Central Area Annual Report

The Rev. Ms. Laura Lee Kent
Associate Conference Minister in the Central Area
2005 Report

There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.
M. Scott Peck

As I began to reflect on 2005, I received an annual report from Anne Hoffmann, one of the Pastors at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury. With her permission, I am adapting her wonderful images and words to frame my own report on a life-giving and amazing year among you:

My memory holds a collage of moments and faces from 2005. Most of these are gathered around various tables. This year, I have come to really appreciate how much ministry actually happens around tables – ministry that provides sustenance for our churches’ vitality and which strengthens the covenantal relationships among us. There are so many tables of meetings and fellowship. And, overarching all these tables is THE table around which we gather once a month, or at special services in the chapels and sanctuaries of our 98 congregations – the table of the Lord’s Supper. In that grand metaphor for hope and community lies the essence of why we are at any table together at all. Every table we gather around as Christians is reminiscent of that very table set long ago to share in a courageous and faithful meal with the one who broke bread will all people and for all of these tables. I am truly grateful.

I am most grateful for the privilege of working with so many dedicated and involved pastors and lay people, who truly strengthen the witness of the United Church of Christ. Much of my own personal work would not even be possible without my partner in ministry, Jane Clarke – to her belongs much thanks and praise for the many ways she serves us all!

We Have Celebrated the Rhythms of Our Common Ministry

• 9 Installations
• 3 Ordinations
• We held our Annual Pentecost Service at the Cathedral in the Pines
• Continued gathering for Sector Meetings each month
• Held our Association’s spring & fall meetings
• Organized lunches for Church Support Staff & Retired Clergy
• Held our Day of Covenant
• Held 1 meeting for the Pastors of our 30 Ecumenically Shared Churches
• Personally, I preached in 30 of our congregations and had an opportunity to worship in numerous others

We Have Met Over Tables of Pastoral Transition

• 8 Newly Called Pastors
• 14 Interims placed

We Worked to Support Each Other Through Times of Trouble & Celebration

• Pastoral Care – We support with prayer and practical assistance the clergy & lay leaders who have lost a parent or spouse; who have been or are seriously ill; those who are trying to discern their paths in ministry, who are planning for sabbatical leaves; and those who accept calls to other congregations or settings of the church. And we said Good-Bye to those who died, those who retired, and those who left to serve in other settings.
• Churches In Transition – We sadly participated in the closing of the Bethany United Parish in Worcester and have gratefully accepted their legacy contribution to support church redevelopment in the Central Association. We have worked with congregations with serious ‘growing pains’; those experiencing conflict or trauma and those celebrating anniversaries, new buildings and renovations and all of the other events and milestones in the lives of churches.

We Have Strengthened Our Covenantal Relationships!

• Committee on Ministry – We have continued our discernment work to develop a policy, procedures and resources manual. We also continued our regular Periodic Support Consultations for our Clergy and our Boundary Trainings; worked on developing a Periodic Support Consultation Program for Congregations and a Boundary Training program for Lay Leaders; and we have continued the ongoing work of supporting people seeking ordination and changes in authorization.
• Strengthening the Foundations of Congregations – The StillSpeaking Initiative, hospitality training and follow-up skills-building have been the focus of our foundational work throughout the year. We are eagerly anticipating the next round of UCC advertising.
• A Diaconate for the Association – Our Association’s Nurture & Fellowship Committee continued to shape their work around the idea of being Deacons for our churches. Their work centers on providing renewing and supportive retreats and gatherings for our clergy, church secretaries and administrators, retired people, in-care students; worship opportunities for healing and celebration; pastoral outreach through cards and prayer shawls and more!
• Mission Momentum – Work is happening to strengthen our involvement with our Mission Program -WAMS (Worcester Area Mission Society). There are ideas to develop programs which encourage and support congregational involvement; volunteer programs which support the Neighborhood Leadership Projects. Additionally, we have a Task Force that is working on ministries with seniors, ably led by The Rev. Joan Bott. Enthusiasm and support are growing for our emerging partnership with the South African Churches in Zulu-Natal. We conducted Association meetings on Affordable Housing and on Christian Vocation; offered resources for WAMS Sunday and Christian Vocations Sunday and are currently planning an Appreciative Inquiry Summit for Congregational Leadership. We have begun special emphasis and programming to assist in Hurricane Relief in the Gulf Coast.