About Our Staff
New Minister Called to the Eliot Church on Sunday, November 23!
The Eliot Church Search Committee is delighted to announce that by unanimous vote of a quorum of members in attendance at church on Sunday, November 23, The Eliot Church has called our next minister: Rev. Adam Istbitsky! Rev. Isbitsky joined us for a meet and greet on Saturday, followed by preaching at Sunday's worship service. A Special Meeting of the church was held immediately following the service, during which Rev. Isbitsky patiently awaited the results of our meeting with a member of the search committee at the Charles River Coffee House.
Remaining members of the Search Committee presented information to the congregation about the search process, Rev. Isbitsky's background, and his expected role as a part-time (75%) Designated Term Pastor of the church. Following some valuable Q&A, the Moderator called for a vote to call Rev. Isbitsky as our next minister, and those in attendance were unanimously in favor. Rev. Isbitsky was called to return to the church by the ringing of the church bell (and a text, just in case)!
Rev. Isbitsky is currently wrapping up his call with Second Congregational Church in Beverly, and he will be starting his call at the Eliot Church on Monday January 12, with his first worship service on Sunday, January 18. As a Designated Term Pastor, the goal he will be working with the congregation to accomplish over his 3 year term is revitalization of our church.
In the intervening weeks, we will continue to be served by out-of-pulpit ministers, many of whom we've come to know over the last several months as the search process continued.
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Dr. Stephen James
Music Director
Stephen James, music director at the Eliot Church, has performed for the Tanglewood Music Center Chamber Series, the WICN Radio concert series at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Omnibus Series at Boston University, and on many other concert series in New England.
He is a composer as well as a pianist and organist, and completed his doctoral degree in composition at Boston University, where he received the graduate composition prize in 1984, the Malloy Miller Composition Award in 1986, and an award for continuing musical excellence in 1987. His music has been performed by nationally known ensembles and soloists, including baritone Sanford Sylvan, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Washington Music Ensemble, and the Atlantic Brass Quintet. He has taught composition, piano performance, music theory and related courses at Amherst College, Boston University, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, and Bridgewater and Worcester State Colleges.
For information about Stephen’s compositions and performances as a pianist, or to inquire about lessons, please visit his website.