Our Candidate for Minister

The Search Committee is thrilled to present to you as our candidate for minister of First Parish:

The Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

Rev. Flanagan has 20 years of experience in Parish ministry, having served eight years as co-minister at the 700 member church in Portsmouth, NH, ten years at a smaller congregation in Salem MA, and two as interim in Montpelier, VT. She recently spent two years living solo in the Vermont woods, following Thoreau's model, while remaining active in society, as Thoreau did, a guest preacher in surrounding communities. She is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Divinity School.

During the pre-candidating weekend we spent with her, her energy and directness brought out the best in us. We were able to have deep and meaningful conversations right away. Our dialogue went to the heart of the matter again and again. Perhaps best of all, we laughed a lot.

The sermon the committee heard was beautifully crafted, masterfully delivered and brought 6 out of 7 of us to tears, and the 7th one confesses to becoming a bit misty. We were also delighted with her children's sermon that morning.

Marta is a lifelong UU, a humanist who has evolved into a theist, who draws largely from the Old and New Testament for inspiration in her sermons. She also respects Buddhist and Islamic traditions and describes herself as having a Jewish heart. WE think she will understand and embrace our theological diversity.

She is an accomplished pastor and spiritual counselor, and will provide wise and compassionate pastoral care to our members, and support our Lay Ministers.

Marta has a sophisticated understanding of the workings of a church and is extremely capable of leading the institution. She will be a collaborative leader, collegial with staff and empowering to volunteers. She comes across as extremely clear and unusually present. She is skilled in conflict management and group process. She is ready to catch whatever we toss her.

On the personal side, she is single and has no children. She is an active aunt to her sister's young adult children. She would be coming to us with her partner, Doug Davidoff, also a lifelong UU. She does hot yoga, gardens and likes cats. Although she has been in the woods the last few years, she is eager to be in a more diverse urban setting.

Click here to see the Candidating Week Schedule for Rev. Flanagan.

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