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Busy fall for pastoral excellence program

October, 2003

The Pastoral Excellence Program is kicking off this fall with a series of events, including four forums with United Church of Christ General Minister and President John Thomas and a clergy gathering with Author Roy Oswald.

“I am so excited about the program opportunities the Pastoral Excellence Program is offering this fall to newly ordained clergy, interim ministers and seasoned pastors,” said Associate Conference Minister Susan Dickerman, program leader. “We don’t anticipate that our clergy will be able to respond positively to all the invitations that are extended throughout the year, but we do anticipate that there may be a speaker that will create excitement for an individual pastor who desires collegial support and resources for their ministry.”

Thomas is scheduled to meet with clergy at the following events, all of which include lunch and cost $10:

• Meet with Western Area clergy on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the First Congregational Church in Hadley;
• Meet with any interested clergy on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 9:30 AM to 2 PM at South Church in Andover;
• Meet with new clergy, who have been ordained three years or less, on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Congregational Church of Needham.

Thomas will also meet with Church and Ministry Committee members on Wednedsay, Oct. 1, from 4:30 to 9 PM at the United Congregational Church in Worcester. Dinner will be included, and committee members may attend free of charge as thanks for their committee work.

Invitations have also been sent to all clergy serving congregations for a workshop with Roy Oswald, a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute, who will do a presentation on the stages of clergy development and on some of the hazards of the development process. The workshop, “Staying Vital in All the Seasons of Ministry” will be held Oct. 21 from 4:30 to 8:30 PM at the Plymouth Church in Framingham.

Other events being held this fall include fitness review response team training and boundary training workshops.

For more information on any of these events, contact Cindy Bolton at 508-875-5233 or boltonc@macucc.org.

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