Tabernacle Baptist Church of Fiskeville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PASTOR

January 2008

What does the Lord require of me?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.

 Micah 6:8

          As we move into our thirteenth year of shared ministry together at Tabernacle Baptist Church I recognize the need to again ask, “What does the Lord require of me?” for it is to God that I am accountable.  And it is God who equips me and sustains me for ministry in your midst.  I seek to be faithful to God in carrying out my responsibilities as your pastor.

Worship -With the support and encouragement of the Deacons we seek to provide worship services that help prepare each of us for our daily walk with Jesus.  Messages from God’s word, often based on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary texts, seek to make God’s word relevant to life today. 

Communication - We seek to maintain open and timely communications through a variety of media.  Monthly calendars with suggested Bible readings and reflections from the pastor are prepared and distributed.  The church website is updated regularly with information on weekly worship and other activities of the church.  Timely information is also distributed by e-mail through the occasional Tabernacle Church Chimes. Requests for prayer are shared through the PrayerNET and the Deacon’s Telephone Tree.  Personal notes, emails and phone calls are also used as means of communication and pastoral care.

Pastoral Care - Parishioners who are in care facilities including Haven Health Center, Riverview Healthcare Community, Shady Acres, Harborhill Assisted Living and South Bay Manor, as well as those who are confined to family homes, are visited on a regular basis.  Visits are also made to those who are hospitalized.  Appreciation is expressed to members of the Board of Deacons and the Board of Mission & Outreach who expand our visitation and outreach ministry. 

The pastor also meets with individuals and families on request to address concerns that are personal or spiritual in nature.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or members of your family. A priority is placed on those confronted with crisis situations.  I also enjoy being included in family times of fun and celebration.

Community – It was a joy to represent you as I participated in the ordination service of the Rev. Ronald Short at Central Baptist Church in Westerly.  Two other members joined me as we attended the installation of the Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson as Executive Minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.  Don served as pastor of this church in 1986-87 and again in 1988-1990.

As an American Baptist Church we are part of a wider community known as the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island.  As part of this body I have participated in the ABCORI Annual Gathering, the ABCORI Mission Celebration, and a fall ABCORI Leadership Retreat.  I served as a workshop leader for a Stewardship Conference coordinated by ABCORI and The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.  I serve as a member of the ABCORI Envisioning Team and co-led a Preparation for Change Program in a sister ABCORI church.  I was also privileged to attend this year’s ABCUSA Centennial Celebration Biennial sessions held in Washington DC.

            I have fulfilled my term of obligation on the ABCORI Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry and my term as the ABCORI Ministers Council representative to the National Ministers Council Senate. I continue to attend meetings of the ABCORI Ministers Council and regularly participate in the monthly meetings of our local Clergy Covenant Group.  I have also completed my tenure on the Andover Newton Alumni Board of Directors.  I currently serve as secretary of the Governing Board the Rhode Island State Council of Churches and continue to serve on the Board of Directors of WARM (Westerly Area Rest & Meals). 

Continuing Education – During the past year I have competed requirements for 6.2 Continuing Education units.  A January conference on the Bible and Church Today featured nationally recognized theologian Marcus Borg and noted preacher Barbara Brown Taylor.  Travel to Israel and Egypt again enriched my understanding of Scripture and the life of Jesus.  I received certification in Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center following completion of a weeklong program offered by the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence.  I also completed the ABCORI sponsored consultant training program for Preparation for Change and Revisioning Ministry.

            It is with joy that I continue to serve as your pastor here at Tabernacle Baptist Church.  I trust that I have enriched your daily walk with Jesus as you have enriched mine.  If  you have any suggestions of ways in which I can enhance my ministry as your pastor please share them with me.

Joyously serving Jesus with you,

Pastor Joyce B. Duerr