Front row, L to R: Barbara Kean, Carol Greve, Whitney Retallic, Rebecca Benefiel Bijur.

Back row, Edwina Eastman, Nancy Grimes, Suzie Reine, Reverend Tom Rosiello.

The Reverand Thomas Rosiello

The Reverend Thomas A. Rosiello was called to be the minister of the First Parish of Stow & Acton in May 2002. Immediately prior to coming to First Parish he served as Associate for Faith in Action at First Parish in Framingham, where he led and coordinated the numerous social justice ministries of the church. He is a member of the board of directors of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry and served as president of the Board of Directors of Partakers Inc. and Interfaith ministry that strives for reconciliation between prisoners and society through rehabilitation and educational programs. Reverend Rosiello is also the past president of the Clara Barton District Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Association.

After many year as a practicing trial attorney, Tom, as he prefers to be called, chose to pursue a career in Ministry. He is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School and a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies. He enjoys teaching and has served on the faculty of Clark University in Worcester. Presently he serves as a field education supervisor for Harvard Divinity School. He has been active in a variety of social justice causes ranging from AIDS and gay rights to poverty and prison reform. Tom also enjoys music and has participated in and served on the board of several community musical organizations.

At First Parish, you will find that Tom wears many hats. He serves as the head of our staff, supervising our employees and overseeing the day to day operation of the church. With the assistance of the other staff and the Worship Committee he creates our Sunday morning worship experience. He is available to provide pastoral care and rites of passage for members and friends, and works with the Board of Directors and many committees to carry out the mission of our church.

Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, Intern Minister

Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, Intern Minister, is studying for the Unitarian Universalist ministry and is a student at Harvard Divinity School . As First Parish's Intern Minister, she will be with the congregation part-time over two years to learn the practical side of ministry by doing the work of a minister, under the supervision of Rev. Rosiello, and with the guidance and encouragement of the Intern Minister Committee. Rebecca was born in Tokyo , Japan , where her family was posted with the U.S. Foreign Service, and spent her childhood in Japan , India , and Washington , D.C. After graduating with honors from Yale University , she worked as a grantwriter for The Food Project, a youth development organization and teaching farm in Lincoln and Roxbury , Massachusetts . She lives in Arlington , Massachusetts , with her husband, Jonathan Markowitz Bijur.

Suzanne Reine, Director of Music

Suzie has been the organist and Director of Music at FPC since the fall of 2003.  Additionally, she operates private piano studios in Stow and Wellesley, and performs on organ, piano, and harpsichord.  Suzie holds a BA in Physics from Macalester College and a MMus in Piano Performance from Temple University, where she studied with Harvey Wedeen.  This fall she will commence the MusD in Harpsichord and Historical Performance at Boston University.

Carol Greve, Interim Co-Director of Religous Education

Carol Greve has been an active Unitarian Universalist since seventh grade.  Her educational background is in education and administration.  She has taught elementary school and has worked at the Unitarian Universalist Association, but found her professional love in religious education.  Carol has served as Director of Religious Education at the First Parishes of Sudbury and Framingham, and as Interim Director at the First Parishes of Sherborn and Wayland.  Currently she serves on the Governing Board of First Parish in Framingham where she is Director of Religious Education Emerita.

Barbara Kean, Interim Co-Director of Religous Education

Whitney Retallic, Youth Coordinator

Nancy Grimes, Membership Development Coordinator

Nancy Grimes is the Membership Development Coordinator. She really enjoys the challenges of her job including welcoming newcomers, working with members and friends of the church community to find “their passion” within FPC, and working with Tom Rosiello, our minister, other staff members and church committee members to continue to build a vibrant, healthy, and enriching church community at FPC. Nancy grew up in several protestant churches, including Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. She first started attending a UU church in Lexington Center in 1989. Before long she realized that the UU principles and beliefs were by far the most compatible with her own instincts and beliefs, and she soon became a member. Nancy’s piano teacher during her childhood was a Unitarian in Wisconsin, and Nancy wonders what her life would have been like if she had been a UUer all her life! Nancy received her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Colorado, and her M.S. in Human Resource Management from Lesley University. She has worked in a variety of places, most recently as Director of Human Resources at the Harvard Divinity School for twelve years; and prior to that she worked for seven years at Repligen Corporation, a biotech start-up company originally located in Cambridge.

Edwina Eastman, Office Administrator

Edwina Eastman is often the first contact at First Parish and provides administrative support for its minister, staff and leadership.  She attended local schools and evenings at Framingham State College, and has had extensive experience working in religious, educational and medical institutions.  Edwina has served here for over eight years, was previously employed for 15 years as a hospital volunteer director, and thus has a special appreciation for the caring and committed parishioners of First Parish.