Settled Minister

First Parish will welcome a new settled minister this fall. The search committee will introduce our candidate minister when the selection process is complete.

Transitional 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 is delighted to be joining the good people of First Parish in Waltham this year!

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 Religious Education

We currently have a vacancy for a Religious Educator and will soon be advertising the position.  However, if you are interested in applying please contact Deb Weiner by emailing deb.weiner@walthamuu.org or contact Deb (voice or text) at 617-513-6614.

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