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Annual Report to the Congregations of the United Church of Christ, DuBois Charge





“We all change. When you think about it, we're all different people all through our lives, and that's okay, that's good, you gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all people that you used to be.”  Doctor Who, “The Time of the Doctor”


Each New Year brings with it hope for change, that things will be different, better than the last year.  Change is what we hope for, but often fight against when it actually happens, because change is often messy, making the positive results hard to see.

Here are some of the changes that took place in our congregations last year:

·         St. Luke’s added presentation equipment to their toolbox for worship, allowing for additional creativity by adding PowerPoint presentation and Video capabilities to worship and Bible study and expanding the possibilities of enhancing and/or creating new activities in the future.
·         St. Peter’s has added a Children’s Church that meets in the basement on Sunday Mornings.

·         We created a weekly Bible Study schedule that will continue into 2014. 

·         We added a new song of the month that has expanded our hymn library and added songs to our favorites list.  

·         We extended our table through social media by redesigning our website and increasing our presence on Facebook and Twitter. 

 ·         We celebrated the lives of loved ones who passed; the joining of lives together in marriage; and children baptized into the care of the congregations. 


As we begin another year of worship and service in our congregations, we continue to look for ways to involve laity in worship and introducing different ways to celebrate the sacred and holy in our lives. I am excited about the work that we have accomplished and the opportunities to bring positive change to our congregations in this New Year.

The last twelve months have also been filled with opportunities for change and growth personally.  Last spring, I was asked to serve on the Conference Minister Search Committee.  It has been a long but rewarding process and we look forward to being able to begin the candidate interview process in early March.

In March, Tammy and I were introduced to a new grandchild, Aiden. 

In October I began a two year term as the President of the Clarion Association.  I am looking forward to working with those from churches in our association and with the leaders of Associations within the Penn West conference to strengthen our witness with our communities and the world.

Finally, this January, I started a new job with the Clearfield Hospital as a Systems Analyst for the Clear Med Providers.

“We all change. When you think about it, we're all different people all through our lives, and that's okay, that's good, you gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all people that you used to be.” 

Change happens!  We can kick in our heels and fight it, or we can keep moving, learning, and growing.  Always remembering where we have come from and the One who enables, empowers and leads us into the “undiscovered country” that is our future.

I greatly appreciate your continued love and support as I continue to listen for God’s call. I ask for your continued prayers for our congregations as we follow God’s leading into new and greater discipleship.

In Christ,

Pastor Bob

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