I am delighted to announce that I have promoted Deborah Levering into the ongoing position of Director of Faith Development at First Unitarian Church. Deb has served as our Acting Director of Faith Development since October 2014.

In her time on the staff of First Unitarian Church, Deb has demonstrated a deep knowledge of Unitarian Universalist traditions and values, a commitment to the health and growth of people of all ages, and a collaborative spirit of leadership. She has led children's chapel services, coordinated teachers for Faith Development classes, reinvigorated the Adult Faith Development Committee, led the Time for All Ages, and supported our Faith Development staff.

It is a delight to see Deb working with our children. She enjoys their company and treats them with respect and affection. Our weekly attendance of children and youth has grown steadily since Deb joined the staff last fall.

Deb has over 25 years' involvement in Unitarian Universalist institutions. She began her professional career as a religious educator in 2000, when she became the Director of Religious Education at the First Congregational Unitarian Church in Harvard. There she coordinated a religious education program for 50 children and youth.

In 2005, Deb became the Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development for the Clara Barton District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In 2010, she was promoted to be the Director of Faith Formation serving two of our New England districts together. In these roles she honed her skills in coaching, leadership and congregational management.

More recently Deb was the Director of Lifelong Learning at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson. There she coordinated a small children's ministry program and ran a community adult education program. 

Deb said that she was excited about the opportunity to work at First Unitarian Church. "I liked the energy of the congregation. I've known this congregation for a long time, and it's always been a place that's been alive and inspired.

After five months of work, Deb sees great strengths in the adults who work and volunteer with our children and youth. "First Unitarian Church has exceptional staff and very committed families. There's a culture of family participation that's great to see. And we'd like to invite other people in as teachers and volunteers, who are not necessarily parents of our children and youth.

"There's lots of opportunity in our adult faith development program, and that really excites me. There's so much potential in helping people unpack the spiritual beings that they are, and understand themselves as grounded spirits in the world."

I hope you will welcome me in congratulating Deb and welcoming her to our ongoing role on our staff team at First Unitarian Church. We invite adults, children and youth to participate in a formal commissioning of Deb in her role here during the worship service on Sunday, May 17. I look forward to all the work we will do together as staff and volunteers in our multigenerational church community.

In faith,

Rev. Sarah Stewart