On September 28th, 2006 the Central Association Board of Directors welcomed Rev. Michael Penn-Strah, Associate Conference Minister to their meeting. Mike brought to the Board a proposal for how the Central Association could be betterserved by the Conference. Responding to the many conversations they and Conference Minister and President Jim Antal have had, Mike let us know that we have been heard, in particular heard that the original restructuring plan wasn’t working for us and/or for the Associate Conference Ministers “ACM” (formerly Area Ministers). Jim Antal and four ACM’s propose a mid-course change that the conference staff hopes will better serve our Central Association churches.
Four Associate Conference Ministers will work with churches in the following ways:
Mike Penn-Strah will be staffing the Committee on Ministry and the Board of Directors as a primary liaison and resourcer. Peter Wells will serve the Core Sector, Dale Hempen will serve the East Sector, and Tom Clough will serve the North Sector as “Pastoral Support for Congregations and Pastors.” They will do much of what our Area Minister has done including: be the go-to person for each of the churches in the sector, i.e., the first staff person to contact with a question or concern, assist with search and call work, and offer support to pastors and lay leaders in those congregations. The one exception to this is that the churches already being served in the search and call process will continue to work with the ACM they have already begun with.
This change expresses a hope to bring a seasoned ordained ACM to every church in the Central association. It is not a permanent change, but will remain in place through the listening process.
After discussion about details of this plan, the Board of Directors welcomed the proposal. This interim plan will be in place immediately. Contact information for the ACM’s is:
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough
t.clough@verizon.net
Associate Conference Minister in the Metropolitan Boston Area
(includes Metropolitan Boston Association)
230 Second Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: 781-890-1444; Fax: 781-890-1777
Administrative Assistant is Mr. Colin Loggins, macucc.waltham@verizon.net
The Rev. Mr. Dale Hempen
semac.ucc@verizon.net
Associate Conference Minister in the Southeast Area
(includes Barnstable, Old Colony and Pilgrim Associations)
225 Water Street South #A115
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-746-8330; Fax: 508-746-8339
Administrative Assistant is Ms. Diane Cooney, semac.ucc@verizon.net
Rev. Dr. Michael S. Penn-Strah
nemac.ucc2@verizon.net
Associate Conference Minister in the Northeast Area
(includes Andover and Essex Associations)
12 Phoenix Row
Haverhill, MA 01832-5702
Phone: 978-373-6748; Fax: 978-373-6749
Administrative Assistant is Ms. Frances Lajoie, nemacucc.fran@verizon.net
The Rev. Dr. Peter Wells
peter.wells@verizon.net
Associate Conference Minister in the Western Area
(includes the Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Associations)
51 Center Street, P.O. Box 443
Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: 413-589-7034;
Fax: 413-589-7035 or 413-589-7099
Administrative Assistant is Ms. Kim Mason,
wmac.ucc@verizon.net
Peace and Joy,
Lee Atherton
Communications Ministry
508-308-7116
Do you have something or someone you would like us to pray for? Do you have a ministry or mission in your church you want to let others know about? Let us know so we can stand with you in growing ministry as the Body of Christ in the Central Association.
