In my posting of February 10, I mentioned the continuing ministry of Bob Grant, a retired UCC minister living in Roscoe. After receiving a comment from “Susan”, I promised to do a new posting about him.
Bob includes me in his annual “Christmas Letter”. This year he also attached a Letter to the Editor of the Town Crier that he wrote in the aftermath of the elections in November and a personal letter in which he spoke of his interfaith work.
At 90 Bob writes that he has always been a progressive Christian: that his belief in Jesus has led him to work for unity among Christians and among people of all faiths, and to work for justice and peace. He even states in his Letter to the Editor that these beliefs led him away from his staunch Republican roots to become a Democrat.
He wrote in his Christmas Letter of how “at the age of 10 (he) became consciously attracted to Jesus. His qualities as a person drew me to desire friendship with hi. At the heart of this was his compassion that reached out in caring for all persons, especially those on the margins of society. Also, the firm courage with which he confronted hypocrisies of persons in positions of power.”
Bob is now involved with a community interfaith group that includes Protestants, Catholics, Jews and Muslims. He also can be found singing in the tenor section with the choir of the United Church of Roscoe (UMC and UCC) on most Sunday mornings. On other mornings you might find him on the treadmill at the gym. Go Bob!
Rick
The New York Conference UCC
Friday, February 16, 2007
A Progressive at Every Age
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1 comment:
Rick,
Thanks for the update on Bob. I first met Bob when I attended Junior High camp at the Lisle Conference Center in 1964. If my memory serves me correctly he was the Pastor at the church in Moravia at that time. At 90 he is a voice still being heard, and a wonderful example for us all. I think back to your Feb 7th posting where you asked the question..."How is God calling us to live our faith?"
Certainly Bob is a perfect example that we are called to live our faith each and every day for as long as we draw breath on this earth. With the rising of each sun new opportunities will manifest themselves for us to do just that. Without a doubt, I'm sure Bob finds ways to live out his faith while he is working that treadmill at his gym.
Susan
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