I was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1946. My family background is Italian from the neighborhood in south Philadelphia. My early home life was insecure and troubled, and I learned early on and firsthand the raw needs of the community I serve in my ministry. It was through Presbyterian Mission that I was introduced to a living God.

 My first exposure to Presbyterians was as a teenager, having been homeless, angry and alienated. A group of young people, their youth leader, and a dedicated pastor befriended me _ their witness and love introduced me to a warm and vibrant personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. I owe a great debt of love to these persons, and to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clifton Heights PA, the congregation which nurtured all of us.

In my ministry I have tried to return to the church, and to others who are experiencing alienation and homeless, the same blessing of hope which was extended to me in my need. I can offer a unique perspective on the importance of mission and evangelism _ it is a deeply rooted part of my heart and my personal faith journey.

My zeal to witness led me to New York City when I was 16, and I worked at St. Paul's House, a mission in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan youth and family ministry and street evangelism. We also welcomed homeless folk for meals and fellowship. I entered Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, from which I graduated with a diploma in Biblical studies and Christian Education. I completed my college work at Nyack College (NY), graduating in 1974. I met and fell in love with Marsha Young there. Our first date was speaking together at a street meeting in Manhattan! We were married in 1973, and Marsha has been my partner in ministry at Meeting Ground from the beginning. Our daughter Alessandra was born in 1979, and Kristen in 1988.

While at Nyack I served as worship assistant at the Ramapo Presbyterian Church, Hillburn, NY. The congregation strongly urged me to seek further education and training for ministry, and I entered Princeton Seminary, graduating in 1978. I was ordained in Hudson River Presbytery at Harrison (NY) Presbyterian Church, where I had served as a summer intern. This congregation gave me strong encouragement to enter the ordained ministry. Their friendship and love guided me through days of doubt to a sure footing of knowing I was called.

The call of my life is to serve in pastoral ministry with and among persons who are homeless or otherwise marginal and alienated. When I graduated from Princeton, I could not find a model of this needed ministry to which I felt such a powerful leading. I accepted a position as pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Springfield, MA. This was a struggling congregation to which I came as a part_time stated supply in 1978 and left as a full_time installed pastor in 1981.

I loved the ministry there, but my desire to do a new form of parish was too strong to ignore. In June, 1981 we moved to Maryland and worked with others to begin the community and ministry of Meeting Ground where I continue to serve as Pastor. Meeting Ground brings together persons from all walks of life to sit together at one table, learning from and with each other. Our partnership is with and among persons and families experiencing homelessness.

The joy and glory of our fellowship is our table, at which it is common to find a mayor or congressperson, judge or academic sharing a meal and conversation with a homeless teen or a single mother. . The wonder of our ministry is that God, in Jesus, sits at table with us. The power of redemption has never failed us, nor the promise of our Lord: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9