Mark Koyama has two simple goals for his new role of minister: creation of community and using love as a powerful force.
Koyama was recently named the settled pastor of the United Church of Jaffrey, his first called ministry. Koyama’s first Sunday was Nov. 27.
“The United Church of Jaffrey has a very outward looking orientation toward service, which is something I felt connected to right away,” said Koyama, who resides in Turners Falls, Massachusetts.
“I think one reason why I fit in with a United Church of Christ (UCC) church is I am what you might call a progressive Christian.”
Religion has always been a part of Koyama’s upbringing, as his father was a theologist and his mother was a minister.
Koyama said his interest in religion was intellectually, not engaging as a practitioner until he was in his mid-40s, when he began taking care of his parents in their later years.
“It was a life-changing experience,” said Koyama. “It put me face to face with the different and undeniable realities and mysteries we all face.”
Koyama received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Bates College in 1988, a master’s degree in Hebrew Bible from Union Theological Seminary in 1994, a master’s degree in fine arts in fiction from the University of Massachusetts in 2010, and a master’s degree in divinity from Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in 2015.
Koyama said he was interested working at a UCC church due to the church aligning with many of his ideals, most specifically being open and affirming, or allowing people of all sexual and gender orientations to attend.
“I like the idea of taking the concept of love and moving it from being this quaint, silly idea and turning it into a powerful source in society,” said Koyama.
“This church is totally welcoming and open to anyone that wants to check us out.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.