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Hernando Today

A Love Feast Moravian Style

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: January 3, 2009

RIDGE MANOR - In this New Year, All Faiths United Church of Christ has "new" as a star attraction - its new pastor, the Rev. Dr. David A. Wild is here to help give new direction to what the congregational and community outreach needs may desire.

The new Christmas Eve worship service banner outside the church invited "kids of all ages," and included candlelight and carols.

On its newsletter, the church motto is "A friendly church in Florida where the son always shines."

Exchanges among friends will happen at tomorrow's worship service in the Moravian tradition, including eating a cinnamon cake and sharing hopes and dreams for 2009 and beyond.

"This is a small but extremely friendly church, and we enjoy expressing our different points of view. 'All Faiths' is a fitting name," the new pastor smiled.

Mel Thomas, a member since 1991, is retired from national sales as an operating manager of ConAgra, a company whose food products are well known - try Hunt's as in catsup he said. As the church moderator and contributor to the newsletter, he is "so glad to have our new pastor," he said. "In our 15-month search for a pastor, we feel the Lord sent us the right man. Pastor Wild gives really great sermons, he and his wife are so pleasant, and we're eager to work with his thoughts and plans for new programs ... We couldn't be happier and we invite people to come be our guests and to join in worship and fellowship."

The church began as a community church by the founder of Ridge Manor, J.Earl Miller. It became a member congregation of the United Church of Christ in 1982.

"We're in the process of new planning for what we can do for community outreach, concerts, book discussion groups, changes in music, classes, fellowship and charity," Wild said. He began pastoring the church a few weeks ago, and brings to the plate a distinguished career of preaching, teaching and extensive charity acumen and administration.

"I retired and wanted to live in sunny Florida," he said. "When my wife and I made inquiries about various retirement amenities, The Villages sent us great promo materials and won our hearts. No more snow to shovel and lots of planned - or unplanned - social and personal options. Being an old duffer for instance, I'm not such a good golfer but now I have ample opportunity to improve ..."

Wild's employment history includes being executive director and pastor of Volunteers of America Central Pennsylvania Headquarters, the founder of a boys' home, and establishing a senior center and Meals on Wheels in addition to 35 years of pulpit service in five churches.

At St. John's United Church of Christ in Baltimore, MD, in his 15 years of being senior pastor, he was integral in several new growth enhancements. These included coordinating with a shelter group, helping with St. John's assisted living group, developing a travel tour plan for Christian focus, coordinating the creation of a community playground and developing contemporary worship services.

In a phone conversation with Steven Lauer, a Baltimore friend of 16 years, past church president and ongoing member, affirmations were profuse for Pastor Wild.

"I was on the St. John's pastoral search committee that chose Dr. Wild. He is absolutely a marvelous minister," Lauer said. "I remember his brilliant writing of three different brand new sermons each week for the three Sunday services. I relished them all. Eventually he wrote the one sermon but always inserted anecdotes and music variety to be tailored for each audience.

"People were attracted to the beauty of the old church with its high white steeple so visible in the rural green setting. They stayed largely because of him. Dr. Wild, following pre-marital pastoral sessions of course married two of my children, and as always, he personalized each wedding.

"His sermons were practical, Bible-based, with great delivery and homiletics, and laced with fine humor and incorporating the music, all with a 'Garth Brooks' intensity. Almost all 250 members were able to attend the retirement sendoff we gave, and I know he'll be that same great leader in Florida."

Charity outreach comes easy for the pastor because of his background. His parents worked for Volunteers of America, which he likens to officers and staff of The Salvation Army. Early on he knew he also wanted to help and serve people.

He earned his bachelor's degree in social work at Wartburg College in Iowa, his Master's of Divinity at Evangelical School of Theology in PA, and his doctorate in Divinity at Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport.

"So I can discuss theology with and preach to all faiths and all sorts of folks," he said.

Married for 36 years, he and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters and five grandchildren. "I am a vociferous fellow. My hobbies are travel and reading - especially history-based novels, so I enjoy writings of James Michener and Edward Rutherfurd - and politics ... don't get me started. Barbara is a treasure. She is the quiet supportive one," the new pastor said.

All Faiths gave 66 Christmas toys to local needy children ages 1 through 5. Wild envisions building a playground for local children to enjoy. He is in the process of discovering what charity outreach and community services and classes people would like.

Music on Sundays is currently a blend of traditional and contemporary. Three organists and the church choir welcome new vocalists and musicians.

"We want community input and encourage new ways of keeping ourselves open to options to what All Faiths United Church of Christ can be, from classes, seminars, guest speakers, discussion groups, a possible caregivers support group, dramas, concerts, VBS, field trips, home-cooked community dinners and friendliness.

"No matter what your denominational background, you are welcome and you will feel at home at All Faiths Church.

"We invite you to come worship with us and to join us as we seek together ways in which we can continue to become the servant people of the Servant Lord.

"Happy 2009!"

When do they meet?

Worship service: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

New events and programs: being developed, soon TBA

All Faiths United Church of Christ is located at 34006 Cortez Blvd. (south side of S.R. 50 and east of U.S. 98), Ridge Manor. Phone: 352-583-4186. E-mail: beatrice2008@embarqmail.com.

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