Greetings!

As I conclude my time as the pastor of Second Congregational Church, I would like to thank some of people and groups in the church who have made a difference to me on one level or another. I wish I could thank everyone who deserves it.

Thank you to our office staff, past and present, who have allowed me to do what I do without having to worry about the day-to-day administrative responsibilities. Rhonda Kachinski is currently assisted by Nancy Cordeiro. (Nancy Thayer is the kindest and most enjoyable office volunteer ever!) Along with bulletins and the Arrow, among other responsibilities, they continue the Treasurer’s work previously done by Janet Sullivan and Trudy Canterbury.

Our music ministry is amazing, as anyone knows who has been in worship here. Thank you to Len Rogach for his musical and conducting skill, as well as his awareness of and sensitivity to the specific individuals and occasions that arise around funerals, weddings, and other special events (as well as worship). Donna Lee Honeywell has led our children’s choir with a contagious enthusiasm and amazing skill.

Our building and grounds have been kept beautifully by Bonnie Blais and Jason Corbin, who were preceded by Rob Wenzel, Dave and Jaye Cotter and Alan Slaney.

I am grateful for the abundance of leadership in this church in general and the four Moderators in particular with whom I have worked since 2008: Bonnie Karas, Sarah Miller, Beth Zelazo and Barbara Larkin. Every one of them have been committed to the well-being of this branch of the Body of Christ and have exercised their leadership with care, integrity and the gift of considerable amounts of time.

I hold deep gratitude for Bob Haveles and his work, particularly during the pandemic, to produce the best version possible of our worship services for M-Pact, WARE 1250 AM/97.7 FM, and Facebook. He has been assisted willingly and capably by Bob Willis and Scott Knolton. In case you haven’t heard, I’ve been thanked around town for those!

The Diaconate is a team of people committed to helping our worship life be the best it can be. I am grateful for the Head Deacons who have facilitated their work during my time here, including John Theofane and Denise Summers.

I am grateful for the many individuals who reached out to me with kindness and support when I had surgery in 2017. Every single gesture of caring went straight to my heart, and every prayer helped me to heal.

Thank you to the Re-opening Committee. Our work was not easy and it wouldn’t qualify as “fun,” but it was important and we approached it with the seriousness it deserved and did our job well.

Thank you to my wife, Beverly. More than anyone else on the planet, she can hear my thoughts about my work at the church and say, “I understand.” I am grateful that the people of this church have been able to see and appreciate her many gifts over the last several months.

Thank you to those who had occasion to express disagreement with me about something and talked about it. I am the better for it.

Finally, thank you to the late John Auchter for his encouragement when I first began here. When I wondered if I was up to the task, he looked me directly in the eye and said, “If you weren’t up to the task, we wouldn’t have called you to be our pastor.”

Please attend (or listen to) the worship services of June 19 and 26 for further reflections about saying good-bye and what I will miss.

Rev. Bruce