MEET OUR PASTOR
Welcome, Rev. Miriam Theodore
Rev. Miriam Theodore, an ordained minister since 2018, has joined East Weymouth Congregational Church, UCC, as our pastor. Her initial call is to serve through May 2028.
What drew you to the ministry?
“Both of my parents were deacons; and as you can imagine there was not much wriggle room to opt out of church. We didn't just go to church because church was a way of life! However, I will always be thankful to my parents who took me to church at an early age; and I will always be grateful to my church teachers who taught me many Bible stories. It was at church I first learned how to be long-suffering, forgiving and the relevance of living a life of prayer.”
How did ministry become your calling?
“While there is no word in the Hebrew language for 'coincidence,' the scripture teaches that God can choose (call) anyone at any time to be his ambassador in the world.
“Saul, an antagonist of the early Jesus followers, echoed this notion when he encountered the 'Risen Jesus.' Now transformed from Saul to the Apostle Paul, such a pronouncement of the 'fullness of time' remains ever so alive! The Apostle Paul wrote: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me...” (Galatians 1:15-16b).
“The 'fullness of time' is not an uncommon phrase at all, but a phrase used even in antiquity to teach us that when the fullness of time comes, we all will take our place to do what we are sent to do in this world. Therefore, it is of no coincidence that I take my place as a preacher and Bible teacher of which I have no regrets and is not ashamed of!”
How do you see yourself serving this congregation and the surrounding community?
“Although Scripture teaches that we are all ambassadors of Christ, it is factual that by vocation some are drawn into ministry to become leaders of the flock. Ministry is a special gift that cannot be taken lightly. The minister as a spiritual leader is entrusted with the truth of God and must speak boldly and preach the Gospel without fear. While ordained ministry means to be in a covenant relationship with God, church, congregation and community, Seminary also prepared me to be ready to reach out to the people in the community.” As the Designated Term Minister of East Weymouth Congregational Church, I welcome all to worship with us at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
For surely I know the plans I have for you,
plans for your welfare and for your future full of hope. Jeremiah 29: 11
WHAT IS THE UCC
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. The UCC is a church of firsts, a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where "…they may all be one" (John 17:21).
The Church of Firsts
The United Church of Christ began with our earliest Pilgrims and Puritans and has been transformed and transforming ever since. The UCC has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities. The UCC's many "firsts" mean that we have inherited a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith. When we read in Galatians: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus"—a demand is made upon us. And so we were the first historically white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first Christian church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. Our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.
A Church of Extravagant Welcome
Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners. We labor ceaselessly to fight injustice, in the United States and abroad. We instill our vision into our youth and young adults, forging leaders who will imagine new dreams. And we sustain and develop church leaders, pastors, and our local churches to live their faith in exciting new ways. We believe in a God that is still speaking, a God that is all-loving and inclusive. We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, where your mind is nourished as much as your soul.
We are a church where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary, and where together, we grow a just and peaceful world.
VICTOR DERUBEIS
Director of Music
Victor has served the church for 29 years and directs our senior choir at all services and also teaches our Kids’ Choirs formed especially for Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Children’s Day. In 1999 he founded the annual Little Christmas in Jackson Square ecumenical Epiphany concerts. His love for music is contagious.
KERRY MORTLAND
Faith
Formation
Kerry has served the church for 40 years in various roles, most prominently as the leader of our Church School. She brings the sensibility of a mother and grandmother to making sure each child is welcomed and learns about the loving nature of God in an age-appropriate way.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
WORSHIP SUNDAYS AT 10:00AM
Nursery, Children's Church also at 10