and we go 20 minutes early,” she laughed. “She later found out he lived near-by and after a time they were married.

Pastor Laurie McNeill has served the Marlboro and Highland congregations since 2012. She said Patricia’s position, “is really the glue to make sure the ministries of our churches are synchronized and our buildings are used very actively. Patricia also interfaces with a lot of groups who come here, which is important for us to have that presence.”

McNeill said Patricia is an ordained Elder of the Church and “knows the congregations well and the particular needs of members. She provides mailings to shut-in and sometimes hears about people in hospital or losing a critical family member that she tells me about.”

McNeill said Patricia, “is fabulous and its very nice having someone so bright and also with the sensitivity to be pastoral in her work. She is devoted and wishes the best for our congregations; it’s not a job, it’s a calling.”