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Rev. Carole Baker:
An Opportunity for Pastoral Education, Collegial Support!
Rev. Carole Baker, who has been pastor at the Central Congregational Church of Attleboro Falls for 23 years, said, "I was a member of one of the first Clergy Communities of Practice. I was one of the people in the Conference who pushed for this...and I feel that we all need to be en  gaged in honing our skills."
For Baker, the value of such communities is clear: "Being together with your peers, talking about issues that come up in the church, in the world...this is important." Baker says that being a part of her group helped her counteract the solitary nature of professional ministry. "This is a lonely profession, and [I do not want to be] a Lone Ranger in my parish."
Baker feels that participating in a Clergy Community of Practice has also helped her preaching be more engaging and timely. The value of connecting with colleagues, particularly those in the same geographical area, has been another benefit.
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