English teacher at Philly's agricultural high school (where I teach Shakespeare, start tomatoes in the greenhouse, bottle-feed lambs on the night shift, and cook meat raised lovingly by my students). I came to Old First as a long-term volunteer, was as music director for nearly two decades, almost gave birth to my daughter while tuning the piano, introduced my son to service in the shelter before he could walk, and currently serve as an elder.

Old First is my neighborhood UCC church. I joined Old First because it is a congregation that believes in living out Christ's call to care for the least of these in a real way. I am uncomfortable calling myself a Christian because of the judgments that have been cast on others in that name. I am a follower of Jesus and find that the members of Old First are great companions on this journey. There is much to be learned and much to be shared in this community.

I am the third of six children and one of two girls. Old First's welcoming embrace keeps me in the fold and the fellowship sustains the renewing relationships. My journey of faith is nourished through the word of God. I believe God sees me beyond my current circumstances and the path to salvation comes only through Jesus. I enjoy coffee hours after worship; it gives time to say hello. It's a blessing to be where one finds meaning and looks forward to going again.

I'm cradle UCC, but I thought confirmation was a vaccination. Immune to further exposure, I stayed away from church for 30 years. When I moved to Philly, I discovered Old First, though I wasn't especially looking for a church. Maybe I was looking for a community, and that's what I found. We don't ask you to stop thinking here. We value your questions and doubts. My faith has grown in this varied, talented, dedicated, hospitable, funny, caring--and occasionally exasperating--congregation.

I was born and baptized into the UCC, growing up in Lancaster County, PA. I joined Old First UCC in 1986 and love it! I am not there in person very often because my work as a physical therapist and teacher takes me around the world. I work with children and adults with neurological challenges such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, head injury, etc. I love to garden, swim, read, bike, and hike and love the quiet and solitude of the mountains.