2006.09.16: September 16, 2006: Headlines: COS - Togo: Religion: Lowell Sun: Togo RPCV Peter Lovett, Pastor of Christ Church United in Lowell, hopes to create a home for parishioners
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2006.09.16: September 16, 2006: Headlines: COS - Togo: Religion: Lowell Sun: Togo RPCV Peter Lovett, Pastor of Christ Church United in Lowell, hopes to create a home for parishioners
Togo RPCV Peter Lovett, Pastor of Christ Church United in Lowell, hopes to create a home for parishioners
One of his goals to build up the church is to focus on faith formation, with plans to grow the church school, address the needs of youth, family ministries and provide opportunities for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. "Faith formation is the key to growth. If people aren't engaged in growing and sharing their faith, there'll be a slow, steady decline," he stresses. "The churches that do good faith formation are growing."
Togo RPCV Peter Lovett, Pastor of Christ Church United in Lowell, hopes to create a home for parishioners
Pastor of Christ Church United in Lowell hopes to create a home for parishioners
By DEBBIE HOVANASIAN, Sun Correspondent
Caption: The Rev. Peter Lovett is the new pastor at Christ Church United in Lowell. sun/bill bridgeford
LOWELL -- It is said that people determine their comfort level with a church within the first few minutes of arrival, depending upon their welcome.
Visitors and prospective congregants to Christ Church United on East Merrimack Street are likely to feel comfortable then, especially if greeted by the new settled pastor, the Rev. Peter Lovett.
One of Lovett's goals as he assumes his new role, beginning last month, is to be "welcoming, open, affirming" of people from all backgrounds -- ethnic, cultural or sexual orientation.
"Hospitality is key; you have to be welcoming," he stresses.
Friendly and casual, Lovett, 46, also believes strongly that most people have an intrinsic desire to be part of a faith community.
"They want to be part of a community of faith, a gathering of people who have a desire to praise and worship," he says.
"There's been enough breaking down of the structure, enough 'bowling alone.' People want to be part of a community of faith that is revitalizing."
Lovett comes to Lowell after serving for 12 years as minister of First Parish, United Church in Westwood, where he currently resides with his wife, Beth St. Pierre, a master's level social worker, and their two children, Forest, 11, and Rebecca, 7.
The transition from an upscale suburb of Boston to a multi-cultural city is a welcome change, says Lovett, who was selected by the UCC Search Committee over 50 other potential candidates.
"I have always wanted to work at an inner-city parish, in a multi-cultural setting where God is more clearly perceived," he said. "For me, it's a great opportunity ... more of true reflection of what is happening in our country and our world."
Lovett aims to be actively involved in the Lowell community, seeking out areas where UCC can "play a part in helping to build up this city," he says.
"That's one of the pieces," he adds. "The church can't grow if we're not looking out to the surrounding community."
Lovett was raised as the youngest of five children by his father, the Rev. Sidney Lovett, a UCC minister now retired and active in politics in New Hampshire, and his mother, Joan, a church musician and, smiles Lovett, "a quintessential minister's wife," who died suddenly five years ago.
In his new role as settled pastor, Lovett will carry on the works of both parents. While serving the people of his congregation, as his father once did, he also plans to make music -- a passion he credits to his mother -- a more prominent part of worship at UCC.
A musician himself, "I grew up loving church music," he says. "I'd like to look into new forms of worship, acknowledging the younger generation."
Born in Washington D.C., Lovett moved with his family four times before graduating from high school in Connecticut. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, West Africa for two years, and received a master of divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1989.
Ordained in 1990, Lovett later received his doctor of ministry in preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2004.
Today, as he becomes familiar with the people and places of CCU and Lowell, his enthusiasm for his new position is evident.
"As the new settled pastor, I want to take the pulse ... see what's going on around us," he says. "God is calling us to do his work, calling people to be the hands and feet of our Savior."
Yet with a current CCU membership of 86, Lovett acknowledges, "we've got some work to do."
One of his goals to build up the church is to focus on faith formation, with plans to grow the church school, address the needs of youth, family ministries and provide opportunities for Bible study, fellowship and prayer.
"Faith formation is the key to growth. If people aren't engaged in growing and sharing their faith, there'll be a slow, steady decline," he stresses. "The churches that do good faith formation are growing."
Lovett is seeking the help of the congregants to achieve these goals. At each pew is a sign-up sheet -- Reaching Out With Open Hearts -- for volunteers in the areas of worship, building relationships and hospitality, marketing and publicity, and faith formation.
"We have to be sensitive to God's work and tap into that," he said. "People have a desire to live with God the way we were created to live ... with hope, joy and blessings."
For more information on CCU, visit www.cculowell.org or call 978-459-9631.
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Story Source: Lowell Sun
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