Minister brings wonder of the season to children.

PositionNEWS

Byline: Ellie Oleson

COLUMN: Telegram & Gazette Santa

A love of God and children inspired one local minister to donate to the Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund.

Bishop Richard M. Anger, minister at the House of Prayer - Auburn, Church of God, at 70 James St. in Worcester, said, "I love children. Christmas is wonderful because one whose name is wonderful came at Christmas as a baby."

Rev. Anger is probably familiar to most Charter Communications cable television subscribers in Auburn, Worcester and Shrewsbury. He and members of his congregation regularly broadcast his worship services on public access channels in those towns. "My Christmas sermon is on all this month," he said.

Each year, he also sets up a creche scene in the cave at Crystal Caves Family Entertainment Center at 790 Southbridge St. in Auburn "as a reminder. Many believe Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem," Rev. Anger said.

Rev. Anger, 61, is incredibly eager to share his love of God with anyone who will listen, frequently peppering his speech with "Thank the Lord," "God bless you," and "Praise the Lord."

He started life in the "four corners, College Square area of Worcester," where he was raised Catholic, attending the Sacred Heart School. "The nuns were the most beautiful people. They were amazing. God bless them. I loved them."

He later attended Cambridge Street School and Providence Street Junior High School before studying in the machine shop at Worcester Boys Trade School. After graduation, he studied drafting at the Worcester Industrial Technical Institute, then served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years.

"Thank the Lord I didn't have to go overseas," he said.

While in the Reserves, he also worked for Morgan Memorial Good Will Industries in Worcester as an instructor and evaluator. "Work was part of their therapy. I would teach and then evaluate their work," Rev. Anger said.

In 1974, he started at the Auburn Post Office, serving as both a carrier and at the window for 30 years, until his retirement.

In 1971, his life changed when he and his new wife, Jean A. Anger, started attending her church, the First Baptist Church of Shrewsbury, now known as the Chapel on the Hill.

"I found my calling. It was the `born again' experience. I was born again. It truly happened. I started over, thank the Lord," Rev. Anger said.

He was so inspired to share his newly strengthened faith that, while working full time and raising four children, he started attending the Northeastern...

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