Community Corner
ABOUT TOWN: Longtime Stoughton Religious Leader Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz Announces Retirement
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REVEREND JEFF LEAVING FIRST PARISH: Reverend Jeffrey Symynkywicz announced recently to his congregation at the First Parish Universalist Church of Stoughton that he will be retiring from the Unitarian Universalist ministry as of the summer of 2013, and will resign his position as Minister of First Parish as of August 31, 2013.
Symynkywicz, who has the most difficult name I’ve had to learn to spell (I prefer Rev. Jeff), has been one of the most active members of the Stoughton Clergy Association, and has presided over a period of growth and energy at First Parish, located at 790 Washington St. in Stoughton Center.
Symynkywicz, an avowed liberal, wrote on November 14, in part, “ After long and careful consideration, I have decided that I will retire from the Unitarian Universalist ministry, as of the end of this church year. Therefore, I am announcing my resignation as Minister of First Parish Universalist Church, effective August 31, 2013. I believe that the time has come for me to enter a new stage of my spiritual and professional journey. I also believe that First Parish can benefit greatly from this change in professional leadership. I look forward to continuing my active ministry with you for the remainder of this church year."
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He continued, "Please accept my deepest gratitude for the support you have shown me and my family over the past nineteen years. You will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Accordng to his bio, Symynkywicz has "been Minister of First Parish Universalist Church in Stoughton since 1993. A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1981, and has also served churches in Vermont and Maine."
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Symynkywicz, when asked by About Town what the future holds, wrote: “My plans are still pretty indefinite at this point. I want to explore possibilities in writing and teaching, maybe some other areas as well. But nothing is nailed down yet. I'm confident that things will turn out all right, even if I have to piece several different things together, as people do these days.”
Rev. Jeff was is known as the author of books on Bruce Springsteen. He appeared on Snyder’s Stoughton TV Show in a Springsteen segment.
He added, “We're not sure where we will end up, though my guess is that we won't be going too far. It might not be Stoughton, but it could well be close-by. In all probability, somewhere between Providence and Boston, though we would move further away if something lucrative and interesting came along. “
Rev. Jean Lenk of The First Congregational Church of Stoughton, and Immediate Past President of the Stoughton Clergy Association, told About Town, “Jeff has been the most wonderful and gracious colleague in my eight years in this town. He was the first one to greet me when I came to Stoughton. He has been there with humor, wisdom, and astute observation. He’s been a great joy to call colleague, and I will miss him terribly.”
We wish Rev. Jeff a lot of happiness and success in his future endeavors.
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HAPPY 12th ANNIVERSARY to Stoughton Police Officer Allen Curtis and his wife Christine.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Bob Evangelista, Johnsonville Brats Ace Sales Guy, and long-time President, Football Director and Coach for STOYAC; and to John Leahy, the Voice of Stoughton Black Knights Football.
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HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY: To Stan Zoll, a member of the Board of Assessors, and to Courtney Weiner. She turned 14. Both celebrated Tuesday.
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