Ruth Karabcievschy
“CPUCC is a warm and welcoming place filled with wonderful people you should get to know.”
Those are the words of CPUCC member Ruth Karabcievschy when asked about her thoughts on the church.
Ruth grew up in the 4th Evangelical & Reformed church (later 4th United Church of Christ). Her father’s family were longtime members of that church. She was baptized and confirmed at that church.
After graduating from John Harris High School, Ruth went to study at Penn State. Like many young people, she did not participate in any organized religion for many years.
“Much later I realized something was missing in my life. I’ve heard it called a God-shaped hole,” Ruth explained. “I spent a few years in a very conservative church with many wonderful people only to realize that it was not the place for me. So, I went looking for a new spiritual home.”
Her first stop on her search was Colonial Park United Church of Christ. She never looked any further. It was the message, the music, and the members that made it feel just right and Ruth officially became a member on January 25, 2009.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Penn State, Ruth went on to get her master’s degree in human resources management from St. Francis University. Early in her career, she was the Director of Social Services for the statewide headquarters office of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind. She also served as the Human Resources Manager for Cowles Magazines and then as Vice President of Human Resources for The Boyds Collection, LTD – yes, think Boyds Bears!
After leaving Boyds, Ruth became a consultant helping terminated employees prepare for their search for their next position. She is now happily retired.
On a trip to Ocean City, NJ, Ruth met her future husband, Vladimir, through mutual friends. They have now been married for more than 50 years. The couple live in a restored 1842 farmhouse that they just found out will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In her words, Ruth is not as active in the church as she was prior to COVID as well as several knee surgeries and physical therapy, but you wouldn’t know it. She has served several terms on the Council as a Spiritual Deacon. She also takes all the new members’ photos and has since the program’s origin. Most recently, Ruth was actively involved in the Parlor renovation.
“I enjoyed the whole process,” she said. “Especially the interaction with the team and the shopping, of course!”
The years at CPUCC have made so many good memories for Ruth – all involving interacting with other members. Some examples are the Devonshire Fair and assisting with pricing the jewelry, the Women’s Spirituality program, the Prayer Share Triplets, and the Parlor renovation.
Outside of church, Ruth loves to exercise (select exercises, that is) – Zumba, Pilates, Pilates Reformer in groups of people who laugh, enjoy each other’s company and share tips or about everything. She also loves to travel when life permits and she enjoys reading and “taking pictures of small things in nature – flower buds, birds, patterns in the sand, a fern or flower in unexpected place.”
When ask about her inspirations, she said, “I have been fortunate to have met and been inspired by many outstanding individuals, too many to mention individually – immediate family, extended family, high school and college friends, bosses, and coworkers as well as exceptional women at CPUCC.”
Ruth Karabcievschy has also inspired many people over the years with her kind words and encouraging spirit. We are all fortunate to have her as part of the CPUCC family.
April 2026
Meet other members of Colonial Park United Church of Christ by clicking HERE.
