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Fall brings big turnover in Conference staff
September, 2000
Being on the Massachusetts Conference staff these days is like being a kid at a new school.
Due to a spate of retirements coupled with the reorganization called for in the Conference’s Vision for Renewal and Growth, four new people joined the staff Sept. 1 and another began in a new position. Four other staff changes took place between January and August.
The administrative staff spent many hours over the summer preparing: cleaning out offices, installing new computers, assigning email addresses, bringing in painters. The rundown, as of Sept. 1:
- Erwin Bode, former Northeast Area Minister, is now the Interim Conference Minister and President;
- Meredith Hutchison, a pastor from New Jersey, is the new Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship;
- Paul Nickerson, former pastor of the Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater, is the new Acting Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice;
- Malcolm Bertram, a retired pastor and church consultant, is the Interim Metropolitan Boston Area Minister;
- Marilyn Rossier, an intentional interim pastor, is the interim Northeast Area Minister.
Other changes took place earlier in the year:
- Susan Dickerman changed roles on July 1st, becoming the Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development;
- Retired pastor Alan Macy began as Interim Western Area Minister May 1st;
- Associate for Youth and Outdoor Ministries Carl McDonald had his hours increased July 1st, in order to add young adult ministries to his portfolio;
- United Church News Editor Tiffany Vail had her hours increased Jan. 1st, becoming the Associate for Communication and Communication Technologies.
The only executive staff in the same positions as when they started the year 2000 are Southeast Area Minister Dale Hempen, Central Area Minister Richard Sparrow and Susannah Baker, Associate Conference Minister for Policy and Administration.
“In my 20 years here, there has never been such a big turnover,” said Baker, who is now the most senior executive staff member. “It is a big change. However, the people coming are knowledgeable about how this Conference works. Paul, Alan and of course Erv have worked directly for the Conference, and Mal and Marilyn have been an active part of the life of the Conference. We have some pretty experienced people — we won't miss a beat.”
Information on contacting the staff members is available here.
Another change is within the Conference’s volunteer commissions. Several of the commissions had their names changed and numbers increased at the Annual Meeting, in order to better mesh with the priorities set by the Vision for Renewal and Growth. Those commissions have also been asked to revamp their goals and objectives to be more in line with the Vision, and to make budget changes accordingly. Information on the commissions and their members are in the new Conference yearbooks, which are sent to each church in the fall.
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