It gives me a great deal of pleasure to announce, on behalf of the Interim Minister Search Committee, that Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt will be joining First parish Church as Interim Senior Pastor effective March 1, 2010.

Marlayna grew up in Revere, MA. She has her B.A. from Colby College, her Masters in Divinity from Boston University and her Doctors in Ministry (in Preaching) from Chicago Theological Seminary.

Over the past eighteen years, Marlayna has worked as both a settled pastor and an interim pastor. Her most recent interim ministries were at: First Congregational Church in Somerville (2003); the Christ Church in Lowell, MA (6/04-6/05); and, the Annisquam Village Church in Gloucester, MA (9/05-9/09).

Some of the comments made by her references included: “She is a wonderful person.” “Aren’t you lucky!” “She was our interim minister for four years and we hated to see her go.” “She is compassionate, kind and wonderful with all ages.” “She is full of life.” “She is one of the best interim ministers that we have in our UCC.” “I hate to lose her to Maine.” “Her sermons were wonderful and fit what was needed at the time.” “She understands that ministry is a partnership between lay people and clergy.”  “When Marlayna left, she had us prepared and we were ready to move on.”

When Marlayna was offered the Interim Senior Pastor position at First Parish Church, she said: “I am very excited about the opportunity to be your Interim Senior Pastor!  I am grateful to God for this calling, and I have faith that the Spirit will lead and bless First Parish Church as we enter into this period of ministry together!”

We are very excited to have Marlayna Schmidt join First Parish Church as its Interim Senior Pastor and thank God for assisting us in making this very important decision. The committee reached consensus on her appointment and believe that she has the gifts which best fit the needs of First Parish Church.

Please join me in thanking the Interim Search Committee, consisting of Tim Fitzgerald, Nancy Boucher, Susan Brindle, Mark Ergmann, Ed Forbush, Jan Hansen, Jamie Harrod, Liz Kinzly, Kathy McQueeney, and Heidi OIiver, for all the time and effort they put into this very important decision.