The Church of Christ, Congregational in Millis has experienced two big changes over the past few months, including temporarily moving all of its services and activities to an online format; but one of the changes is not due to COVID-19. On May 17, the Church of Christ said good-bye to Senior Pastor, the Reverend Jennifer Munroe-Nathans, who has moved to a new assignment as Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church of Littleton (Littleton, MA). Rev. Jen was pastor of the Church of Christ in Millis for 13 years and she provided spiritual leadership, guidance and pastoral care to members, friends, visitors and the community. In addition to her role as faith-leader of the congregation, Rev. Jen organized numerous services, events, activities, ministries and outreach programs, and through a combination of humor and deep compassion, was focused on making it known that everyone is welcome at the Church of Christ. Rev. Jen also had an active role in the community as Chaplain for the Millis Fire and Police Departments. 

To fill the role of Interim Pastor at the Church of Christ, a Search Committee conducted a detailed application and interview process and was pleased to offer the call to the Reverend Jennifer Geary.  Rev. Geary, who began her Interim Ministry at the Church of Christ on May 18, holds a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1995. Rev. Geary has 25 years of ministry experience, serving in various locations as a settled Pastor, Interim Pastor, and as Director of an outdoor ministry site for the Rhode Island UCC. The Church of Christ welcomes Rev. Geary and appreciates the continuity of pastoral leadership that she will bring to the congregation and the community.

 

Despite the big change in the Pastor position, the Church of Christ has been full steam (or should we say full-stream) ahead, moving all of its activities on-line in mid-March, when Gov. Charlie Baker issued stay-at-home orders. Since that time, the church has offered weekly check-ins on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., as well as Sunday morning worship services at 10 a.m. All of these events have been live-streamed on the Church of Christ’s Facebook page, MillisUCCChurch, and they are also available to view after the event has ended.  Those without Facebook accounts can still access the church’s Facebook page at:  facebook.com/MillisUCCChurch, or by clicking on the Facebook link on the church website at:  www.millisucc.org.

 

The Church of Christ has also continued to stay connected through a variety of outreach activities, including communicating regularly with church members and friends, holding virtual meetings with the youth group and church leadership, helping to support Millis Food Pantry operations, participating in a Virtual 5K Race for New Life Furniture Bank, and having a presence in the recent “Back at Ya” parade for Millis First Responders which was organized by St. Thomas’ youth group.

The leadership council at the Church of Christ has been following the guidance of Gov. Baker, as well as the national and local leadership of the United Church of Christ, and will continue to delay the re-opening of the church building until it is determined to be safe to gather in person.  In the meantime, the Church of Christ continues to offer its vibrant, virtual version of faith formation, social interaction and outreach to anyone who wants to participate.  For more information about services, activities and updates, visit the church website at:  www.millisucc.org. Or leave a message on voicemail: (508) 376-5034 or email: [email protected], and someone will respond to your message