Tuesday, November 3, 2009

WONDERFUL WORSHIP CELEBRATION!

Despite the weather – grey clouds and sporadic showers – those who made it to the Welcome celebration for Minister Chris Collins and Pastor Laurel Scott reported having had a grand time on Saturday October 3 when the service of praise, worship and welcome was held at North UMC.

Visitors from Boston, Lowell and New York arrived in the pouring rain, but once inside found that a warm welcome awaited them. Shelby Condray, a Master of Divinity student from Boston University School of Theology where he was part of Pastor Laurel’s preaching lab group, presided over the afternoon’s program. Clergy in attendance included the Rev. Gary Richards of the New Covenant United Methodist Church in East Hartford, and retired clergy, Revs. Stan Cusy and Joyce Whetstone who all participated in the service.

Musical numbers were rendered by the North UMC Chancel Choir under the direction of Chris Collins – Order My Steps (Burleigh/Schraeder)and God So Loved the
World (Stainer); PRISM Praise Group We Will Dance (Ruis/Cole) Days of Elijah (Mark/Cole) and Awesome in This Place. Minister Chris Collins played ―Great is the Lord (Smith Schraeder) and Humoresque (Dvorjak) on the organ . Barbie Turley and daughters Sarah and Katherine rendered a liturgical dance to ―Lord of the Dance. After worship the reception was held indoors. Following is a greeting sent by the Massachusetts Interfaith Committee on Worker Justice which was not received in time to be read at the service:

From Anthony Zuba, lead organizer of the Massachusetts Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, Boston, Mass.:
Peace and many blessings to all of you from the Massachusetts Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. On behalf of our committee I would like to commend Laurel Scott at the beginning of her new ministry and express our gratitude for the service Pastor Scott has given over the years to the United Methodist Church and to all the people of God. I want to recognize especially the work Pastor Scott has done as a UMC leader for working families and members of unions, as well as low-wage workers who are immigrants and people of color. She is without any doubt the leading voice on labor justice issues in the New England Conference. I have known Pastor Scott for nearly three years. I was a student in her preach-ing class at Boston University School of Theology. As co-chair of the executive board of the Massachusetts Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice she has also been my theological mentor.

Pastor Scott’s ministry to low-wage workers is to be highly praised and needs to be en-couraged and supported. I hope North United Methodist Church will support this cause and continue the good work Pastor Scott has advanced. Thanks, and may God’s blessings be abundant for you and all the members of North United Methodist