The Rev. John Titus came to First United Church of Christ Harrison City in December 2009 as an Interim Pastor. He intended for it to be a temporary stay, but it seemed that God had a different plan. He was ordained in February 2010 and in February 2014 was installed as the settled pastor of the congregation.

While attending seminary, Rev. John’s passion was and still is mission work. He served on the board of the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, and while he was attending seminary, he chaired his church's mission committee and went on several mission trips including trips to Mexico.

Rev. John can feel the presence of God working at First UCC where the Spirit of God is alive just like the prophet Joel speaks about: “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (2:28; NRSV).  He continues to deepen his education and spiritual development with a focus on contemplative prayer.  He practices contemplative prayer and has introduced these practices to the congregation.

He holds an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Hartford and an MBA from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. He received his Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he attended evening classes.

Jim Miller graduated from Jeanette High School in 1978 before receiving a diploma from CWVTS as an auto mechanic. He worked in various positions until he was employed by OK Grocery (Giant Eagle’s warehouse) as a maintenance technician in 1987. He has spent almost 20 years married to Joycelyn Rugh, who is the best part of his life.

Jim can’t describe myself as any type of Bible scholar but enjoys learning as he goes through the journey God has sent him on. When asked why he believes in God, he answered, “I don’t know, but I do.” His relationship with God can be summed up in one word: faith.

His self-coined personal motto is, “Strive not for perfection – in all tasks you take on do only your best – if perfection happens, thank God you’ve been blessed.”

Dr. Bill Book has served as organist for over 40 years at First UCC. He has degrees in Music Theory and Composition from Manhattan School of Music and the University of Pittsburgh. When not playing music, he reads, rides bicycles, practices yoga and leads

sound baths using gongs and singing bowls. Bill works as a software developer for the Internet Strategy Team at Community Care Behavioral Health - UPMC.

Nancy has served as the church's secretary for many years. She has also been a long time member of the congregation. She has served as an elder and a deacon and served on numerous committees including choir and membership.

Kristina A. Rugh is a life-long member of First UCC. She has co-directed the choir for two years. She loves hearing scripture in music and finds it is one of the most powerful forms of evangelism. She is an elder on the Consistory as well as a Sunday School Teacher for the K-2 students. She is Vice-President of HLC Bookkeeping & Office Services in Jeannette, PA where she has been a QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 2008.