Who Is Pastor Doug?

 


The Rev. Douglas Stivison has served this church since 2007.  Before coming to Haworth, Pastor Doug served Bethel Presbyterian Church in East Orange for seven years.  He came to the ministry after a career in publishing and business consulting that has taken him around the globe.  As a publishing executive he has spanned the world of publishing from serving as a vice-president of The Wall Street Journal to editing the ecumenical preaching journal, The Living Pulpit.

 

When asked if it isn't a strange leap to go from publishing to the pulpit, Pastor Doug is quick to answer, “The great theologian Karl Barth said that to write a good sermon a preacher needs to have the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other. For me, nothing is more natural. The shift from newspapers to preaching is not nearly as large a step as you might think. A clue to this might be that my favorite hymn, both as a newspaperman and as a preacher, has always been I Love to Tell the Story. Both fields are dedicated to trying to tell the story…interestingly, completely, engagingly. We share a commitment to truth and a deep dedication to separating the truth from the chaff in what we see and what we say. We love words and we genuinely love our community. Great reporters and great preachers both love the perfectly turned phrase, the intriguing headline or the engaging sermon title.”


Pastor Doug's dexterity with language, his deep faith, and his experience both within and outside of the church all contribute to memorable sermons that are thought-provoking, challenging, and always shine the light of Biblical understanding on the realities of living here and now.

 

Pastor Doug's writings, particularly his essays for The Living Pulpit, have earned him an international reputation among progressive preachers and theologians.  He has written three books, edited several others, and is the author of over 350 magazine and journal

articles.  He serves on the boards of church, civic, and veteran's organizations including serving as chaplain to the Veteran Wireless Operators Association and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the State of New York (Excelsior College) and a Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary.

 

 

He and his wife, Heather, have e two  daughters, Megan and Beth. 

 

 

Writings

Enjoy some of Pastor Doug's thought-provoking essays from The Spire newsletter. Each essay is a PDF file that you can read on-line, save to your computer, or print out.  They open in a new window.

 

2011 

Symbols & Promises - A special letter to the congregation

Pilgrim's Together Summer 2011 - We bring many different perspectives to our interpretation of the Bible.

Tomorrow Even Better Than Today April 2011 - A look at the Open and Affirming Process

From Whom All Blessings Flow May 2011 - Looking at generosity as a sure sign of congregational vitality

That They Shall All Be One June 2011 - A celebration of unity and diversity 

 

2010 

For the Living of These Days June 2010 - Reflection on wisdom and courage

Welcome into this Place May 2010 - A message of hope

Deepening Our Faith February 2010 - A Lenten reflection 

The Happening Church in Town April 2010 - Our church's position in the community

  2009 

Pastor's Report excerpted from the 2009 Congregational Annual Report

A Shared Vision  October 2009 - Pastor Doug's 2009 Vision for the congregation

Blessed Us On Our Way November 2009 - A Thanksgiving reflection

Great News of Great Joy December 2009 - An Advent and Christmas reflection

 

Earlier  

An Easter People All Year Round April 2008

One Practical Step August 2008

A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven  September 2008

 


 

 


 

 

February 09, 2012
 
COMING UP
 

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SUNDAY WORSHIP

Join us for worship every Sunday, year-round, at 10:30 a.m

 

REGISTER NOW FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

First day of our regular Sunday school is September 18. Sunday school usually begins around 10:45am immediately following the children's message. Click here to download a registration form. Please visit our Ministry for Children and Youth webpage for more information. 

 

HAWORTH UTTERLY COOL CINEMA 

Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 pm

Cry Freedom  

In honor of Black History Month, we will present Richard Attenborough's sweeping story of black activist Stephen Biko (Denzel Washington) and a liberal white newspaper editor Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) who risks his own life to bring Biko's message to the world. After learning of apartheid's true horrors through Biko's eyes, Woods discovers that his friend has been silenced by the police. Determined not to let Biko's message go unheard, he undertakes a perilous quest to escape South Africa to bring Biko's remarkable tale of courage to the world. This riveting, true story offers a stirring account of man at his most evil and most heroic.  RATED PG.    

 

HAWORTH COFFEEHOUSE

February 18, 2012

SETUP STARTS AT 5.30

SIGNUP STARTS AT 7 PM

Info:   HAWORTH COFFEEHOUSE

Do you sing?  Play an instrument?  Write poetry?  Dance?  Rap? 
Do stand-up comedy?  Monologues or scenes?  Magic?
Check it out -  Bring friends - Come On Down!
We have a sound system, a piano, & affordable  refreshments!   
We don't have a drum kit, but you can bring drums!

NON-DENOMINATIONAL (non-religious).

Respectful lyrics requested- that's it. 

We Reserve the Right to Refuse Inappropriate Material.

 


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