ELIZABETHTOWN — Whenever the Rev. Fred Shaw takes his yearly vacation, his parishioners hold their collective breath and pray he will not find another parish to his liking.
"You're so peaceful and joyful," parishioner Susan Foley told the pastor at a recent celebration of Shaw's 20th year in the ministry. "God lives in many forms."
The United Church of Christ and First Congregational Church of Lewis joined together for the event, a service and picnic, for their shared pastor. Shaw is the longest serving minister in the histories of both churches.
He is known for the humorous and poignant stories that color his sermons, for the life lessons apropos to all that he shares with youngsters during childrens services.
Gretna Longware told how Shaw managed to visit her when she was in the intensive care unit at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Told he could not visit Longware as only close family members were permitted, Shaw responded, '"But I'm her brother,'" Longware said.
This drew a chuckle from the congregation, as Shaw is of African descent while Longware is white.
With tears welling in her eyes, she continued, "I was so happy to see him.
"Thank you, Fred."
ACTIVE PASTOR
On behalf of the church board and the parishioners, John Chesnut presented Shaw with a collection that amounted to $3,000.
"Just look at these 20 years," Chesnut said. "Where has the time gone?"
Prior to coming to Elizabethtown, Shaw lived in Mississippi, doing community work at a farm, thrift store and assisting with community development. He had first considered the possibility of becoming a minister while in a Bible study group in the seventh grade but didn't pursue that path right away.
"My parents weren't ecstatic, but they weren't opposed," he said of his later decision. "They thought I might be a scientist."
Shaw has also been a licensed plumber.
His father was an engineer, while his mother was a social worker and educator who started a magnet school. Years later, Shaw graduated from Yale University School of Divinity.
As pastor, he has immersed himself in community outreach, as evidenced by his membership over the years in many community associations. These have included Families First, Emergency Food and Shelter, Elizabethtown Community Hospital Board, the Disaster Mental Health Response Team, the Office for Aging Advisory Board, Horace Nye Home Protestant Worship as service coordinator, Community Planning Awareness, the Champlain Valley Film Society Advisory Board and North Star Dramatic Team.
He is routinely called upon to officiate at veterans observations and community celebrations.
"What I really enjoy is that you develop a long-standing relationship with people," Shaw said, "and this will continue even after I retire.
"It really feels like home."
E-mail Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com
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Rev. Shaw celebrates 20 years
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