Rev. Tracey May, Minister

Entering the ministry was not part of my lifetime plan. I was happy and fulfilled in teaching young children in a local school when study of the scriptures began to eclipse all of my other interests. The Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham called me as their shared pastor in the summer of 2018; I also serve the Dublin Community Church in the neighboring village. After seven years of schooling through the United Church of Christ New York School of Ministry, I was ordained among a cloud of witnesses in June of 2024. In church work I have found a place where my deep interest in people and my acute concern for the state of our world have found full expression.  All the experiences of my life help to inform what I offer to the congregation in the form of sermons, pastoral care, and creating meaning.

My highest hope for the church community is that we are always learning from the example of Christ and practicing what we learn. This is really easy to write and difficult to do. One of my favorite quotes is from G.K. Chesterton who wrote, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; Christianity has been found difficult and left untried.”

In this church community, we nurture a safe place to really consider what the scriptures have to offer us as we face the plethora of issues in our lives and in our world that need to be addressed if we are to create a kinder and more just world for all people. We put what we learn into practice. Life’s crises are carried as a community, relationships are healed, and together we find the strength and encouragement to change patterns that no longer serve us in our lives. This is important work that will, in turn, change much more than just ourselves. I believe the most sacred work of the church is to learn and grow as individuals so we are able to serve others with ultimate loving kindness and compassion, following the radial example of Jesus the Christ.