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Congregational Leadership
Rev. Douglas Stivison, Pastor
Cynthia Francis Moderator
Arthur Gerard Chair, Executive Board
Wayne Dubreuil Chair, Trustees
Helen Levesque Treasurer
Susan Millay Financial Secretary
Amanda Beres Youth Pastor
Monica Beres Chair, Women’s Fellowship
Cynthia Francis Moderator
Arthur Gerard Chair, Executive Board
Wayne Dubreuil Chair, Trustees
Helen Levesque Treasurer
Susan Millay Financial Secretary
Amanda Beres Youth Pastor
Monica Beres Chair, Women’s Fellowship
Meet Pastor Doug
Upon meeting Rev. Douglas Stivison, you sense here is a person who combines deep and genuine faith along with experience and understanding “of the real world.” It comes as no surprise to learn that he came to ministry after a successful career in publishing and international business consulting.
People have described his sermons at times as memorable, approachable, challenging, understandable, comforting, eye-opening, and even life changing. When interviewed about his preaching “style,” he explained, “I am passionate about preaching from Scripture that opens minds and hearts. I love preaching Scripture that allows people to admit freely, ‘That’s always bothered me but I was afraid to say so.’ In today’s world of rapid and disorienting change in so many aspects of life, we need, more than ever before, the grounding provided by the enduring wisdom of Scripture. Everybody needs Scripture’s encouragement, wisdom, and guidance. But we never ever need to be asked to leave our doubts or our intellect at the church door.”
When asked if it isn't a strange leap to go from publishing to the pulpit, Pastor Doug explained, “The great theologian Karl Barth said that to write a good sermon a preacher needs to have the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other. For me, nothing is more natural. The shift from newspapers to preaching is not nearly as large a step as you might think. Both fields are dedicated to trying to tell the story…interestingly, completely, engagingly. We share a commitment to truth and a deep dedication to separating the truth from the chaff in what we see and what we say. We love words and we genuinely love our community. Great reporters and great preachers both love the perfectly turned phrase, the intriguing headline or the engaging sermon title.”
He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the State of New York (Regents College) and a Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and has served Presbyterian and Congregational churches for the past 19 years.
He serves on the boards of several church, civic, and veteran's organizations including serving as chaplain to the Veteran Wireless Operators Association. He and his wife, Heather, have two adult daughters, Megan and Beth. Pastor Doug is a ham radio operator (NR1A), woodworker, and sailor.
People have described his sermons at times as memorable, approachable, challenging, understandable, comforting, eye-opening, and even life changing. When interviewed about his preaching “style,” he explained, “I am passionate about preaching from Scripture that opens minds and hearts. I love preaching Scripture that allows people to admit freely, ‘That’s always bothered me but I was afraid to say so.’ In today’s world of rapid and disorienting change in so many aspects of life, we need, more than ever before, the grounding provided by the enduring wisdom of Scripture. Everybody needs Scripture’s encouragement, wisdom, and guidance. But we never ever need to be asked to leave our doubts or our intellect at the church door.”
When asked if it isn't a strange leap to go from publishing to the pulpit, Pastor Doug explained, “The great theologian Karl Barth said that to write a good sermon a preacher needs to have the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other. For me, nothing is more natural. The shift from newspapers to preaching is not nearly as large a step as you might think. Both fields are dedicated to trying to tell the story…interestingly, completely, engagingly. We share a commitment to truth and a deep dedication to separating the truth from the chaff in what we see and what we say. We love words and we genuinely love our community. Great reporters and great preachers both love the perfectly turned phrase, the intriguing headline or the engaging sermon title.”
He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the State of New York (Regents College) and a Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and has served Presbyterian and Congregational churches for the past 19 years.
He serves on the boards of several church, civic, and veteran's organizations including serving as chaplain to the Veteran Wireless Operators Association. He and his wife, Heather, have two adult daughters, Megan and Beth. Pastor Doug is a ham radio operator (NR1A), woodworker, and sailor.
Pastor Doug on the New Bedford waterfront with his wife, Heather, and their daughters Megan and Beth
