(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column titled “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal religious perspective in this space. For information on becoming part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
Located at 60 Elm Street in North New Salem is a small country church which was first organized in 1802. Thomas Jefferson was the president of the new nation. In January 1802, the First Parish committee established a North End society and meetings began in homes. This was the beginning of what would eventually be called North Congregational Church of New Salem.
On Sunday June 9, 2002, the church noted its bicentennial with an all-day celebration called a “Homecoming.” The only other living previous pastor of the church was present along with a representative from the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (4C’s) the organization with which our congregation is affiliated.
Congregational polity is distinguished by its independence from a hierarchy which has authority over its personnel, property, and doctrine. We are governed primarily by elders, the leader of which is the pastor. These elders oversee the various committees and programs. Our missions committee oversees the annual Missions Conference and communication with the eight missionaries which are partially supported by this church. The church’s missions budget is approximately 20 percent of its total budget.
As Biblically conservative and evangelical, we believe and teach that the Bible is God’s fully inspired Word, given through more than 40 contributing authors including a king, a herdsman, a fisherman and a tax collector, among others. It was written in three languages on three continents under many types of conditions.
The Bible was written over a span of about 1,500 years and includes numerous literary forms: narrative, history, poetry, biography, drama, parables, prophecies and wisdom literature. Although there was great variety of time, place and persons, God so superintended the message that each author — writing in his own style, language and format — communicated what God intended. When we put into practice what God has intended, many wonderful and effective results are attained – hospitals, schools, orphanages, compassionate help for others in need.
Rev. Edward Boren has been the pastor of the North New Salem Church for nearly 46 years, coming from Dallas Theological Seminary in September of 1970. His wife, Janet (Irish) had been teaching in Dallas and completing her Master’s degree in education during the four years of his seminary work. She taught music in the five-town Erving School Union when they arrived in Massachusetts. In 1973, the church launched the North New Salem Christian School, an elementary private school which operated on the premises for the next 28 years. In 1976, the Borens welcomed their daughter, Carole, into their lives and, when in 2012 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a service of renewing vows, Carole wore her Mother’s original wedding dress for the occasion.
North Congregational Church of New Salem, better known as North New Salem Congregational Church, is located on Elm Street, 1/2 mile off Route 202, just south of the Athol/Orange area. The weekly Worship Service is at 10 a.m., with an adult Bible Study at 9 a.m. Our service is “blended” in style, meaning that our music is a blend of worshipful hymns and more contemporary songs. We welcome visitors. For further information, you may contact Pastor Boren at 978-544-2614.