In this moment, First Church is in motion.
We have begun a search for a part-time settled minister.
This “job description” has been a labor of love. And hard. We have had input from many sources, including the York Association of the Maine Conference of UCC (United Church of Christ), a devoted internal committee from our congregation, and counsel from those who
have gone through this process before.
2 Corinthians 9:8
We are posting this position on our site because we know people, clergy, and congregants talk to each other. And word gets around. A formal position description is currently posted on the Maine Conference United Church of Christ (Maine UCC) website. Follow this link: UCC Ministry Opportunities. If you or anyone in your circle of acquaintances might be appropriate, we invite him or her to also email us at admin@FirstChurchofKennbunkport.org.
First Congregational Church of Kennebunkport is a small church located in a rural area of Kennebunkport, Maine. We describe ourselves as real, spiritual, uplifting, and supportive, with a keen sense of community. One member likened our church to its screen door: warm and welcoming, with down-to-earth values. Not fancy, but familiar and comfortable.
We are seeking a half-time settled pastor to walk with us on our faith journey. Because we have no Parsonage, compensation includes a housing allowance plus benefits.
Our ideal candidate will be someone who can provide spiritual leadership through Bible-based sermons that relate the scriptures to our daily lives, helping us to live them as Jesus intended.
We seek a minister who is sensitive to the needs of the congregation and be able to work successfully with church leadership and volunteers. We seek a minister who is outgoing and willing to engage in the community as a recognized presence. The pastor should be both passionate and compassionate about their ministry and congregation, comfortable working hand in hand with lay leaders in all aspects of the church’s life and livelihood. Patience and a good sense of humor are an asset.
We do not expect him or her to have all of the answers, but rather to share in our joys as well as our sorrows, to question with us when understanding escapes us, and to grow together as an integral part of our faith family.
We are seeking a pastor to guide from beside rather than in front; embracing the true congregational spirit by aiding us in spiritual growth and leading us into a solid future.
This link from the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Arundel Chamber of Commerce best presents reasons to live here. It says more than we possibly can in a short paragraph. https://gokennebunks.com/live/
Salary includes optional benefits and as we do not have a parsonage, compensation offers a housing allowance. Quality of life here is exceptional; safe, friendly. A pace less frenetic than other areas. It is Maine ~ The Way Life Should Be
The right candidate will help us round out the edges of this special position. Come back and visit this page again. Be in touch with us if you think you, or someone you know is the right fit. Word gets around, and we look forward to starting the dialogue.
When asked to name 3 significant events in church history that have shaped who we are today we rely on our roots
Back in 1730, at the insistence of colonial Massachusetts, every town had to have a church and a meeting house. An attempt to create a new parish or move the existing one to convenience folks living some distance from the church’s original Cape Porpoise location gained momentum, but a satisfactory compromise could not be reached.
So, the meeting house was deliberately burned in 1763 to force the issue. In the early 19th century, the village of Kennebunkport realized an economic boom from shipbuilding. New wealth led to the building of South Congregational Church, and it officially separated from our humble meeting house. By 1841 the current sanctuary was erected to accommodate a smaller congregation. But by 1920 it shuttered due to declining membership. In the 1940's young families wanted their children to experience faith and Christ in that historical setting.
Energized and engaged, they opened the doors, dusted off the pews and hung a sign boldly proclaiming:
"Ministers: All the Congregation"
Those words echo down to us today. We hold bean suppers, plant sales and bible studies. We prepare for service, repair the sanctuary and take the pulpit on occasion. Our predecessors managed to maintain the presence of God in this place through determination, hard work and an abiding faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide them. We are determined to carry on that work with the same spirit of Faith, Prayer and Perseverance present within us.
The covid-19 pandemic caused us to re-examine what we were doing and how we were doing it.
Our minister of almost two years quickly shifted to recorded services posted to our website, zoom meetings for social and business purposes, and then unsettled us all when she decided to retire in July. Our former committee structure collapsed, and the executive committee took the reins for an indeterminate period of time.
Weekly phone calls by volunteers to the membership, monthly newsletters, drive-by birthday celebrations, and other methods of keeping our church alive for members were instituted during this time of enforced separation. We established a monthly rotation of four guest ministers preaching to a camera in an empty sanctuary. The services were placed on our website. Zoom social gatherings were offered.
Our Easter greetings to each speak volumes of the depth of our connections, the void in our lives created by not gathering to worship, and the underlying faith to know that God walks with us still. We felt an urgency to look out for each other in new and innovative ways.
https://youtu.be/7MiyOP4e_EE?t=2910s.
This remote Tenebrae service was a powerful and meaningful presentation:
The pandemic and our response to it was an opportunity to come together in our separate places to share our fears, faith, hopes, strength and prayers with one another. We believe God blessed us with a renewed faith in Him and with each other.
We welcome all to our church. And many church members participate in community groups beyond our walls. We are eclectic and ecumenical in our interests in this way. We share time in support of varied faith educational endeavors including the United Church of Christ, Bahai, and Baptist religions. We believe this is fulfilling interfaith outreach in its broadest context.
In supporting Tina Civetta as Director of Outreach we recognize her as an original thinker and gifted teacher.
In 2023 she facilitated a six-week discussion of The Book of Forgiving by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; bonding church members in deep conversations and giving us new ways to consider faith journeys.
Tina Civetta makes daily connections through Poetry of Rumi and helps remind us to place the art of forgiveness on the world stage. She keeps a favorite Rumi quote in mind throughout her day. Her work enhances our faith and faith journeys.
“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love”
Fall 2024, a class on “Legacy Letters” will be offered. The impact, comfort and joy they provide for and within families and the community will be covered and discussed. By offering varied classes and topics, we can gather and share our perspectives. In this way, our individual faith journeys can transform and grow. Tina’s work is intentional; kindling for conversations.
We are a congregation that cares about one another. Our greatest strength is that we show up for one another. In good times and in bad. We understand that our connections and service to one another, the church and the community around us, is what keeps us tethered to our FAITH . Our sense of mission and devotion to God is strong because we stay together spiritually. We dream big, for only our doubts will confine us. And we deliver to each other and community in big ways.
We provide food, clothing, bedding and small furnishings to families in need or ones relocating to our area. Through varied neighborhood and community organizations, we collect and distribute specific items of need to struggling families. Through Community Outreach Services in Kennebunk, we are a consistent and constant source of hope and help for families in crisis and need. And our established First Church Deacons’ Fund supplements smaller, urgent requests from neighbors and community members.
As a member of First Church and a 2024 graduate of ChIME, Tina D’Agostino-Civetta has a special view of what community outreach means up here. And it comes with a recognizable New York accent and creative energy that comes from growing up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Called "The little Italy of the Bronx” her neighborhood included the Bronx Zoo, Fordham University and the Botanical Gardens. Having spent the last 24 months committed to studies, intense faith-based learnings, and commitment to volunteer service, she provides visitations to church members and friends; augmenting and complementing what Rev Gagnon is able to provide within his half-time schedule.
As Director of Outreach at First Church, Tina is fulfilling an expansive vision for what it means
to create faith connections in community.
She is instrumental in guiding our search for a new part-time settled minister. Interested candidates can reach her at: TheCivettas@gmail.com
This summer in a beautiful forest ceremony Tina and classmates were ordained; giving them privilege to offer and perform and array of Chaplaincy services in the greater Kennebunk and surrounding communities. For Tina, it is a continuation of her appreciation and passion for working with elders and in hospice care. Tina is an appointed vis
This summer in a beautiful forest ceremony Tina and classmates were ordained; giving them privilege to offer and perform and array of Chaplaincy services in the greater Kennebunk and surrounding communities. For Tina, it is a continuation of her appreciation and passion for working with elders and in hospice care. Tina is an appointed visitation director supported by others in First Church. Reach her at TheCivettas@gmail.com
Like other ChIME alumni she offers interfaith life ceremonies and services to individuals and families. These include memorials, funerals, weddings, blessings, spiritual direction and services of “companioning”, as well as an array of “other” support.
These services are highly personalized. They can include guest ministry and preaching
Like other ChIME alumni she offers interfaith life ceremonies and services to individuals and families. These include memorials, funerals, weddings, blessings, spiritual direction and services of “companioning”, as well as an array of “other” support.
These services are highly personalized. They can include guest ministry and preaching, grief and loss counseling, teaching and group facilitation and creative coaching around faith.
As Tina expressed this year, “during my intensive years of study in ChIME I found a gravitational pull to elders, eldercare, and hospice. Here, I realized issues around faith and compassion seemed to collide and fold in together; in addition to being very needed and not much talked about. These always included family dynamics around end-
As Tina expressed this year, “during my intensive years of study in ChIME I found a gravitational pull to elders, eldercare, and hospice. Here, I realized issues around faith and compassion seemed to collide and fold in together; in addition to being very needed and not much talked about. These always included family dynamics around end-of-life reflections, forgiveness, and creating memorials of hope.
Since 2002, ChIME has educated and ordained 186 Interfaith Ministers who serve in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in several other states. Each has fulfilled the ChIME requirements for graduation, including 500 hours of classroom time, and 300 hours of volunteer and internship service.
Incoming students bring the desire to serve a
Since 2002, ChIME has educated and ordained 186 Interfaith Ministers who serve in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in several other states. Each has fulfilled the ChIME requirements for graduation, including 500 hours of classroom time, and 300 hours of volunteer and internship service.
Incoming students bring the desire to serve a particular community or to serve children, women, or men, or people who are incarcerated, ill, in transition, marginalized, unhoused, dying, or addicted.
To look at our weekly bulletin is to feel perfectly what our worship service is like.
Warm, inviting, easy to follow, rich of content, filled with music, scripture reflection, meaningful message, calm of spirit and prayer.
Moreover, it leaves one feeling full of joy, hope, inspiration.
An hour well spent in the fellowship of others.
Followed by coffee hour, friendly conversation, and companionship.
We typically follow the liturgical calendar, and worship is based upon the lectionary readings. Sermons are interpretive and relate the Bible readings to present day life.
We appreciate messages from the pulpit that are conversational, relatable, personal, reassuring, and challenging. When the minister is away, lay persons fill in.
This time of worship allows us to explore timely, relevant topics and to see the world through the eyes of a fellow parishioner. Familiar hymns are interspersed with contemporary music.
We seek to affirm that God is one.
And we are ONE with God. All are welcomed.
Photo:
"Lovebirds" by Peter Ralston, Rockport, Maine. www.ralstongallery.com
Church Office: 207.967.3897 Email: Admin@FirstChurchofKennebunkport.org
Church Office Hours Sunday 9-5, Tuesday 9- noon, Wednesday 9-5
Appointments Appreciated
Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. Communion First Sunday of each Month
Copyright © 2024 First Church of Kennebunkport
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