The Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil's first day in Sharon was memorable for the community.

Sept. 11, 2011 marked the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The First Baptist Church of Sharon's new pastor was among the town clergy members attending An Interfaith Service of Sacred Remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001 and its Aftermath, at the Unitarian Church of Sharon.

Earlier that day, across Post Office Square, Dorsainvil took over for the Rev. Dr. F. Lee Jones, who served as the Baptist church's interim pastor for nearly two years.

The Sept. 11 service was "a beautiful community celebration, a community recognition," Dorsainvil says.

"It was really, for me, very humbling to see the community come together and have different houses of worship represented, and the youth represented, and to see the fullness of Sharon supporting one another," Dorsainvil said during a recent interview in her office.

First Baptist is Dorsainvil's first pastorate. The church has about 68 members, she said.

"It's a small church, so as a first pastorate, it's very attractive to me," said Dorsainvil, who was born in Haiti and resided in Massachusetts for 33 years.

"And it is a mission-driven church, which is very important to me, to believe in mission and support mission and be prayerful with mission, and the desire to do more locally, and the diversity of membership.

"It's a generational church. I have members who are grandparents worshipping side by side with their children and their grandchildren. It's unique. You don't find that in a lot of our bigger Baptist churches."

SHARON PATCH

What drew you to become a pastor?

THE REV. SANDRA DORSAINVIL

The call to ministry was there for a long time, but I did not recognize it until 10 years ago. The travels that my family and I did in Africa, the seeds of mission work were planted.

I enjoy walking with members on their faith journey. I truly am passionate about mission, and serving the Lord in doing mission. It's co-ministering: ministering to others but also being ministered by others. And just bringing folks to our Lord and Savior, to recognizing He is the center of our lives.

My first career is as a rehabilitation specialist working with the disability field and mental health field. This pastorate is part time. So I'm three-quarter time in that field, working with students with disabilities and academic support.

SHARON PATCH

This church is physically prominent in the downtown. What role do you see the church serving in Sharon?

THE REV. SANDRA DORSAINVIL

Continuing to be active in the community. That's what I'd like to see, that we are recognized as doing church outside of the physicality of 2 South Main St. That we support community activities and we are called upon to provide pastoral support to members of the Sharon community, and to continue to be active in the interfaith clergy association.

SHARON PATCH

What are some of your personal goals here? Are there specific programs that you'd like to see First Baptist do?

THE REV. SANDRA DORSAINVIL

I'd like to see our youth being more involved with YouthLEAD. And I understand that years ago, we used to have a Christian band. So, it would be nice to revive that, to really see that our young people can have fun, and support that, and be proud of their Christian faith. And the membership to grow.

SHARON PATCH

What do you do for fun when you're not working?

THE REV. SANDRA DORSAINVIL 

I love music, so I support the arts, whether its attending concerts or plays. (I also enjoy) horseback riding.