Our Next DRE/MRE

First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist — a vibrant congregation of 220 adults and 25 children and youth — seeks a ¾ time Director or Minister of Religious Exploration (DRE or MRE) to create, lead, and implement this congregation’s programs for children, youth, and families. We are a dynamic, involved, collaborative, and intellectually curious congregation. First Parish is committed to living out its values in the world as a Welcoming Congregation, Green Sanctuary, 8th Principle Congregation, and Level 2 Sanctuary Supporting Congregation. Our religious exploration programs are central to this commitment to social justice work and lifelong spiritual and ethical growth.

This will be a 30-hour position with help from an assistant for 5 hours per week (position currently filled by a longtime congregational member who is a retired educator). First Parish in Needham strives to follow national UUA recommendations and guidelines in our staff salaries and benefits. First Parish has budgeted $52,500 for the DRE/MRE salary. The salary offer will depend on a candidate’s years of experience and ordination status, as well as the overall First Parish budget for 2025-2026.

The DRE/MRE has the responsibility of nurturing and guiding children, youth, and their parents on their spiritual journeys, while also fostering a sense of multigenerational belonging and connection within our congregation. As such, the DRE/MRE plays a central role in shaping the present and future of our community. The ideal candidate will help us continue our beloved programs (such as Our Whole Lives (OWL), Neighboring Faiths, and Coming of Age) while evaluating our current programs for improvements and innovations in collaboration with our other religious professionals, the RE Committee, and our Innovation Team, and potentially in collaboration with other local UU Congregations. The ideal candidate will also be enthusiastic, creative, flexible, collaborative, organized, and motivational. The ideal candidate will be experienced and committed to Unitarian Universalist religious exploration for our children and youth. First Parish values diversity in its community and staff team, and candidates from historically marginalized identities are especially encouraged to apply.

Please read more about the position and how to apply through our Job Description.

An application will include:

● A cover letter that includes a statement of your faith development philosophy or vision

● A resume of relevant education (formal and/or informal), employment, and volunteer experience

● The names and contact information for three references

Deadline:

Applications will be reviewed and considered as they are received. We’ll begin interviewing in late May/early June and hope that the successful candidate can begin in August.

Address inquiries and applications to search_re@uuneedham.org.