David and Rhonda Harris
If you are a regular participant in the Sunday morning services or if you have ever attended an event at Colonial Park United Church of Christ, then you surely know David and Rhonda Harris and can appreciate how much they have dedicated themselves to the church.
The couple, who make their home in West Hanover Township, first met at a local nightclub where Rhonda knew the bandleader. Flash forward and they have just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary! David and Rhonda are the parents of two children, Melody and Jeremy, and one grandson, all of whom live out-of-state.
David and Rhonda grew up in small towns outside of Pittsburgh and were raised by hard-working middle-class families. Rhonda sees her parents primarily as the role model for who she is today. They demonstrated the importance of taking care of family, friends, and neighbors as well as attending church. Both feel inspired by their fathers and other members of CPUCC to help others in need.
At the age of 19, Rhonda became an RN with David choosing the same career a bit later in life. Both are retired now – Rhonda from the Commonwealth of PA and David from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The couple has been very generous with their time and talents at CPUCC. David is an usher and lay reader during worship services and attends adult Sunday School. Rhonda occasionally delivers the Children’s Message and teaches grades 1-5 Sunday School. The work together at the Thrift Shoppe two days a week, substitute for Meals On Wheels (David also volunteers at Downtown Daily Bread), and assist with other indoor/outdoor projects such as Christmas decorating, landscape maintenance (weeding and pruning), and planting in our No Mow/Homegrown National Park as part of Creation Justice.
Looking back, they fondly recall watching their son, Jeremy, being baptized in the church. They look forward to the CPUCC Summer Festival – especially the music – every year.
When David and Rhonda get some time for themselves, they like taking nature walks, travelling, kayaking, reading, and listening to the music of the 60s and 70s. Visiting wineries in New York and Pennsylvania was an adventure they first enjoyed when they were dating, and it is still something they like to do.
For a person to feel a part of the congregation, both David and Rhonda recommend becoming engaged by volunteering and participating in activities such as worship services, Sunday School, or any of the ministries of the church.
Rhonda doesn’t hesitate to recommend helping at the Thrift Shoppe.
“There is always something anyone can do, even if you are having physical issues,” she said.
Their hard work and strong sense of giving back are their ways of worshipping God and serving others as Jesus did.
January 2025
Meet other members of Colonial Park United Church of Christ by clicking HERE.
