OUR CHURCH
"The United Church of Christ is my second home, full of loving, kind people. Most important, anyone and everyone is welcomed" - Joyce
"The UCC of Toms River welcomed my family 10 years ago with open arms and smiling faces. That welcoming feeling is constant and keeps us coming back. There is no other church family I would ask for!" - Kara
"This church is "real!" Real people, real feelings, real sense of togetherness... A wonderful place where my children, my husband and myself always feel welcome!" - Francesca
"The reason I chose the Toms River United Church of Christ as my church is that it is open to all people without prejudice and with loving support just as Jesus wanted us to be." - Bonnie
OUR PASTOR
The Reverend Ruth D. Harvey is a compassionate, loving woman of God. She is from Flint, Michigan. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in political science, a Juris Doctor of Law specializing in employment law, and Master of Divinity degree all from Howard University in Washington, DC. She received a fellowship from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA., and she is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Rev. Harvey was ordained on June 23, 1996 at the Heritage Fellowship United Church of Christ of Reston, Virginia. Since that time, she has served in Michigan Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Washington DC; Henson Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Fort Washington, Maryland and Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in York, Pennsylvania before answering a call to United Church of Christ of Toms River in March of this year.
Rev. Harvey has served as vice president of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice, (MRS EJ) a denominational organization; and is currently its president. She also served on various local committees within the Potomac Association of the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Harvey was a member of the United Church of Christ’s Executive Council and served as a member of the board of directors for the Justice and Witness Ministries. She was also a member of the board of directors for the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ for three years
Rev. Harvey is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; a member of the Prince Hall Order of Eastern Star; and has been a mentor in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program in York, PA. She loves yoga and comedy movies, and says that she is a "child at heart." One of her favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." One of her favorite hymns is "Great is Thy Faithfulness."