---

ATTLEBORO - History and new beginnings are the focus at the First Baptist Church of Attleboro these days.

The church recently celebrated a long, rich history during its milestone 100th anniversary, and with the help of an interim pastor, is preparing for a future with a new pastor in the next 18 months or so.

Following the retirement in July of the church's longtime pastor of 22 years, the Rev. John Fisk, the church called upon the Rev. Linda Snyder to fill the temporary void, and she says she is more than happy to do so.

"I am delighted to be in Attleboro, serving as interim pastor for First Baptist Church," said Snyder, who started her interim position on Oct. 4.

"It is wonderful to be working with a single congregation again," she said. "We plan to work together as interim pastor and people for about 18 to 24 months. When the congregation has identified their next pastor, I will leave for another assignment."

Snyder comes to Attleboro from a position she held for nearly 18 years, serving the American Baptist denomination at the state level as associate executive minister in Connecticut.

Not a stranger to the area, she grew up in Providence and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Rhode Island before going on to earn a master of divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, and then being ordained in 1980 by People's Baptist Church in Cranston, R.I.

Having also served as interim minister for five different congregations and as a denominational resource minister to many churches, Snyder is trained as an intentional interim minister, which she describes as a ministry specialty much like chaplaincy, and something she said she feels called to do.

"I like the work of helping a congregation prepare for its next permanent pastor, which includes helping the congregation sharpen its ministry focus, strengthen its structure and clarify its vision," she said.

In particular, she says she has enjoyed her time and her work so far at First Baptist, finding it to be a delightful, engaged, community and mission-oriented congregation.

"The congregation has been very welcoming," she said.

"They are strong, vibrant, and active. Our job together is to prepare the way for the new chapter of ministry that lies before them as a church. I think we're off to a solid start - and I'm looking forward to the months ahead."

Janette Boulay can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-0993 or via janette.boulay@gmail.com.