New pastor to lead Raymond Village Community Church

By Ed Pierce

Raymond Village Community Church has introduced Rev. Brian Donovan as its new spiritual leader.

Donovan, 51, will administer and lead the spiritual life of the church and the surrounding community, and he assumed his new duties for a one-year term as pastor at RVCC on Oct. 30.

The Rev. Brian Donovan will lead the Raymond
Village Community Church as its new pastor
and started a one-year term at the church on
Oct. 30. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

He has 10 years of church and pastoral leadership experience and obtained a master’s degree in divinity from Boston University’s School of Theology. Prior to his new duties in Raymond, Donovan has served at churches in Waban, Massachusetts; Boothbay Harbor, and Salem, New Hampshire. He is also simultaneously leading worship at the First Congregational Church of Gray.

A graduate of Novi High School in Michigan, Donovan lives in East Boothbay and is the chaplain at the Greg Wing of St. Andrew’s Village Nursing Home in Boothbay Harbor.

Prior to his calling to the ministry, Donovan worked as a ceramic tile installer and has also worked as a framer, a marine electrician, and as a contracting company owner and operator. In 2011, he made the decision to become a pastor and study at Boston University.

“We are pleased to welcome Pastor Brian as our new leader. We are excited to enter this phase of our church life. With his direction and guidance, we will continue to uphold community involvement as a strong trademark of this church,” said RVCC Moderator Tom Wiley. “We invite you to join with us as we welcome Pastor Brian at our new worship time of 11 a.m.”

Raymond Village Community Church worships under the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ which features 143 congregations spread across the State of Maine.

“I am grateful to be called to serve the community of Raymond through the Raymond Congregational Community Church and bring God's message of love to all people in this changing time,” Donovan said. “Change, though sometimes scary, is also the exciting part of living in this 21st century. My hope is that everyone within the church and throughout our community will embrace the need for change; so, we can discover and provide God's faithful love for all people that our community needs, in the way they need it, today. And I do mean All people, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome, accepted, and loved. I pray you will join us and be part of the exciting changes God is creating through us for the town of Raymond."

This summer, worship at the church featured a rotation of temporary pastors while a permanent pastor could be found including Rev. Chan Roach, Rev. Jane McIntyre, and Rev. Deborah Loomis Lafond. <