November 18, 2024
This “Interim” Time at First Church
The purpose of an interim, or transitional, time in a congregation is for the church to prepare itself for new pastoral leadership. Given the importance of pastoral leadership in a congregation, the goal of the transitional time is to lay the groundwork for a good, healthy, faithful, and “successful” tenure by the next leader. This preparation involves looking inward at ourselves, our systems, priorities, patterns in the exercise of power, resources, and hopes. It also involves looking outward at the context in which we now live and serve.
As summarized by the Southern New England Conference, three sets of questions are central to the work of this transitional time:
- Who are we (our skills, character, assets, resources, gifts, and historical trends and DNA)?
- In today’s ever (and rapidly) changing landscape, who is our neighbor (around the community, and commuter radius, and around the world)? What are their burdens, dreams, longings and strivings, spiritual needs, challenges, fears, struggles?
- And given the answer to the first two questions, what is God uniquely calling us to become and to do in this current time and place?
That’s the big picture of the work we are already doing together. While there is always a good deal of foundational pastoral work involved (care, worship leadership, staff leadership, problem solving, etc.), we can envision three facets of this transitional work:
Relationships and Information
September 2024 through January 2025
Because this work takes trust, relationships come first. I have been building relationships with many of you, learning of your faith, life experiences, and hopes (and it’s been a joy!). I have also been observing how you do things around here, what you prioritize, and what you are worried about. This work will be critical as we go through the next few months.
Congregational Discovery
January 2025 through mid-summer 2025
In January, the Moderator and Executive Council will appoint a Transition Team, composed of several trusted people from the breadth of the congregation. Their tasks will be to lead conversations about the three big sets of questions above and to work with me to analyze and interpret the life of the congregation in the context of our world today. They will also think through how our current systems match our resources. The goal of this group is, in good part, to answer that third question above: what is God uniquely calling us to become and do in this time and place? The answer to that question will be expressed in a Church Profile that will be the basis for our search for a new Senior Minister.
Active Search
Mid-summer 2025 through perhaps early 2026
The Moderator and Executive Council will appoint (with robust congregational input) a Senior Minister Search Committee, which will use all the information collected above to identify someone who can lead us well in the future.
This is an approximate timeline, and we’ll need to be flexible. We want to do this interim right, while also doing it without undue delay. May the guiding Spirit of our Living God and the peace of Christ be with us throughout this time!
Mike Solberg
Interim Senior Minister
August 29, 2024
A First Day Message from Mike
Here’s a brief video from our new Interim Senior Minister Mike Solberg, as he begins his work with us. In the video, he says he would love to get to know people; so, if you’re game, email him at mike@firstchurchcambridge.org to set up a conversation over coffee sometime!
July 31, 2024
A Video Greeting from Mike
First Church is excited to welcome a new Interim Senior Minister to walk with us in our time of transition. Check out this video greeting from Mike Solberg as he and his wife Janine prepare to join us for our Regathering season this fall!
June 18, 2024
A Thank You Letter from Dan
Dear First Church,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
What an over-the-top, spectacular, beyond-perfect, super-emotional and super fun farewell Sunday. So much Spirit, Love, and Joy, and so many tears, especially mine! I cried before church; I bawled like a baby throughout the service (in case you didn’t notice). I was filled to the brim with gratitude as I was going to sleep that night. I couldn’t believe how much joy and heart you all could put into a service and gathering to celebrate our twenty years together. And, I’m still flying high, and will be for a very long time. Words can’t begin to express what’s on my heart. Gratitude and grief, for sure, and also so much confidence, in who you are and in what you can accomplish (without me!) when you come together in common purpose.
In fact, most of the day came as a totally delightful surprise to me, as in, I had zero to do with making it happen! First, Beth’s stunning voice from the balcony on Patty Van Ness’s Grace to the gorgeous hymn by Peter and Kate to the beautiful and inspired new song that Issa wrote in the shower that morning! Such gifts and amazing grace indeed, and the waves of it kept coming and coming. I knew about the litany and release of vows ahead of time but not until the moment did I sense their power and relief. And the best surprise of all was of course that epic flash mob dance party to Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” for “the Jersey boy” as Phil said before his mic came on. SO fun! To Moana for dreaming that up, to Phil for teeing it up and emceeing so masterfully, to Sarah and Emma for the perfect choreography, to the choir for the pom-poms, to Don Johnson and Lee for the disco lights that lit up the chancel like never before, to the dozens of you who came out on Thursday to rehearse it, to Ben Brenner for the air guitar, and to all who danced and sang their hearts with me, thank you! Thank you! I will never forget it. And to think we still had a party after all that!?
About that party…I trust we can all ‘give it up’ for Jacob and Manoa Poke for that supremely delicious meal. In case you didn’t know, the Manoa fam is an extension of Moana’s fam and so, of our First Church fam. That food was sooo good and part of it is because their business is itself a spiritual practice of aloha. As it says on their website: “Aloha seeks to do good, with no conditions attached (Rev. Abraham Kahu Akaka).” So good! You could taste the love in every bite, just like the cupcakes so many of you brought. Thank you, all, for a meal for the ages, and thanks, too, to Caitlin and her fam/team, to Don and Lee (again) for the streamers in MJH, to Nancy Cyr for all the flowers, to Moana ironing the tablecloths and tending to every detail! Heartfelt thanks, too, to the Hendren Funck family for the slideshow and tech support, and to Rob Cooper, for capturing footage of us all throughout the day.
And those testimonies, too many to name and give thanks for here! And the very special gifts – again, too many to lift up here. It was like Christmas in June! And the memory book with even more loving tributes! I spent the better part of last week reading them all, and will return to your beautiful words, notes, and remembrances repeatedly. Thank you to the party prep team: Moana, Phil, Amy, Sarah, Barb, Laurie F., and Martha D. And of course, thanks to the leavetaking and farewell team: Beth, Bruce, Amy, and Alex. How can I ever thank you enough?!
It was a truly epic sendoff, by far one of the best days of my life, and I will cherish the memory of it and all of my time at First Church forever. Gratefully, a livestream recording of the service and party (minus the Bon Jovi soundtrack due to copyright issues!) will be available soon so we can all revisit the beautiful moments and blessings of that most memorable day.
As I said loudly during the flash-mob, “You are the best church ever!” I don’t know what Jesus would make of such a comparison but I’m sticking with it! Infinite gratitude to you all and abundant blessings on your next chapter. I have no doubt that the Spirit will continue to sustain and grow all the ways you love and serve each other and the church! Here’s to many more utterly joyful after-church dance parties!
God’s love and mine,
Dan
P.S. Manoa is literally my family’s favorite restaurant! We get take out from them, a lot! Please continue to support them however you are able, and be sure to tip huge when you do!
June 14, 2024
Introducing First Church’s Interim Senior Minister
The Interim Search Team is excited to introduce the Rev. Dr. J. Michael Solberg as our Interim Senior Minister. His first day at First Church in Cambridge will be Monday, August 26, and he will preach for the first time on Regathering Sunday, September 8.
Mike has 34 years of experience as ordained clergy. He grew up in the Lutheran church (ELCA), was ordained in Presbyterian Church (USA) and has “privilege of call” in the United Church of Christ, having served UCC congregations for the last 22 years. (Many of us at First Church might resonate with his denominational journey!) Mike holds an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School, and a D.Min. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He and his wife Janine have two grown children. Mike and Janine plan to live in the parsonage while he serves First Church.
Currently, Mike is the settled Senior Pastor of The Union Church of Hinsdale, IL, an 800-member UCC congregation in suburban Chicago, where he has served for the last 11 years. In his profile, Mike shares some of his passions. He writes that he is passionate about dogs and pizza (Chicago deep-dish-style pizza, to be specific). He is passionate about preaching – “Preaching is the most important chance a pastor has to inspire, challenge, teach, comfort, and shape Christian identity.” And he is passionate about IAF-style community organizing, a model of faith- and broad-based organizing that we at First Church are familiar with in our work with GBIO – “If we are to serve Jesus’ vision that all may have life, and have it abundantly, then we have to organize people and money to effect change on the specific issues people care about.” This commitment to community organizing is long standing, and he currently serves as President of DuPage United, a social justice coalition working on issues such as gun safety, mental health, and affordable housing in the greater Chicago area. Mike has been a leader in the Illinois Conference’s partnership with the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola, engaged in a range of mutual ministry efforts, including one where he swam the English Channel to raise funds to build a school.
The Interim Search Team was impressed by Mike’s open, collaborative style; his extensive experience in providing administrative leadership in churches with large staffs; and his commitment and passion for worship and preaching. Even as he brings his own deep commitment and experience in social justice, he is eager to lean into and learn with us in our own racial and social justice journey.
Mike will be a first-time interim, but he has completed training for intentional transitional ministry, and, according to the references we spoke with, he will throw himself fully into the experience – being energized by new challenges and not simply “filling the space” between two settled pastors. We are confident that Mike is the leader we need in this time of transition and preparation for the next chapter of First Church’s story leading us into our Fifth Century.
Mike writes, “I am delighted to be joining First Church in this tender and hopeful transitional time. You show remarkable depth and breadth in your church life, both in faith-building and in faithful action. I look forward to working with you to set the stage for the love-and-justice-infused ministry that surely lies ahead.”
Jim Cairns, Claire Morgan, Stephen Weller, and Linda Ziebell
Interim Search Team
May 8, 2024
Dan’s Farewell Sunday, June 9
On Sunday, June 9, we will celebrate Dan’s 20 years of ministry at First Church in Cambridge. Our Morning Worship will include special moments (and special guests) to lift up the journey we have walked together, to express our gratitude for the experiences we have shared, and to acknowledge the end of this pastoral relationship. Then, we’ll gather for a Farewell Party, where we will share a light meal, toast Dan, and shower him with gifts and heartfelt gratitude for his presence among us these last two decades.
It takes a village to throw a party!
We are planning a special party for Dan, and we need your help! In addition to your contributions of messages, pictures, and remembrances to the Leavetaking Team’s project, we welcome your helping hands to set up, run, and clean up our after-worship celebration. This includes an invitation to provide cupcakes for a scrumptious cupcake dessert buffet!
Find all the details on this signup form, and don’t hesitate to email: fellowship@firstchurchcambridge.org with any questions.
May 8, 2024
Pastoral Care During Our Transition
With Dan and our Pastoral Associates leaving soon, some of you may wonder who will be available for pastoral care in the coming months of leadership transition. As always, feel free to reach out to current program staff Kate Layzer, Karen McArthur, and Sarah Higginbotham, all of whom are available to offer support and/or direct you to someone who can. To reach a minister on-call, please dial 617-547-2724 ext. 222. We are also grateful to these Community Ministers, who have expressed their availability to provide periodic pastoral care conversations through the summer: Reverends Liz Williams, Krysia Burnham, Ingeborg Haug, Alex Steinert-Evoy, Jenny Stuart, and Beth Spaulding. You may reach out to any of them via email, which can be found in the Parish List on our website.
May 6, 2024
Staffing Update
We have good news to share! Ministerial Intern Emma Thomas has agreed to be a Pastoral Associate for the coming year, working 25 hours a week. She will participate in worship at least 2 Sundays per month (as she currently does), preach, lead Christian formation, work with new members, and more. She will end her time as Ministerial Intern on Sunday, June 16, and take a break for the summer. She will begin as our Pastoral Associate on Sunday, September 1. Let’s give a warm, heartfelt, and ongoing welcome to Emma and her extraordinary gifts!
In addition, after Dan leaves and until the Interim Minister begins their term (hopefully, by late August), our Director of Operations Kirsten Manville, who is already full-time and oversees much of our current staff, will serve as Acting Head of Staff. While Kirsten won’t take on pastoral duties, she is able to coordinate pastoral care coverage as the need arises. Dan is currently pre-planning the summer preaching and on-call pastoral care schedule with program staff and Community Ministers. Please take an opportunity to thank all of our current staff for their extra efforts during this transition time.
April 19, 2024
Requests from the Leavetaking/Farewell Team
The Leavetaking/Farewell Team is requesting items for two different projects to honor and celebrate Dan’s ministry for and with us.
Scrapbook: Any physical items (photos, cards, artwork, etc.) can be left in the plastic bin in the church office. Please add a note with your contributions so the team knows who/when/where they are from. Any electronic submissions (photos, emails, etc.), can be sent to Beth Spaulding. Please submit your items by May 15!
Photos for a slideshow to run during the party on June 9: please email any photos to Beth Spaulding by May 15.
April 16, 2024
Update from the Interim Search Team
The Interim Search Team is now in the process of completing the first round of interviews with potential candidates for the full time position of Interim Minister. In the coming week we will be deciding which candidates we will be inviting back for a second interview. The Team feels grateful that this work has been interesting and enriching. We will continue to keep you posted on our progress.
– Jim Cairns, Claire Morgan, Stephen Weller, and Linda Ziebell
April 4, 2024
A Second Transition Letter from Dan
Dear Friends,
Now that we are through Lent, Holy Week, and an especially joyous Easter Sunday, I want to share a follow-up to my February 4 farewell letter with more information about what the next few months, and beyond, will look like for me and for you…
Schedule a Meeting with Dan
As I share in this follow-up letter to my February 4 farewell letter, my last Sunday in worship will be June 9. I hope to see many of you there, and before as well! Starting in late April, I’m clearing much of my weekday schedule for 1:1s and small group meetings with as many of you as possible. This is time for whatever you may need—a last pastoral check-in, a chance to wrap up a shared project, a time to laugh and/or cry together, a goodbye hug. Please visit my Calendly site to pick a time and place, via Zoom or in person!
April 2, 2024
Update from the Interim Search Team
As the Interim Search Team, we are tasked with finding a full-time interim minister, who will provide pastoral leadership after Dan leaves and as we seek to call a “settled” minister. We are following the UCC Call Process for interim ministers.
Thank you to those who answered our questionnaire. We received 49 responses, which offered us a variety of perspectives and allowed us to see some important common themes arising in many of the answers. This gave us guidance and information that we are finding useful as we continue the work to find our interim minister.
We have begun to review the ministerial profiles of the candidates sent to us from the Southern New England Conference office. We expect that we will begin initial interviews shortly. We are engaged and excited for our next steps in this process. We look forward to the time when we can share the successful conclusion of the interim search.
– Jim Cairns, Claire Morgan, Stephen Weller, and Linda Ziebell
April 2, 2024
Leavetaking Gatherings in April
The Leavetaking Team hosted the first gathering to discuss Senior Minister Dan Smith’s upcoming departure from First Church, and now plans to proceed with offering opportunities to meet one-to-one or in small groups to hold each other’s thoughts, worries, ideas, hopes, and feelings. These events have passed. Please read above keep checking this webpage for future updates.
We look forward to spending time with you.
Sunday, April 7
- 12:30 p.m., Harter Room, hosted by Bruce Hoppe
Monday, April 8
- 3:00 p.m., hosted by Alex Steinert-Evoy at her home in Watertown
- 5:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Amy Matias
Wednesday, April 10
- 12:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Alex Steinert-Evoy
Thursday, April 11
- 7:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Beth Spaulding
Friday, April 12
- 3:00 p.m., Nubar in the Sheraton Commander Hotel, hosted by Beth Spaulding
Sunday, April 14
- 9:30 a.m., Harter Room, hosted by Bruce Hoppe
Monday, April 15
- 3:00 p.m., hosted by Alex Steinert-Evoy at her home in Watertown
- 5:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Amy Matias
Wednesday, April 17
- 7:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Alex Steinert-Evoy
Thursday, April 18
- 7:00 p.m., via Zoom, hosted by Beth Spaulding
Friday, April 19
- 3:00 p.m., Nubar in the Sheraton Commander Hotel, hosted by Beth Spaulding
Sunday, April 21
- 9:30 a.m., Harter Room, hosted by Bruce Hoppe
March 13, 2024
Leavetaking Team Update
Sunday, March 24, 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
Margaret Jewett Hall
Join the Leavetaking/Farewell Team (Bruce Hoppe, Amy Matias, Beth Spaulding, and Alex Steinert-Evoy) after worship on Palm Sunday for an opportunity to hear more about what we have planned and how we can minister to each other during this time of pastoral transition.
February 28, 2024
The Interim Search Team is seeking input from the congregation as it begins the process of looking for an interim pastor. They have created an Interim Search Congregational Survey that asks a few questions to assist them in their work. Share your thoughts about strengths and challenges here at First Church and the skills and personal qualities you think are important to have in an interim pastor.
Please try to respond no later than Wednesday, March 13.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jim Cairns at: pelton.cairns@gmail.com
February 15, 2024
As we enter into the early days of First Church’s season of transition, church leaders are pleased to announce the formation of two teams to guide our journey over the coming months.
- The members of our Interim Minister Search Team are Jim Cairns, Claire Morgan, Stephen Weller, and Linda Ziebell. They are working closely with our SNEUCC Area Conference Minister Rev. Alex Shea Will, who is providing resources on the “search and call” process. (Click HERE for more information about our United Church of Christ polity and the general process for pastoral transitions.) The team is updating our church profile so that the position can be listed for candidates to consider, and the team will be taking the lead on interviewing promising candidates.
- The Leavetaking and Farewell Team is made up of Bruce Hoppe, Amy Matias, Beth Spaulding, and Alex Steinert-Evoy. They will begin sharing information with the congregation about these plans very soon.
Moderator Moana Bentin, Vice Moderator Phil Jones, Deacon Co-Chair Leslie Pelton-Cairns, and Deacon Co-Chair Casey Marsh welcome your questions and input as we walk this journey together.
February 6, 2024
Pastor Dan Smith has shared big news. After 20 years with First Church, Dan will be leaving his role as our Senior Minister at the end of June. As Dan shared in his letter, we know this significant change comes at a time when other things are changing all around us. At all times, but especially in the season of Lent, our tradition invites us to lean into prayer and spiritual practice, and to find courage in God and in our community.
As we enter into a time of pastoral leavetaking and transition, we ask God’s blessing upon our grief, our gratitude, and our discernment of next steps – including searching for an Interim Minister and planning for Dan’s farewell. In this tender time, we invite your prayers for Dan and his family, and for our First Church community and its leaders as we prepare to say goodbye and open our hearts to what comes next.