Richard “Rick” Dorian preaches for the first time Sunday morning, July 21, as the settled pastor of First Congregational Church UCC in Wilton. The congregation called him to be the new pastor during a meeting July 14. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

WILTON — A reception was held for Richard “Rick” Dorian after church on Sunday, July 21, to recognize him as the new pastor of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ [UCC] in Wilton.

Dorian’s wife Bethany, son Elijah, daughter Meredith Dorian Lafreniere and granddaughter Erin Lafreniere attended the service and reception.

Dorian has been filling the pulpit most Sundays since Rev. David W. Smith retired in January. He applied for the position of pastor once the Search Committee had completed its work and sent information about the church and its needs to the Maine Conference UCC.

Search Committee member Judy Upham at left welcomes Richard “Rick” Dorian and his wife Bethany during a reception Sunday morning, July 21, at First Congregational Church UCC in Wilton. Granddaughter Erin Lafreniere is also seen. Dorian plans to be ordained as a UCC pastor before the end of the year. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

The Franklin Journal reached out to Dorian to learn more about his background.

“We have lived in the area since the fall of 1995 and purchased our home in Wilton in August of 2001,” he noted. “We lived in Skowhegan to serve a church from 2011 – 2017 but had maintained our home here in Wilton. We were very happy to return to Wilton in 2017.”

When asked why he sought the position, Dorian responded, “Wilton’s First Congregational Church UCC has a wonderful and long history of serving Wilton and the area with faithful worship services, missions and outreach impacting people in need both near and far. I’m very excited to be part of the team in Wilton building on its foundation of offering vital worship services, faith development, caring for community, growing missional support and serving our neighbors. My unique combination of nonprofit and church leadership allows me to bring new tools and resources to this work.”

Dorian indicated he has served in nonprofits and church leadership for more than 35 years. “My core focus has always been on caring for people in need and pastoral care,” he noted. “I have long been engaged in conversations about mission, vision and values and having a positive impact. In my previous executive director roles it has been vital to find ways to be engaged and involved in community and to focus on sustainability.”

Dorian’s experience includes serving as hospice chaplain for Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice in Lewiston, as executive director of Maine Children’s Home in Waterville and Life Enrichment Advancing People [LEAP] in Farmington, licensed local pastor for Wilton United Methodist Church and Centenary United Methodist Church in Skowhegan, and staff chaplain at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta.

Those experiences have taught Dorian a great deal about hope for a just and loving world, where all belong, all have value and are beloved in the eyes of God. “I have been blessed to have served as an executive director, local pastor, chaplain and supply pastor and will bring all of these experiences into this role,” he stated.

The First Congregational Church in Wilton has been in existence more than 200 years, Dorian pointed out. “It is a great honor to follow clergy who have served,” he noted. “I look forward to helping all to understand how ‘God is still speaking’ to and through each of us. I am committed to supporting the mission of the United Church of Christ that ‘No matter who you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here’.”

Dorian is looking forward to working with church members to explore how to use all time, talents and resources to be a more vital support in the community. “We will be welcoming conversation about how to reconnect with members across our community, to do more teaching about God’s love and grace, and to continually do more to follow our Christian teachings to welcome and assist ‘the least, the lost and the last’ members of our communities,” he said.

People are living through an unprecedented time of disconnection, division and loneliness, Dorian said. “There is much we can do to unify our community and care for each while strengthen our bonds,” he noted. “Our church can be a beacon of light and hope for all seeking to be seen, heard and valued – and connected. There are many ways we can teach, serve and show people about God’s Love. We’ll be talking about many ways we can help and build connections.”

Dorian said it is a joy to be serving as a local pastor again and to be part of a faithful, generous and loving community. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I have great faith that we will keep listening and responding in new and loving ways, while also carrying the best of our traditions forward,” he added.

Dorian obtained a masters of divinity in June 2015 from ILIFF School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has a masters in management of human services from Brandeis University, Florence Heller Graduate School and a bachelor of arts, human studies program from Bradford College. He has completed a variety of trainings and is involved with many volunteer endeavors.

Dorian is working with Living Water Association, the local branch of the Maine Conference on his ordination to become a UCC minister. The plan is for his ordination to be held at the First Congregational Church UCC in Wilton before the end of the year.

For more information call the church at 207-645-2535.