A Special Treat this Sunday

Dear MRC Family,

Blessings to you, beloved of God

This Sunday we have the joy and privilege of welcoming Rev. Freeman L. Palmer to the pulpit!

Rev. Palmer serves as the Conference Minister for the Central Atlantic Conference United Church of Christ. Freeman began this call in February 2019 after serving nine years as Associate Conference Minister, Congregational Development, for the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ. Freeman was ordained at The Riverside Church in 2004 to his call as Associate Minister at Middle Collegiate Church in
Manhattan, where he served for five years. He is a member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park in Highland Park NJ.  Freeman is also an original contributor to the African-American Lectionary, an online worship, scriptural, and cultural resource used principally by African American congregations.  

Originally from Washington DC, Freeman is a second career minister, attending Seminary after a fifteen-year career with CBS Inc. He had several positions in television and radio financial management before serving as head of Finance and Administration of WCBS-AM News Radio 880 in New York City. After graduating from Georgetown Day High School in Washington, Freeman’s educational background includes a BA in Economics from Swarthmore College, an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a M.Div. with honors from New York Theological Seminary, where he served as Comptroller while a student and received an award from the faculty for excellence in theological studies. He also served for two years as Chief Financial Officer for the North Jersey Community Research Initiative, one of New Jersey’s largest social service organizations serving people living with HIV/AIDS. Rev. Freeman lives with his spouse, Donal, an ordained minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in Baltimore with their Australian Silky Terrier, Pooh.

In his spare time, Freeman enjoys both traditional and contemporary jazz, reading books ranging from biographies to graphic novels, enjoys movies, and as a ‘map geek’ with extensive knowledge of the US highway system, enjoys getting on a road just to enjoy it and see where it leads. A prayer that Freeman offers daily is Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your Good Spirit lead me on level ground” (NIV). (From the Central Atlantic Conference website)

So come this Second Sunday after Pentecost to listen for where the Good Spirit will lead you in doing God’s will. Tom will lead us in our hymns and sing the Anthem “By the Spirit.” Rev. Palmer is preaching from Galatians 3.23-29 and his sermon title is Breaking News. After worship, come
downstairs to the Lower Auditorium for coffee and conversation before you go out to have your summer fun. And speaking of summer fun, all are welcome to the Parsonage tonight, 7-9, for our backyard First Day of summer party. Bring a lawn chair, a favorite beverage, a nibble (if you wish) and relax under the faerie lights with friends. I look forward to being with you tonight!

Keep following Jesus, beloved. Oh, and keep bothering Jesus.

With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish