It is a pleasure to share with you a little about my self. I have been in the ministry as a pastor since 1998.  I am an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. I have also been a deaconess/home missionary and teacher at Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky for ten years prior to serving as a clergy person. This is a Methodist Mission in the southeastern part of Kentucky, which is a very economically deprived area.  I have a Masters degree in Theological Studies from  Boston University School of Theology and a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. 

   I am a single woman who believes that God has given me the blessings of sharing my life with my parents and my brother and sister and their families. I have a dog and a cat that are my family here in Attleboro. When I am not doing ministry, I enjoy using my  creative side through doing many crafts and enjoying the outdoors. I enjoy walking, kayaking and swimming and use to sail. I build miniature doll houses to express my flare for design. I also sew quilts and do many other hand crafts. 

   Throughout my life I have found that God has led me down many roads which have prepared me for the next leg of my journey and I believe that God has led me to Centenary UMC to help in the ministry and growth of this church. I believe that along my faith journey I have been getting prepared for the next leg of my journey, which at this time has brought me to serving as the pastor at Centenary. 

    I believe that we are all led by the Holy Spirit and as we work together we will be serving God in the life and ministry of this church. My prayer is that we will continue to move forth from this day with hope in our hearts and share the love of Christ with all we meet. Praise the Lord!

 

 

                 

Dennis Hugh Avey has been Music Director/Organist of Centenary United Methodist Church since 2002.  His musical experience began as a young boy when, in 1956, his parents and two other families founded the Jeffersonville (OH) Church of Christ where he was called upon during church services to play the piano during the singing of hymns.

While pursuing a music degree, first at Morehead (KY) State University, and later at the Ohio State University (Columbus, OH), he began working with renowned sacred music composer John Ness Beck from whom he learned much about music publishing and the retail/wholesale printed music business. Mr. Beck also assisted Mr. Avey in honing his skills as a composer and arranger.

In 1975, Mr. Avey began serving as Music Director of various churches including St. Paul's United Church of Christ and Fairmoor Presbyterian Church (Columbus, Ohio) and Christ United Methodist Church (Baltimore, Ohio).

After accepting a position with a major French music publisher in 1988, he re-located to Massachcusetts to manage its USA operation.

In 1989 he was engaged as organist of First United Church of Christ in North Attleboro (1989 - 1998), and as Music Director/Organist of Calvin Presbyterian Church (Cumberland, RI) (1998 - 2001).

Many of his works have been published, and several have been recorded, appearing on CD's by HarpSong, a chamber ensemble consisting of Jennifer Grady (flute/piano) and Karen Almquist (harp/soprano). CD's and reviews can be found at http://www.soundlift.com or http://www.Amazon.com.

Mr. Avey is a member of the Board of Directors of the Quincy (MA) Symphony Orchestra where he serves as its Secretary and also as Chair of its Young Artists Competition. He regularly writes the program notes for both the QSO and the Melrose (MA) Symphony Orchestra.