Dear First Parish Members,
The Parish Committee — your governing board — is thrilled to announce the results of Sunday’s Annual Meeting vote for the Settled Minister Search Committee. The following members will serve on the committee and will soon begin the important work of selecting our next Lead Minister:
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- Amy Anderson
- Anne Quaadgras
- Betsy Carlton-Gysan
- David Whitford,
- Genevieve Baldwin
- Katherine Fleming
- Sanjay Newton.
This group reflects the full breadth of First Parish life — multigenerational, inclusive of both newer and longer-tenured members, and drawn from across the many facets of our congregation: religious education, music, social justice, and spiritual care and worship. We are deeply grateful for the congregation’s thoughtful engagement throughout this process, from nominating trusted peers to participating in the election. It has been democracy at its best, at a moment when that feels especially meaningful.
We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Anne Ehlert, Greg Ruccio, Loren Gomez and Sarah Quick for their willingness to step forward and serve. Though they will not sit on the Search Committee, we have no doubt they will continue to contribute to First Parish in meaningful ways.
The Search Committee’s mission is threefold:
- Represent our congregation authentically and compellingly to prospective candidates
- Review applicants and advance selections in accordance with the UUA process
- Present the congregation with a single recommended candidate ahead of the vote to call our new Lead Minister at the 2027 Annual Meeting
Here is what to expect in the months ahead:
- May – Jan. 2027: Search Committee hosts listening sessions, focus groups, and preparation of search materials
- January 2027: Lead minister applications are reviewed by the Search Committee
- Spring 2027: Search Committee presents a single recommended candidate & vote to call
- August 2027: Our new Settled Minister arrives
This is an exciting chapter for First Parish — a time to look inward, listen to one another, and discern together what we most need in our next Lead Minister. We look forward to walking this path with you.
In Faith,
The Parish Committee
Carolyn Hodges (Treasurer), Marie Meteer (Chair), Susan Moore, Joanna Pushee (Clerk), Ellen Robie, John Shriver, Amy Speare (Vice Chair), Al Tosti, Kate Tranquada