Centre Congregational Church
193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-4730
Email us at centrechurch@centrechurchvt.org
Find us on Facebook
“The mission of Centre Congregational Church is to worship and serve God, following the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.”
~ Church Bylaws, 21 May, 2006
All are welcome to join us for worship at 10:00 am Sundays.
We are an Open And Affirming Church and a Just Peace Church in the United Church of Christ.
"No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION! APOLOGIES FOR ANY GLITCHES OR MISSING INFORMATION!
Our New Settled Pastor
| Rev. Dr. Scott E. Couper |
Centre Church is pleased to welcome the Reverend Dr Scott Couper, AKA “Scott,” who officially started on Sunday, July 22. Scott felt a call from God and the Centre Church to serve in Brattleboro and our Search committee felt the same way.
Scott grew-up in a military family travelling all over the USA, and thus moved every two-and-ahalf years of his young life. He studied
International Relations (School for International Service at the American University, Washington, D.C.) and travelled abroad to Chile, Nigeria and Zimbabwe (the latter two through Brattleboro’s own School for International Training, SIT). While in university during the summers, Scott served as a local church pastor and chaplain in Pennsylvania. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree, Scott became a missionary in the Kingdom of Lesotho monitoring human rights abuses. After returning to the USA, he married Susan Valiquette (also an ordained UCC minister) and then studied theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. After earning a Master’s Degree and becoming ordained in the UCC, Scott became a missionary, living with his wife and children (Micah and Madeline) in the Republic of South Africa. For eighteen years Scott served many local Congregational churches there, initiated and fostered HIV and AIDS ministries and curated a local history museum and archive for an historic Congregational school. While in South Africa, Scott earned a PhD in History and published a biography of the only Congregationalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Albert Luthuli. Scott’s ministry also involved teaching political science, theology and history at two universities (one being SIT!) and at a Methodist seminary. Though an academic, Scott’s desire is to be intimately accountable to a local faith community. Scott’s connection to Brattleboro reaches beyond his being a student of and lecturer for
SIT. His great-great-great-great-grandfather was once sheriff of Brattleboro! For most of his life, Scott says he has felt in exile from and is eager to reside in his ‘ancestral’ New England (as most of his family is from Maine and Massachusetts). Both Scott and the Search Committee feel we were led by the Holy Spirit to be partners in Christ’s ministry. Scott’s ministerial passions are pastoral care, preaching, and community activism. Scott and Centre Church both share a love of history, a love for justice and a love for missional outreach – no doubt, a “match made in heaven”!
When asked what attracted him to Centre Church, Scott replied:
"I want to support Centre Church’s practice of gifting its spiritual, human, infrastructural and financial resources for the benefit of the local community and the world thus honouring God’s intended purpose for it.
I crave the opportunity to partner with Centre Church that stands in radical solidarity with those who are most marginalised, be they on its doorstep or on another continent, and thus foster the Realm of God on Earth as it is in heaven.
I found Centre Church to be a ‘target rich environment’ whereby I feel like a mosquito in a nudist camp – I simply don’t know where to turn! – the past accomplishments, the present ministry opportunities and the future potential harvest are all so plentiful!
Also I enjoy New England Clam ‘Chowda’, maple syrup, and running where my radiator will not have to work so hard!"
The Search Committee feels Scott has high energy and experience. He has a focus on mission and will work to see the needs of the community and the strengths within the church to address those needs. He's a good listener, has a desire to get to know the congregation, and is easy to talk with. He’s faith-filled, and always sees projects through to completion. He thoroughly enjoys teaching and is able to bridge his academics with sermons. Visiting, whether in homes, hospitals, or elder care institutions is very high on his list of priorities. The Search Committee feels as Scott said above that Centre Church and Scott are an excellent match.
Scott grew-up in a military family travelling all over the USA, and thus moved every two-and-ahalf years of his young life. He studied
International Relations (School for International Service at the American University, Washington, D.C.) and travelled abroad to Chile, Nigeria and Zimbabwe (the latter two through Brattleboro’s own School for International Training, SIT). While in university during the summers, Scott served as a local church pastor and chaplain in Pennsylvania. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree, Scott became a missionary in the Kingdom of Lesotho monitoring human rights abuses. After returning to the USA, he married Susan Valiquette (also an ordained UCC minister) and then studied theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. After earning a Master’s Degree and becoming ordained in the UCC, Scott became a missionary, living with his wife and children (Micah and Madeline) in the Republic of South Africa. For eighteen years Scott served many local Congregational churches there, initiated and fostered HIV and AIDS ministries and curated a local history museum and archive for an historic Congregational school. While in South Africa, Scott earned a PhD in History and published a biography of the only Congregationalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Albert Luthuli. Scott’s ministry also involved teaching political science, theology and history at two universities (one being SIT!) and at a Methodist seminary. Though an academic, Scott’s desire is to be intimately accountable to a local faith community. Scott’s connection to Brattleboro reaches beyond his being a student of and lecturer for
SIT. His great-great-great-great-grandfather was once sheriff of Brattleboro! For most of his life, Scott says he has felt in exile from and is eager to reside in his ‘ancestral’ New England (as most of his family is from Maine and Massachusetts). Both Scott and the Search Committee feel we were led by the Holy Spirit to be partners in Christ’s ministry. Scott’s ministerial passions are pastoral care, preaching, and community activism. Scott and Centre Church both share a love of history, a love for justice and a love for missional outreach – no doubt, a “match made in heaven”!
When asked what attracted him to Centre Church, Scott replied:
"I want to support Centre Church’s practice of gifting its spiritual, human, infrastructural and financial resources for the benefit of the local community and the world thus honouring God’s intended purpose for it.
I crave the opportunity to partner with Centre Church that stands in radical solidarity with those who are most marginalised, be they on its doorstep or on another continent, and thus foster the Realm of God on Earth as it is in heaven.
I found Centre Church to be a ‘target rich environment’ whereby I feel like a mosquito in a nudist camp – I simply don’t know where to turn! – the past accomplishments, the present ministry opportunities and the future potential harvest are all so plentiful!
Also I enjoy New England Clam ‘Chowda’, maple syrup, and running where my radiator will not have to work so hard!"
The Search Committee feels Scott has high energy and experience. He has a focus on mission and will work to see the needs of the community and the strengths within the church to address those needs. He's a good listener, has a desire to get to know the congregation, and is easy to talk with. He’s faith-filled, and always sees projects through to completion. He thoroughly enjoys teaching and is able to bridge his academics with sermons. Visiting, whether in homes, hospitals, or elder care institutions is very high on his list of priorities. The Search Committee feels as Scott said above that Centre Church and Scott are an excellent match.
Our Bridge Pastor:
The Rev. Dr. Joseph David Stinson served Centre Church from March 4, 2018 to July 15, 2018 as our bridge minister, so called because “{my} ministry will bridge the span until a new settled minister is called . . .and also because {I have} to cross the bridge to get to Brattleboro.” Mr. Stinson and his wife Cynthia live in Swanzey, NH. They have four grown children. A native of Texas, Mr. Stinson served three churches during his forty-two years in the ministry: South Congregational of Lawrence, MA; The Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, ME; and Glen Ridge Congregational of Glen Ridge, NJ. He retired from the last in June, 2017, after a twenty-five year pastorate. Mr. Stinson has degrees and studied at Texas Christian University, Yale University, St. Andrews University (Scotland) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also a veteran of the US Navy with 31 years as a Navy Chaplain. He retired in 2010 at the rank of Rear Admiral. We are very grateful to Rev. Stinson for shepherding us through a time of transition.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph David Stinson served Centre Church from March 4, 2018 to July 15, 2018 as our bridge minister, so called because “{my} ministry will bridge the span until a new settled minister is called . . .and also because {I have} to cross the bridge to get to Brattleboro.” Mr. Stinson and his wife Cynthia live in Swanzey, NH. They have four grown children. A native of Texas, Mr. Stinson served three churches during his forty-two years in the ministry: South Congregational of Lawrence, MA; The Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, ME; and Glen Ridge Congregational of Glen Ridge, NJ. He retired from the last in June, 2017, after a twenty-five year pastorate. Mr. Stinson has degrees and studied at Texas Christian University, Yale University, St. Andrews University (Scotland) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also a veteran of the US Navy with 31 years as a Navy Chaplain. He retired in 2010 at the rank of Rear Admiral. We are very grateful to Rev. Stinson for shepherding us through a time of transition.
