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Hoyt called as Acting Associate Conference Minister
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June, 2003
The Conference Board of Directors has called Planned Giving Director Ed Hoyt to serve as Acting Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development.
Hoyt was tapped to step into the role upon the resignation of Meredith Hutchison, who has decided to return to local church ministry and is pursuing a call with a local church.
Hoyt will serve in the position for 10 to 15 months, during which time a search will be undertaken for a permanent replacement. The Board authorized the appointment of a search committee and authorized the Minister and President to draft a job description and begin advertising.
Hoyt, who has served as the part-time Planned Giving Director for two years, said he looks forward to expanding his work with the people of the Conference.
“I’ve really enjoyed my work as Planned Giving Director and have just found it wonderful to be with people who have made significant financial contributions to the future of the church,” Hoyt said. “I felt their joy, their sense of connection to the next generation, and their sense of pleasure in being able to do something really, really beneficial with their money.”
Despite the down economy, Hoyt sees good times ahead for churches in terms of stewardship.
“I think it’s a fertile time in the church in general for stewardship growth,” he said. “People are interested in spiritual growth and more and more, people are realizing that Jesus was on to something when he so frequently talked about money. He realized that money is so much a part of our daily life and spirit journey.”
Hoyt said he looks forward to working with churches that are trying to develop budgets in a more spiritual way, and with people trying to grow in their generosity.
Hoyt, a member of Newton Highlands Congregational Church, teaches a course entitled “Money Matters; Responsible and Responsive Christian Stewardship” at Andover Newton Theological School.
That course, he said, looks not only at the underlying theology and Biblical statements around money but also addresses practical matters related to money.
“A lot of people are surprised at how good it can be to address issues of money rather than avoid them, and to try to address them in a community and explore their spiritual dimension,” he said.
Hoyt leads many programs and retreats on faith and finances, including some for the ecumenical organization Ministry with Money. Hoyt is the former director of workshops for Andover Newton’s Ministry of the Laity program, and he worked as a teacher at public schools and colleges for many years.
His role will be to work with churches on their stewardship efforts, educate church members about Our Church’s Wider Mission and help churches connect with UCC missionaries.