The Reverend Martha Niebanck

Martha discovered Unitarian Universalism with her family in 1983. She and her husband Josef served on committees, taught Sunday School and served on the Parish Committee. The congregation sent Martha to New England Leadership School to support her work in the congregation and she was inspired to explore a call to ministry. Martha studied at Andover Newton Theological School while she continued her work with individuals and families in bio-behavioral medicine, with degrees from Tufts, Boston University, and the Kantor Family Institute. Martha was the first woman to be ordained by the First Parish in Hingham, "Old Ship," and served the Doolittle Home as chaplain, and consulted with the UU Congregation of South County. First Parish in Waltham called Martha to full time ministry in 1997 where she served for eight years. Martha is especially interested in spiritual direction, meditation, and the mind-body connection. She consults to the Mass Bay District's Lay Ministry Team and directs the Congregational Transfor- mation Team.

Sermons

The Reverend Jim Sherblom

Jim discovered Unitarian Universalism in the mid-1980s at our historic congregation in Concord, MA (founded in 1636). Jim, his wife Loretta, and their children Sarah and Robert were active participants in that congregation for nearly 20 years and Loretta still serves as the congregation's Moderator. During that time First Parish in Concord's active membership nearly tripled, with over 750 members today, making it the largest UU congregation in New England. A longtime biotechnology entrepreneur (Genzyme, Transgenic Sciences) and investor (Viacell Inc, RenaMed, Targanta Therapeutics), in 1999 Jim heard the call to UU ordained ministry, so enrolled at Andover Newton Theological School while continuing to serve as the Managing Partner of Seaflower Ventures (a venture capital firm he founded in 1994). Jim did his ministerial internship at First Parish in Watertown and his Clinical Practicum Education (CPE) at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. Jim was ordained in 2004, and served as Affiliate Minister with First Parish in Needham, and a brief interim ministry (during Rev. Bluemel's maternity leave) at North Parish of North Andover, MA, before being called to serve as Co-Minister with Rev. Niebanck at First Parish in Brookline in 2005. Jim holds a BA in history from Yale University, an MBA (with highest honors) from Harvard University, and an MDIV (with honors) from Andover Newton. Jim also currently serves as the Chair of the UUA Common Endowment Fund. Jim particularly enjoys wearing funny hats in worship, playing with small children, and deep philosophical discussions.