First Congregational Church North Adams Appoints New Pastor

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The First Congregational Church North Adams (FCCNA) has announced the selection of the Reverend Suzy Aja Burba as its new pastor, following a unanimous vote by the congregation. 
 
Reverend Burba is currently the minister of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Weymouth.
 
Reverend Burba obtained a Master's Degree in Divinity and a Certificate in Pastoral Care from Andover Newton Theological School in 2018 and was ordained in January 2021. Her stated professional interests include pulpit ministry and attending to the spiritual needs of congregants. She also believes that a church's engagement with current social issues conveys a message about Christianity to the wider community, with her personal emphasis being environmental justice.
 
An avid hiker, Reverend Burba is anticipated to relocate to North Adams with her three cats and expressed interest in exploring the Berkshire landscape. She was drawn to FCCNA due to its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to social justice.
 
Founded in 1827, FCCNA's current building on Main Street was established in 1865. Since 1987, the church has hosted the Berkshire Food Project, which provides daily meals in the church's Assembly Hall.
 
Reverend Suzy Aja Burba is scheduled to commence her ministry at the First Congregational Church North Adams on Sunday, June 15.
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SteepleCats Swept at Home

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The North Adams SteepleCats matched the North Shore Navigators through the opening three innings Sunday evening, but a four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference as the Navigators earned a 6-2 victory and a double-header sweep at Joe Wolfe Field.
 
North Shore won Game One of the double-header, 4-2, following a shutout win over the 'Cats on Saturday night.
 
In Sunday's nightcap, North Adams received a strong start from Garrett Gates and solid relief work throughout the evening, but the SteepleCats were unable to overcome North Shore’s decisive offensive outburst in the middle innings.
 
Gates set the tone from the outset, retiring the Navigators in order in the first inning on a pair of groundouts and a pop out. The right-hander continued to keep North Shore off the scoreboard over the next two frames, working efficiently while allowing his defense to make plays behind him.
 
The SteepleCats had opportunities to strike first.
 
Jake Butler drew a walk in the opening inning before Sebastian Rhoades reached base and advanced into scoring position with a stolen base. North Adams again threatened in the second when Colsen Loughren lined a one-out double, but North Shore starter John Milewski worked out of trouble to keep the game scoreless.
 
Neither team found much offensive rhythm through the first three innings as both pitching staffs controlled the pace. Gates retired the side in order in the third, while the SteepleCats continued searching for the timely hit that could break the deadlock.
 
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