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Pastoring
At the end of the April 6th worship service, “These Are My People,” it was great fun to sing “Together, Wherever We Go.” Jay’s talents are such a gift to our religious community! And the song was so appropriate to the theme of our service that day. As we move forward, its good to sing and think about all the ways that we come “together.”
We are called to come together to keep before ourselves our highest ideals and our love for people, no matter who they are. Staying clear and centered in our deepest intention to be a thriving religious community is our vision. It is important that this vision always be with us, before us. As Proverbs reminds us “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” [29:18] From our clear and centered vision we can come to believe in something better, something higher, something that makes a difference when we all say yes. The willingness to say yes will make the difference in our lives between misery and grace.
Remember, we’re all in this together.
“Together, Wherever We Go!”
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Rev. John G. Pastor Jr.
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Prior to coming to UUSG, our minister, Rev. John G. Pastor, Jr., served Unitarian Universalist Congregations in Athol, Weymouth, and Petersham. He graduated with academic honors from Andover Newton Theological School where he was actively involved in the Center for Faith, Health, and Spirituality and the Reiki Ministry.
During his tenure at seminary he completed a one year, full-time, chaplain residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. John was ordained in April of 2006 by the First Congregational Parish Unitarian in Petersham. In addition to serving UUSG, he is a chaplain for Allegiance Hospice and Palliative Care. He also is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the UU Mass. Action Network. Formerly he served on the Board of the Clara Barton for three years.
John lives in Petersham with his spouse, Robert C. W. Hall, Jr.. They share their rural home with their two cats, Jeeves and Salem, and their two dogs, Susie and Charlie. Rev. Pastor believes that his ministry is about helping to create a beloved church community where all are welcome. He testifies, “It is in this beloved community that we truly share our joys and sorrows, deepest concerns, uninhibited laughter, fondest dreams, and prayers for peace and justice. Building this community is my call as a Unitarian Universalist minister. I am honored and humbled in this task.
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