Minister, Reverend Marta Flanagan

Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her "Marta."

Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Mass serving at the First Universalists Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth NH (1997-2005)n from where she is minister emerita. She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life.

Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Office Manager, Joan Dyer

Joan Dyer joined the First Parish staff as Office Manager in October, 2009. She has deep roots in this area, having grown up “right next door” in Lexington, where she still has family.

After graduating from college, Joan worked for a large insurance company, first as supervisor of a clerical unit and later as a trainer while the company was installing their first computers in their field offices. The company sent her to learn computer programming, after which she worked there as a programmer. When her first child was born, she began ten years as a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer.

When her second child entered elementary school, Joan became the part-time Administrative Assistant at the church she was attending. Although she didn’t realize it right away, she says that in using her administrative skills to support a faith community, she had found her calling. She held that position for 15 years. When Joan sought full-time work, she jumped at the opportunity to come to First Parish. She enjoys supporting and collaborating with the staff and volunteers in our active church community.

Office Assistant, Andrea Caplan

Andrea moved to New England with her family from Vancouver, Canada, in 2001.  While there, she enjoyed all the beauty that living in British Columbia had to offer, and was bit by the running bug.  Andrea has been lucky enough to be able to stay at home with her two children, the youngest of which has just entered full time school.  She still finds time to run, and not only after her children.

Music director, Laura Prichard, directs children's and adult choirs and organizes and directs instrumental ensembles.  Musical contributions encompass both Sunday services and special programs like the Alliance Holiday party, our spring "Musicale" and field trips.  Sarah Haera Tocco plays music for services on organ and piano and accompanies weekly choir rehearsals.  Sarah also joins forces with First Parish vocal and instrumental musicians providing music in our services.  Both Sarah and Laura lead lively lives outside First Parish.
Learn more about them both on our music staff page.

Director of Religious Education Tina Schultz, has been active in our religious community since 1986, serving on the Welcoming Congregation Committee and the RE Committee and teaching children and youth programs before becoming DRE in 1994.  Her background in early childhood development, teaching and corporate training, plus love of children of all shapes, sizes and ages has proven to be a blend of skills that meets the needs of our growing congregation.
"The RE Committee, ministers and I have created a clear plan for what we want our children and youth to come away with after being part of our vibrant, stimulating and loving church community.  Each year I look forward to meeting new families to draw them into our great program, and watching our children grow to be active Unitarian Universalists".
Tina and her husband Neil quietly reside in Arlington since their children Gillian, (an elder care social worker now living in Atlanta), and Eli, (a freshman at the University of Vermont) are launched to the wider world. Learn more about our RE program.