Rev. Dr. Peter Wells , Pastoral Support for Congregations and Pastors in the Central Association, Conference Support for Association Board of Directors and Committee on Ministry, wellsp@macucc.org, 413-589-7034
Ms. Debra Holmes, Administrative Assistant, Central@macucc.org, 508-963-8106, Central Association Office, 1102 Pleasant St., Box 843, Worcester, MA 01602, Fax# 508-752-4636, Office hours - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9am - 3pm.
The Central Association is comprised of faithful churches and clergy proclaiming and living out the Good News of Jesus Christ, in covenant with the Massachusetts Conference, the United Church of Christ and the ecumenical community.
Our mission and purpose
to nurture, oversee and celebrate the mission and ministries of the churches and clergy within its boundaries by encouraging mutual support and resourcing
to facilitate communication of events, concerns, needs and celebrations throughout the Association
to provide learning and fellowship opportunities for clergy and laity
to make the resources of the wider church available to our clergy and churches
to relate and interpret the work and concerns of the Massachusetts Conference, the United Church of Christ and its covenanted ministries to the Association churches and clergy
to monitor the standing of the churches and clergy within the Association, offering reflection, support and resources by the Church and Ministry Committee to clergy and congregations in times of pastoral transition and conflict.
We are a large and diverse Association
Our association spans a geographical area from the Quabbin Reservoir through Natick and from New Hampshire to Connecticut — comprising all of Worcester County and a portion of Middlesex.
With
98 congregations — served by 90 settled pastors (8 of which have dual standing), 18 interim pastors, 2 commissioned ministers and 1 licensed minister – give us diversity in size and membership.
And
15 authorized ministers have ministries outside of local parishes as chaplains, denominational leaders, teachers and directors of ecumenical or nonprofit agencies.
Of the 98 congregations, 24 are Ecumenically Shared Ministries – with one, two or three of the following partners: American Baptist, United Methodist, Unitarian/Universalist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Armenian Evangelical and the Finnish Evangelical Mission Conference of America.
A number of our congregations have ethnic origins: German, Swedish, Armenian, Hispanic and Finnish.
Eight churches have declared themselves to be Open and Affirming and 4 congregations (both declared and non-declared ONA) have called openly gay or lesbian pastors. We also have two African-American and two Hispanic pastors serving in churches here.
We are home to urban centers, rural communities and busy suburbs
Our Association comprises 2 urban areas (Worcester and Fitchburg/Leominster), rural areas north and west of Worcester, suburban communities around Worcester and a large Metro-West area (for Route 128 and Boston) east of Worcester. Within our boundaries lie such historic regions as the Blackstone Valley (where the Industrial Revolution began), the Johnny Appleseed Trail, Fruitlands and Old Sturbridge Village. The area also has 13 colleges, 3 major medical institutions, a medical school, a school of veterinary medicine and many strong community hospitals/health centers.
We are particularly enthusiastic about our own mission agency:
“WAMS” gives our congregations the opportunity to participate in urban work camps, urban immersion experiences for our youth, the Community Loan Fund and the Neighborhood Leaders Fund. WAMS provides an important presence that draws together at one table resident leaders, policy makers, business people, civic and religious leaders, and philanthropy to keep livable neighborhoods at the top of Worcester’s agenda. Our churches offer support, leadership and resources to the Worcester County Ecumenical Council.
We are proud of our work together, our staff and boards and all of us who comprise this portion of the Body of Christ.
