Alumni News
Rev. Art J. Gordon (’16) takes on Key Pastoral Role at Peoples Baptist Church of Boston
The following is an excerpt from The Boston Globe article by , “This historic Boston Black church has had the same pastor for 45 years. At 87, he decided it’s time to move on,” published on April 9, 2025. This work features the new pastoral role of MDiv. alum and current DMin. student, Rev. Art J. Gordon. Click here to read the full article.
"After a years long search for Roberts’s successor, Peoples this year selected the Rev. Art J. Gordon.
In many ways, Gordon is Roberts’s 
opposite. Roberts doesn’t preach about politics; Gordon works as Governor Maura Healey’s community engagement director. Gordon is 36. Roberts is methodical; Gordon uses his emotions to drive his preaching.
He succeeds Roberts at a pivotal historical moment, where faith-based leaders are pondering how to respond to President Trump’s sweeping changes to immigration, federal employment, and constitutional law.
Gordon is confident he can use his strong political ties to help Peoples be what it has always been: 'a Black church . . . at the forefront of societal change.'”
Pastor, Part-Time, NACCC: Pembroke, MA
As a church we strive to be a welcoming community of faith, committed to growing our relationship with God and one another. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Pastor who will lead our congregation in spiritual growth, with the main emphasis on scripture being our guide and foundation. A Pastor who will deepen our understanding of God’s word and guide us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of those around us. We are seeking a pastor to guide our congregation with a particular emphasis on working on foundational issues in order to strengthen our congregational identity since having recently left the UCC denomination and joined the NACCC. Hours and compensation will be available at the time of the interview process.
Scope of Work:
- Preparing and preaching inspiring sermons to meet the needs of the congregation.
- Planning and leading worship services sensitive to the needs of the congregation.
- Pastoral counseling
- Aid/Leading in the spiritual development of church members
For more information, visit firstchurchinpembroke.org or create a profile at www.naccc.org and view the full job opening, description, and application under open pulpits.
Lead Pastor, Full-Time, UMC: Big Creek, KY
The Central Appalachian Missionary Conference is seeking clergy and seminary students who feel called to serve in a local United Methodist Church, engaging in meaningful ministry rooted in personal growth, community vitality, and transformational discipleship. Candidates should be committed to leading a congregation toward becoming a healthy, revitalized, and missionally effective church. This includes fostering spiritual maturity in themselves and their community, cultivating vibrant worship, nurturing relationships, and encouraging active outreach that transforms lives. This pastoral role is grounded in the fourfold ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service, as entrusted through ordination or licensure in The United Methodist Church and upheld in the Book of Discipline.
Primary Duties
Word and Ecclesial Acts
• To preach the Word of God, lead in worship, read and teach the Scriptures, and engage the people in study and witness.
• To ensure faithful transmission of the Christian faith.
• To lead people in discipleship and evangelistic outreach that others might come to know Christ and to follow him.
• To counsel persons with personal, ethical, or spiritual struggles.
• To perform the ecclesial acts of marriage and burial.
• To conduct funeral and memorial services and provide care and grief counseling.
• To visit in the homes of the church and the community, especially among the sick, aged, imprisoned, and others in need.
• To maintain all confidences inviolate, including confessional confidences except in the cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, or in cases where mandatory reporting is required by civil law.
Sacrament
• To administer the sacraments of baptism and the Supper of the Lord according to Christ’s ordinance.
• To encourage people baptized in infancy or early childhood to make their profession of faith, after instruction, so that they might become professing members of the church.
• To explain the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and to encourage regular participation as a means of grace to grow in faith and holiness.
• To select and train deacons and lay members to serve the consecrated communion elements. To encourage the private and congregational use of the other means of grace.
Order
• To be the administrative officer of the local church and to assure that the organizational concerns of the congregation are adequately provided for. To give pastoral support, guidance, and training to the lay leadership, equipping them to fulfill the ministry to which they are called.
• To give oversight to the educational program of the church and encourage the use of United Methodist literature and media.
• To be responsible for organizational faithfulness, goal setting, planning and evaluation.
• To administer the temporal affairs of the church in their appointment, the annual conference, and the general Church.
• To give an account of their pastoral ministries to the charge and annual conference according to the prescribed forms.
• To provide leadership for the funding ministry of the congregation. To ensure membership care including compliance with charitable giving documentation requirements and to provide appropriate pastoral care, the pastor, in cooperation with the financial secretary, shall have access to and responsibility for professional stewardship of congregational giving records.• To model and promote faithful financial stewardship and to encourage giving as a spiritual discipline by teaching the biblical principles of giving. To lead the congregation in the fulfillment of its mission through full and faithful payment of all apportioned ministerial support, administrative, and benevolent funds.
• To care for all church records and local church financial obligations, and certify the accuracy of all financial, membership, and any other reports submitted by the local church to the annual conference for use in apportioning costs back to the church.
• To participate in denominational and conference programs and training opportunities.
• To seek out opportunities for cooperative ministries with other United Methodist pastors and churches.
• To be willing to assume supervisory responsibilities within the connection.
• To lead the congregation in racial and ethnic inclusiveness.
Service
• To embody the teachings of Jesus in servant ministries and servant leadership. To give diligent pastoral leadership in ordering the life of the congregation for discipleship in the world.
• To build the body of Christ as a caring and giving community, extending the ministry of Christ to the world. To participate in community, ecumenical, and interreligious concerns and to encourage the people to become so involved and to pray and labor for the unity of the Christian community.
Qualifications
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree (or equivalent) from a seminary approved by the University Senate is often necessary for ordination as an elder.
• Elder or licensed pastor in good standing in The United Methodist Church.
• Understanding of and commitment to the fourfold ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service.
• Proven capacity to maintain confidence, provide pastoral care, and support congregational life.
• Familiarity with and ability to follow The Book of Discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in preaching, teaching, counseling, and administering the sacraments.
• Administrative, leadership, and stewardship capabilities.
• Ability to work in cooperation with lay leadership and denominational structures.
• Commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.
• Willingness to pursue ongoing learning and professional development.
Go to link to apply:
Closing Date: Until Filled
The Central Appalachian Missionary Conference (CAMC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.
Prof. Emilie Townes to receive Honorary Doctorate from United Lutheran Seminary
The following is an excerpt from “ULS Announces 2025 Honorary Degree Recipients,” featuring Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies emilie townes, published on April 1, 2025.
President R. Guy Erwin is pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder and the Rev. Dr. Emilie M. Townes will receive from ULS the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, at the upcoming Commencement on May 9, 2025. Bishop Flunder will preach at the morning worship service and Professor Townes will offer remarks during the afternoon degree-granting ceremony.
...
Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson (’18) Organizing Unitarian Universalists for Social Change
The following is an excerpt from the Durham Magazine article by Renee Ambroso, “Faith in Action: Mobilizing North Carolina's Unitarian Universalists to Build a Brighter Future” published on March 20, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
"Lisa decided to go to seminary in her l
ate 20s, earning a master's of divinity from Boston University School of Theology. She moved to Durham six years ago and, in February of 2020, became the executive director of the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina. Since then, Lisa has helped expand the once-small organization, mobilizing 28 Unitarian Universalist congregations across the state and connecting them with trusted partners advocating for democracy, public safety, and other urgent issues. 'We're really proud of our vast growth over the past five years,' she says. Here, she shares how she came to lead the organization and her vision for North Carolina's future."
Dr. Edwin Daniel Aluzas (’61, ’81)
The following obituary was originally published by The Claremont Courier and can be found here.
Dr. Edwin Daniel Aluzas, beloved husband of Gloria Chase Aluzas, passed away on March 4, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was 91.
A kind and compassionate man, Ed was born May 1, 1933 in Chicago IL to Benedict and Victoria Aluzas. He attended Bernhard Moos School and Lane Tech. After graduation he went to work at the Chicago Sun-Times as a copy boy, a job he loved and talked about throughout his life. Perhaps it was there that Ed fell in love with the written word.
Sports were incredibly important in shaping Ed’s life. As a teenager he started playing baseball after work with a neighborhood league. Because it was a church league, he was required to attend church weekly in order to play, where a minister encouraged him to use his athletic prowess to procure scholarships for college.
Ed was the first in his family to go to college. 
He attended North Dakota State for a year then transferred to Mount Union College in Alliance Ohio. There he played football, basketball and baseball, joined a fraternity, sang in the choir, participated in the church group, and more. His sophomore year he started noticing a pretty dark-haired cafeteria manager. After gathering his courage up, he finally asked Gloria Chase out for their first date on the steps of the library. The rest, as they say, was history. He and Gloria graduated in 1958 and married on July 5 that summer.
Ed’s baseball prowess caught the eye of a couple baseball scouts who tried to recruit him for the Pittsburgh Pirates. But by that time, Ed had felt the call to Ministry, and chose instead to attend Boston University School of Theology. As his family says, “God won over baseball, but he loved both for the rest of his life.”
After Boston, Gloria and Ed took a year to travel Europe, where Ed received a scholarship to further his education in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ed’s first church home for the East Ohio conference was in North Industry, Ohio. It was while he was there that he had an opportunity to attend a conference with other Methodist ministers in Washington D.C. As young ministers, they were very interested in the civil rights and labor movements. When they heard that Martin Luther King would be speaking on the mall during their time there, they were excited. Hearing MLK’s “ I Have a Dream” speech was a pivotal moment for Ed, one he carried with him for the rest of his life. It further cemented the trajectory of his career and passion.
During their tenure in North Industry, Ed and Gloria welcomed their first child, daughter Annette. Soon thereafter Ed was transferred to Hudson, Ohio, where he led the fledgling Methodist Church and oversaw the construction of the new church building and parsonage. Sons Kurt and Jonathan joined their sister in Hudson, completing their family.
After Hudson, the Aluzas family moved to Alliance, Ohio for two years, then made a true journey of faith across the country to Claremont, CA. Ed attended The Claremont School of Theology and pursue his doctorate in Pastoral Counseling.
While at the School of Theology, Dr. Aluzas worked for six years as an Associate Minister at the Claremont Presbyterian Church, a job and a congregation he held dear. After he obtained his doctorate, he practiced as a therapist in Claremont and surrounding areas. He also worked as a guest minister at Pomona First Methodist Church, Unity Church of Pomona and as a chaplain with Inland Valley Hospice. Ed and his wife Gloria were active in local and global causes.
Ed was first and foremost, a family man. He coached his son’s baseball teams and was in the front row for performances of all the children. He was an avid fisherman and engendered in his children an appreciation for the outdoors and all of nature’s creatures. There are many fond memories of camping in the Midwest and at Joshua Tree. He was a lover of games, particularly Yahtzee. He made up the best bedtime stories, passed on a love for the written word and nurtured vivid imaginations in all his children. When grandson Oliver came along, he and Gloria traveled often to Virginia to visit and have adventures, which often involved ice cream.
Ed will be remembered for his beautiful speaking and singing voice, warm smile, lyrical sermons, compassion and wisdom, love for chocolate and ice cream, love for his family (including animals) and belief that we all have a part in making the world a better place. He was a steady light in this world.
Dr. Aluzas was preceded in death by his mother Victoria Aluzas, father Benedict Aluzas, brother Andrew Stonik, sister Stella Hoeffer and brother Benedict Aluzas Jr. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Gloria Chase Aluzas, daughter Annette Aluzas (Doug Schmit), son Kurt Aluzas (Sylvia Ho), son Jonathan Aluzas (Melina), grandson Oliver Schmit, beloved cat Molly and many dear friends and family.
A Celebration of Life will happen on Saturday, April 19, 11a.m. at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 Mountain Ave in Claremont. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall, all are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider performing an act of kindness or donating to:
Prison Library Project – claremontforum.org
Pasadena Humane Society – pasadenahumane.org
Southern Poverty Law Center – splcenter.org
Rev. Joseph C. McWilliams, Jr. (’65, ’66)
The following obituary was originally posted by Bliley's Funeral Home and can be found here.
Rev. J.C. "Jody" McWilliams, Jr. passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Jody's strong Christian faith drove his fierce commitment to serving others and his loving devotion to family and friends.
Born on February 22, 1938, in Jackson, Mississippi, Jody was raised by Stuart and Gabriella Taylor, largely in Gulfport. Attending Mississippi State University, he was awed by Anne Crockett, then a student at the Mississippi State College for Women. They were married in 1962.
After graduation, Jody was commissioned 
as an officer in the U.S. Army. His service remained deeply meaningful to him, shaping his desire to pursue a master's degree in Divinity and Theology and another in Psychology and Pastoral Counseling from Boston University. Ordained as a minister in the United Methodist Church, he and Anne moved to Virginia so he could train as a chaplain at the Medical College of Virginia. He then led two small congregations around Ruther Glen, Virginia, even while earning a third master's degree, this one in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
From 1971 to 2004, Jody served as the Executive Director of the William Byrd Community House in the Oregon Hill area of Richmond. He worked with both Black and White communities toward racial integration in the 1970s, joined and won the fight against VCU expansion in the 1980s, and led the expansion of WBCH's service area in the 1990s. Under Jody's leadership, a member of the WBCH Board said, "William Byrd teaches people how to stand up and ask for what they need so they can deal with neighborhood issues on their own." As Jody told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "We are in business to serve the working poor, people who fall through the cracks. We serve people from birth until death, from the womb to the tomb." The number of people using the agency's services approached 4,000 individuals annually by the time of his retirement.
In addition to serving those communities, Jody mentored hundreds of social workers, who he taught to "Be open to learn from those you serve." Such efforts made WBCH a regional model, and Jody garnered recognitions from chairing the United Neighborhood Centers of America Executive Board to VCU's Alumni Star Award. More importantly, his efforts at WBCH touched many thousands of lives, rippling through generations in immeasurable ways.
After his retirement, Jody served as Minister of Visitation for Trinity United Methodist Church, and he was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and Leadership Metro Richmond. He also found great joy in traveling with Anne - together they visited twenty-two countries on five continents - and in trips to Emerald Isle with his family.
Jody is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Anne; his son Mark McWilliams (Rachel) and their children Jack (Murphy) and Annie; and his daughter Heather Brand (Abel) and their children Emily, Madison, Cole, Rynn, and William. The family would like to thank the staff at Cedarfield and, particularly, the nurses at St. Mary's Hospital's CVSU for their kindness and care.
Jody's funeral will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, March 15, at Trinity United Methodist Church, followed by a reception. Internment at Westhampton Memorial Park will be private. There will be a visitation from 4:00-6:00 on Friday, March 14, at Bliley's Funeral Home's central location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.
Minister of Creative Youth Engagement, Part-Time, Congregational: Sudbury, MA
Memorial Congregational Church of Sudbury, MA, (MCC) is seeking an innovative and passionate Minister of Creative Youth Engagement to cultivate meaningful experiences for children and youth (early elementary through high school). This position emphasizes exploring faith through the arts and hands-on social justice initiatives, fostering a spirit of creativity, compassion, and community.
At MCC, you’ll find a supportive, open-minded congregation that values fresh ideas, collaboration, and a deep commitment to nurturing young people. We offer a welcoming community eager to partner with you in shaping an engaging and impactful youth ministry. You’ll have the freedom to develop innovative programming, access to a network of dedicated volunteers, and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of our children and youth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and lead engaging, arts-based faith formation programs for children and youth.
- Integrate music, theater, visual arts, and creative storytelling into spiritual exploration and worship experiences through direct leadership and by coordinating volunteers and guest facilitators with particular expertise.
- Organize and facilitate hands-on social justice opportunities, empowering young people to engage in meaningful service and advocacy.
- Collaborate with church leadership, volunteers, and families to create intergenerational connections and support faith development.
- Support and enhance youth involvement in worship services and special church events.
- Provide mentorship and pastoral care to children and youth, fostering an inclusive and affirming environment.
- Work with church staff to align youth engagement with the broader mission of Memorial Congregational Church.
- Manage a budget as approved annually by the congregation.
Qualifications:
- Passion for working with children and youth.
- Strong background in creative arts (such as music, drama, visual arts, or other mediums) and a commitment to integrating arts into spiritual exploration.
- Experience with social justice programming and community engagement.
- Ability to create innovative and inclusive programs that welcome children and youth of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Vision to dream big and try new things, flexibility to adjust as needed, and resilience to pivot when things don't go as planned. The structure of this role is new and will evolve.
- Theological training or experience in ministry is preferred but not required; candidates with experience in education, social work, or the arts are encouraged to apply.
- While the vast majority of this position focuses on the youth, should the candidate be ordained or ordainable this position may include other pastoral opportunities.
Position Details:
Status: 20 hours per week (primarily Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and at least one additional time onsite weekly. Please note that this position includes occasional required events outside of these hours.)
Compensation: $28,000 per year
Location: Sudbury, MA (with some remote flexibility for planning and coordination)
Start Date: July 1, 2025
Contact pastor@mccsudbury.org for more information.
MCC is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We genuinely welcome everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Most areas of the building are universally accessible; the Church School wing is accessible by portable ramps present in the building.
Director of Communications, Full-Time, UMC: Methuen, MA
The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking a highly skilled and creative Director of Communications to lead and implement a comprehensive communication strategy. This full-time, in-office position is based in Methuen, MA, with a Monday through Friday schedule. Reporting to the Bishop, the Director of Communications plays a vital role in promoting and sharing the mission and ministry of the New England Annual Conference (NEAC). The ideal candidate will bring strong administrative, innovative, and implementation skills, along with expertise in engagement, a passion for storytelling, and strategic communication.
Key Responsibilities:
· Develop, implement, and coordinate a comprehensive communications strategy in collaboration with the Bishop and Conference leadership to enhance internal and external understanding, interest, and excitement about the vibrant mission and ministry taking place within the New England Annual Conference.
· Serve as the Conference’s primary spokesperson for public and media relations, fostering relationships externally with local media, internally with local churches, districts, and office staff, and connectionally with United Methodist denominational partners.
· Ensure all communications align with the Conference’s mission, brand, and messaging, delivering high-quality, timely, and within budget content.
· Monitor and assess communication efforts, adjusting strategies as needed.
· Manage crisis communications, ensuring timely responses and supporting leadership in critical situations.
· Create and distribute compelling content, including print articles, graphics, short-form videos, and social media posts across NEAC’s various digital and print communication platforms.
· Oversee and update the Conference’s website, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram), weekly e-newsletters, monthly local church newsletters, quarterly team publications, and emerging communication channels as needed.
· Prepare and oversee the production of the Annual Conference Journal and the Appointment Book annually.
· Performs other duties as requested.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related field is required. Master’s Degree is preferred.
· A minimum of three years in a similar or related role is required.
· Must possess exceptional writing, copy-editing, and verbal communication skills.
· Strong interviewing skills and the ability to craft compelling narratives.
· Ability to think and operate strategically and tactically.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
· Experience using project management platforms.
· Photography and basic videography skills, including editing and production using tools like Premiere Pro and Photoshop.
· Graphic design proficiency using Adobe Suite, Canva, and other emerging technologies.
· Experience with publishing tools such as Adobe InDesign.
· Strong interpersonal skills.
· Possess the ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects in a complex, fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
· Willingness to build an understanding of the mission and values of the United Methodist Church.
Additional Information:
Organization: New England Conference
Contact: Samantha Harris
Phone: 615-369-2314
Email resume and cover letter to: hr@neumc.org
Closing Date: April 30, 2025
The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.
Director of Young Adult & University Student Ministry, Part-Time, UMC: Cambridge, MA
Harvard-Epworth Church, a vibrant and inclusive congregation in Harvard Square, seeks a dynamic, faith-filled, enthusiastic Director for our established ministry to young adults and university students. This part-time position is onsite on Sundays, with occasional meetings (onsite or zoom) during the week, for a total of 10 hours/week. Compensation is $25/hour. We will be interviewing in late April/early May. This position is set to begin in July 2025, though a start date of September 2025 is a possibility if necessary.
Worship Leadership:
- Attend weekly worship services to engage with students and young adults, also to greet any visiting students or young adults
- Occasionally lead one aspect of a worship service or a worship service in full
Programming:
- Organize and facilitate a weekly small group on spiritual formation such as Life Groups for students and young adults
- Organize fellowship events such as Brunch Bunch, Game Night, or potluck dinners for students and young adults
- Organize and facilitate monthly or seasonal small groups such as book clubs, bible studies, or social justice informative studies for students and/or young adults
- Organize and facilitate a seasonal event such as a mission project or a retreat for students and young adults
- Occasionally facilitate Adult Forum discussions or other programs for the Harvard-Epworth community
- Offer times for one-on-one pastoral care or support conversations with students and young adults when needed
Administration:
- Regularly organize, schedule, and advertise for student and young adult events through monthly newsletters, email updates, and word of mouth
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, church council meetings, or other organizational events as needed
- Reach out to local universities to invite undergraduate and graduate students to worship, participate in small groups, or other programs
Qualifications:
- College graduate, preferably with knowledge of church leadership or theological studies
- Prior related experience preferred
- Able to communicate effectively and work with a team
- Strategic and forward-thinking to set and accomplish goals.
- Proficient with computers (databases, Microsoft Word, Excel, file sharing) and online platforms (Zoom, Doodle, Canva, Facebook, etc.)
Hours/week: 10
- Sick days/vacation time negotiable
To learn more, contact Rev. Barbara Lemmel at pastor.barb@harvardepworthchurch.org
Website: harvardepworthchurch.org
Harvard-Epworth Church is located at 1555 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, MA.