Rev Karl Jones-
November 24, 2024
I serve as the Conference Disaster Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. It is my pleasure to serve with some remarkable people as we work in all phases of disaster: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
I can see signs of God’s presence in so many places – if I actually look for it. Yet, I also understand that it is easy to stop looking, to forget to listen to other people, and to recognize the gifts that they bring – in other words seeing God in those with whom we work and for whom we work.
It takes faith to work in disaster ministries. Preparing for or surviving a natural or human-caused disaster is hard. But for me it is also what gets me excited. Yes, it is hard, but there is also more than enough joy to go around.
It seems that we have had to brute-force our way through the last couple of years, keeping it together for everyone else. That’s where our faith makes it possible to keep going. Yes, there is a “hard-makes-it-great part” to what we do. Yet we cannot forget the part that lights up our lives.
I continue to love and be guided by Howard Thurman’s great adage: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
I’m choosing to believe that. The work ahead of us is hard, but we will prevail by finding that piece of the work that brings us to life. In the book of Revelation, John tries to help the people understand who God is. He paints a picture of God’s coming kingdom and the unbroken fellowship with God that will be in it. It rings out the good news that God is at home among us.
I firmly believe that God is not going away. God is going to be with us wherever we are. Eugene Peterson (in The Message) says, “God has moved into the neighborhood.” That promise assures me that God is at work to undo the mess that humanity is in.
In Jesus we see mercy where the world has become hard; in Jesus we see gentleness where the world has come to depend on violence. In Jesus we see generosity where the world has come to depend on greed. In Jesus we see joy where the world sees gloom and doom.
John, in Revelation, tells us that God is in the business of building a world where there are no tears. God declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” God is building a community of care in our neighborhood that is filled with love and joy.
The challenge I face continually is to discover where God is working in my neighborhood – to discover what makes me come alive – and go out and do it.
November 24, 2024
I serve as the Conference Disaster Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. It is my pleasure to serve with some remarkable people as we work in all phases of disaster: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
I can see signs of God’s presence in so many places – if I actually look for it. Yet, I also understand that it is easy to stop looking, to forget to listen to other people, and to recognize the gifts that they bring – in other words seeing God in those with whom we work and for whom we work.
It takes faith to work in disaster ministries. Preparing for or surviving a natural or human-caused disaster is hard. But for me it is also what gets me excited. Yes, it is hard, but there is also more than enough joy to go around.
It seems that we have had to brute-force our way through the last couple of years, keeping it together for everyone else. That’s where our faith makes it possible to keep going. Yes, there is a “hard-makes-it-great part” to what we do. Yet we cannot forget the part that lights up our lives.
I continue to love and be guided by Howard Thurman’s great adage: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
I’m choosing to believe that. The work ahead of us is hard, but we will prevail by finding that piece of the work that brings us to life. In the book of Revelation, John tries to help the people understand who God is. He paints a picture of God’s coming kingdom and the unbroken fellowship with God that will be in it. It rings out the good news that God is at home among us.
I firmly believe that God is not going away. God is going to be with us wherever we are. Eugene Peterson (in The Message) says, “God has moved into the neighborhood.” That promise assures me that God is at work to undo the mess that humanity is in.
In Jesus we see mercy where the world has become hard; in Jesus we see gentleness where the world has come to depend on violence. In Jesus we see generosity where the world has come to depend on greed. In Jesus we see joy where the world sees gloom and doom.
John, in Revelation, tells us that God is in the business of building a world where there are no tears. God declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” God is building a community of care in our neighborhood that is filled with love and joy.
The challenge I face continually is to discover where God is working in my neighborhood – to discover what makes me come alive – and go out and do it.
Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart -
February 11, 2024
Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a daughter of Detroit, is a Black-queer preacher, teacher, and activist. She develops spaces of spiritual candor, disruption, reflection, transformation, and action. Rev. Naomi is the founder of Salt | Yeast | Light, a consultancy that supports individuals, congregations, institutions, and groups in the work of radical inclusion, courageous spiritual practice, and faith-rooted advocacy.
Rev. Naomi is the first-ever Strategic Partnerships Director at Political Research Associates (PRA), a social justice research and strategy center that provides strategic insights and actionable research that identifies, disrupts, and competes with movements and institutions that undermine democracy, justice, and human rights. In her role, she leverages PRA's research and communications capacities to support effective organizing and advocacy by movement organizations around the nation and globe.
Rev. Naomi was most recently the Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. In that role, she served as a public facing leader, collaborator, advisor, program facilitator, and subject matter expert for the Mayor’s Office and City Hall on local and national matters that impacted Philadelphia’s diverse communities of faith. She also recruited and managed the Mayor’s Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs.
Prior to working in government, Rev. Naomi was the Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, the country's oldest national LGBTQ justice and equality group. In that role, she coordinated the Task Force's public faith messaging, led local, regional,
and national faith gatherings, and trained hundreds of LGBTQ people of faith and cis-het comrades in faith-rooted organizing and advocacy for LGBTQ justice.
Before joining the Task Force, Rev. Naomi was a faith organizer for POWER Interfaith, a multi-faith, multi-racial network of congregations in Southeastern and Central Pennsylvania. She also served as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music at the Wisdom's Table at St. Peter's United Church of Christ.
Rev. Naomi is also a long-time educator. After teaching for many years in alternative school programs for out-of-school youth returning to community from carceral placements, in 2017, she joined the adjunct faculty at Villanova University, where she teaches a variety of core and upper-level theology courses, including two that she designed: "Do Black Lives Matter to God? A Theological Exploration of Race, Suffering, and Resistance" and "Agitating for Justice: An Introduction to Faith-Rooted Community Organizing." In 2019, Rev. Naomi received the Pohlhaus-Stracciolini Award for Teaching Excellence from Villanova. She is often invited to lecture and consult for various student and faculty groups within the University, and as a multifaith advisor to Campus Ministry, Rev. Naomi directs the Villanova Gospel Choir and preaches in ecumenical worship
services.
In summer 2022, Rev. Naomi was named the Religion and Public Life Government Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. In this role, she co-teaches a course, advises master’s degree students, and facilitates public conversations on religious literacy and
the vocation of public administration. She is returning to Harvard for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Rev. Naomi’s love for intellectually-rigorous moral formation began during her undergraduate years at University of Pennsylvania and she has since earned the Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary and regularly presents work at annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion. She has earned certificates for completing intensive programs at The Wharton School, Duke Divinity School, Eastern University, and Princeton Theological Seminary.
An engaging and insightful speaker and commentator, Rev. Naomi has spoken at congressional, state, and municipal hearings, and has held sacred space in sanctuaries and on the streets. She regularly preaches and teaches in diverse worship settings,
national conferences, and religious and academic institutions around the country, including Vanderbilt University School of Divinity, Swarthmore College, Ithaca College, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Eastern University, Arcadia University, Yale Divinity School, Methodist Theological School of Ohio, Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Union Theological Seminary (NYC), Chicago Theological Seminary, the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Alliance of Baptists, the Union of Black Episcopalians, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the National Council of Churches, the International Council of Community Churches, and Evolving Faith.
Rev. Naomi’s writings on faith, identity, and politics can be seen online and in print, and a video archive of her sermons and other public speaking can be seen at http://bit.ly/watchNWL. She is also featured in The Atonement Agenda, a 3-part television series on WHYY (2022), “Marriage Rites: Mainline Christian Denominations,” a special episode of the PBS television show To the Contrary (2018), and two documentary films -- The Grove: A Coming Out Story (Revry TV, 2023) and Taking the Long Road Home (PFLAG National, 2022).
Rev. Naomi serves on the boards of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, the Christian Association at the University of Pennsylvania, Pride in the Pews, and Philadelphia Family Pride. She is a member of the Faith Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. In 2022, Rev. Naomi was appointed by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council.
Rev. Naomi delights in singing with the Philadelphia Threshold Singers, an all-volunteer choir whose mission is to bring audible comfort and kindness to the bedsides of people living in hospice care.
In 2019, Naomi was named one of 9 LGBTQ Faith Leaders to Watch by the Center for American Progress and was included in The Root 100, an annual list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans, ages 25-45. In 2021, she was named one of “10
under 40 to Watch” by the Philadelphia Tribune and she was also honored as a “Champion of Pride” by The Advocate magazine. In 2022, Rev. Naomi was named to the Pride Power 100 List by City & State PA.
Rev. Naomi is proudly affiliated with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM).
February 11, 2024
Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a daughter of Detroit, is a Black-queer preacher, teacher, and activist. She develops spaces of spiritual candor, disruption, reflection, transformation, and action. Rev. Naomi is the founder of Salt | Yeast | Light, a consultancy that supports individuals, congregations, institutions, and groups in the work of radical inclusion, courageous spiritual practice, and faith-rooted advocacy.
Rev. Naomi is the first-ever Strategic Partnerships Director at Political Research Associates (PRA), a social justice research and strategy center that provides strategic insights and actionable research that identifies, disrupts, and competes with movements and institutions that undermine democracy, justice, and human rights. In her role, she leverages PRA's research and communications capacities to support effective organizing and advocacy by movement organizations around the nation and globe.
Rev. Naomi was most recently the Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. In that role, she served as a public facing leader, collaborator, advisor, program facilitator, and subject matter expert for the Mayor’s Office and City Hall on local and national matters that impacted Philadelphia’s diverse communities of faith. She also recruited and managed the Mayor’s Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs.
Prior to working in government, Rev. Naomi was the Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, the country's oldest national LGBTQ justice and equality group. In that role, she coordinated the Task Force's public faith messaging, led local, regional,
and national faith gatherings, and trained hundreds of LGBTQ people of faith and cis-het comrades in faith-rooted organizing and advocacy for LGBTQ justice.
Before joining the Task Force, Rev. Naomi was a faith organizer for POWER Interfaith, a multi-faith, multi-racial network of congregations in Southeastern and Central Pennsylvania. She also served as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music at the Wisdom's Table at St. Peter's United Church of Christ.
Rev. Naomi is also a long-time educator. After teaching for many years in alternative school programs for out-of-school youth returning to community from carceral placements, in 2017, she joined the adjunct faculty at Villanova University, where she teaches a variety of core and upper-level theology courses, including two that she designed: "Do Black Lives Matter to God? A Theological Exploration of Race, Suffering, and Resistance" and "Agitating for Justice: An Introduction to Faith-Rooted Community Organizing." In 2019, Rev. Naomi received the Pohlhaus-Stracciolini Award for Teaching Excellence from Villanova. She is often invited to lecture and consult for various student and faculty groups within the University, and as a multifaith advisor to Campus Ministry, Rev. Naomi directs the Villanova Gospel Choir and preaches in ecumenical worship
services.
In summer 2022, Rev. Naomi was named the Religion and Public Life Government Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. In this role, she co-teaches a course, advises master’s degree students, and facilitates public conversations on religious literacy and
the vocation of public administration. She is returning to Harvard for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Rev. Naomi’s love for intellectually-rigorous moral formation began during her undergraduate years at University of Pennsylvania and she has since earned the Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary and regularly presents work at annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion. She has earned certificates for completing intensive programs at The Wharton School, Duke Divinity School, Eastern University, and Princeton Theological Seminary.
An engaging and insightful speaker and commentator, Rev. Naomi has spoken at congressional, state, and municipal hearings, and has held sacred space in sanctuaries and on the streets. She regularly preaches and teaches in diverse worship settings,
national conferences, and religious and academic institutions around the country, including Vanderbilt University School of Divinity, Swarthmore College, Ithaca College, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Eastern University, Arcadia University, Yale Divinity School, Methodist Theological School of Ohio, Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Union Theological Seminary (NYC), Chicago Theological Seminary, the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Alliance of Baptists, the Union of Black Episcopalians, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the National Council of Churches, the International Council of Community Churches, and Evolving Faith.
Rev. Naomi’s writings on faith, identity, and politics can be seen online and in print, and a video archive of her sermons and other public speaking can be seen at http://bit.ly/watchNWL. She is also featured in The Atonement Agenda, a 3-part television series on WHYY (2022), “Marriage Rites: Mainline Christian Denominations,” a special episode of the PBS television show To the Contrary (2018), and two documentary films -- The Grove: A Coming Out Story (Revry TV, 2023) and Taking the Long Road Home (PFLAG National, 2022).
Rev. Naomi serves on the boards of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, the Christian Association at the University of Pennsylvania, Pride in the Pews, and Philadelphia Family Pride. She is a member of the Faith Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. In 2022, Rev. Naomi was appointed by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council.
Rev. Naomi delights in singing with the Philadelphia Threshold Singers, an all-volunteer choir whose mission is to bring audible comfort and kindness to the bedsides of people living in hospice care.
In 2019, Naomi was named one of 9 LGBTQ Faith Leaders to Watch by the Center for American Progress and was included in The Root 100, an annual list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans, ages 25-45. In 2021, she was named one of “10
under 40 to Watch” by the Philadelphia Tribune and she was also honored as a “Champion of Pride” by The Advocate magazine. In 2022, Rev. Naomi was named to the Pride Power 100 List by City & State PA.
Rev. Naomi is proudly affiliated with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM).
Guest Pastor(s) Rev. Dr. Chris Kimmenez and Rev. Paula Burnett-Kimmenez - January 21, 2024
Rev. Dr. Chris Kimmenez is an ordained Baptist minister, faith community organizer, chaplain, psychologist, educator, nonprofit executive and medically retired marine combat veteran residing in Philadelphia, PA. After a car accident, struggling with addiction, physical disability, PTSD, and a criminal record, he entered recovery in 1995 and ministry in 1996. After serving as a senior pastor for 17 years, and retiring from Lombard Central Presbyterian Church, he currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Social Justice at The Peoples Baptist Church in West Philadelphia under the pastorate of the Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode. He also serves as Founder of the Pastor’s & Preacher’s Support Network serving over 600 pastors worldwide, President of Recovery Christian Centers Urban Community Development Corporation providing leadership consulting and recovery support, Overseer of Administration of Maturing Harvest Fellowship, Chair of the Pennsylvania Reentry Council Restorative Justice Committee, Executive Director for Healing Communities PA, a faith based grassroots justice transformation network, Chaplain of Delaware Valley Stand Down, a homeless veteran initiative, a contract Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Trauma Instructor and member of the Faith & Spiritual Affairs Advisory Board with the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, and a member of the Philadelphia FIGHT Faith Leaders Network. He is a JustLeadershipUSA Leading with Conviction 2018 Fellow. He holds a B.S. in Human Resources, a M.S. in Health Education, and PsyD and is pursuing a D. Min. He married the Rev. Paula Burnett-Kimmenez having 6 children (1 deceased) and 16 grandchildren.
Rev. Paula Burnett-Kimmenez is a sought after trainer, speaker, and ordained Baptist minister and serves as Vice President of the Recovery Christian Centers Urban CDC in Philadelphia, PA, as the Women & Family Chaplain of Delaware Valley Stand Down, a homeless veterans organization, and as Associate Pastor of Social Services for the People's Baptist Church. She is a person in long term recovery since 2000. She is as a state Licensed Certified Peer Specialist and WRAP Facilitator and is a graduate of CCP with an A.A. in General Studies and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology at Colorado Christian University. She currently serves the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities as a contract Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She is married to the Rev. Dr. Christobal M. Kimmenez and between them they have six children (one deceased) and sixteen grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Chris Kimmenez is an ordained Baptist minister, faith community organizer, chaplain, psychologist, educator, nonprofit executive and medically retired marine combat veteran residing in Philadelphia, PA. After a car accident, struggling with addiction, physical disability, PTSD, and a criminal record, he entered recovery in 1995 and ministry in 1996. After serving as a senior pastor for 17 years, and retiring from Lombard Central Presbyterian Church, he currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Social Justice at The Peoples Baptist Church in West Philadelphia under the pastorate of the Rev. Eric Jadolyn Goode. He also serves as Founder of the Pastor’s & Preacher’s Support Network serving over 600 pastors worldwide, President of Recovery Christian Centers Urban Community Development Corporation providing leadership consulting and recovery support, Overseer of Administration of Maturing Harvest Fellowship, Chair of the Pennsylvania Reentry Council Restorative Justice Committee, Executive Director for Healing Communities PA, a faith based grassroots justice transformation network, Chaplain of Delaware Valley Stand Down, a homeless veteran initiative, a contract Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Trauma Instructor and member of the Faith & Spiritual Affairs Advisory Board with the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, and a member of the Philadelphia FIGHT Faith Leaders Network. He is a JustLeadershipUSA Leading with Conviction 2018 Fellow. He holds a B.S. in Human Resources, a M.S. in Health Education, and PsyD and is pursuing a D. Min. He married the Rev. Paula Burnett-Kimmenez having 6 children (1 deceased) and 16 grandchildren.
Rev. Paula Burnett-Kimmenez is a sought after trainer, speaker, and ordained Baptist minister and serves as Vice President of the Recovery Christian Centers Urban CDC in Philadelphia, PA, as the Women & Family Chaplain of Delaware Valley Stand Down, a homeless veterans organization, and as Associate Pastor of Social Services for the People's Baptist Church. She is a person in long term recovery since 2000. She is as a state Licensed Certified Peer Specialist and WRAP Facilitator and is a graduate of CCP with an A.A. in General Studies and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology at Colorado Christian University. She currently serves the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities as a contract Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She is married to the Rev. Dr. Christobal M. Kimmenez and between them they have six children (one deceased) and sixteen grandchildren.
Guest Preacher - Pastor Sharon Stokes from Stokes Ministry in Tamaqua, PA - June 18, 2023
"I am Pastor Sharon Stokes. I became a pastor / ordained in 2010. I graduated from Ashford University (Iowa) in 2009 with a degree in Theology. I always knew this was my calling in life. For many years I didn't do much as a pastor. Some funerals and weddings. In 2016 I had a major life changing event: I had a heart attack. After spending 5 days in the hospital and only talking with God, I knew what I needed to do. I started my own non-denominational ministry. I started small with having only Bible study groups and drug and alcohol meetings. In 2017, only 11 months later, I had a second heart attack. At that point, God had my undivided attention. After my recovery, I found a church that let me lease the sanctuary. I started holding services. In 2019 we became a nonprofit organization. In 2022 we opened our food pantry and serve around 30 families a week. I am part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am married to a wonderful woman and we have two kids still at home. Our belief is the community is our greatest asset: it is our job to help them and provide when needed to them. God's number one law is to Love They Neighbor / Love One Another. I believe in teaching and learning in service. Mine and miny family's faith in God is what guides us to make better decisions for ourselves and our communities."
"I am Pastor Sharon Stokes. I became a pastor / ordained in 2010. I graduated from Ashford University (Iowa) in 2009 with a degree in Theology. I always knew this was my calling in life. For many years I didn't do much as a pastor. Some funerals and weddings. In 2016 I had a major life changing event: I had a heart attack. After spending 5 days in the hospital and only talking with God, I knew what I needed to do. I started my own non-denominational ministry. I started small with having only Bible study groups and drug and alcohol meetings. In 2017, only 11 months later, I had a second heart attack. At that point, God had my undivided attention. After my recovery, I found a church that let me lease the sanctuary. I started holding services. In 2019 we became a nonprofit organization. In 2022 we opened our food pantry and serve around 30 families a week. I am part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am married to a wonderful woman and we have two kids still at home. Our belief is the community is our greatest asset: it is our job to help them and provide when needed to them. God's number one law is to Love They Neighbor / Love One Another. I believe in teaching and learning in service. Mine and miny family's faith in God is what guides us to make better decisions for ourselves and our communities."
Community Speaker on How We Can Support Our Youth - June 4, 2023
Robert Lee Flowers III grew up in the city of Reading, PA. He is the proud son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Flowers Jr. His father Bob, transitioned to the house of the lord in October 2020. His mother, Karen Flowers, currently lives in the area and is actively involved with Rob's life. Rob attended Cabrini Academy in Reading, PA. for grades 1 - 8. His family then moved to Muhlenberg Township in PA. at the beginning of his high school career. Rob then graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1999. While in high school, Rob played football, basketball, and ran track. Rob then continued his academic and athletic career at West Chester University. After a short stint at WCU, due to negative behavior / decisions, Rob was removed from school. Rob then took the next semester off before he enrolled at Kutztown University. While at KU, Rob played football and eventually received his degree in Sports Management, with a minor in Spanish. Rob's oldest daughter, Jabrea Flowers (currently 19) was born in 2003. Soon after her birth, Rob began coaching football at Muhlenberg High School. In 2010 Rob married Lizette Flowers followed by the birth of their daughter, Melyah Flowers (currently 12) in 2011. Rob received his Master's Degree (Master of Education, Home & School Visitor Certification) from Widener University in 2011.
Over the last twenty (20) years, Rob has coached at Muhlenberg High School, Reading High School, Daniel Boone High School, and Hamburg High School. Rob spent his first four (4) years at MHS. Rob then spent three (3) years at RHS before he was named the Head Coach in April 2011. After ten (10) years at RHS, Rob then decided to step down in November 2017. A month later, Rob was named the Head Football Coach @ DB. Back in December 2022, Rob stepped down as the HFC at DB. Currently Rob is the Wide Reciever's Coach at Albright College.
Rob is the Director of Community Relations & Equity Awareness at the Daniel Boone Area School District. Rob has been in this role since 2020 and has been working diligently with students, staff, and community members to look through an equitable lens. Rob has been working in education for the last 20 years and looks forward to making more connections with students, staff, and community members wherever he serves.
Growing up, Rob attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Reading, PA. under the leadership of the late Rev. Richard J. Manning. To date, Rob still attends his family church for fellowship and connection with God. Rob takes time daily to sit with God and is open to the blessings God has provided to him. Rob's message to everyone is "Quiet Time with God should happen daily. We can not count our problems, without counting our blessings".
Robert Lee Flowers III grew up in the city of Reading, PA. He is the proud son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Flowers Jr. His father Bob, transitioned to the house of the lord in October 2020. His mother, Karen Flowers, currently lives in the area and is actively involved with Rob's life. Rob attended Cabrini Academy in Reading, PA. for grades 1 - 8. His family then moved to Muhlenberg Township in PA. at the beginning of his high school career. Rob then graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1999. While in high school, Rob played football, basketball, and ran track. Rob then continued his academic and athletic career at West Chester University. After a short stint at WCU, due to negative behavior / decisions, Rob was removed from school. Rob then took the next semester off before he enrolled at Kutztown University. While at KU, Rob played football and eventually received his degree in Sports Management, with a minor in Spanish. Rob's oldest daughter, Jabrea Flowers (currently 19) was born in 2003. Soon after her birth, Rob began coaching football at Muhlenberg High School. In 2010 Rob married Lizette Flowers followed by the birth of their daughter, Melyah Flowers (currently 12) in 2011. Rob received his Master's Degree (Master of Education, Home & School Visitor Certification) from Widener University in 2011.
Over the last twenty (20) years, Rob has coached at Muhlenberg High School, Reading High School, Daniel Boone High School, and Hamburg High School. Rob spent his first four (4) years at MHS. Rob then spent three (3) years at RHS before he was named the Head Coach in April 2011. After ten (10) years at RHS, Rob then decided to step down in November 2017. A month later, Rob was named the Head Football Coach @ DB. Back in December 2022, Rob stepped down as the HFC at DB. Currently Rob is the Wide Reciever's Coach at Albright College.
Rob is the Director of Community Relations & Equity Awareness at the Daniel Boone Area School District. Rob has been in this role since 2020 and has been working diligently with students, staff, and community members to look through an equitable lens. Rob has been working in education for the last 20 years and looks forward to making more connections with students, staff, and community members wherever he serves.
Growing up, Rob attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Reading, PA. under the leadership of the late Rev. Richard J. Manning. To date, Rob still attends his family church for fellowship and connection with God. Rob takes time daily to sit with God and is open to the blessings God has provided to him. Rob's message to everyone is "Quiet Time with God should happen daily. We can not count our problems, without counting our blessings".
Community Speaker on Addiction and Recovery - May 21, 2023
Rev. Dr. Deborah Rahn Clemens, PhD (Drew University) will be speaking here at St. Paul’s UCC on behalf of the Addiction and Recovery task force of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Clemens has made ministry with the addicted a priority and has learned a lot ever since her son died of an opioid overdose in 2008.
The PSEC Addiction and Recovery Task Force’s objective is to help congregations expand their love, understanding, and caring inclusion with people who suffer from addiction of any kind. Rev. Clemens likes to say "Recover with us". Please see their information on the PSEC page (https://psec.org/.../addiction-and-recovery-task-force/) to get our official mission statement and a review of our resources.
Rev. Dr. Deborah Rahn Clemens, PhD (Drew University) will be speaking here at St. Paul’s UCC on behalf of the Addiction and Recovery task force of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Clemens has made ministry with the addicted a priority and has learned a lot ever since her son died of an opioid overdose in 2008.
The PSEC Addiction and Recovery Task Force’s objective is to help congregations expand their love, understanding, and caring inclusion with people who suffer from addiction of any kind. Rev. Clemens likes to say "Recover with us". Please see their information on the PSEC page (https://psec.org/.../addiction-and-recovery-task-force/) to get our official mission statement and a review of our resources.
Guest Preacher, Rev. Meagan McLeod - March 19, 2023
Our service on March 19 will be led by Rev. Meagan McLeod. Rev. Meagan is a Chaplain, Spiritual Care Director, and inspirational speaker. Her purpose is to inspire and train people to be their authentic selves and how to be tuned in to that important part of their spirit. Currently serving a hospice chaplain in Baltimore, she previously worked as a psychiatric chaplain at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia.
Our service on March 19 will be led by Rev. Meagan McLeod. Rev. Meagan is a Chaplain, Spiritual Care Director, and inspirational speaker. Her purpose is to inspire and train people to be their authentic selves and how to be tuned in to that important part of their spirit. Currently serving a hospice chaplain in Baltimore, she previously worked as a psychiatric chaplain at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia.
Community Speaker on Homeless Youth - January 15, 2023
Today, Ezra Feliciano will share with us about an opportunity to support a joyful experience in Reading on February for young people who are homeless, The Promise Dinner. The dinner will take place on February 4th at the LGBT Center in Reading, 640 Centre Ave, which is located in Calvary United Church of Christ. We will hear the story behind the dinner and about how St. Paul’s can help make the dinner a success!
Today, Ezra Feliciano will share with us about an opportunity to support a joyful experience in Reading on February for young people who are homeless, The Promise Dinner. The dinner will take place on February 4th at the LGBT Center in Reading, 640 Centre Ave, which is located in Calvary United Church of Christ. We will hear the story behind the dinner and about how St. Paul’s can help make the dinner a success!
