300th Anniversary Celebrations
of the First Communion of the
German Reformed Church in America
This year we have celebrated the 300th Anniversary of the German Reformed Church in the United States which began with the first communion at Falkner Swamp, October 15, 1725. This celebration of our immigrant heritage has been particularly meaningful and instructive given the current conversations about immigration happening around the nation.
A history strong in its roots and its capacity to evolve within God’s unfolding creation leads us into an uncertain future by God’s certain presence. This has been something to celebrate!
Click here, for the 300th Anniversary video.
A Commemorative book
With essays tracing the development of the German Reformed Church from its European origins through present day has been completed.
For a flyer on the book, click here.
To puchase a book, at a cost of $20, click here.
Past Historic Presentations:
May 27th – An Immigration Story: How we got to where we are w/ Rev. Rick Taylor
Rev. Rick Taylor will be our presenter for the first of our historic online presentations for the 300th Anniversary Celebrations! Rev. Taylor will speak on how German individuals found their way to European colonies, in America, in the 1700’s.
For the powerpoint on this presentation, click here.
Script – An Immigration Story with Richard H. Taylor
June 24th – A Living Theology: Thinking about God in the Reformed tradition w/ Rev. Dr. Lee Barrett
Dr. Barrett explores the theological heritage of the German Reformed Church—a tradition shaped by deep reverence for God’s sovereignty and a commitment to the ongoing reform of the church. This presentation traces the theological contours of the tradition, highlighting key figures and concepts. Designed for both scholars and laypeople, this presentation invites participants into a deeper appreciation of a tradition where theology is not merely believed but lived—in worship, in community, and in the world.
For the written version of the live presentation, click here.
September 25th – United and Uniting: How the UCC Makes Room for German Reformed and Armenian Evangelical Christians w/ Rev. Dr. Heather Ohaneson
Rev. Dr. Heather Ohaneson examines how the United Church of Christ embodies a bold theological vision: unity that honors diversity. This lecture explores how two distinct communities—the historically rooted German Reformed tradition and the diasporic, resilient Armenian Evangelical tradition—have found belonging within the United Church of Christ.
For a recording of this presentation, click here.
October 28th- A Lasting Legacy: Gifts of the Reformed Tradition to the emerging church w/ Dr. Randall Zachman
Dr. Zachman examines what are the unique gifts that the Reformed theological tradition can offer to the church going into the future? Two of its most important gifts are the focus on the free self-giving goodness of God, and the central role of gratitude in the lives of the faithful. The Reformed tradition insists that God is not only the giver of every good thing, but is also the one who freely gives Godself to us, so that “God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). Our lives should therefore express gratitude not only for the abundant gifts God freely gives us, but for the gift of God’s very self to us. This is a powerful message and gift we can share as the church moving forward.
For a recording of this presentation, click here.
Worship Services Held:
On Sunday, October 12th all PA Conferences came together for an event at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC. Guest preacher for this event was our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson.
On Wednesday, October 15th the four PA Conferences held individual events within their own boundaries:
