Peter Johnston's Curriculum Vitae
Pastoral Ministry
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2021-present Senior Pastor
First Congregational Church of Hanover, Mass.
In my short tenure as Senior Pastor, I was able to accomplish several important developmental projects which have furthered the ministry of and grown the church in faith and numbers.
Worship
Faith Formation
Teaching Parish
Technology
Staff Development
Social Media and Publications
New Initiatives - Benchmark, Pride, Minister's Tea
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2018-2021 Pastor and Teacher
First Church of Monson, Congregational, UCC, Monson, Mass.
In June of 2017, a week before my ordination, I was called by unanimous vote to be the Pastor and Teacher of First Church of Monson, Congregational, UCC. In my first two years, in addition to preaching and pastoral care, I set about some developmental projects. These included revamping the website and new pew materials. Community engagement was a priority. These included making connections with the other 3 churches in town, the school system, and the town administration. The church grew a bit, taking in 14 new members.
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In March of 2020, Covid19 became a thing. Click here to find a description of how the ministry of First Church changed.
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In the midst of this, the historic Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island conferences became the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. I currently serve on the personnel committee of the conference, and as Moderator of the Pilgrim Association.
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2014-2017 Minister
Quincy Point Congregational Church, UCC, Quincy, Mass.
During the summer of 2014 when I was finishing my hospital chaplaincy program, I had been providing pulpit supply at Quincy Point, where I served as sabbatical minister the summer before. The pastor took an indefinite medical leave and I was asked to serve as the pastor during her absence. This was a tenuous time for the church. I was alone in the role for seven months, then the pastor returned on a very part-time basis. I continued to do the majority of pastoral care, administration, and worship planning as well as about half of the Sunday morning preaching. During this time several staff transitions occurred across the programs of the church, particularly in facility management and the music ministry. This period provided the church with stability and me with valuable experience in the role of pastor. I feel that the church is much stronger is now in a better space to seek a settled pastor who can lead the church into its future.
Nursing Home Minister
Wollaston Congregational Church, UCC, Quincy, Mass.
Commissioned by the church to lead worship, preach and administer the sacrament of communion at the Eventide Home in Quincy. Provide visitation and pastoral care to about 15 elders who cannot attend this service.
Church Administration
Administrator, Pastoral Residency Program, 2009-2012
Wollaston Congregational Church, UCC, Quincy, Mass.
Administrator for the church’s Pastoral Residency for Turnaround Ministries program. Guest lecturer for the Turnaround Church class at Andover-Newton Theological School. Managed recruitment, budget, local church consults. Coached pastoral residents in the areas of building, finance, stewardship, and music ministry,
2006-2007 Parish Administrator
First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, UCC, Cambridge, Mass.
Responsible for the church office, electronic and print communications, and facilities management. Liaison to the Building and Grounds Committee, rebuilt database, expanded computer network, increased building revenue by 33% to $250,000 annually; supervised three sextons.
2003-2006 Senior Congregational Administrator
Arlington Street Church, UU, Boston, Mass.
Sole responsibility for finance, human resources, facilities, publications and the church office in a 300-member historic Boston church. Supervised administrative and facilities staff of six. Negotiated sale of a portion of land to the MBTA.
2001-2003 Administrator
Quincy Point Congregational Church, UCC, Quincy, Mass.
Responsible for day-to-day operations of the church office, including publications, property rentals, database management, computer networking, correspondence, and calendar. Director of Children’s Music, baritone section leader for the chancel choir and substitute organist.
Music Ministry
2007-2012 Minister of Music and Administrator
Wollaston Congregational Church, UCC, Quincy, Mass.
Primary service musician and director of music program. This includes weekly worship planning, playing the organ, piano, guitar and drums. Worship now includes traditional hymnody, world music, Taizé, and other genres. Coordinate soloists, guest musicians, jazz group, children’s choir,
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1996-2001 Director of Youth and the Arts
The Congregational Church of Topsfield, Topsfield, Mass.
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Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs: Hosanna Choir (grades k-2); Halleluia Choir (Grades 3-6) Youth Choir (grades 7-12) Youth Ensemble (brass and woodwind orchestra) and musician/worship leader for contemporary worship services.
Guest Lecturing
Occasional guest lecturer at these seminaries:
Andover Newton
Boston University School of Theology
Youth and Children's Ministry
2012-2014 Minister to Youth and Children
First Congregational Church of Reading, UCC, Reading, Mass.
Responsible for church school and youth programs. Led mission trip to Philadelphia for youth and adults, taught confirmation and Our Whole Lives (Human sexuality curriculum) Developed unique programs for the church school (ADVENTURE, AdLENTure, Digital Christmas Pageant, Arts in the Sanctuary), and conducted children’s music program.
1996-2001 Director of Youth and the Arts
The Congregational Church of Topsfield, Topsfield, Mass.
Responsible for three youth groups totaling 125 children and youth: Kids Inc. (Kids in Christ) Middle School and High School. Coordinated Christian Education for grades 7-12. Trained and supervised youth leaders and church school teachers. Organized and led middle school mission activities and led weeklong domestic and international mission trips for High School kids (Philadelphia, 1997, Puerto Rico, 1998 and Chicago, 1999 and 2000.)
Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs: Hosanna Choir (grades k-2); Halleluia Choir (Grades 3-6) Youth Choir (grades 7-12) Youth Ensemble (brass and woodwind orchestra) and musician/worship leader for contemporary worship services.
1995-1996 Director of Christian Education
Second Congregational Church, UCC, Beverly, Mass.
Led Christian Education Program in a 500-member church, with 200 children and 30 teachers. Conducted teacher training program, developed Christian Arts Center, Arts in the Park, and Children’s Chapel programs. Implemented first Safe Church policies in the church.
Conference, Association, and National Settings of the UCC
2024-present Pilgrim Association
Association Moderator and Member of the Committee on Ministry
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​2019 Hampden Association
Vice Chair of the Committe on Ministry and Registrar pro-tem.
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1994-1997 Youth Leadership Development Coordinator
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, Framingham, Mass.
Networking, resourcing and equipping pastors and youth leaders for 439 MACUCC churches. Designed and directed large weekend rallies which brought several hundred UCC and American Baptist youth together from across the state for fellowship, worship, education and mission. Director of Education for Effective Youth Ministries Program, Writer and editor of the Youth Ministry Resource Book, published in 1996 (and currently in its seventh printing.) Contributing writer for the Christian Educator’s News.
1992-1994 Assistant Clinical Manager
Gould Farm, Monterey, Mass and Lincoln, Mass.
Through the United Church of Christ Volunteer Ministries Program, supervised residents in the kitchen and managed the Roadside Store of a mental health facility in Western Massachusetts. Also led Sunday evening vesper services.Supported a caseload of 9 mentally ill residents in job searches, goal achievement, and community living. supervised the Lincoln house, and led the day work program for residents who were not employed outside the house.
Outdoor Ministry
1991-2001 Sing Praise! Musician, Counselor, and Dean
Silver Lake Conference Center, CT Conference, UCC
1993-1995 Program Staff/ Music Director
Pilgrim Point Camp, MN Conference, UCC
Education and Professional Credentials
Master of Divinity
Boston University School of Theology, 2017
Boundary Awareness Training
Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, 2016
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Racial Justice Training
Southern New England Conference, UCC 2024
Intentional Interim Ministry Certification
Interim Ministry Network, Baltimore, Maryland, 2017
Clinical Pastoral Education
New England Baptist Hospital, 2014
Christian Education Certification (Partners in Education)
Massachusetts Conference, UCC 1995
Youth Ministry Certification (Education for Effective Youth Ministries) Massachusetts Conference, UCC, 1994
