Church staff

Rev. Kathleen Hepler - Senior Minister

Rev. Hepler joined us in August, 2007, with her husband, Donald Eckerson, and their children, Jake and Kimmie.

Don works as a hospice social worker. Jake is 17 years old; he graduates from high school in 2008, and plays varsity basketball. Kimmie is 11 years old. She is finishing fifth grade, and loves music and drama.

Contact Rev. Hepler by email, or by phone at 508-872-3111, ext. 205.

Julie Porter - Director of Religious Education

Julie has a B.A. in Sociology from Pitzer College and a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College. Before becoming the DRE, Julie worked for twenty-one years as a dance/movement therapist with special-needs children in educational and medical settings. She designed and implemented a movement program to support the curriculum in public-school settings.

Julie has been a member of First Parish since 1987. She directed the Youth Choir for nine years and served on the Religious Education Council for six years. She now works closely with an active Religious Education Council to oversee the R.E. program for about 200 children and youth.

Contact Julie by email, or by phone at 508-872-3111, ext. 202.

Gloria Kaminski - Religious Education Assistant

Gloria implements the hands-on part of the religious education curriculum. She purchases and stocks books and art materials and creates and provides appropriate recordings, crafts and instructions weekly for volunteer teachers. She also supports activities sponsored by the Religious Education Council, including Intergenerational Service and UnDecorate the Tree.

Gloria holds an Associate of Arts degree in Drawing and Painting and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Asian Art History and Studio Printmaking from Cal State Long Beach, and a Masters degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Loyola Marymount.

Andrew Shenton - Musical Director
Andrew's first professional music training was at The Royal College of Music in London. While at the RCM he read for a B.Mus. degree at London University and was an organ scholar at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

In 1991, he moved to the U.S. to study for a Master’s degree at the Institute for Sacred Music at Yale University, and then for a Ph.D. in musicology at Harvard University. Dr. Shenton holds a Master’s degree in organ performance from Yale, and holds the Fellowship diploma of the Royal College of Organists. He has toured extensively in Europe and the U.S., as a conductor, recitalist and clinician, and his two solo organ recordings have received international acclaim. Dr. Shenton currently serves on the faculty of Boston University, where he directs the Master of Sacred Music program. He is always pleased to hear from people who wish to take part in the various music activities at First Parish.
Contact Andrew by phone at 617-327-4606.

David Moore - Parish Office Administrator
David oversees church office operations Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Contact David by email or by phone, at 508-872-3111, ext. 201.

Alma Gould - Wedding / Rental Coordinator
Our beautiful Meeting House is available for weddings. Alma Gould, our Wedding Coordinator, is responsible for all facilities rentals. For more information or to schedule an event, please contact Alma by phone at the parish office, at 508-872-3111.

Trish Ramey
Trish is the Director of the Children’s Choir, the Youth Ensemble, and the Bell Choir. Trish is also the Editor of our monthly First Parish Newsletter.

Contact Trish by email or by phone, at 508-872-3111.

The Rev. Dr. Charles Gaines - Minister Emeritus of First Parish
Rev. Gaines served First Parish as Minister from 1967 to 1984. In 1996, our church conferred Emeritus status on the Rev. Gaines.

Carol M. Greve - Director of Religious Education Emerita
Carol retired in 1998, after thirteen years as DRE at First Parish, and served as Interim DRE in 1999.