Pastor’s message: FAITH CAN BE DIFFICULT
Faith is a challenging part of our lives. We have rollercoaster moments of faith, sometimes it is great and often it is difficult and hard. Faith is often based on experiences both good and bad and what we have known and traditions of faith communities we grow up in. Faith is always changing based on what we experience and think about and even how we view God. Faith can be defined and shaped by human relationships and experiences. Scripture defines faith perfectly in Hebrews 11: 1 "Faith is the meaning of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." With faith we have great hope and yet we can not see faith or maybe we can't even feel it. I believe that if you experience our faith community your own personal journey of faith will grow and become stronger and that this community of faith will be a solid foundation for when your faith is weak or non-existent. Faith is never going to be perfect, but our lives are better for it when we have a deep source of faith to guide us, help us and allow us to be stronger. I hope we can help you discover a more beautiful faith within the walls and works of our faith community.
YOU are loved!
Pastor Rich
Rev. Richard O'Donnell was born just north of Boston and his family moved to Bellows Falls when he was a child. He attended schools in Bellows Falls and graduated from BFUHS in 1996. He attended Boston College and St. John Seminary both in Boston and Mount St. Mary University in Maryland. He has degrees in Philosophy and Divinity and minored in Jewish Christian relations and Youth Ministry. Rich has served in congregations in Pennsylvania and throughout Vermont. Rich was called to be the 37th Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Westminster on March 12, 2023. Rich has grown congregations in all the churches he has served and is grateful to have the opportunity to minister in the communities that he grew up in and near. Rich is an avid reader, enjoys Irish heritage, and loves snowmobiling in the winter. Rich resides in Bellows Falls with his sidekick Shamrock (Cat). Rich currently serves as a Justice of the Peace in Rockingham, and Chaplain to the Brattleboro Police Dept. Rich is a member of the Malden Irish American Club, Polish Club in Bellows Falls and the Fraternal Order of the Elks in Brattleboro.
Please reach out to Rich at anytime!