During a month-long sabbatical by the Reverend Dr. Ken Baily, Newton Highlands Congregational Church is enjoying the presence of the Reverend Dr. Susan Cartmell.
She has served churches in Winchester, Needham, and Harwich Port, MA, as a settled minister; and most recently in Appleton, WI, as an interim minister.
During the COVID pandemic she and her wife, the Reverend Peggy O’Connor, interviewed 50 clergy about their experience as faith leaders during the pandemic and wrote a book entitled The Perpetual Pivot: Ministry in the Pandemic and Beyond about their research.
Her sermon themes for the month of January are as follows:
- Sunday, January 5 — The Journey Will Define You: A Sermon on the Wise Men. This week we will look at the journeys we take in our own lives and consider how to live in a way that makes a difference. We will think together about how anyone today can chart a path that leads to deeper faith.
- Sunday January 12 —Your Best Self. We will consider the meaning of baptism — not just for children — but also how the vows you took or that were taken on your behalf still influence who you are. For this service we will remember those vows with a fresh sprinkling of the congregation during Children’s Time. I’ll ask the kids to help me with the sprinkling. It should be fun!
- Sunday, January 19 —Making a Difference. On this MLK weekend we will look at the life of people like President Jimmy Carter and others who lived their faith out loud.
- Sunday, January 26 — The Church of Today and Tomorrow. What have we learned about faith leadership during the COVID 19 pandemic? We will consider this question during worship, and after worship I will lead a discussion about our research for The Perpetual Pivot. Join us for more conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing churches today. (Childcare will be available.)