First Congregational Church North Adams Appoints New Pastor

Print Story | Email Story
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.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Schools
image description

New Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

Schools
Community News
image description

North Adams Library Friends Receive $25K Bequest From Late Paul...

Community News
A & E
image description

Weekend Outlook: Make Sure to Wear Green

A & E
Schools
image description

New Greylock School Project Underway

Schools
Business
image description

North Adams Planners OK MCLA Arts Center, Italian Restaurant

Business
A & E
image description

'Into Light': Addressing Addiction One Portrait at a Time

A & E
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?