Pastoral Excellence Sustainability Campaign Helps Build Strength in Ministry, Youth Participation

Rev. Terry Martinson, who is in his 40th year of ministry with Old South Union Church in Weymouth, MA (http://www.oldsouthunion.org) as Senior Pastor, is a man who burns with the fire of faith and commitment.  Martinson's church, spiritual home to 475 members, now offers youth ministry programming to more than 500 youth from around Weymouth.  The youth come, says Martinson, "from [many faith groups within] the community, because we have created a comfortable place for them.  This is a wonderful and very supportive church." 

Old South Union is a church whose leaders understand the importance of supporting and celebrating their pastors so that they can offer a dynamic and nurturing ministry, both now and in the future. The church has a long and proud history stretching back nearly 300 years (the church was founded in 1723).  The church is, says Martinson, "Committee run, with strong connections to both social action, youth, and the nurture of early-career ministers." 

Rev. Jennie Barrett Siegal is one such pastor.   Barrett Siegal's first call was as a Pastoral Resident at a congregation in Wellesley, and she was then called to be Associate Pastor at the Old South Union Church.  Both she and Rev. Martinson are involved in the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ's (MACUCC) Pastoral Excellence Program (PEP), and Barrett Siegal leads a group for clergy in their 20's and 30's.  Both ministers are also involved in Communities of Practice, where clergy can gather together, share concerns and learnings, and lend support to one another to strengthen each others' ministries. Additionally, Martinson leads a New Clergy community of practice group, lending his experience to those entering the ministry.  Read More...