How did I come into the UCC?  Like many of you, I’m a “transplant!”  Feeling called to become part of the United Church of Christ in 1986 after a return from foreign mission service in Bangkok, Thailand, I was able to transfer my ordination from Baptist life to the United Church of Christ in 1989.  It was a joy to be granted ordained ministerial standing in the Metro Boston Association of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, coming into the UCC by “privilege of call.” At that time, I was a member of the First Congregational Church, UCC,  Melrose, MA, the town where my husband, Bill, worked at the Y.M.C.A.

My first call to serve in the UCC was as a local pastor at the Montvale Congregational Church in Woburn, MA, not too far from Methuen. I was also serving as the Protestant Chaplain at Bentley College in Waltham.  Combining these two part time positions was my entry into UCC life with ministerial standing.  Along with my work,  there was the joy of newly emerging family life traditions for us as “New Englanders.”  My husband, Bill, and our two children, learned all about how to be Red Sox fans, how to find the best apple orchards, and how to appreciate lots of snow and long winter days. (In addition, my son, Paul, had his first visit to the ER at Mass General from a hockey stick splinter in his hand while playing street hockey.)

Thank you for allowing me to reflect on those early days here in New England and share about my past and present.  Now, as an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ for 35 years (and an ordained Baptist minister for the first 10 years of my career in ministry), I have experience as a chaplain, missionary, pastor, teacher, and pastoral counselor.  I have been able to accomplish many of my ministry career goals, learning about congregations and ministry in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Vermont, Northern California, Mississippi, New York and Thailand (In 2016, I worked as teacher at Christian University in Thailand in Nakom Pathom our UCC partner and was a Mission Associate with Global Ministries UCC/Disciples ministries. Before this, I was teaching at Thammasat University in Bangkok 1982-86)

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Presently, I am the proud mom of William Paul Brigham and Ann Martha Brigham. Martha’s partner is Erin Anderson, and they live in Brooklyn, NY,  with their precious dog, Georgie. Paul lives in Weymouth, MA.   I am “Grammy” to Sierra Brigham (Paul’s daughter). Sadly, my dear husband of 35 years, Bill Brigham, died in 2008.   I bring his “loving spirit” with me wherever I live and call home! (He’s still cheering from those Red Sox!)

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