Michael is in Cleveland at the UCC’s ONA Gathering and General Synod before heading further west to visit friends in Indianapolis and family in St. Louis.
As he said in church last Sunday, “people think of the minister’s time away as when they too can skip church– because the pastor won’t know and they won’t be missed. But really, when the minister is away, you’re needed at church all the more… To step in and fill any gaps that are left open, particularly welcoming visitors, and also to welcome, help and support the guest preacher.”
We will have 2 guest preachers:
June 28: Minister Jamie Johnson. “I am a member of Harold O Davis Memorial Baptist Church / UCC. I am currently Pursuing my Masters in Divinity at Lutheran Theological Seminary, as a member in discernment with the Philadelphia Association /UCC. I received my minister’s license about two and a half years ago. Prior to that, I enjoyed an exciting career in music where I was blessed to make history as the youngest artist to perform at Carnegie Hall, win Star Search, get signed by famed rap mogul JayZ, and became the youth ambassador of Philadelphia and later the United States. Old First is honored to welcome Minister Jaime to our pulpit.
July 5: Rev. Wanda S. who is not a guest at all. Along with her wife Ruthanne and daughter Anna, Wanda is a member at Old First. Her ministry these days is as a therapist and administrator at the Council for Relationships.
Founded in 1932, Council for Relationships is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people understand, respect, and improve the quality of the important relationships in their lives by providing unsurpassed clinical care, clinician education and training, and behavioral health research. Over 70 therapists at 9 offices and community-based locations in the Greater Philadelphia area provide counseling to families, couples, and individuals on a sliding fee scale. The Council is committed to providing quality service to all those in need, regardless of background and ability to pay.
In addition, the Council provides services to vulnerable populations such as persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their families and veterans and their families. The Council also partners with community-based organizations to help homeless families, parolees, families whose children are at imminent risk of abuse or neglect, and formerly homeless families through the provision of counseling and education services.
We are honored to welcome Wanda back to Old First’s pulpit.
(And when Michael gets back and follows up with Jaime and Wanda, to thank them for their help and service, he’ll be sure to ask about attendance and whether or not you were there!)