Interim Pastor Rev. Lynn Baker-Dooley
June 16, 2017
To my Brothers and Sisters at Tabernacle Baptist,
As I prepare for my last Sunday with you as your interim pastor, I want to express my gratitude for the many ways you have welcomed both Dave and me into your community over these past seven months. We can personally attest to the warmth and love you offer all who come through your doors. It has been our joy to worship with you and my privilege to bring God’s Word each week, experience your fellowship and minister with you. I have every confidence in the Spirit that God is preparing a permanent pastor for Tabernacle and commit to continue praying until you discover each other.
In the meantime, it has been an inspiration to me to see you envisioning so many new ideas for ministry. I know those dreams will become reality as your desire to reach out more and more into your community with the love and grace of Jesus Christ grows, empowered by the Holy Spirit. When your new pastor accepts God’s call, your enthusiasm for sharing the Good News in new ways will be a strong foundation for your partnership in the Gospel. My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s was to his church:
May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers. -1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 MSG
Blessings and Love, in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Lynn Baker-Dooley
To my Brothers and Sisters at Tabernacle Baptist,
As I prepare for my last Sunday with you as your interim pastor, I want to express my gratitude for the many ways you have welcomed both Dave and me into your community over these past seven months. We can personally attest to the warmth and love you offer all who come through your doors. It has been our joy to worship with you and my privilege to bring God’s Word each week, experience your fellowship and minister with you. I have every confidence in the Spirit that God is preparing a permanent pastor for Tabernacle and commit to continue praying until you discover each other.
In the meantime, it has been an inspiration to me to see you envisioning so many new ideas for ministry. I know those dreams will become reality as your desire to reach out more and more into your community with the love and grace of Jesus Christ grows, empowered by the Holy Spirit. When your new pastor accepts God’s call, your enthusiasm for sharing the Good News in new ways will be a strong foundation for your partnership in the Gospel. My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s was to his church:
May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers. -1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 MSG
Blessings and Love, in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Lynn Baker-Dooley
Retired Pastor Rev Dr. Joyce B. Duerr

Pastor Joyce
The Rev. Dr. Duerr served as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hope from 1995 to 2016. She was formerly an administrator in the Westerly School Department and serves on the WARM Board of Directors. She is a past president of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and has also served on the Governing Board of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. She completed her doctoral studies at Boston University School of Education and her seminary training at Andover Newton Theological School.