Our Next Parish Minister: Rev. Rali M. Weaver
On Sunday, May 13 the Reverend Rali M. Weaver was called to be the next Parish Minister of First Church and Parish in Dedham. She accepted the call.
For more information about Rev. Weaver, please refer to her web site at www.raliweaver.com.
After a thorough and deliberate search process, we unanimously presented Rali M. Weaver for your consideration as our next minister. Rali is presently serving as the Assistant Minister at King's Chapel in Boston. She grew up in the Methodist tradition in South Salem, New York. After attending the University of Maine at Farmington, she taught children with severe emotional and behavioral differences for thirteen years. Her heart's calling, however, was to become a minister and she attended the Bangor Theological Seminary to receive her Masters of Divinity in 2003.
On ministry, Rali has written: "I believe church is meant to be a place of empowerment. I look forward to serving a congregation that takes seriously their responsibility to build the beloved community by welcoming new members, growing together over time and by serving as a witness and a support to each other in all that life has to offer."
On her theological orientation: "First and foremost I am a Unitarian Universalist. For me this means that I find wisdom from many sources and comfort in a variety of spiritual paths... While I would consider myself an Ethical Christian, I also find many of the teachings of the World's Religions to be equally inspiring and instructive. While I find God Language an easy way to conceptualize and talk about what is divine, I would consider myself a non-theist... I am confident that what we believe has the potential to shape our lives and there are times when we unknowingly choose outcomes by our attitude and conviction. I believe that by learning to focus our attitudes and intentions in community we can create unimaginable change."
Rali describes herself as "a 41 year old single, never married woman. While I am open to the possibility of forming a relationship with a man and developing a nuclear family, I feel deep gratitude for my freedom, the life that I lead, and the friends and family who support me." Rali has many interests including hiking, reading, journal writing, kayaking, meditation, learning to play the saxophone, pie baking, and making new friends. She also volunteers for pedestrian and bicycle advocacy groups and is interested in serving as a foster parent or Guardian ad Litem in the future.
More information about Rali is available in her Ministerial Packet located at the Search Info Board in the dining room as well as at www.raliweaver.com.
It is our hope that you will warmly welcome Rali to our church while she is visiting in May. Many events have been scheduled to allow opportunities for all members and friends to meet with her. As several these events require advanced planning and preparation, we ask that you contact Carol Ewing (carol_ewing@hotmail.com) or Natalie Jensen (rayjen57@hotmail.com) to let the Search Committee know if you will be coming.
Rali will be preaching and leading worship on both Sundays, May 6 and May 13. Following the May 13 service, a special Congregational Meeting will be held to vote to call Rali as minister. Only members of the Church can vote at this meeting. If you are not a member and wish to become one, please contact Anne Schiraga (aschiraga@aol.com).
