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Pastor:  Rev. Christine S. Boardman, Interim Pastor

Director of Music: Candace A. Montesi

Administrative Assistant: Judy Lasell

Sexton: Joe Trombly

Pastor Christine S. Boardman has been an Intentional Interim Minister of this congregation since December 2007. An Intentional Interim Ministry is provided by an ordained minister with special training for guiding a congregation through the transition that occurs when a long term settled pastor leaves or when there has been conflict and/or challenges in a church. There are several tasks that our congregation is working on with the help of an appointed Interim Team and with Pastor Christine. When all these tasks are done, we will be ready to make that commitment to a new pastoral leadership and a settled pastor. Creating energy and a passion for the ministry of this church is critical for the survival of this church in this community. New voices and new ideas can do that.

Pastor Christine is the youngest of four daughters. Her mother was a school teacher and her father was a pastor.  Prior to attending Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Pastor Christine received a BA from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree of Arts in Voice Performance. She was married to Howard J. Lansing in December of 1983. Her hobbies include walking her dog, Angel, decorating a new house, cooking, skiing and reading. Pastor Christine's service of worship will frequently include her singing a verse of a favorite hymn that enhances her message from the pulpit. It is a relaxed and welcoming time to remember to pray for the spiritual muscles to strengthen our faith.                                                                      
 

Christine's Corner

Our church has called a new pastor; a settled pastor, The Rev. Ms. Jean O’Bresky. By the grace of God, we believe that God has called Pastor Jean and the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ to be partners in service to this community and to the world. This is what the vote was about on Sunday, January 8, 2012. We are partners. Friendship awaits us. What a way to begin a new year and a new season we call EPIPHANY! The congregation will have the opportunity to welcome a new family into the church. It is always good to practice our hospitality as Christians. This is a new time, a time of change and a time of new beginnings. This is a time of some apprehension, the unknown and also excitement. There will be time to get to know one another and this will begin soon.

We want to thank all the persons on the search committee, including number one and two chairpersons, John Holme and Jim McCausland for their leadership as well as college student, Alexis Locke. Their job was a large one and we can be grateful for their commitment and tenacity. It was a long search with all sorts of things to accomplish and learn.

Our church has undergone many changes over the years and again by the grace of God, we have listened to God’s call. We all have navigated change in our lives and in this world. This is one more example of faithful, diverse, different yet covenantal disciples doing the will of God. Agreement may not be completely possible but we can remain loyal and ask God to help us over any bumps in the road. There is a guarantee that God is with us leading us into a mission that awaits each of us. God is still speaking.

The United Church of Christ has more than 5,277 churches throughout the United States. Rooted in the Christian traditions of congregational governance and covenantal relationships, each UCC setting speaks only for itself and not on behalf of every UCC congregation. UCC members and churches are free to differ on important social issues, even as the UCC remains principally committed to unity in the midst of diversity. It is gift and responsibility to live in between the principles of covenant and autonomy as a church found in many settings: the local church, the conferences and associations, the church house in Cleveland and the world.

Unity in the midst of diversity is a phrase that is often used in the UCC. I grew up with this phrase as a child. My parents taught me to love and respect others even those who were different or disagreeable. Love is the agent for change in all we do. When we see people through the eyes of Christ (not easy), our world view is very different and often expansive. As children of God, we are intentional about combating hatred, racism, sexism, misunderstanding and the social structures that keep us in the prisons of our prejudice and our lack of experience and knowledge. The question is always: “What is God’s invitation to me in this particular situation?”

As we approach Lent, let us pray for one another. Let us do what we can to open our hearts and minds to the practice of faith that may lead us in directions that could surprise us or that are new to us. Our church is a living, breathing work of God called to serve the greater and common good. As I await a call to serve a new congregation, I pray for a non-anxious presence. I ask for your prayers as I search for a new place to be in a congregation that needs an intentional interim. I pray that I may learn once again to trust in God’s leading. May it be so.     Pastor Christine

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