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Return of the Ministry
It was under Michael Salvetti's leadership that the congregation decided to put out a call for
a minister. In September of 1981 new hope arrived in the coming of the Rev. Susan
Turley-Moore to serve as pastor, along with funding from the national denomination. Salvetti
smoothed the transition in leadership and supported Sue in her first months. She started
weekly services in the church again, built a pastors office, began renovations in the basement
and efforts to establish a day care center in the church. She also established a counseling
ministry for families and individuals and brought the church into the local ecumenical scene
by serving on the Maine Council of Churches and the Portland Interfaith Council. She was on
the volunteer staff at the Portland Women's Crisis Center and a member of the New England
Women's Clergy Association. During her time there, the older members remained and were ministered
to while preparation and groundwork for new growth were being made. The church developed a
reputation in the community as a caring, compassionate church involved with neighborhood issues.
Then in the spring of 1984 she answered a call to serve at the Wayfarers Chapel on the west coast.
Despite disappointment in her leaving, reform and renewal continued when in September of
1984 the Rev. Turley-Moore was succeeded by the Rev. Robert McCluskey. He continued
weekly services, began evening discussion groups and classes, stepped up publicity and made
gains in attendance. He also did weekly volunteer work at the Maine Youth Center. It was
during this time that the Children's Co-op Day Care began using the space which had been
prepared in the church basement. Then in May of 1988, Rev. McCluskey answered a call to
serve the Swedenborgian Church In New York City.
It was then that a few loyal members, led by Pat Cushman, Mary Ann Healey, Jay Jordan,
Cheryl Boykin, Wanda Pettersen and Pat Vigue gathered together to decide what to do.
Committed to continuing as a church, they contacted the national body for financial help,
put out the call for a minister, and began interviewing candidates, while continuing to meet
under their own leadership and that of invited guest ministers.
In September of 1989, the Rev. Ken Turley began serving the church as its first full-time,
full-salaried minister in almost 90 years. This was a big step to take for a church with so
few members, but the "leap of faith" proved to be well worthwhile. The fruits of Ken's
ministry appeared with a growth of friends and members in the congregation. Ken and his wife
Laurie, trained musicians, brought to their ministry the theme of creative arts and music in
the church. This original theme brought to the church many creative and energetic members who
helped inject a new sense of energy in the congregation. After over six years of service to
the Portland church, Rev. Turley answered the call to serve the Fryeburg, Maine Swedenborgian
Church in June 1996.
Into the New Century
Much work has been accomplished over the past ten years on the church building. During
Rev. Turley's tenure the former unused choir loft was stripped and remodeled into new and
badly needed meeting and meditation space. Outside, the disintegrating asphalt siding that
dated from the early 1940's was stripped and replaced with wood shingles following the
original pattern of the 1909 design. The concrete steps, replacement for the original wooden
steps in the late 1930's, were removed and replaced with a large deck and stairs that now
lead off to the side rather then directly onto the side walk. Work soon to be accomplished
will be the construction of a wheelchair ramp to accommodate handicapped members and guests.
Most recently the entire interior of the worship and fellowship spaces were repainted in
anticipation of the upcoming national convention of the denomination in June 2002.
In the
beginning
of the
21st
century
the
church
fills
its
pulpit
with
speakers
from
within
the
congregation
and as
of
January
2003,
our new
part
time
Minister
the
Reverend
Wilma
Wake
delivers
sermons
every
other
week and
conducts
a
variety
of small
groups
and
workshops
as well
as
pastoral
care at
the
church.
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