UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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The United Presbyterian Church of Jamestown is geographically very close to the confluence of two rivers - to be precise, the Pipestem Creek and the James River. The two different bodies of water become one river. Similarly, different people with different gifts and backgrounds come together to worship and minster in the name of One - Jesus Christ. Our mission is Sharing Christ’s Love Through Service.
We service the Presbytery of the Northern Plains by being a centrally located meeting place for committees and councils. Our membership includes three past Presbytery Moderators - Bob Muhs and Bill Weispfenning.
The University of Jamestown is located just a few blocks away from the church. The United Presbyterian Church has a long history of supporting the University. One of our active members, 102 year old Helen Hample, has been for many decades an employee of the university and continues to be one of its most avid supporters. A number of current professors and students of UJ are members of our church. Also we have members of our choir, ably directed by David Morlock, associated with UJ.
We are grateful to the Presbytery for their support of the PCUSA Dream grant of $10,000.00. The DREAM grant, now called our HERRB (Hospitality, Education, Relationship and Recognition Building) project addresses two issues: Anti-Human Trafficking and Hospitality and Relationship Building with Immigrants, Refugees, and University of Jamestown (UJ) International Students in the community. We have accomplished the goal of getting the different agencies and other people involved in Anti- Human trafficking working together. On a regular basis we host meetings that involve community members. In regards to the hospitality and relationship building piece of the HERRB project came to be after a specific request for tutoring of Immigrants and refugees needing help with English as a second language. We offer tutoring for young children and ESL for adults.
Our current staff includes Pastor Bob Boyar, David Morlock, Organist/ Choir Director, Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary. Our congregation members are all ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ellen and I are joyfully returning home on July 4th after a wonderful time visiting family in the Philippines. It feels especially meaningful to be arriving on Independence Day, a time when we remember the powerful declaration that established the United States as “Free and Independent States.” The idea of freedom is deeply woven into our identity—not just as a nation, but also as individuals created in God’s image.
On Saturday, May 17th, I had the privilege of facilitating a very special event—an Interfaith Dialogue on Freedom, held at United Presbyterian Church. Fifteen members from our church and the wider community gathered in our Fellowship Hall from 10:30 AM to noon to explore this important topic together.
For those unfamiliar, interfaith dialogue involves people from diverse religious backgrounds—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Agnostic, and Atheist—coming together in conversation. These conversations encourage understanding, empathy, and collaboration, especially in pursuit of peace and justice. We learned that dialogue, at its heart, is not about debating who is right, but about listening respectfully to understand one another more deeply.
Dialogue involves the respectful exchange of ideas with the goal of achieving mutual understanding. It’s less about convincing and more about connecting through honest and open conversation.
The fifteen participants sat at three round tables, engaging in guided discussions based on prompts. We began with role-playing to practice active listening-an essential skill that enhances respectful communication and creates space for genuine learning.
With a foundation of respect established, we moved in deeper dialogue about the meaning of freedom. We used the metaphor of a tree—its roots, trunk, and branches—to explore how health, both physical and spiritual, reflects freedom from disease. Just as a healthy tree thrives, so too does a person who experiences freedom in body, mind, and soul.
We acknowledged that freedom is not always defined by physical space. Some prisoners may feel spiritually free, while others outside may feel confined by addiction, fear, or the longing for approval. True freedom lies in the state of our inner being.
Forgiveness emerged as a powerful pathway to freedom. Letting go of the need for retribution—toward others or ourselves—allows the soul to breathe and move forward in peace.
As we concluded, I emphasized that freedom and healing require ongoing practice. I shared my personal journey—undergoing shoulder replacement surgery on June 6, 2024—an experience that limited my ability to even shake hands. Now, with healing underway, my shoulder is becoming freer, a symbol of physical and spiritual renewal.
Before departing, we reflected on next steps. The response was unanimous: a desire to continue this kind of transformative gathering in the future. As we celebrate freedom this month, may we look beyond its political definitions and seek freedom that heals, uplifts, and connects us more deeply to one another. Let us practice forgiveness, pursue understanding, and embrace the peace that comes with true spiritual healing.
God bless,
Pastor Bob Boyar
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