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Ministry Studies |
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Field Education HandbookEdwards Church
39 Edwards Street Contact Person: Rev. Deborah Clark Project: Edwards Church is a small dynamic church located in a residential area of Framingham. The 150 members are very active and involved, and there is strong lay leadership. Worship is informal and lively, with an excellent music program. The congregation appreciates the use of drama and other innovations in worship. The membership of this church reflects a wide range of ages and family backgrounds. There is a strong commitment to children and youth, with an active Sunday School and periodic youth programs. Children of all ages have been an essential part of our monthly communion service for more than 20 years. At the same time, people who do not have children or who have non-traditional families feel accepted and welcomed. We are an Open and Affirming Congregation. At least half of the UCC churches in Massachusetts are small churches, in the 100-200 member range. Edwards Church provides an opportunity to explore the possibilities and challenges of small churches. We struggle to balance the budget, have members who devote an amazing amount of time to keep the church running (and who potentially become burned out), try to grow without losing the closeness of our community, and face major decisions about our buildings. We draw regularly upon the resources of the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC (and have several members who work there), and so Edwards would be a good place to learn more about the denomination. Student Involvement: A field ed student would have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of church life, with an emphasis on: work with the interfaith clergy group, leading programs at 3 area nursing homes and a residential treatment program for adolescent girls, developing our relationship with a family shelter, and exploring ways to engage the church in the issues facing the town of Framingham. Arts of Ministry Competencies: Preaching and Worship. Pastoral Care and Counseling. Religious Education and Spiritual Development. Administration and Program Development. Denominational Polity. Supervision: There will be weekly supervision meetings, and regular support from the Diaconate. Number of Students: 1 Total Stipend: $4,000.00 Type of Stipend: work study (sc 1000) Notes: |
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