A Conference Transition
A Message from Conference Minister & President The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
May 31, 2007
Dear Friends,
As the Spirit of Pentecost continues to blow in our midst, we give thanks for its presence moving among us! As each of us knows, the Spirit both blesses us and from time to time tests us. With much regret, yet confident that the Spirit is leading us, I share with you a letter from the Rev. Dr. Tom Clough. Please continue reading my letter following his.
Jim Antal
 To: The Churches and Authorized Ministers of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC
Dear Friends,
I would like to thank you all for six delightful years as your regionally deployed Associate Conference Minister in the Metropolitan Boston Association and the North Sector of the Central Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Last Sunday I was called to serve as pastor and teacher of the Edgecomb Congregational Church in Edgecomb, Maine. I will continue to serve here in Massachusetts until August 17th.
The greatest blessings of this position with the ever-growing title have been the opportunities to develop friendships with so many remarkable people. I thank all of you who have taken the time to serve on committees, participate in celebrations, or go out to lunch.
No one has ever accused me of following a career path. I have joyfully careened from school teacher to suburban pastor to missionary to middle judicatory. Now seems like an excellent time to explore the world of pastor in a small rural church.
These are indeed fascinating and challenging times for us all. As we go our separate ways, I wish you all the best.
Peace,
Tom Clough
 From: The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
How we will miss Tom and the gifts he has brought to this Conference! I have benefited countless times from his insight into challenging situations, his pastoral sensitivity, his deep and abiding faith, his robust intelligence, and his wit – which has brought a smile to my face more times than I can count. Because Tom’s ministry is rooted in relationship, his departure will be particularly difficult for those of us who have been blessed to be in relationship with him. Because Tom has served among us with a pastor’s heart, there will be a hole in our hearts when he leaves. But there are others in Edgecomb, Maine with whom we can rejoice. Their lives will be blessed by his coming beyond what they now imagine.
Tom will continue in his current role through August 17. Before that date, my goal is to name an Associate Conference Minister who will serve in Tom’s place on an interim or acting basis. The process for this will be consistent with past practice. I plan to appoint a full-time interim or acting Associate Conference Minister who will serve the churches and Committees on Ministry of the Metropolitan Boston Association as well as the churches of the North Sector of the Central Association. If you are interested in this position and believe your gifts are suited to this work, please contact my assistant, Willie Sordillo mailto:sordillow@macucc.org as soon as possible, but no later than June 20.
As we look for two half-time positions and one full-time position, I want to acknowledge that this represents a time of important staff transition for the Conference. As I said in my earlier email, I believe that when it comes to Conference staff the right people are “on the bus.” I give thanks every day for the opportunity to serve God with such talented and committed colleagues. The same is true for the Conference – Massachusetts is blessed with a deep pool of talented clergy. I trust and fully expect that there are gifted people who will step into these positions.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Annual Meeting in Hartford on June 22. While we are on track with the numbers who have registered, I would urge you to register if you haven’t done so already. And if it’s at all possible, treat yourself and stay for Synod in the City. Over 7000 people are signed up thus far, and more pour in each day.
Faithfully yours,
Jim Antal
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