Recognizing Reverend Nell Fields
Floor Speech
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Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Nell Fields and her commitment to both the Waquoit Congregational Church and the people of Cape Cod.
The youngest of five daughters, Nell was raised in Kentucky, where her father was stationed at Fort Knox as an Army officer. Nell attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1981. Nell then went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts in English as a graduate fellow at Mills College in Oakland, California.
Nell worked in a variety of positions over the years in the publishing, financial services, and technology sectors, but after her bus was evacuated in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, Nell felt a strong calling to ministry. The CEO of Clickshare at the time, Nell started taking courses at the Andover Newton Theological School in 2002. After four years of attending part time, Nell enrolled in school full time and later graduated with her Master of Divinity in 2008.
During her time at the Andover Newton Theological School, Nell was required to serve as a pastoral resident in a hospital. Believing that it was important to increase the number of chaplains within the mental health field, Nell worked at the Westborough State Psychiatric Hospital and served as the chaplain for three years. Nell then worked at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, where she also helped to create an animal therapy program. Nell has continued her service in the mental health field at the Waquoit Congregational Church by collaborating with the Gosnold Center to set up a series of workshops addressing addiction.
Now the Rector of the Waquoit Congregational Church, Nell first joined the congregation in 2010 as the church's first female pastor. Throughout Nell's time at Waquoit, she has established herself as a pillar of the Falmouth community and has continuously worked to ensure that all who come to the congregation feel welcome, no matter who they are or where they are from.
Nell's commitment to supporting and bettering the lives of those around her has not gone unnoticed. On May 25, 2023, Nell is being honored by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce as their 2023 Citizen of the Year. Nell is being recognized not only for her contributions as a pastor, but also for her work across Falmouth and Cape Cod. Nell has served on several boards within the community including the No Place for Hate Falmouth Steering Committee, Belonging to Each Other, and the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission. Additionally, Nell is the Director of Neighborhood Falmouth and the Falmouth Service Center.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud honor Reverend Nell Fields and ask that my colleagues join me in thanking her for her dedication to her congregation and community.
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