Union Chapel Welcomes Rev. Dr. Rosanna Anderson As New Designated Term Pastor

November 2021

Dear Members and Friends of Fishers Island Union Chapel:

The Search Committee is thrilled to announce that the following motion was made and passed by the Trustees: “The Search Committee of Fishers Island Union Chapel recommends to the congregation that we call the Rev. Dr. Rosanna Anderson to serve as our Designated Term Pastor for three years. At that time, this call agreement can and may lead to a settled position. Until that time of assessment, the local church commits to the conference not to engage in the next ministerial search.”

Pastor Rosanna will arrive on the island on November 30, 2021. On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, she will share the pulpit with Rev. Pam Vollinger as we kick off our four (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) Wednesday Community Advent celebrations at 5:15.

The formal call will take place on Candidate Sunday, December 5, 2021 immediately following the 10:00 a.m. worship service led by Pastor Rosanna. A vote of the members of the congregation will be held at this time. All members of the island community are encouraged to attend the service and help us welcome our new pastor. Members who are unable to attend the service (which will also be available on Zoom) are encouraged to send their proxy vote in a letter or via email to the Search Committee Chair.

We thank our members, friends, and everyone who met Pastor Rosanna and her family during their long weekend visit in October, or in Zoom chats, for all their input and support. We look forward with confidence, excitement, and HOPE for the future of Union Chapel.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Porter, Trustee and Search Committee Chair

Proxy Addresses:
PO Box 12, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Email Address: shporter22@gmail.com
Telephone: 631-788-7113

Introducing Pastor Rosanna:

The Rev. Dr. Rosanna Anderson, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has served churches in New York City, Cranbury, New Jersey, and Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Anderson was also a member of the denominational staff of The United Methodist Church, specializing in stewardship and intergenerational ministries. She is the author of numerous articles, prayers, devotions, and Bible studies for youth and adults, and she has spoken at conferences across the country. She received her B.A. from Marymount University, M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and D. Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Pastor Rosanna is excited to join the Fishers Island community. Her husband, Dr. Clifford Anderson, is Associate University Librarian and Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University, and their son, Theodore, is a sixth-grade student.