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| Rev. Darrell Goodwin interviews Rev. Dawn Adams |
In another episode of Go Tell it On The Mountain, Executive Conference Minister, the Rev. Darrell Goodwin interviewed Rev. Dawn Adams, pastor of First Congregational Church of Brimfield, MA.
Sharing the story of her journey to becoming a minister in 2014, Rev. Adams said it was a lifelong calling that she only recently learned to follow. The thought of being a female pastor seemed impossible to Adams as she was growing up. But now, she enjoys the moments when young girls see her in that role.
"I love now when the little girls... get up next to my pulpit. There's two chairs. And so sometimes they'll come up and scoot themselves in that chair next to me, and I think, 'you will have never not known that this was possible for you,'" said Rev. Adams.
When Rev. Goodwin asked if there was one thing or a series of things that called Rev. Adams to ministry, she responded that it was a several events but attributed much to her former mentor, Rev. Ian Lynch. Rev. Lynch listened to her and showed her the path that she could take to fulfilling the dream of becoming a pastor.
Rev. Adams also shared a story about visiting Andover Newton Theological School, when it was located in Massachusetts. She had spent the day visiting the seminary and decided she was going to apply that very day. Later, she received a phone call warning her about a tornado. That tornado struck the town of Brimfield very hard, and sparked a response from the church that demonstrated "what church can be in the world, how it can serve others and still be a place of refuge when it's needed."
As the Brimfield church celebrates its 300th anniversary, Rev. Adams says they are looking forward rather than emphasizing the past. The church is very much a center of activity in the town, hosting many groups and offering it's spaces to as many as need it.
"So we try to be open to what is possible, and how does it serve God, and how do we become servants in what we do," says Rev. Adams.
First Congregational Church of Brimfield has returned to in-person worship, but continues to post sermon recordings online. There are many other ways to connect with the church. Visit brimfielducc.org for more information about the church and links to its media sites.
Watch the full interview here:
Sharing the story of her journey to becoming a minister in 2014, Rev. Adams said it was a lifelong calling that she only recently learned to follow. The thought of being a female pastor seemed impossible to Adams as she was growing up. But now, she enjoys the moments when young girls see her in that role.
"I love now when the little girls... get up next to my pulpit. There's two chairs. And so sometimes they'll come up and scoot themselves in that chair next to me, and I think, 'you will have never not known that this was possible for you,'" said Rev. Adams.
When Rev. Goodwin asked if there was one thing or a series of things that called Rev. Adams to ministry, she responded that it was a several events but attributed much to her former mentor, Rev. Ian Lynch. Rev. Lynch listened to her and showed her the path that she could take to fulfilling the dream of becoming a pastor.
Rev. Adams also shared a story about visiting Andover Newton Theological School, when it was located in Massachusetts. She had spent the day visiting the seminary and decided she was going to apply that very day. Later, she received a phone call warning her about a tornado. That tornado struck the town of Brimfield very hard, and sparked a response from the church that demonstrated "what church can be in the world, how it can serve others and still be a place of refuge when it's needed."
As the Brimfield church celebrates its 300th anniversary, Rev. Adams says they are looking forward rather than emphasizing the past. The church is very much a center of activity in the town, hosting many groups and offering it's spaces to as many as need it.
"So we try to be open to what is possible, and how does it serve God, and how do we become servants in what we do," says Rev. Adams.
First Congregational Church of Brimfield has returned to in-person worship, but continues to post sermon recordings online. There are many other ways to connect with the church. Visit brimfielducc.org for more information about the church and links to its media sites.
Watch the full interview here:
Author
Drew Page
Drew Page is the Media and Data Manager for the Southern New England Conference, and a member of the Conference's Communications Team. He writes and edits news, blogs, and devotionals, produces video, and spends a week each summer as a Dean at Silver...