References

"[His] enthusiasm for collaboration and building bridges is one of the qualities that makes Rob a pleasure to work with and will make him a great minister. He is also kind and generous, astute, and listens well. He has a lot to share but does not crave the limelight. He will be an asset to the ministry and a blessing to any congregation he serves."

Mimi Olivier, Director of Religious Education, Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford, MA

Here is a mix of religious educators and laypeople I have known and worked with from one year to twenty years. I am more than happy to provide other references as well.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS

Liza Earle-Centers, Universalist Church of Montpelier, VT
ucm.dre@gmail.com

(802) 223-7861 ext. 2

Liza is Director of Lifespan Spiritual Exploration at UCM. We worked together to offer UU MagicLab to her students during the pandemic. Liza's perspective is as someone I have not known long but with whom I was able to quickly establish trust and a rapport for a warm and productive working relationship.

Mimi Olivier, Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford, MA
mimiolivier1965@gmail.com

(781) 866-3156

Mimi is Director of Religious Education for Medford. She and I collaborated to launch UU MagicLab for her students after the pandemic began, and when the opportunity to have students from Montpelier, VT, join us, Mimi helped me welcome them. Her perspective is as a co-educator and she has also seen me serve as guest minister for her congregation.

April Rosario, First Parish Church in Taunton, MA
april.rose78@yahoo.com

(508) 813-3343

April is Taunton's Director for Religious Education. She and I worked together closely for two years during my parish internship, often teaming up to incorporate magic for Time for All Ages, as well as co-leading a monthly Soul Matters group for two years. April can speak to my religious education skills as well as small ministry work, and from her perspective as a parent of young children.

LAY LEADERS

Sheila Davison, First Parish of Sudbury, MA
SEDavison@aol.com
(978) 212-5374

Sheila has known me since 2000, when we began singing in choir together. We also served on our ministerial search team together. She represents the many folks I've journeyed alongside through the life and life events of my home congregation.

Gail Hardenbergh, First Parish of Sudbury, MA
ggh@jch.com

(508) 479-2176

I've known Gail for 20 years and she has attended many of the services I've led in Sudbury. She represents the many people in the pews (or online) with whom I haven't worked in some official capacity, yet who have watched me grow and offered encouragement.

Jan Hardenbergh, First Parish of Sudbury, MA
jch@jch.com

(978) 273-4949

Jan (pronounced "Yon") has long been a leader at my home congregation in Sudbury. Like Gail, we've known each other for 20 years. Jan has served in every capacity at FPS, and he and I served on the ministerial search team together. He has a good read on my ministerial development over time.

Elizabeth Lowry, Unitarian Universalist Church of Wakefield, MA
elizlowry86@gmail.com

(508) 395-8599

Elizabeth is a lay leader for Wakefield, a small but active family congregation. Wakefield began inviting me to preach soon after I entered seminary, and this continued for eight straight years. Elizabeth can speak in particular to the quality of my worship services and sermons.

Fran Sharp, First Parish of Sudbury, MA
fransharp19@gmail.com

(978) 394-4626

I've known Fran since our children were young and growing up in my home congregation, about 20 years. She was also our longtime parish administrator, and we served together on our ministerial search team as well. Fran represents the combination parent-volunteer-staff member we often find in our congregations and offers a unique perspective of my ministry.

Mary Vaeni, First Parish Church in Taunton, MA
mvaeni@verizon.net

(508) 317-3545

Mary served on my internship committee 2017-2019 and on the parish board. She is currently board chair in Taunton. We also worked together on Soul Matters programming and performed a lot of music together. Mary represents a view of my ministry from the church and worship leadership perspectives as well as our small group ministry work together.