The Rev. Dr. Richard A. Hughes has been pastor of Union Congregational Church for the past sixteen  years. A native of Whitman, Massachusetts, he served two churches in Maine before accepting the call to come to North Reading.

"Many years ago I was told by a 95-year-old 'retired' minister that there are four things you can do with life. You can run. You can whine. You can fight. Or you can dance. I am convinced that in Jesus Christ God is calling each of us to dance in celebration of the gift of life and the promise of eternal life.

"Unfortunately, we live in a stress filled world of hectic schedules and endless responsibilities that makes it hard sometimes to dance. As a minister, my hope is that I can help people hear the music and to dance by affirming themselves as a precious part of God's creation.

"If we look at the grace filled moment which took place when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, we find there a God who longs to dance with us. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, we are told that a voice from heaven declared, 'Thou art my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.' Now the really amazing thing about those words is that they were uttered before Jesus began his ministry. God affirmed Jesus before he uttered a single word of wisdom, before he healed a single person or performed a single miracle. Jesus didn't do anything to merit God's love. Instead God's love made it possible for Jesus to go out and do great things.

"The Good News begins when we stop trying to prove ourselves and simply accept God's love in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is that love which sets us free to dance and do great things.

"In the words of a popular hymn that's based on an old Shaker tune,  'Dance then, wherever you may be. I am the Lord of the dance," said he. And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I'll lead you all in the dance," said he.' I invite you to come dance with us."

Blessings and peace to you.

Reverend Dr. Richard A. Hughes