The Reverend John Allen will join the Sanctuary team effective immediately—to provide pastoral leadership and administrative coverage through early September. The Church Council determined at its June meeting that we would do well to try to sustain the momentum we have begun to experience in our mission and ministry throughout the summer. With staff vac ations scheduled throughout the next couple of months, a “summer intern” seemed a good idea.
We interviewed several excellent candidates and John’s pastoral instincts, strengths in designing worship and leading music (John is a singer and a violinist), new-ministry-start experience, social media confidence, and experience working across boundaries impressed us and gave us new ideas about how we might benefit from his skills and gifts. We are delighted that he has agreed to work with us for a while—filling in for staff vacations and helping us get a few things started that need to be built out for our future. Please welcome him and be sure to show him our extravagant Sanctuary hospitality.
John is a life long member of the UCC—and grew up right here in the greater Boston Area. He worked as a firefighter and EMT through college in North Carolina, did his CPE in the Emergency Room in Harlem, worked as a minister in the chapel while in seminary at Union, and served as a chaplain with the Occupy Movement in NYC. He was recognized in seminary with honors in biblical scholarship and preaching. Here are a few more highlights from John’s resume.
Pastoral Resident, Village Church; leadership Wellesley, MA — 2013-2015: Serve as a member of the Pastoral Staff, leading worship, teaching adult education, providing pastoral care, supervising ministries of the church. Taught Confirmation class, launched a new Wednesday Evening Dinner Worship Service, assisted with both fundraising and project implementation of a major capital appeal.
Chapel Minister, Union Theological Seminary; New York, NY — 2012-2013: Worked to create carefully crafted worship, drawing on many traditions and styles, and using a range of artistic expressions including lighting, music, ritual objects and fabric hangings to create varied environments for worship. Coordinated the planning of one worship service each week.
Chaplaincy Intern, St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital; New York, NY — 2012: Completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education while assigned as the Chaplain to a 60 bed General Medical Unit, 24-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, and the Emergency Department.
Student Minister, First Congregational Church; Stamford, CT — 2011-2012: Worked with an interim minister to revitalize a congregation in conflict through creative leadership and liturgical renewal. Initiated and oversaw the founding of a new ministry to LGBTQ youth, was responsible for planning and leading weekly worship on Wednesday evenings, led Young Adult Bible study and assisted with other ministries of the church.
Summer Intern, Church of the Pilgrims; Washington, DC — 2009: Worked as an intern for The Pilgrimage, an outreach ministry which hosts youth who come to Washington DC to experience urban poverty and homelessness. Was engaged in leading worship, outreach and pastoral care, all in a supervised and reflective educational environment.
