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Pastor John Allen has joined the First Parish Church in Brunswick as the new senior pastor. Photo courtesy of Jared Morneau

The congregation of the First Parish Church of the United Christian Church in Brunswick celebrated the arrival of Pastor John Allen as its new senior pastor. Pastor Allen joined the first parish and became the 24th senior pastor in its 304-year history.

The Senior Pastor Search Committee recommended Pastor Allen after a year of searching, calling him "a true, thoughtful, inspiring, and approachable faith leader, who provided the first diocese to realize us in this challenging era." Mission opportunity," said Margot, chairman of the committee.

Pastor Allen accepted the invitation from the congregation. He said: “The life of faith is a journey, and we should not embark on this journey alone. I am grateful that God has called us to become a church together and support each other in the challenges of life. Celebrate the beauty of life and work together to make God’s love unmistakable in a wounded world."

Laura Lee, Chairman of the Church Council, said: “His spirit, depth of insight, leadership training and skills, as well as his financial and technical capabilities, and his alignment with the vision of the First Diocese, give us It left a deep impression."

Prior to arriving in the First Diocese, Pastor Allen served as the pastor of the United Christian Church of the First Congregational Church in Milton, Massachusetts. He previously served as a pastor at the Country Church in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The Pastor’s Residency is a two-year full-time ministry designed to provide leaders with life-long ministry based on seminary education.

Pastor Allen graduated from Davidson College and received a master's degree in New Testament Theology from United Theological Seminary. During his time in Union, he planned to conduct daily worship for the community and coordinated a series of lectures on "Theology and Economics". Before entering seminary, he worked as a firefighter and EMT in North Carolina. He joined his wife Molli and two daughters Cora and Lydia in Brunswick.

The First Parish Church at 217 Maine Street provides Sunday services in person and on Facebook Live at 10:00 AM. At this time, the sanctuary needs to wear a mask.

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