Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Dear Church Family Members,
Our journey together in ministry began 32 years ago this month when I traveled to Malden to be interviewed by the Search Committee for the vacant Associate Pastor position. The process continued and I was called to fill the position later that year. In the ensuing years, my responsibilities and title changed as the congregation first appointed me Acting Pastor and then two years later, called me to be Senior Pastor – a solo position as the congregation had transitioned to having only one pastor. … Today we conclude our relationship as Pastor and Congregation.
Since my last Sunday in July, I have been using accrued vacation time to lead the weekly virtual Bible study, tie up some loose ends for the church and transfer my responsibilities to others. In addition, I have moved to my family’s home in northeastern NY state. In one sense I have returned “home” – the house and community in which I grew up; but Malden will always hold a very special place in my heart. And you, the members of the Malden First Baptist Church community, will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Effective tomorrow, I will no longer be your Pastor. That is a role I have cherished over the years. Thank you for welcoming me into your hearts and homes. I have been honored to dedicate, baptize, and officiate at weddings and funerals for many of you and your loved ones.
The church leadership asked if I would continue to lead the online Bible study temporarily. I have agreed to do this until an interim pastor is in place. If he/she would prefer to not lead the study, I am willing to continue until its conclusion in early January 2022. Many of you expressed interest in this study, which has been a challenging and rewarding opportunity to read the entire Bible this year.
So as we conclude our official relationship, I want to offer the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi as encouragement for us:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”(Philippians 4:4-9 NIV)
I again thank you for allowing me to be your pastor for so many years. We have rejoiced and wept together (Romans 12:15) many times as we served Jesus Christ from the corner of Main and Salem Streets in the the center of Malden.
May God richly bless you as a new chapter in the life of the congregation unfolds.
Rev. Martha A. Dominy
Rev. Martha Dominy received two Master Degrees to her name. She finished her Master of Divinity Degree in Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary now Palmer Theological Seminary in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Also, she obtained her Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. In 1989, Martha was called as the new associate pastor when Paul Davis, the church’s associate pastor resigned to become Chaplain to Habitat for Humanity. In 1995, the church called Pastor Martha to serve as Acting Pastor as the church searched for the next senior pastor. In 1997, the church decided to call and installed Pastor Martha to become the first woman senior Pastor in 194 years of the church’s existence. For the record, Rev. Martha Dominy, is the only ordained woman Senior Pastor in the church’s 217 years history and counted among 28 male senior Pastors that ministered to the church. She served with faithful dedication and diligence as Pastor and Administrator of the church’s assets as well.