Dear members and friends of Incarnation United Church of Christ,

Our loyal and diligent search committee has good news! After several years of searching for a permanent minister for our church, we, with the approval of our Consistory, are very happy to present the Rev. Reginald Rice as our candidate.

Many of you are acquainted with Rev. Rice as he has graciously conducted our worship services as a supply pastor. "Pastor Reg" was raised and educated in the Hagerstown area; he received his Bachelor of Music Education at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, VA, his Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland in 1979 and his Master of Divinity degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He began his career as a music educator at Penn State, Mont Alto campus.

Rev. Rice was ordained in 1992 and has served churches in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kriders UCC in Westminster, MD. Since 1999 he has served as chaplain at Homewood Retirement Center in Williamsport, MD. He will continue to hold that position while he serves as part time pastor at Incarnation.

Rev. Rice and his wife Ann have a daughter, Annie, age 11; Ann is a legal secretary in Hagerstown.. Reggie enjoys imaginal psychology, zoology, creative writing, clarinet performance, drama, latchhook and related crafts in his leisure time.

The work of the search committee has been a long and often frustrating experience. The committee has been grateful for the support and the patience and the prayers of the congregation.

On Sunday, September 19, Rev. Rice will be supplying the pulpit so that you can again have the experience of meeting and hearing him. This is also the Sunday we will be having Linda Littell, the Parish Nurse coordinator, speak to our congregation about the program. After the worship service, we will have a coffee hour so that you may meet Rev. Rice personally; at the same time, Linda will be conducting blood pressure screenings. Please make an effort to attend worship this Sunday so that you can participate in both of these events.

Then, on Sunday, September 26, Rev. Rice will again preside at our worship service. Following the service, there will be a special congregational meeting for the purpose of voting on this person who, we hope, will be our new pastor. We urge you to attend worship service both of these Sundays and share in this important decision.

God's blessings,

The Search Committee, Incarnation United Church of Christ