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Interim Minister and President’s Message
An ending and a beginning in life of Conference
July/August, 2001
By Erwin R. Bode
It seems like yesterday I began as your Interim Conference Minister. And yet, it will soon be Aug. 31st, and the end of the interim year. Since this is my last United Church News column, I find myself reflecting on what has been in the year 2000/2001. It has been a very good year.
I saw as our Conference priorities for the “in between” year the acceleration of our Vision for Renewal and Growth into the lifeblood of our Conference and local church life, a maintaining of a high morale among our Conference staff in the midst of all the changes, and a successful completion of searches for a new Conference Minister and a Metropolitan Boston Area Minister. My hope was to keep these agenda items as our focus in the midst of the everyday items that inevitably creep into the life of every organization. I believe we succeeded in doing so. Time and again throughout the year we have “moved forward” the initiatives of Leadership, Evangelism and Justice, Young Adult Ministry, and Communications. There has been a good spirit among the staff during the 12 months. We have elected outstanding persons for Conference Minister and MBA area minister. There were moments throughout the year when the “dailies” got the best of me, but not for long. I believe the Conference is now poised for a marvelous new chapter of its life as an organization of the Massachusetts United Church of Christ congregations.
On Sept. 1st there is the magic moment of Nancy Taylor beginning as the new Conference Minister. It will be an exciting fall as events are held to become acquainted with her. She comes with outstanding gifts, a proven track record, and a vibrant faith. Her spirit will permeate the life of our community of churches. As the one who has occupied the chair of Conference Minister for the past 12 months, I know what this position requires of the person who occupies it. It is a very demanding job. Nancy’s first year will be particularly full as she meets you in multiple settings, gets to know the Conference, and experiences a new life as a Conference Minister. Remember it will take years for her to become acquainted among all of the 431 churches and 852 clergy. I urge you to remember her in prayer, give her words of encouragement, and offer her support wherever possible. I am confident she will be an outstanding servant leader. And, while you are in the mood of praying, remember to include in your prayers Tom Clough as he begins as the MBA area minister, and the search committees in the Central, Northeast, and Western areas as they continue with their important searches.
As for me, I look forward to retirement in Newburyport, where we have lived for the past 15 years. My wife and I will begin our new life with a trip in September to Provence in southern France, thanks to the money gift of the Northeast Area churches last year. I can hardly wait to read more extensively, visit friends and family more intentionally, and in general live a slower pace. I end my active time in ministry after 40 years, almost to the day. I will continue to hold my ministerial standing in the Essex Association. Blessings to all of you as you seek to be faithful in our mutual ministries!
P.S. The national meeting of the United Church of Christ, called the General Synod, was held during July in Kansas City. Fifty of us represented the Conference at this five-day meeting held jointly with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Highlights of the meeting included the reelection of John Thomas as our national UCC president for another four years, the wonderful work of the moderators including our own Nancy Taylor and Dick Harter, the lay ministry awards to Jim Perry and Vilma Thompson, and the faithfulness of our MACUCC delegation including a 6:30 a.m. caucus every morning.