JOE GROMAN,
OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE YEAR

First Moravian Church of Easton celebrated our 120th Anniversary on April 4.  As a commemoration of this day, we also recognized an outstanding member.

This year, our member of the Year was born a Moravian, was baptized a Moravian, grew up in this church and was confirmed in this church.  Our Member of the Year has been a good and faithful servant for many, many years.

JOE GROMAN, an unassuming fellow who always has a smile on his face and his pipe nearby, was stunned and speechless with many thoughts racing through his head as the announcement was made.

Joseph Groman is the son of the late Ella and Joseph Groman, Sr.  He was born and raised in Wilson Boro with his brother Bob, who died at a young age of 26.  Joe graduated from Wilson High School in 1943.  In school he participated in track and basketball, and was a junior Aeronautical Draftsman.

Joe entered the Army on November 13, 1943, and served his country in WWII. He served with the Seventh Army in Europe and holds the Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster, and a bronze star for a major battle.  He received an honorable discharge and returned home.

Several years later, Joe met Betty. According to Joe, Betty had another suitor at the time. Joe said he was lucky that Betty picked him because the other suitor was a minister.  Joe and Betty were married in September of 1967.  First Moravian is blessed that Betty picked Joe!

Joe worked for the United States Post Office for an impressive 40 years.  He was a letter carrier and retired in 1984.  After retirement Joe decided to ride instead of walk by volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels. 

Joe loves the outdoors. He was an avid skier and has skied all the large ski areas in Vermont and New Hampshire.  He has also been down the slopes in Maine and even Aspen, CO.  Joe was also an avid fly fisherman and owns flies from all over North America, England, and Germany. He also enjoys golf and still plays today.

Joe is also very fond of model airplanes! He was the co-founder and president of Model Airplanes Doctors, and bears the title of Doctor!  He is currently a charter member of the Model Airplane Doctors Club of Easton and vicinity.  Joe and Betty love to travel. One of their favorite places is Cape Hattaras, North Carolina. Joe and Betty enjoyed traveling the country for many years in their motor home.

Joe has always been involved in his church.  Joe has served on the Board of Elders for several terms. Joe has also been a member of the Sacristans for many years. As part of the Sacristans, he has two very special duties.  Joe is the official keeper of the candles in the pulpit. But probably the most important task for which we all owe Joe a debt of gratitude is that he is one of the official coffee tasters for our Lovefeasts.

Joe also volunteered for our Roast Beef Suppers. You may have missed him because he was in the kitchen washing dishes. Joe has also been a very faithful member of the Church and Society Committee.  Joe provides the service of house sitting for members of the congregation during viewings and funerals.  Chairperson of the Church and Society Committee can always count on Joe to step up to the plate when the committee puts on one of its famous skits to benefit Church World Service.  When the committee sponsors the Giving Tree Project each year for Turning Point, it is Joe who slips in an extra donation for the shelters.

Joe and Betty were kind enough to sponsor the youth for First Moravian for an Environmental Camp the past two years.  Faith Robinson attended in 2006 and Zach Seip in 2007.

[snip] But what makes Joe Groman special is his faithfulness to his Church. And because we have Joe, we also have Betty!  Joe, congratulations on being selected as this year’s Outstanding Member of the Year. We thank you for your love and faithfulness to this church.