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Reverend Dr. David Fountain
Dear Congregational Church of Topsfield
Friends,
I am so pleased and honored to have been invited by you to serve as your
transitional minister in this important journey you are beginning. I am
looking forward to getting to know all of you as time and opportunity
permit and was asked to o!er a little about myself as I anticipate joining
you on June 6.
I am married to Lissa and have two sons, Caleb (21) and Sam (17). Southborough
has been our home for 15 years. I am a native of California, and have
engaged in professional ministry in New England for
the majority of my ministry career. My early years in the ministry involved
ministry in higher education. After four years of service at Harvard as
a denominational minister, I accepted a University appointment to serve
as the Associate Minister of The Memorial Church, working with The Rev'd
Prof. Peter J. Gomes. I felt a call to parish ministry while at Harvard
and after completing my Doctor of Ministry degree entitled "The Faith
Content of First Year MBA's At Harvard Business School." I accepted
a call as Associate Minister at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich,
Connecticut. The years in Greenwich prepared me for ministry as Senior
Pastor along the "high tech new west" of Longmont, Colorado.
My last "settled" parish was in Southborough, Massachusetts
at Pilgrim Church. I am a trained Transitional Ministry Specialist and
believe this is perhaps one of the most dynamic moments in a church life
cycle with clergy.
I love to kayak, snowshoe, listen to music (opera to rock), and have
been known to be a a whiz on the wok, ("It's fast and forgiving!").
I am an insatiable reader, silence vapasana meditator and like my brother,
who is also a minister, (it appears to be a… genetic defect!) love
the movies. Lissa is a registered yoga teacher and has a thriving yoga
practice in Boston/Metro-West and. She has led Lenten contemplative workshops
in several congregations and is on the national teaching staff of Svaroopá
Yoga. She holds
a BA in English literature from Emerson College and an MA in modern dance
from American University in Washington DC.
We have two sons; Caleb is a senior at Sarah Lawrence College completing
a year abroad at Oxford University and Sam is in his junior year
in high school. I have completed a number of transitional pastorates in
Dover, W. Concord, Longmeadow, Leominster, Sutton and most recently in
Holliston and Rehoboth. In
addition to pastoral ministry I have served on the Board of Church
and Ministry for the Central Association of the Massachusetts Conference
United Church of Christ. I have served as Chairperson of The Transitional
Ministry Committee for the Commission on Leadership Development for the
Conference, for eight years I was a trainer with the Clergy Boundary Awareness
Training for the MACUCC.
Looking forward to joining with you in ministry a short time as we seek
to live faithfully together as God’s people. Until then I remain…
Faithfully Yours in Christ
Rev’d Dr. David Fountain
1. How long will the search for a new pastor take?
It is important that you as a congregation know who you are in order for
the search committee to present a clear picture during the selection of
candidates to interview. So, thoughtful re?ection about The Congregational
Church of Topsfield precedes interviews. Generally the entire process
rarely takes more than two years.
2. Will things be di!erent during the interim period?
Naturally life in our time together will be di!erent than it was for your
church with your previous pastors. Times past cannot be re-created or
duplicated. They are too precious for that. Therefore, life will unfold,
as life does, in changing, di!erent, and life-giving ways.
3. How can a church family help before a new pastor arrives?
You can contribute a great deal by continuing through your prayer and
participation in your common life of
worship and service that combine to makes your church such a wonderful
place.
4. What is the di!erence between transitional and settled ministry?
During the our time we are being present to the moment by letting go of
the past (where that is appropriate and good,) while preparing our hearts
for the possibilities of a future in partnership with a new settled pastor.
5. Are interim pastors ever considered as candidates for the settled
pastoral call.
An important part of my contract with you is to never, under any circumstances,
consider myself or encourage anyone among you to consider me for the "settled
position."
6. How will you as the interim minister fit into the staff?
One of the most important parts of my work is to encourage and support
your shared vision and mission for sta!. I meet with them regularly during
the interim period to assure open lines of communication, supervising
their combined e!orts to minister to everyone.
7. Do people call you Rev'd Fountain?
Most people call me David. However, I encourage congregations to call
me whatever is most comfortable for them.
8. Does your family become part of our congregation?
My family is a part of another congregation which frees them from following
me as I receive calls from different congregations. You will have occasion
to meet them, and they you from time to time.
9. In our time together are there special tasks in store or a church
family?
The tasks are several, and each has its unique challenges, but most important,
this is a time for you to consider your identity as a congregation apart
from a "seated" pastor. It is a time to open your hearts to
the unique and special ways your church is seeking faithfulness to God
today.
10. Who will I go to with questions or problems?
Although not a “settled pastor,” I am called to serve as pastor
in every sense of the word, even though I am to be with you for only a
short time. Please call on me about all your concerns and celebrations.
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