Minister & Staff
This is a time of Ministerial Search:
Unitarian Universalist churches are self-governing; we choose our own ministers. Currently, we are in a search process, during which time our Sunday services are designed and led by Danica Buckley and the Services team. Pastoral care is provided by our Caring team, and affiliated area ministers. Administrative leadership lies with the Parish Committee, chaired this year by church members Kate Glennon and Michael McGowan.
Our ministerial search follows Rev. Pamela Barz's twelve-year ministry and a two-year interim period with Rev. Erin Splaine; our most recent minister was Rev. Jonathan Pierce.
You are welcome to email the church office for any matter.
Our ministerial search follows Rev. Pamela Barz's twelve-year ministry and a two-year interim period with Rev. Erin Splaine; our most recent minister was Rev. Jonathan Pierce.
You are welcome to email the church office for any matter.
Minister Emeritus:
The Reverend Richard Stower
At our 381st Annual Meeting in May 2015, our congregation voted to honor the Rev. Mr. Richard M. Stower with the title of Minister Emeritus. This is the first Minister Emeritus in our church’s long history and we are happy to recognize him for his long and respected service to our community and congregation.
Rich Stower received a Ministry of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1990. He was ordained at the First Parish in Concord, MA and has served as a part-time minister in Andover, NH and as interim minister in Keene, NH before serving First Parish, Scituate from 1992-2011. He is the author of A History of the First Parish Church in Scituate, Massachusetts: Its Life and Times, which won the 2013 Congregational History Award from the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society. Rich is married to Nancy Richards-Stower, an employment law attorney. In 2016, Rich and Nancy retired to Yarmouth, ME.
Rich Stower received a Ministry of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1990. He was ordained at the First Parish in Concord, MA and has served as a part-time minister in Andover, NH and as interim minister in Keene, NH before serving First Parish, Scituate from 1992-2011. He is the author of A History of the First Parish Church in Scituate, Massachusetts: Its Life and Times, which won the 2013 Congregational History Award from the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society. Rich is married to Nancy Richards-Stower, an employment law attorney. In 2016, Rich and Nancy retired to Yarmouth, ME.
Music Director:
Danica A. Buckley
Danica A. Buckley joined First Parish Scituate in 2025. She brings to her role as Music Director a lifelong love of choral music and deep roots in both sacred and community singing and conducting.
She previously served as Music Director at First Parish Brookline (2005–2009) and First Parish Brewster (2013–2021). Beyond church music, Danica is well known for her leadership in community choruses. From 2006 to 2023, she served as Music Director of the Simmons University Chamber Choir, and she just celebrated 20 years as Artistic Director of the Choral Art Society of the South Shore (CAS). She travels internationally to sing and conduct. In addition to her conducting work, Danica is a longtime adjunct professor of English literature and composition, currently teaching at Wentworth Institute of Technology and other Boston-area universities. She holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Boston Conservatory.
Being raised in and around multiple faith traditions shaped her musical path and ignited a passion for diversity and community. That spirit of collective purpose led her to found Sing for Good on Cape Cod, an initiative that brings choirs together to raise money for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She looks forward to making more music together at First Parish Scituate, and to sharing the joy, beauty, and connection that choral singing can bring.
She previously served as Music Director at First Parish Brookline (2005–2009) and First Parish Brewster (2013–2021). Beyond church music, Danica is well known for her leadership in community choruses. From 2006 to 2023, she served as Music Director of the Simmons University Chamber Choir, and she just celebrated 20 years as Artistic Director of the Choral Art Society of the South Shore (CAS). She travels internationally to sing and conduct. In addition to her conducting work, Danica is a longtime adjunct professor of English literature and composition, currently teaching at Wentworth Institute of Technology and other Boston-area universities. She holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Boston Conservatory.
Being raised in and around multiple faith traditions shaped her musical path and ignited a passion for diversity and community. That spirit of collective purpose led her to found Sing for Good on Cape Cod, an initiative that brings choirs together to raise money for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She looks forward to making more music together at First Parish Scituate, and to sharing the joy, beauty, and connection that choral singing can bring.