Transition Team

Marilyn Downs and her family first came to First Parish in 1990. Over the years she has taught Religious Education, sung in the choir, co-chaired the Social Justice Committee, served on the Racial Justice Committee, co-led a series on “Unpacking Whiteness,” coordinated Covenant Groups, and is currently part of the First Parish Art Team. She works as a psychotherapist and is also an artist. Marilyn has deep gratitude for what this vibrant community has to offer and is committed to helping shepherd us to the next chapter.

Kay Snowden began coming to First Parish in 1993 with her family. She has chaired the Stewardship, Finance, and Human Resources Committees, as well as serving on the Parish Committee, Trustees, and Committee on Ministry. She is an active Women’s Alliance board member and helped create its giving program. She was honored to accompany the youth group on their service trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and Tuba City, AZ. Now retired, her career focused on supporting social justice nonprofits. Kay treasures the First Parish community and looks forward to helping it thrive during this time of transition!

Marc Jacobson has attended First Parish since 2011 and has been a member since 2014. He has served on the Committee on Ministry for the past three years, co-led Rev. Erica’s search committee, and was part of Stevie’s search and transition committees. Marc and his wife Sharon have two sons (now 12 and 15) who have grown up in the RE program, and he is especially committed to intergenerational programs. He also has a long association with the UU Urban Ministry and currently serves as a delegate to the organization. Marc works in the tech industry and he is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Transition Committee and support our cherished community in this important time.

Lois Fine is a long time member of first Parish who has served on the Parish Committee, as founding co-chair of the social justice and the racial justice committees, and as a member of two second minister search committees.   She now serves on the Membership Committee and as an usher.  She is spiritually nourished by Lectio Divina and the first Buddhist Sangha.

Lois is extraordinarily grateful for our community and for the opportunity to help the congregation reflect on our institutional culture and structures, as well as learn about other models of congregational organization.    She is committed to listening carefully  to diverse voices and approaches.

Elizabeth Hunter has been a member of First Parish since 2010 and with her husband, Jason Merrill, raised their child, Alice in this community.   Elizabeth has served as a Worship Associate and Youth Advisor, and on the Committee on Ministry and Shared Ministry Committee.  She founded Theatre@First in Somerville and was the Artistic Director for more than twenty years.  The family have recently returned from a six-month trip around the world as part of Alice’s Gap Year.

Tom Estabrook has been a member of First Parish since 2001. Both of his sons (now 33 and 26) came up through the RE program at First Parish. Tom has taught RE, served on the social justice and racial justice committees, in the Reckoning and Repair working group, in the lay ministry, on the Parish Committee, and currently on the shared ministry committee. He is a public health and worker health & safety educator, adjunct professor in public health, and a local union leader at a public university. He is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to join the transition team to help guide our community during this important period.