AUBURN – The Rev. Peter Panagore was guest preacher at the West Auburn Congregational Church on a recent Sunday.

Panagore is well known as minister of the First Parish Radio Church of America, a position he has held since 2003. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ.

Panagore spoke of an experience he had, when in college, as he went on an ice/rock climbing expedition. He was an experienced climber and well versed in the equipment needed and the appropriate clothing to wear for tackling the challenge.

However, on that occasion, he said, many things went wrong and he had a near death experience. He described the experience and how it changed his life.

Panagore is the author of a book, “Two Minutes for God – Quick Fixes for the Spirit.” He had copies of his book as well as a CD, “When I Died it was Beautiful – A Near Death Journey.”

Parishioners visited with him during coffee hour following the service.