I’m Pastor Melissa Buono and I’m excited to have this opportunity to serve here at Trinity Lutheran Church as your quarter time interim minister, along with Pastor Mark. I look forward to leading worship with you on the fourth (and where applicable fifth) Sunday of the month starting September 29, as well as providing pastoral care in emergency situations when Pastor Mark is unavailable.
By way of introduction, ministry is a second career for me. After a brief stint in the world of mutual funds, I found myself wrestling with the thought that there has to be more to life. And so began a long process of discernment that led to a call to ministry.
Raised in the Congregational Church, I came to the Lutheran tradition while in college in the Midwest. I was drawn to the liturgy and especially loved the ritual of coming forward to receive the Holy Eucharist; a very different practice from Holy Communion in the church of my youth.
I received my Master of Divinity degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in S. Hamilton, MA, and completed a Master of Sacred Theology degree during my Lutheran Year at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary). It’s the message of God’s deep and abiding love and generosity shown to us in the person and work of Jesus that I love to share in my preaching.
Ordained in the ELCA in 2002, and licensed in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in 2007, I have served parishes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as pastor, transition pastor, and interim priest. I have also filled in as a supply pastor in a number of Lutheran and Episcopal congregations throughout New England. I’ve enjoyed many opportunities to connect with people all over the world. From travel to India and Israel/Palestine, to a women’s study tour in Tanzania, I have seen the outpouring of God’s love in generous ways in the work of communities of faith. I look forward to our shared ministry in the months ahead as we continue in the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ to share the good news in love and service to all.
With thanksgiving to God, Pastor Melissa
Covenant for Contact Pastor Melissa Buono
As Christians, we all are baptized into the priesthood of Christ to offer ourselves to the Lord of the Church in thanksgiving for what he has done and continues to do for us. It is my privilege to support the mission and ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, MA as Contact Pastor in a ¼ time position.
In prayerful conversation with the Congregation Council, I enter into the following
covenant.
I agree:
- to pray for my predecessor in their new ministry for the sake of
the mission of the Church;
- to speak well of my predecessor and interpret their ministry in the best
possible light;
- to treat my predecessor with respect as a sibling in Christ and valued
pastoral colleague;
- to provide urgent pastoral care as necessary
- to be the Supply Pastor for the 4th Sunday (and 5th if necessary) each month
The congregation agrees:
– to support the work of the contact pastor
– to pay the contact pastor according to synod guidelines for urgent pastoral care at Per Diem hourly rates, plus mileage at the IRS rate
– to pay the contact pastor according to synod guidelines for Supply Pastor service for 2 Services per Sunday, plus mileage at the IRS rate
– to pay the contact pastor for all other approved expenses, reimbursed by voucher, at actual cost
Effective Dates of this Covenant:
Sept. 10, 2024 through June 2, 2025, which may be extended by mutual agreement.
This covenant may be terminated by either party with 30 days written notice.
It is understood that this covenant does not affect, or require termination of, friendships with individuals who are members of this congregation.