Media Directory to Massachusetts Protestant and Orthodox Churches

Who’s Who and Who Can Tell You What

Contents

Introduction

This revised Media Directory to Protestant and Orthodox Churches is a quick reference designed to facilitate access by print and broadcast media. Because some of the information will change from time to time, the Council provides periodic updates. We welcome feedback from print and broadcast representatives on the structure and content of this document. We hope it will assist you in covering religion news.

The Rev. Jack Johnson, Massachusetts Council of Churches

Massachusetts Council of Churches (MCC)

NUMBER: Seventeen Protestant and Orthodox Denominations, including:

TOTAL NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES IN MASSACHUSETTS IN THE MCC MEMBER DENOMINATIONS: c. 1,700

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: The State of Massachusetts

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Founded in 1902, the MCC is part of the worldwide "ecumenical(Christian unity) movement" – the quest to heal the divisions within and among Christian churches. The divisions exist in areas of theology, ethics, polity (church and structure), and custom. The effort to reconcile the churches is motivated by the desire to be a more credible and effective reconciling force in the world.

Thus, all MCC programming relates to these aims: decreasing barriers and increasing understanding among the churches (MCC members and non-members); and serving as an avenue of cooperation on issues of common concern. These issues are both internal (e.g. Christian education, dialogues about church-dividing problems) and external public policy concerns.

ORGANIZATION: Member-denominations must subscribe to a statement of Christian understanding described in the Constitution. Decision-making occurs at the Annual Meeting (approval of budget, election of officers, Constitutional changes), and through a c. 40-member Board of Directors composed of officially appointed representatives from member-denominations, plus invited representatives from eight other ecumenical agencies, and six individuals with special ecumenical commitments or expertise. The Board meets approximately six times per year. The organization is supported by two executive and one administrative staff.

OFFICES AND CENTERS: The MCC headquarters is in Boston (near the State House). Board meetings usually are held in Framingham.

PRESS CONTACT: The Rev. Diane C. Kessler, Executive Director (see numbers listed above).

African Methodist Episcopal Church, Boston - Hartford District

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 24

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 8,701

ORDAINED CLERGY: 58

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The African Methodist Episcopal Church was started in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a group of disinherited African Americans whose forefathers came from Africa. The leader of this group was a 27 year-old "African," Richard Allen. At that time the word "African" was used to designate those persons whom we now call African Americans or blacks.

The movement to organize a church separated from non-blacks was started in response to the "Africans" need for opportunities for self-expression and fuller involvement in the service of the worship of God, and in society as a whole. It was the answer to a cry for social recognition as human beings, and the means through which a group of people started on a program which gave them a growing sense of dignity and self-respect.

ORGANIZATION: Holds up the image of the Church which believes in freedom, education, rendering assistance to people in times of distress, liberty and justice. Defenders of job opportunities and decent housing. This is part of the continuing philosophy, genius, religion, order and polity of African Methodist Episcopal Church.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

Presiding Elder Herbert L. Eddy
1587 Bay Street
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 783-5597

PRESS CONTACTS: See Above

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, New England Conference, Northeastern Region

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 17

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 1700

ORDAINED CLERGY:

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: (North) from Portland, Maine, (West) to Great Barrington and Pittsfield, MA, (South) to Attleboro, MA

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The A.M.E. Zion Church is an independent body, having withdrawn from the John Street Methodist Church of New York City in 1796. The first bishop was James Varick.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

The Rev. Margaret Lawson, Presiding Elder
Boston District, New England Annual Conference
76 Booth St.
Needham, MA 02494
(617) 388-4119
E-mail: revmrl10@aol.com

PRESS CONTACTS:

The Rev. Margaret Lawson, Presiding Elder, Boston District, New England Annual Conference, 76 Booth St., Needham, MA 02494, (617) 388-4119

The Rev. Dr. Michael Ellis, Columbus Ave. AME Zion Church, 600 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118 , (617) 266-2758

American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM)

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 261

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 46,204

ORDAINED CLERGY: 360

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Massachusetts

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Our oldest church was founded in 1663, in Swansea. The State Baptist organization was chartered in 1802 as the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, the oldest Baptist Missionary Society in the western hemisphere. TABCOM is one of 34 regional organizations in the American Baptist Churches, USA, a body of approximately 6,000 churches and slightly over 1.5 million members. 45% of the membership is of African heritage or non-English speaking ethnic groups and 55% English speaking Caucasian.

ORGANIZATION: American Baptists follow Free Church polity, by which local churches are autonomous, yet interdependent. Each church is a member of one of our eight associations, which together form the state organization. Business is transacted at the Annual Gathering, to which churches and associations send delegates, with business and policy between Annual Gatherings handled by a Board of Directors of about 38 members or by the Executive Committee of 14 members.

OFFICES AND CENTERS: The general offices are in Dedham (781) 320-8100. There are five area offices: Southeastern MA, Greater Boston, Northeastern MA, West of Boston and Western MA, plus two camp and conference centers – one in Groton, MA and one in Ocean Park, ME.

PRESS CONTACTS:

or Ms. Wendy Maxwell, Assistant to the Executive Minister at (781) 320-8100 x 111

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES:  8

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: All the United States except California, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
Diocese of the Armenian Church in America
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4806
(212) 686-0710
Web site: www.armenianchurch.org

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:   The Armenian Church in America has its roots in Massachusetts.  In 1891, the city of Worcester became home to the country's first Armenian sanctuary: the Armenian Church of Our Saviour.  More then 100 years later, that community is still thriving, and has been joined by seven other parishes in Cambridge, Cape Cod, Chelmsford, Framingham, Lawrence/Haverhill, Springfield, and Watertown.  Metropolitan Boston boasts one of the country's largest concentrations of Armenian Americans.

ORGANIZATION:  The head of the Eastern Diocese is the Primate--currently His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian--who is elected by clerical and lay representatives of the parishes at the Diocesan Assembly which meets annually.  The Primate is president of the Diocesan Council, consisting of lay and clerical members which governs the affairs of the Diocese.   

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

Diocese of the Armenian Church in America
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4806
(212) 686-0710

PRESS CONTACTS:

Mr. George Kassis, Director of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church in America
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4806
(212) 686-0710

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Northeastern Region, Inc., New England District

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 7

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 625

ORDAINED CLERGY: 46

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Disciples have had a small, but significant presence in New England, since the early 1800’s. The Wildman and Osborn families founded the Danbury, CT, congregation in 1817. The Lubec, ME, congregation, made up of 31 Disciples under the leadership of elder George Garraty, was organized on April 20, 1861. At one time, there were three Disciples congregations in Lubec. Disciples maintain the vision of unity among all Christians, and continue the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper as the central act of worship.

ORGANIZATION: The Regional Board of the Northeastern Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provides leadership for the congregationally based ministry of the region. The Region is divided into areas with staff members providing support for congregational ministry.

Western/Central New York and Metropolitan New York City/New Jersey (Rev. Lonnie Oates); New England/Capital (Rev. Sharon Hart). The Region is also served by licensed minister Ariel Rodriguez, who provides leadership among Hispanic Disciples, and the Rev. Daniel Maiden, Regional Administrator.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

PRESS CONTACTS: The Rev. Lonnie Oates, Regional Administrator (New York, NY – above)

Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian Church, Massachusetts Association)

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 6

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 350

ORDAINED CLERGY: 17

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: All of Massachusetts

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Massachusetts Association is part of the national organized Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) and it was formally organized here in Boston in 1818, the national body having come from England at a much earlier date and been established in Philadelphia. This church reached its peak at the beginning of the 19^th Century. Its followers were prominent intellectuals who believed that the literal sense of the Bible carried a much deeper spiritual meaning.

ORGANIZATION: Believes in the divinity of Christ. Jesus the understanding of God. The word made flesh, God himself representing his omnipotent love. Each church has an independent form of government. All have in common the spiritual sense of the Bible according to the revelation given to Emanuel Swedenborg. Swedish scientist, philosopher and theologian – 1688-1772.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

General offices:

Other centers (societies) Bridgewater, Elmwood, Brockton, Cambridge, Newtonville, Boston, Yarmouthport (Cape)

PRESS CONTACTS:

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 194

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 84,000 baptized members, 51,000 communicants (making the Diocese the largest in the Episcopal Church USA)

ORDAINED CLERGY: 687 licensed and canonically resident priests

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Eastern third of Massachusetts: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Norfolk, Middlesex, Plymouth and Suffolk counties, and the town of Southboro in Worcester County.

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Diocese of Massachusetts is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States and the world-wide Anglican Communion. There are nearly 70 million members of the Anglican family of 38 self-governing churches in 164 countries. The spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion is the Most Rev. George Carey, the Archbishop of Canterbury; the presiding bishop of the American Church is the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III. The Episcopal Church USA includes 2,500,000 members in 115 dioceses and jurisdictions.

The Diocese of Massachusetts was established in 1784. Its membership grew out of the Puritan influx on the 18^th Century.

ORGANIZATION: The word episcopal comes from the Greek work meaning of or relating to bishops and refers to the organizational structure of the Church, with bishops as its chief pastors. The word episcopal is generally used in those churches which believe that the authority of bishops, ordained through the Laying On of Hands by other bishops, has come down in an unbroken line from Christ’s Apostles. The bishop serves as Chief Pastor and teacher of the local congregations, organized as parishes or missions that make up the Diocese.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

PRESS CONTACTS:

Ms. Maria Plati, Director of Communications (617) 482-4826 x 506

Tracy J. Sukraw, Editor, Assoc. Director and Editor, The Episcopal Times (617) 482-4826 x 493

Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 69 and 1 summer chapel

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 25,000 Baptized Members; 15,000 Confirmed Communicants

ORDAINED CLERGY: 150

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: 5 western counties of the state of Massachusetts

CHIEF OFFICER:

The Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton, Bishop
E-mail: gscruton@diocesewma.org
Web site: www.diocesewma.org

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Episcopal Church USA, is one of 28 members of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. The Diocese of Western Massachusetts is one of the 98 dioceses (geographical jurisdictions) in the United States and was incorporated in 1901 when the state of Massachusetts was reorganized into two separate dioceses.

ORGANIZATION: The Episcopal Church is sacramental, liturgical church governed by episcopos (bishops).Each local parish is served by an ordained minister (priest or deacon) called a rector or vicar, and an elected body of lay persons called a vestry. The diocese holds an annual legislative Convention and a representative diocesan Council serves throughout the year to assist in carrying out policies and programs for the diocese. Education for all ages, mission and outreach are important priorities for our member parishes and we joined the rest of the Episcopal Diocesan A Decade of Evangelism in the 1990’s.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

PRESS CONTACTS:

Janice Beetle Scaife, Editor, Pastoral Staff
(413) 586-7732

Evangelical Covenant Church, East Coast Conference

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 60 churches (16 in Massachusetts)

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 9,286 (3,030 in Massachusetts)

ORDAINED CLERGY: 105 (27 in Massachusetts)

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and the eastern sections of New York and Pennsylvania.

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The East Coast Conference was officially organized in 1890. It is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, organized in 1885, which has its roots in historical Christianity as it emerged in the Protestant Reformation, in the Biblical instruction of the Lutheran State Church of Sweden, and in the great spiritual awakening of the nineteenth century.

ORGANIZATION: Congregational/Presbyteral in make-up: congregational in that local congregations are autonomous; presbyteral in relation to the Conference and Denominational structure. The general administration is vested in an elected Board and in the Conference Superintendent, responsible to the Annual Meeting of the Conference. The highest constituted authority is the roster of credentialed delegates to that Annual Meeting.

OFFICES AND CENTERS: (Member agencies)

Pilgrim Pines Conference Center, P.O. Box 40, West Swanzey, NH 03469

New England Seafarers Mission, One Black Falcon Avenue, Boston, MA 02210

The Children’s Home of Cromwell, 60 Hicksville Road, Cromwell, CT 06416

PRESS CONTACTS: East Coast Conference Office, (860) 635-2691

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, New England Synod

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 192 congregations, 4 missions

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: ELCA 5.25 million members. New England Synod 77,000 members

ORDAINED CLERGY: 359 ordained clergy and associates in ministry (including retired)

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Six New England states, plus 2 Upper New York Counties (Essex and Franklin)

CHIEF OFFICER:

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Lutherans comprise the oldest and largest of the Christian bodies stemming from the 16^th Century Reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. Lutherans were given the name of the reformer who called for the church to be evangelical, or Gospel-centered, while being part of the church that is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. There are over 70 million Lutherans around the globe, and at least 8 million in the United States. Lutherans began coming to America in the 17^th Century. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the fifth largest church body in the U.S. with 5.3 million members, and is the product of a recent merger of three Lutheran bodies; the Lutheran Church in America, the American Lutheran Church, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. The ELCA began its life officially on January 1, 1988.

ORGANIZATION: The Evangelical Lutheran church in America is an inter-dependence of congregations, synodical, and churchwide agencies. Authority is shared by its leadership (bishops), its staff, representative Councils and Assemblies. The ELCA Church Council meets quarterly while the Churchwide Assembly is biennial. The New England Synod, like most other synods, meets in Assembly annually. Most of the assemblies, boards, councils and committees of this church consist of 60% lay persons, 40% clergy. A quota of 10% of persons of color or whose first language is other than English has been set in order to ensure greater representation of minority ethnic presence.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

Camp Calumet Lutheran ,West Osippee, NH
Donald Johnson, Director, (603) 539-4773

PRESS CONTACTS:

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 63

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 200,000

ORDAINED CLERGY: 75

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut (Danielson, Enfield, New London, Norwich)

CHIEF OFFICER: Metropolitan Methodios

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church was established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection in the year A.D. 33.

ORGANIZATION: The Diocese of Boston is part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul, Turkey.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
162 Goddard Avenue
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 277-4742
E-mail: metropolis@boston.goarch.org
Web site: www.boston.goarch.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
10 East 79^th Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 570-3500

Ecumenical Patriarchate
Rum Patrikhanesi
342 20 Fener-Halic
Istanbul, Turkey

PRESS CONTACTS:

Sophia Nibi
162 Goddard Avenue
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 277-4742
FAX: (617) 739-9229

Orthodox Observer
8 East 79^th Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 570-3555

New England Yearly Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 68 Monthly Meetings, plus about 25 Worship Groups and Preparative Meetings.

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 4,000 PLUS

ORDAINED CLERGY: No ordination of clergy, yet Friends "recording of gifts in the ministry" is recognized by the state. Six Monthly Meetings have pastors.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: The six New England States

CHIEF OFFICER: No executive secretary or chief officer. The Field Secretary is seen as representing the Yearly Meeting organization; the Presiding Clerk of the sessions has duties during the year and often represents the organization ecumenically. The Clerk of the Permanent Board presides over Yearly Meeting business between the annual sessions.

HISTORICAL BACKBROUND: Quakerism began in England in 1652. The first general meeting of Quakers in New England met in Rhode Island in 1661, which was more hospitable to Quakers than Massachusetts. Traditional Quaker worship was unprogrammed, but in the 19th Century, many Quakers in the U.S., including some Friends in New England, broke from tradition to become churches with pastors and programmed worship. Three different branches of New England Friends joined together once more in 1945 to become one organization in which variety in worship styles is accepted.

ORGANIZATION: New England Yearly Meeting of Friends is not organized along state lines, but in eight groupings called Quarterly meetings, named for the frequency of business meetings (as are Monthly Meetings, and the Yearly meeting). Each meeting is autonomous, there is no creed, but Friends follow standard practices which have been agreed upon by all at Yearly Meeting business sessions and are set forth in the book of Faith and Practice, published by the Yearly Meeting (1986). Between yearly sessions, a Permanent Board, officers, and staff carry on the meeting's affairs.

OFFICES AND CENTERS: The Yearly meeting office is in the Worcester Monthly meeting's Meetinghouse. Staff consists of an Administrative Secretary who coordinates office operations and committee work and maintains records and directories; a Field Secretary who visits local Meetings and coordinates the annual sessions; a Youth and Education Secretary coordinating youth work and Christian education; a Camp Director, and a part-time Archivist. Friends maintain a summer camp (Friends Camp) at China Lake, ME, a home for the elderly (New England Friends Home) in Hingham, MA and are responsible for Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. The New England Yearly Meeting Archives are held in the Rhode Island Historical Society Library, also in Providence. Some large meetings have their own offices and/or Resident Friends.

OFFICES:

STAFF CONTACTS:

Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Presbytery of Boston

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 24 in Presbytery of Boston

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 3,225 in Presbytery of Boston

ORDAINED CLERGY: 91 in Presbytery of Boston (2,361 in the Synod of the Northeast)

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Presbytery of Boston: from the Quabbin, including Worcester to the Atlantic Ocean, Excluding Cape Cod. Synod of the Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Rev. Frank Poole. Chief Administrative Officer
Synod of the Northeast
5812 Heritage Landing Dr.
East Syracuse, NY 13057-9360
315-446-5990; FAX 315-446-5990
E-mail: synodoffice@synodne.org
Web site: www.synodne.org

Rev. Wayne Parrish, General Presbyter
Presbytery of Boston
210 Herrick Rd.
Newton Centre, MA 02459
(617) 244-4766
e-mail: presbyteryofboston.gp@verizon.net

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Presbyterians in New England have a long history. Many historians believe the first church established at Plymouth was essentially Presbyterian. Among the first Puritans who settled here in the early 1600s were a considerable number of Presbyterians. More came as French Huguenots in the late 1600s. The largest wave of Presbyterians came as Scottish-Irish immigrants in the mid 1700s. Since the days of the Great Awakening, when thousands of settlers and Native Americans congregated to hear sermons by George Whitefield, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards, and Gilbert Tennent, Presbyterians of the Northeast have been committed to a ministry of outreach. Part of two presbyteries (Northern New England and Southern New England) and all of the Presbytery of Boston fall within the purview of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. In Boston, the first Presbyterian Church was built in 1730. Most of the denomination's current Boston-area churches date from the mid to late 19th century. A rich diversity of theological and political viewpoints is represented among the clergy and lay people of the denomination in the greater Boston area.

ORGANIZATION: In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church identifies with the Protestant Reformation, or Reformed, tradition. The Protestant watch words—grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone – guide and undergird beliefs. The denomination believes people are elected by God for service as well as salvation. There is an emphasis on covenant life marked by disciplined order, faithful stewardship, and a response to God’s call to transform society by seeking justice. Congregations, taken collectively, constitute one church. This church is governed by presbyters (elders and ministers of the word and Sacrament). Presbyters come together in governing bodies, traditionally called judicatories. Local churches are governed by elders serving on the session. Groups of churches in a region comprise a presbytery (e.g., Presbytery of Boston). Groups of presbyteries in a geographic region comprise a synod (e.g., Synod of the Northeast). The church is governed at the national level by the General Assembly. Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ. Decisions are reached in governing bodies by vote, following discussion, and a majority governs.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

Presbytery of Boston
Office of the Stated Clerk
The Rev. Catherine T.R. MacDonald
9 Independence Drive
Burlington, MA 01803
(781) 273-2213
FAX: (781) 238-4425

Presbytery of Boston
210 Herrick Rd.
Newton Centre, MA 02459
(617) 244-4766

Synod of the Northeast
5811 Heritage Landing Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057-9360
(315) 446-5990
800) 585-5881
FAX: (315) 446-3708

PRESS CONTACTS: Presbytery of Boston, Office of the General Presbyter (see above)

Synod of the Northeast:

Ms. Lida Dawson Price
Project Consultant/Stewardship and Communication
5811 Heritage Landing Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057-9360
(315) 446-3708
(800) 585-5881
FAX: (315) 446-3708

The Presbytery of Northern New England

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 32

4 in Massachusetts

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 4,000 in Northern New England Presbytery

ORDAINED CLERGY: 120 in Northern New England Presbytery

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: States of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the Merrimack River Valley in Massachusetts.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Rev. Dr. Richart Wyatt
Northern New England Presbytery
Executive Presbyter
27 Lowell Street, Suite 407
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 629-9900

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The oldest Presbyterian Church in Northern New England was established in 1735 (Londonderry, NH) and served as the "mother church" for several other churches founded in the mid 1700’s. The presbytery has eleven churches over 200 years, the vast majority founded in the late 1890’s and one new church development.

ORGANIZATION: Same as Presbytery of Boston

PRESS CONTACTS:

Northern New England
Office of the Executive Presbyter
27 Lowell Street, Suite 407
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 629-9900

The Presbytery of Southern New England

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 34

5 in Massachusetts

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 9505

508 in Massachusetts

ORDAINED CLERGY: 142

26 in Massachusetts

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: The state of Connecticut, the State of Rhode Island and those portions of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts west of the western boundary of the County of Worcester and south of the forty-second degree of latitude and including all of Cape Cod.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Rev. Dana F. Lindsley
Executive Presbyter
The Presbytery of Southern New England
123 Elm St., Ste. 200
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 388-0874
FAX: (860) 388-5813
E-mail: pamgarner@psne.org

PRESS CONTACTS:

Elder William Thomas
The Presbytery of Southern New England
123 Elm St., Ste. 200
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 388-0874
FAX: (860) 388-5813
 

The Salvation Army

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 38

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 2,810

ORDAINED CLERGY: 82

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Massachusetts

CHIEF OFFICER:

Lt. Col. Fred Van Brunt The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters
147 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-5420
E-mail: sadcfred@aol.com
Web site: www.salvationarmy-usaeast.org

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Salvation Army is an international religious and charitable organization founded by William Booth, a Methodist minister. Today, the Salvation Army is active in 103 countries throughout the world.

Captain Annie Shirley began the Massachusetts Division in 1884. Since its founding, the Massachusetts Division has provided an array of social services, as well as the opportunity for spiritual salvation.

ORGANIZATION: The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. Its objects are "the advancement of the Christian religion…of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole."

Evangelistic and social enterprises are maintained, under the authority of the General, by full-time officers and employees, as well as by soldiers. Leadership in the Army is provided by commissioned officers that are recognized ministers of religion.

OFFICES AND CENTERS: The Massachusetts Division of the Salvation Army is headquartered at:

Thirty-five Corps Community Centers are located in major cities throughout the state and ten program centers are scattered across the Commonwealth.

PRESS CONTACTS:

State Headquarters (Boston)
Michael Fetcho, Assistant Director of Community Relations and Development
(617) 542-5420

Unitarian Universalist Association, Mass. Bay District

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 56

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 1,350

ORDAINED CLERGY: 115

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Boston metro-area: south to Quincy, west to Framingham, north to the New Hampshire line.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Rev. William Sinkford

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The District was formed after the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America in 1961.

ORGANIZATION: Congregational

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

110 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-3231
Web site: www.uua.org

PRESS CONTACTS:

Roger C. Peltier
Mass Bay District Administrator
110 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-3231

Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 430

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 102,000

ORDAINED CLERGY: 845

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: All Massachusetts.

CHIEF OFFICER:

Rev. Stephen Sterner
Conference Minister and President
One Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 875-5233
E-mail: sterners@macucc.org
Web site: www.macucc.org

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The churches of the Massachusetts Conference represent the oldest and largest Protestant denomination of the Bay State. Most of its churches are of the Congregational tradition, and direct descendants of the churches founded by the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 40 of its churches were organized before 1699, and another 150 before 1799. Until 1833, the Congregational Church was the official, tax-supported church of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Conference finds its roots as a statewide organization in the founding of the Massachusetts Missionary Society in 1799.

The United Church of Christ (UCC) of which the Conference is a part, is a national denomination of 1.4 million members. It was formed in 1957 from a merger of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

ORGANIZATION: Only divine authority is recognized; each local church is self-governing and chooses its own leadership. Churches band together in area associations. There are eleven such associations in the Conference. Action within the fellowship is by consent, usually by means of majority vote. The Conference has an annual business meeting; between meetings, its affairs are overseen by a Board of Directors and officers elected by the meeting. More information including a directory of churches is available at http://www.macucc.org

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

The General Office is in Framingham. There are area offices in Boston, Haverhill, Plymouth, Worcester and Ludlow plus retreat centers in Framingham, Cummington, and Centerville on Cape Cod.

PRESS CONTACTS:

General Offices: Stephen Sterner, Tiffany Vail (508) 875-5233

Associate Conference Ministers in Area Offices:

Metropolitan Boston: Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough (781) 890-1444

Central Area: Rev. Laura Lee Kent (508) 853-3446

Southeast Area: Rev. Dale Hempen (508) 746-8330

Northeast Area: Rev. Dr. Michael Penn-Strah (978) 373-6748

Western Area: Rev. Dr. Peter Wells (413) 589-7034

United Methodist Church, New England Area

NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCHES: 571 (6/4/99) (237 in Massachusetts)

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 111,000 (6/4/99)

ORDAINED CLERGY: 691 (6/4/99)

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Eastern Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island

CHIEF OFFICER:

Bishop Peter D. Weaver
United Methodist Center
P.O. Box 249
Lawrence, MA 01842
(978) 682-7555
FAX: (978) 682-9555
E-mail: BishopsOffice@neumc.org
Web site: www.neumc.org

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Methodist movement began in England during the mid-18^th century. Roots of the United Methodist church in New England may be traced to several early Methodist preachers who came to America during the 18^th century. The Methodist Church in America was organized in 1784, and the original New England Conference began in 1795. The United Methodist Church is a worldwide denomination of about 17 million members, and was formed in 1968 from a merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

ORGANIZATION: The United Methodist Church is governed by a General Conference that meets every four years. There are 67 active bishops, which, along with retired bishops, compose the Council of Bishops, which meets semi-annually. The Resident Bishop is the chief pastor and presiding officer of the Annual Conference. The New England Conference is divided into ten districts. Each district is administered by a District Superintendent in consultation with the Bishop. The New England Conference meets annually in late May-early June for its regular business session, where an equal number of clergy members and lay members from local congregations are present to report on the previous year, and to set directions for the year ahead. At the conclusion of the conference, the Bishop appoints the pastors to their ministry for the next year.

OFFICES AND CENTERS:

The Office of the Bishop, The Business Office, and The Resource Ministries Office are at:

United Methodist Center
P.O. Box 249, 276 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01842-0449

PRESS CONTACTS:

Rev. Michael A. Hickcox
Director of Communications
P.O. Box 249
Lawrence, MA 01842-0449
(978) 682-7676 X 22
FAX: (978) 682-7677
E-mail: Communicate@neumc.org