THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 22, 2023 Page 7 Saugus welcomes back Rev. Roger Nelson while celebrating the 50th anniversary of his arrival at St. John’s A By Laura Eisener large group of people turned out to welcome Rev. Roger Nelson at a luncheon at St. John’s Church on Central Street in Saugus on Sunday, Sept.17. He grew up in Braintree, Mass., and participated in the civil rights movement, spending some time in Selma, Alabama, in the 1960s. Rev. Nelson served St. John’s Episcopal Church from 1973 until 2003. During his time here, he was very active in the Saugus Council of Churches, which encouraged dialogue and cooperation between diff erent houses of worship. In 2002, he was elected Saugus Founder’s Day “Man of the Year.” During his lengthy tenure, he focused on the youth of the parish, led the EYC for many years and was very active in ecumenical and outreach ministries, according to the St. John’s church website. After leaving Saugus, he then worked with youth and as assistant priest at The Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Mass. (Episcopal) for a few years before retiring and moving to be near his son Craig in Rev. Roger Nelson is shown giving a blessing for St. John’s with Rev. John Beach behind him. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Julia Aston) New York City, where he currently lives. Now 83, he remains very active and engaged in the community. He was welcomed by the church’s current minister, Rev. John Beach, and his wife, Denise Beneteau, and many current and past parishioners. Church members prepared a Rev. Roger Nelson addressed the assembled crowd at the luncheon at St. John’s on Sunday. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Julia Aston) lavish luncheon of beef, chicken and pork skewers cooked on the church lawn, sandwiches, a variety of salads and a lavish dessert table, including a cake to commemorate the 50 years since he arrived in Saugus. Rev. Nelson addressed the crowd at the luncheon and mentioned how much he appreciated having known the people of Saugus, after which he spent quite a bit of the afternoon chatting with individual members of the church. (Editor’s Note: St. John’s Parishioners Julia Aston and Donna Manoogian assisted Laura Eisener with information about Rev. Nelson’s history with St. John’s.) Welcome sign at St. John’s for Rev. Roger Nelson (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Julia Aston) GRAND OPENING SPECIAL! GO TO REVERESELFSTORAGE.COM TO RESERVE ONLINE OR SCAN QR CODE • 100% Climate Controlled Facility • Newly Constructed Facility • 5000 Lb. Oversized Elevator • Secure Units–Various Sizes This cake celebrated the 50th year since Rev. Roger Nelson arrived in Saugus. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Julia Aston) • State-Of-The-Art Surveillance Cameras • Secure Units–Various Sizes
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