Pastoral Assistant

Dr. Judy Haley came to First Parish Church in 2008 as the part-time pastoral assistant. She facilitates the adult education and small group ministries of First Parish. Through them she seeks to provide opportunities for adults to explore Christian resources for growing, changing, working and serving as individuals and as a supportive community. She leads Growing Together on Thursday evenings, the Book Group and Friday Bible study, coordinates the Soup and Conversation program, and offers occasional retreats, workshops, and prayer services. As a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School (Master of Divinity; Master of Sacred Theology) and Harvard Divinity School (Doctor of Theology) as well as a long-time instructor in the New Testament department at ANTS, she brings knowledge of biblical and Christian traditions to these discussions. She also participates in worship services and preaches on occasion.

Her experience in leading Christian education programs and teaching Latin in a high school fortifies the Sunday School, Youth Group, and Confirmation Class of First Parish Church. She offers theological and spiritual support for Sunday school teachers and works to link the church and the chapel life of First Parish Church. Recently she inaugurated a support group for parents. She sometimes engages in undignified but energetic activities with children and youth because she believes that it is important to do whatever it takes to help them know God’s love and call in their lives.

Judy lives in Lowell with her husband, an American Baptist minister, her teen-aged son, a dog, a cat, five parakeets, and seasonal appearances of her two other children now at college in Michigan.