Meet Pastor Mark Seifried!
The Deacons and the East Church Church Council are thrilled to announce that Pastor Mark Seifried will be joining us to serve as Interim Minister while we conduct the Search process for a new Settled Pastor.
Mark Seifried came to New England to go to seminary at Andover Newton almost 20 years ago and never left. He joins East Church as an intentional interim pastor. That means he is only with us a year or two between settled pastors. But he's still our pastor and will cover all the duties such as preaching, visitation, counseling and administrative duties. He will also help us implement a vision and growth plan for the future. Reverend Seifried prefers to be called “Pastor Mark” because his greatest joy comes from being a pastor and teacher.
Pastor Mark was born and raised in St. Louis, went to college in Indiana at Purdue University, and has lived in Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL. He went to culinary school, managed restaurants for 15 years and worked as a developmental disabilities vocational manager. Since coming to the ministry, Pastor Mark has worked with urban, rural, and suburban congregations in the United Church of Christ.
Pastor Mark shared with us that he feels “blessed to be ministering with the saints of East Church in this time and place. I fell in love with the congregation before I even got to meet everyone because the deacons gave me such a warm reception and described the community as faith-filled, nurturing, and hungry for God. The church is in a unique position – to pray about the opportunities around us in this rapidly changing culture, learn new ways to use the gifts among us that will rouse congregational vitality, and serve the God who inspires us to bless the world with acts of justice, mercy and love. Let us minister with joy and expectation!”
Pastor Mark’s first Worship service with us will be September 9, 2012. In addition to introducing himself, he has planned a special “Blessing of the Backpacks.” All the children and youth of the church are invited to bring their school backpacks to worship to ask God’s blessing on their studies, friendships and growth. Adults will be offered a special blessing during the service as well, as a reminder of what sacred gifts from God our bodies are.
