United Congregational Church is excited and honored to announce the ordination of Patricia Berry, the first woman ordained in the church’s 330-year history. The ceremony not only marks the culmination of years of dedication and work for Rev. Berry but also represents a significant step forward for both the church and the wider community.
Ordination is the process by which individuals are formally trained, recognized, and authorized by the denomination to preach and teach the gospel, administer the sacraments, and to exercise pastoral care and leadership. For Rev. Berry, this process included steps like discernment, seminary coursework, clinical pastoral care, field education, examinations and interviews, and others.
Rev. Berry’s call to the ministry came as a surprise when she was a young mother and wife. A job change brought her family from Bar Harbor, Maine to Mattapoisett, MA, where they found a church home at Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Initially hesitant to accept the spiritual call, she became the church’s Christian Education Director. Soon afterwards, with three children at home, she began pursuing her Master of Divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined United Congregational Church of Newport in Middletown, first serving as Minister of Faith Formation and currently as Bridge Pastor.
Rev. Berry’s ministry, defined by a welcoming and inclusive approach that honors each person’s unique journey, was shaped by her childhood. Her grandmother’s deep spirituality had a profound impact on her, as did early church experiences. A pivotal moment at age nine—when she was told that girls couldn’t serve at the altar—motivated her to speak out against injustice. From that early age, Rev. Berry recalls, “I felt drawn to speaking up for equality, justice, and God’s love for all.” Her early work in community organizing, advocacy, and missions further deepened her commitment to these values and paved the foundation for her transformational ministry, rooted in social justice and “expanding God’s circle of love.”
The ordination ceremony, held last month, was a joyous occasion attended by members of the congregation, local faith leaders, and friends and family who have supported the Rev. Patricia Berry throughout her journey. It marked not only a personal achievement for UCC’s Bridge Pastor, but also a significant milestone for both the church and the wider community.
United Congregational Church of Newport in Middletown has a long tradition of faith, service, and community. The ordination of the Rev. Patricia Berry—the first woman ordained in the church’s 330-year history—marks a new chapter in its rich history. This momentous occasion underscores the church’s ongoing commitment to equality, inclusivity, and fostering a welcoming and diverse faith community.