Jim, a self-described Irish Catholic, grew up in Boston Massachusetts with his mom.

“My home life was pretty tough being raised by a single mom and all, Jim said, but at age thirteen I began working on a farm owned by a WWII veteran and that man pretty much raised me.  While working on the farm Jim realized he loved working in agriculture. He also met his future wife and years later they landed in Harrisonburg. He had a job with a local poultry company and now he had a son. To Jim, being a good parent meant raising his son in the church and soon Jim and his family were attending Muhlenberg.

Jim immediately connected with the church’s mission ministry working with the Relay for Life team and participating in collections for local charities. Jim felt a strong sense of community as he worked with others on the Local and Global missions team. As his son grew up Jim’s connections at Muhlenberg changed and he began volunteering with the church youth, connecting with the youth leader and other parents. He was able to be a chaperone the year the youth attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  Jim described relying on his church family and especially the pastors during some really difficult times in his life. “When I needed help as a father, Jim said, my church family and pastors were there for me.”

Jim’s son is grown and has a family of his own but Jim continues to be involved at Muhlenberg.  He serves as a worship assistant, a member of the Property Committee and as a part time sexton. On Sunday mornings Jim likes to imagine he is  playing a “Where’s Jim” game with those sitting in the pews. First he rings the bell, then he slips up the backstairs to light the candles, then back downstairs and up again to enter at the back of the nave where he is the cross bearer. He wonders if people are confused by how he can appear to be everywhere at once. Jim just knows that where he feels at home is at Muhlenberg.