First Parish in Framingham
24 Vernon St
Framingham, MA 01701
tel: 508-872-3111
Church staff | |
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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 18 years old; he graduated from high school in
2007, and plays varsity basketball. Kimmie is 12 years old. She is
finishing sixth grade, and loves music and drama.
Contact Rev. Hepler by email, or by phone at 508-872-3111, ext. 205. |
 | Michael F. Hall - Intern Minister Michael Hall is a recent graduate of Andover Newton Theological School (with an M.Div degree), and resident of Middleborough, MA where he is a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society. He lives in the Rock Village section of town with his wife, Jill, their three children, Lilia 14, Jonah 10, and Sylvie 3, and his mother, Patricia. Michael’s household includes a veritable menagerie of cats, a bunny and several free-ranging hens. Michael works as a case manager at High Point Treatment Center in Plymouth where he counsels and leads group therapy programs for people trying to overcome their substance abuse issues. Prior to that, he spent 18 years at Plimoth Plantation as part of their role-playing ensemble cast. His life as a Pilgrim has also included television appearances on Scientific American Traveler, NFL Live, and C-SPAN’s American Writers Series where he performed as Plymouth’s historian and second governor William Bradford. As an independent contractor Michael still dons his “Pilgrim Clothes” to portray members of the original Plymouth Colony in churches and classrooms across the country. Contact Michael by email, or by phone at 508-872-3111, ext 203 |
 | 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. |
Beth Walton - Religious Education
Assistant
Beth 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. | |
 | Thomas Berryman - Music Director A member of the St. Mark’s faculty since 1983, Mr. Berryman teaches classes in AP Music Theory, and Music Studio. He directs the School’s choral groups and oversees the entire music program. Mr. Berryman also serves as School Organist and assists with planning music for the Chapel. He has served as a Reader of the AP Music Theory Exam and is on the convention planning board of the American Choral Directors’ Association. He sings with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Mr. Berryman holds the Evill-Glavin Teaching Chair at St. Mark’s.
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 | Veena Baker - Membership
Development Coordinator
Veena has a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo. She has been a Staff Physical Therapist and a manager of a private physical therapy practice. She specialized in women’s health and developed and taught a prenatal and postpartum exercise class. Veena left the Physical Therapy field in 1999 with the arrival of her first child and now has two children ages eight and ten. Veena has been a member of First Parish since 2005. She has served on the FCNS committee and taught in the RE program. She currently leads the Meditation group. She is enthusiastic about her role in welcoming people to First Parish and helping both newcomers and existing members make connections. Contact Veena by email, or by phone at 508-872-3111, ext 218. |
 | David Moore - Church Administrator
David joined our staff in December
2007. He has spent most of his professional life as an
educator
in the Newton Public Schools teaching history at Newton North High
School. Upon his retirement he joined Historic New England for five
years as Site Manager of the Walter Gropius House in Lincoln,
MA. David, his wife Lynne and son Daniel are members of First Parish UU
in Needham. David oversees church office operations Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 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. 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.
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 | 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. |