Transitions

The Pentecostal Lighthouse in Town Hill plans an installation service at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, for the Rev. Michael D. Cox as pastor. The Rev. Rick Stoops, Maine district superintendent for the United Pentecostal Church International, will give Cox his official pastoral charge. Cox and his family moved to the area 14 years ago and began assisting the Rev. John Churchill, pastor of Pentecostal Lighthouse. Two years ago, Cox was named associate pastor. Now, Churchill is becoming senior pastor and the Mount Desert Island church has accepted Cox as the pastor.

Maine Sea Coast Mission has hired the Rev. Robert S. Benson as pastor to the outer islands. He succeeds the Rev. Ted Hoskins, who has become part-time minister to coastal communities and fisheries. Aided by the 72-foot mission vessel the Sunbeam, Benson is providing a full range of pastoral services for residents of Matinicus, Monhegan, Isle au Haut, Great Cranberry and Frenchboro, Outer Long Island. Benson will work closely with the mission’s partner church clergy and congregations on North Haven, Vinalhaven and Islesboro. Benson is a former hospice chaplain.

Anne D. Burt has become environmental justice program director for the Maine Council of Churches. Burt has directed the council’s interfaith climate change initiative. She succeeds Susan MacKenzie, who is focusing on advisory work in the environmental field. Dolores Vail recently became the council’s half-time economic justice project director. The council is based in Portland.