Grace and peace to you in the name of the One who makes all things new!

It is with deep joy and holy excitement that I write to you as your designated pastor.  What and incredible blessing it is to be called into this next chapter of  ministry with you here in the heart of downtown Lancaster.  Together, I believe we are poised for a season of Spirit-led growth, vibrant outreach, and bold visioning for what God is calling us to be in this time and place.

When I look at First Reformed, I don’t just see a church building on Orange Street — I see a beacon of light and hope.  I see a community with the heart, history, and courage to embrace a future that serves both our congregation and the city around us.  My prayer is that our ministry will stretch beyond Sunday mornings to include spaces of creativity, healing, and transformation.  Imagine with me:

• Youth and after-school programs that nurture, guide, and empower young people in Lancaster.
• Theatrical arts and music that bring joy, storytelling, and spiritual expression to our city.
• Spaces of healing and reconciliation where all people — regardless of who they are or where they are on life’s journey — can experience God’s unconditional love.
• A renewed vision for outreach, meeting neighbors where they are and extending Christ’s welcome in fresh and courageous ways.

 

Friends, I believe the best days of First Reformed are not behind us, but ahead of us.  Together, we will listen for God’s voice, honor the gifts already present in this community, and dream big about the possibilities that await.  I come with an open heart, eager to walk alongside you, to learn your stories, and to help build bridges between the church and the city we are called to serve.

Let us step into this new season with courage, hope, and expectancy.  God is doing a new thing in our midst — can you feel it?

With excitement for what is come,

In Christ’s love,

Dr. Domi

The Rev. Dr. Dominique Denman,

 

First Reformed UCC, Lancaster, PA