January 2008
REV. DR. FRED ANDERSON
Rev. Anderson will be serving as the Interim Minister here at OCC upon Pastor Steve's departure for Buffalo, up until we call our
next pastor. He comes to us from Sturbridge, MA, and has recently served as the Interim Minister at the United Church of Walpole, from which he retired last year.
Please join us in welcoming Pastor Fred on January 6, when we will have a special reception at Coffee Hour after the worship service.
REV. KENNETH C. LANDIN, CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR PASTOR
Ken heard the call to ministry in the encouraging voices of those who knew him best. Their consideration of him for ministry
resonated in his soul. Opportunities for his growth in faith were offered through singing in musicals, participating in plays and
joining in dinners. These events were in addition to preaching, teaching and leading others. Ken’s call to ministry comes from the living relationship of the Call of the Spirit and the voice of the people. Pot luck suppers are Ken’s favorite church event. He says that “with faith we always find enough to share and the food we serve lightens the soul”.
The following are excerpts from Ken’s Statement on Ministry and thoughts conveyed during our interviews:
• Ministry is serving people in the holy conversation that flows between our believing heart and the heart of God’s Word.
• The mission of the church is to follow the way of the Lord by bringing good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, lift up the lowly and comfort all who mourn.
• The church is a place that nurtures our spirituality. Our Spirit Life is a gift of God.
• If we live as if our problems are bigger than God and our sins greater than God's love, we become isolated and our lives are diminished.
• Pastoral Care is connecting our story with God, through careful listening and gentle reminding of God’s presence.
• Our life is transformed when we encounter the presence of God in our worship.
• Discernment of God’s Will is a valuable gift that should be highly regarded in the leaders of our church.
Here are some comments shared by his references:
“Ken’s message is inclusive and respectful of differences.”
“He is a sensitive and caring human being who is clearly well-grounded in an effective prayer life.”
Ken was born in Massachusetts and raised in Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1984, received a B.A.
in American Studies/Political Science from Hofstra University in 1988 and his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in
1992. Ken’s ministerial progression began in 1995 as Director of Christian Education in Concord, MA. In West Concord Union
Church Ken recruited and fostered a teaching staff to nurture a young, growing church school in addition to teaching third
grade. He then took a position as Director of Educational Ministries in Lexington. While leading the Pilgrim Congregational
Church’s education program they offered music programs and put on a Christmas Pageant. Next, Ken was hired as Pastor at
Congregational Church of Hooksett, New Hampshire for four years. During this time the church expanded local outreach,
entered a partnership with a UCCZ church in Zimbabwe and reversed a trend of conflict through worship renewal, music
programs, and Bible study. Ken is currently Minister at Waquoit Congregational Church in East Falmouth. He has been there
since 2001 where the church has completed a $450,000 parish hall expansion and both membership and giving have
increased. Ken has participated in a number and variety of denominational activities beyond his local church work.
His ecumenical, community and civic activities are diverse. He has been involved in Habitat for Humanity, an Alzheimer's
focus group, and interfaith Thanksgiving and Holy Week services.
Ken is married to Jeanne (pictured with him on the home page). Jeanne has just completed a degree in Human Services
Counseling from Lesley College and has worked in a number of settings. He has two step daughters - Katie works in dairy farming in Vermont and Marta studies Forensic Toxicology at John Jay College in New York City.
Jeanne and Ken love to garden, cook together, read and spend time with family. Ken is an avid runner, has run the Falmouth Road Race and recently altered his running goals to “finish each race with a smile”.
February 2008
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
A six week Lenten Study exploring "Spirit" and "Practice"
Starting Monday February 11, we will be meeting from 7:00 to 8:15 pm in the Parlor. There will be a light supper provided before class at 6:30 pm.
The Chapel will be available before and after class for prayer and meditation.
MISSION TRIP TO PILGRIM CHURCH HOMELESS SHELTER
On Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 the Outreach Team will be sponsoring a mission trip to a men's homeless shelter at the Pilgrim Church in Dorchester with the assistance of Carl McDonald of the City Mission Society of Boston. The shelter is unique in that it is what is referred to as a "wet shelter". This means the men can be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the program gives these men the opportunity to gain services unavailable elsewhere that can eventually help them kick their addictions. Therefore, we will not be in the shelter when the shelter opens at 4 p.m.
Instead, we are scheduled to be there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and in this way, the group can see what a shelter looks like and meet with the director who will talk with us about being homeless. Our project will be to provide the meat and prepare a meal from start to finish for the 100 men who use this shelter under the direction of a volunteer from the Church in the church kitchen. This will save the shelter over $400 that they can then use for other necessary services. Carl will arrange to have a mother who has been homeless with young children to come and share her story.
This is an excellent opportunity for our youth to take part in a local mission project and perhaps share in this experience with their parents! We are looking for a group of about 12 – 15 people and would like to have a mix of youth and adults participate. (The age requirement for youth participating is 9 years or older).
To join in this mission trip and exciting opportunity to reach out to a local community in need, please contact Pam Jennette or the Church office.
March 2008
FOOD 'N FRIENDS
It is that time of year again to start thinking of the meal we will prepare and serve at the Episcopal Church in North Attleboro.
We do this twice a year in conjunction with the Attleboro Council of Churches and the Food n’ Friends program.
This year we will serve our meal on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008. We are always looking for help in cooking, transporting,
serving and cleaning up at the church. We are also in need of cookies, brownies or cupcakes to round off our meal.
Look for sign-up sheets in your Sunday bulletin. This is an excellent opportunity for our youth to begin their mission experience in a local setting. Thank you for your support of this vital mission!