Settled Minister – Rev. Elizabeth Carrier-Ladd

Reverend Carrier-Ladd will be joining us starting August 1st, 2024.

Reverend Elka, as they are known, and preferring they/them pronouns, has served as minister of the First Parish in Dorchester, MA since 2020. Prior to that, they served as Justice and Outreach Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis, IN. They have also served congregations in Tulsa, OK and in San Diego, CA. Prior to ordination, Elka served in the Youth Office of the UUA and as a coordinator of UU youth programs.

Elka is a fourth generation UU and comes from a family of ministers. Their spouse, the Rev. Seth Carrier-Ladd, is currently serving as Interim Minister of the First Parish in Concord MA. Together they are parents of four young children and reside in Revere.

Parish Minister – Rev. Megan Lynes

Rev. Megan Lynes grew up UU in the Boston area, attended Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, graduating with degrees in Child Development and Fine Arts. She worked as a social worker before attending Andover Newton Theological School and receiving a Masters in Divinity degree in 2008. She was ordained the same year by the congregation of Canton MA, where she did her student ministry. Megan’s ministry has included serving as a chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, ten years as the Parish Minister of the First Parish in Bedford, MA, and two years as the Minister of Faith Formation at the First Church in Sterling, MA. Megan was the president of the Mass Bay chapter of UU Ministers, an actor in True Story Theatre, and a volunteer at The Children’s Room, a center for grieving children and families in Arlington, MA. Megan is a single mom by choice and lives in Stow with her best friend Nazish, her four year old son Jesse, two cats and six chickens. She’s delighted to be here among the good people of First Parish this year, and will be finishing up her time with us at the end of June.

To contact Rev. Megan, email revmeganlynes@walthamuu.org or call (617) 276-7655.

Transitional Ministry Associate – Deborah Weiner

Deborah Weiner (she / her / hers) joins us to work with our congregation during a time of leadership transition.  She will guide our staff and lay leaders on establishing, developing and managing organizational systems, teaming with Rev. Becky to support and present excellent worship and pastoral care, leading the congregation in transitional activities, and supporting the congregation’s board and lay leaders to aid planning and mission-focused goal development and implementation during this time of transition.

Deb is a lifelong UU who serves as Senior Consultant with the GIRE (Guild of Interim Religious Educators) Consulting Group and as unordained clergy.  She holds particular expertise in team-building and collaboration, worship leadership and preaching, congregational safety, conflict resolution, family system work, church administration, and transitional ministry issues. Deb lives in Lexington with her spouse, Ben; together they are parents to two young adult daughters.  In Deb’s spare time she can be found operating a small catering business – The Delicious Dish – and singing and performing on stages in the greater Boston area.

Make an appointment to talk with Deb by emailing deb.weiner@walthamuu.org or contact Deb (voice or text) at 617-513-6614.

Director of Faith Formation

We have hired a new director of Faith Formation. April Rosario will join us in August.

Office Administrator / Music and Choir Director – Emma Campbell

Emma Campbell (she / her / hers) joined the First Parish staff team as music director in the fall of 2019.  With a background in Music Education, Emma has worked with a wide variety of musical ensembles and with people of all ages.  Piano playing has always been a passion, having taken a great interest in her father’s playing from a young age.  Emma has a degree in Music from Southampton University (UK).  She moved to the States in 2016, having married an American and become a step-mom to 4 children.  In her spare time, Emma plays violin with Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra and loves baking and gardening. Email Emma about musical matters at musicdirector@walthamuu.org.

Emma started to work in the office in June 2022.  Her ability to ‘direct’ musical ensembles has been tested in many ways as she encourages other staff to meet deadlines. If you want to know something about the church or its people, Emma may not know the answer but is likely to know who to ask.  Drop-ins during office hours are very welcome. To contact Emma at the office, email office@walthamuu.org or call 781-893-6240.

Acting Facilities Manager – KJ Robertson

KJ (he / him / his) joined the staff in 2023.  He is a qualified motor mechanic and makes use of this skill to ensure the building and its fixtures and fittings are maintained to a high standard.  In his spare time, KJ enjoys fishing, reading and has a longing to travel.  While at work, his journeying is mostly restricted to moving between the slightly spooky Undercroft and the ‘Breezeway’, but he is also often spotted roaming the grounds hunting for trash.  Email KJ at kj@walthamuu.org