Spiritual Leadership Changing in Windsor

Two Windsor churches are undergoing a process of transition in 2011, as their longtime leaders will be moving out of state.  Pastor Roy Jacobsen at Trinity United Methodist Church and Pastor Randy Thompson of Poquonock Community Church will be leaving their congregations, one to enjoy the comings and goings of retirement and the other to begin a new ministry in the New Hampshire woods.

Pastor Roy Jacobsen has been ministering at Trinity United Methodist Church for the past 16 years.  “It’s been a busy 16 years,” said Jacobsen, recalling the work he has seen occur during his time at the church. 

A major building expansion, a move to two worship services and tremendous growth of the have all happened during his tenure, along with an effort to help the congregation be more active in missions work and a growing and active youth group ministry. 

But Jacobsen is especially proud of one particular achievement that has happened in the church during his time.

“The church has become more culturally diverse ­-- more representative of Windsor,” said Jacobsen.  In addition, his “biggest joy” during the time he has been serving in Windsor has been any opportunity he has had to bring people into a relationship with Christ.

“Sharing Christ with people,” said Jacobsen, “helping them to grow in that relationship… that has been a  joy of mine.” 

Skip Eggimann has been working with Pastor Jacobsen in the role of Pastor of Discipleship Ministries for years and will miss him.

“He has been a Pastor and Shepherd in the true sense of the words,” said Eggimann. “His friendly and down to earth style of leadership has guided the church in a very positive direction. Under his leadership Trinity has had two very successful building programs expanding the Trinity Life Center and Trinity Christian School.  He enthusiastically led the formation of Trinity Christian School, beginning with one class of first graders and now operating classes through the eighth grade.”

Pastor Jacobsen plans to move to Rhode Island with his wife, Mary Ellen, where they own a home, but what he will be doing there, he is leaving up to God to decide.

“We’re waiting on the Lord to see what’s next,” he said.  “We will pray and then discern what’s next.”   Jacobsen said that they would like to do some travelling and work on a family genealogy project.  Jacobsen also said his wife is looking forward to “having me around more.” 

Replacing Pastor Jacobsen will be John Gerlach and his wife, Joan.  The couple comes to Windsor with 2 children, Becca and AJ.  Pastor Gerlach served the Branford UMC for 13 years.

 Pastor Jacobsen will be preaching his last service on June 12.  Gerlach will begin on July 1.  Pastor Jacobsen will have served this June a total of 42 years in active ministry. 

“In his sixteen years his ministry has touched many individuals and families with his sermons, counseling, and officiating at baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals.  His casual manner and easy laugh will be missed,” added Eggimann.

On the other side of town, Reverend Randy Thompson, from Poquonock Community Church, will be leaving after 10 years of service to his congregation.  He makes it clear though, he is not retiring. 

Thompson announced a year ago that he and his wife, will be leaving Windsor to move to New Hampshire where they have bought a home and property to begin a much-needed ministry retreat house for other pastor’s in need of respite.  The ministry, which he plans to call “Forest Haven,” will be a “quiet  respite and retreat for ministers and ministers’ spouses,” said Thompson.  “A place where [people can find] healing and hospitality and spiritual refreshment in a rural and wooded setting,” said Thompson. 

Thompson came to this decision after seeing the need for this sort of caring place throughout his own career and the careers of his colleagues in church leadership.  “It’s a place for pastors and spouses who need a place away – to deal with burn out, conflict, to be with God and be settled and centered.  It’s a place to get a discerning call,” he said.

Thompson has seen some changes at Poquonock Community Church during his tenure.  When he arrived the church was considered ‘independent,’ but upon his departure they are a part of the CCCC, the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. 

“Our affiliation with the 4 C’s is an assertion of that identity, and much of the past year has been devoted to pursuing that,” said Thompson, who feels the church has become more “theologically defined” during his time with them.

He is  proud of the growth of the music ministry that has occurred at Poquonock as well.  “In my time here we have undergone major changes in terms of worship,” he said. “We are a traditional church but we have become open to contemporary music,” said Thompson.  “We now are making use of non-traditional music and Powerpoint [during our services]… we have embraced new music, keyboards, guitars, and, on occasion, electric guitars.” 

He also is proud of the more-focused confirmation program which culminates in the students applying the Bible to their personal lives.  “[It is] more of a Christ-centered and Gospel-centered focus,” said Thompson.  “Major changes here include the paper the kids write for me at the end of the first year, “Why I Believe That Jesus Rose From the Dead (Or Not).”  The Credo the kids prepare for Confirmation Sunday which address the questions, “Who is Jesus Christ, and Who Is He in Relation to Me?”

 Thompson also recalled several nationwide Christian education programs the church has participated in such as The Alpha Course, 40 Days of Purpose and Walk Through the Bible. 

Poquonock Community Church has begun the process of looking for an interim pastor.