|
With great joy and anticipation the congregation of Payson Park Church is pleased to announce the arrival of the Rev. Lael Atkinson as their new settled pastor. An Installation Service was held on Sunday, May 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. to formally mark her ministry at the church and in Belmont. The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough, Area Minister of the Metropolitan Boston Association of the UCC presided.
Prior to arriving at Payson Park Church last January, Rev. Atkinson served the Old South Church in Boston where her work as Associate Minister focused in the areas of pastoral care and spiritual growth since 1998. She was also involved in area outreach programs, offering leadership and support to Saturday's and Sunday's Bread meal program, Habitat for Humanity, Training, Inc. of YWCA, Boston Aging Concerns, and Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. She is active in denominational initiatives and is president of The Winthrop Club, a gathering of ministers serving the United Church of Christ. She makes her home in South Boston.
A resident of the Boston area for twenty years Rev. Atkinson was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Her undergraduate years were spent at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she earned a B.A. in English; she received her Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. Before entering seminary she worked first in the private sector and later as an advocate for homebound elders in the South End and South Boston with the City of Boston’s Commission on Affairs for the Elderly. She has also founded a bimonthly newspaper for senior citizens and served as a Volunteer Chaplain at Mass. General Hospital.
“My call to ministry developed gradually as I learned to put my faith into action,” says Rev. Atkinson. “I look forward to sharing my experiences and leadership with the people of Belmont.”
If you have any questions or would like to speak with me directly please do not hesitate
to telephone me at 617-484-1542 or e-mail me at
pastor@paysonpark.org.
God's Peace to You!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Lael Atkinson
|
