PARIS — Recently the Board of Spiritual Life of the First Congregational Church in South Paris decided to license two individuals as lay pastors. Rev. Don Mayberry, pastor of First Congregational, explained that the two were Cynthia Riley who is the church’s youth and family pastor, and Scott McElravy, who is studying for the ministry under sponsorship of First Congregational.

“Cynthia has been building our youth ministry program over the past year and doing so by involving parents as well as kids and we are very excited by the whole thing,” said Mayberry. “This standing for Cynthia is a natural outgrowth of her work at the church and her vast experiences and background that she brings.”

“Scott McElravy has been studying both through the National Association of Congregational Church’s Lay Ministry program as well as taking courses through the American Baptist Churches of Maine’s Institute for Ministry and it has been my privilege to serve as Scott’s mentor in the programs,” said Mayberry.

During a recent Sunday worship to celebrate the licensing the church held a service of blessing for these two.

First Congregational Church at 17 East Main St. holds Sunday worship and Sunday school on Sundays at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome. The church is handicap accessible. For more information visit www.southpariscongregational.com or Facebook at First Congregational, South Paris. Sunday services are broadcast live on AM 1450 or AM 780.