Dear Congregational Church of Whitman,

I am so pleased and honored to have been invited to serve as your interim minister on this journey of transition you are beginning. I look forward to getting to know you as time and opportunity permit and was asked to share a little about myself as I anticipate joining you

on September 5th.

I grew up in Canton, Massachusetts and attended the US Naval Academy directly out of high school. I graduated with honors from the University of Rhode Island, earning a BS degree in Geology with a minor in Mathematics; Rutgers University with a MS degree in Geological Sciences; and Andover Newton Theological School with an MDiv degree. While in college, I enjoyed playing Division 1 Softball, competing in two national championship tournaments, while earning Academic All-American honors and the Female Scholar Athlete Award during my senior year at URI. I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, RI and was ordained by the Old Colony Association. Bob and I have been married for nearly 24 years and we have two children, Rob (20) and Ashley (17). Bob works for an environmental consulting firm with an office in Boston. He holds both a BS and an MS degree in Geology from Rutgers University. Mansfield has been our home for the better part of 14 years.

I have served churches in Vermont and Massachusetts as both a settled and interim minister and recently completed a transitional Interim Pastorate in Milford, MA. Prior to sensing my call to ministry following the sudden death of my father in 1996, I worked as an environmental consultant for many years. An avid Boston sports fan, I enjoy rooting for the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots! I relax by spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading, journaling, writing poetry, and enjoy visiting National Parks and the Cape Cod National Sea Shore.

I received specialized training in: Intentional Interim Ministry from the Interim Ministry Network; and Spiritual Guidance from The Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation. I have served as a Workshop, Confirmation Retreat Leader, and Vitality Coach for the Massachusetts Conference, and have also served on the Board of Directors for the Attleboro Council of Churches, and the Committee of Church and Education for the Old Colony Association. Sunday morning represents the highlight of my week as I experience joy and delight in sharing the love of God with people in need of hearing good news. I aim to provide spiritually grounded leadership, a healing presence, and opportunities for learning for people of all ages while working to help groups explore, develop and deepen their spiritual life. As an Intentional Interim Minister, I look to use my gifts, graces and experience to help lead churches through change and transition as they seek vitality and transformation.

I look forward to joining with you in ministry as we seek to live faithfully together as God’s people.

Blessings and Peace,

Rev. Debbie Cipolletti