PastorsAnnual2004Report - Tabernacle Baptist Church of Fiskeville

Tabernacle Baptist Church of Fiskeville

PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT

JANUARY 2005

Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I have tried to let this Scripture be my guide as I ministered in your midst this past year. Our theme for 2004 was Lifted Together in Love. With that in mind, I have chosen the acronym HEART to shape this report.

Hope – Our hope and our confidence is founded in Jesus Christ. With the support of the Deacons, we have sought to provide a variety of worship experiences filled with hope and inspiration as we worship and praise God together. A special thanks is extended to the many people who have used their gifts of ministry to assist in our worship.

Encouragement – Much of our ministry takes place through a pastoral presence. Regular pastoral visits are made to those in our church family who are confined to long term care facilities including Alpine Nursing Home, Kent Regency, Shady Acres, and Riverview. Following the death of Stella Briggs and the transfer of Marjorie MacDonald to Shady Acres, worship services at Alpine were discontinued.

Parishioners have been visited during hospital stays at Kent Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Roger Williams Hospital, and St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center. In addition, your pastor participated in an Ecumenical Service at Westerly Hospital on Ash Wednesday. Home visits have been made following hospitalization, to those in need of encouragement, and to those who have difficulty or are unable to attend worship. Home visits also provide opportunities for fellowship and sharing.

Direct pastoral contact has been made with over three-fourths of the individuals and families connected to the church. Others have been contacted through social settings, by telephone or by e-mail. I look forward to continued opportunities to fellowship and share with you in a variety of settings. I would love to join your family for a time of fellowship.

Affirmation – Our ministry here at Tabernacle Baptist Church continues to be affirmed as God provides for us and blesses us. The installation of the lift has enabled several people to gain access to the sanctuary who would otherwise be unable to do so. The lift is used almost every week. We rejoice and give thanks for this blessing. The receipt of additional bequest funds is enabling us to address issues of fire code compliance. Appreciation is expressed to all who have given of their time and energies toward these accomplishments.

Your many expressions of appreciation to me as your pastor are cherished. I was deeply moved by your outpouring of love on Thanksgiving Sunday. I give thanks to God for each of you and continue to lift you up in prayer.

The effectiveness of the small church is affirmed as we have opportunity to minister through the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Haitian Missionary Baptist Church. We praise God for the privilege of having representatives from this church minister to the Haitian Community in LaRomana in January. Lucy Ugarte used her nursing skills at the hospital site, her son Jeffrey and my son Mark Goodwin used their language skills in a variety of ways. I was blessed to have the privilege to preach in two of the local churches.

Denominational activities include serving on the ABCORI Board of Mission and on the Standing Committee for Ordained Ministry. I continue to represent the Rhode Island Ministers Council on the National Senate. I also serve as President of the Andover Newton Alumni/ae Association. This involvement provides a wide range of opportunities for fellowship and continuing education as well as providing a voice for the small church.

Renewal – Our times of worship and fellowship together as a church family are renewing and encouraging. I also am thankful for experiences beyond our church that provide for spiritual renewal. In May I completed the three year program on Spirituality of Christian Living at Our Lady of Peace. Monthly gatherings for prayer and conversation at OLP continue to be an enriching experience..

Monthly meetings with our local Clergy Covenant Group provide support and nurture in a confidential setting. Grant funds through the National Ministers Council provide for a paid facilitator for these sessions. Our focus this past year has been a study of the Gospel of Luke.

Serving as a mentor in the Nehemiah Leadership Network program is stretching and challenging as I meet quarterly with a group of pastors from the northeast. This group focuses on developing and maintaining skills for transformational leadership in our churches. This year we have examined family systems and explored ways in which systems theory impacts the local church.

Travel opportunities continue to enrich and expand my understanding of Scripture and our rich church history. Part of my own personal renewal includes time with family and friends.

Transitions – A special blessing for pastors is involvement in the life transitions of members of the congregation. In this past year we celebrated the marriages of Joann Cortellessa and Frank Pfeiler on April 24 and of Jennifer Cornell and Cipriano Corpus on June 26. Your pastor conducted memorial services for Ruth Card, Stella Briggs, Alfred Carpenter and Kenneth Hobson. She also assisted with the service for Everett Card.

We joined with the Cornerstone of Faith United Methodist Church as they said farewell to Pastor Roy Richardson in June. We rejoiced with Alejandro Gaete and his congregation upon his ordination in September and celebrated the installation of new pastors at North Kingstown Baptist Church and Meshanticut Park Baptist Church. The installation of Nick Carter as President of Andover Newton Theological School in October was a time of joy.

Let us grow together through God’s grace as we respond to God’s call in 2005.

Joyously,

Pastor Joyce B. Duerr