The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading is pleased to announce the Reverend Hank Peirce as our next settled minister. Rev. Hank’s family name of Peirce is pronounced “purse”, with roots in our Bay State churches that reach back centuries. Hank is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and a highly experienced minister. He graduated from the Andover-Newton Theological School in 1998 and was ordained by his home church, the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford. Since 1999, Hank has served several congregations, including 12 years as settled minister at the UU Church of Medford. Most recently, Hank was Sabbatical Minister for the Stow & Acton church after previously serving as Interim Minister for the Milton and Westford churches.
We are very impressed by Rev. Hank’s many strengths and talents, including his ability to create a ministry that is focused on worship and outreach. Hank is a creative thinker and a strong collaborator who values innovative worship. With a welcoming and authentic nature, Hank makes real connections across the generational spectrum. He is deeply committed to spiritual growth, community building, social justice, compassionate pastoral care and service to interfaith and UU associations. Together we can live our mission by transforming ourselves and making a positive impact on the community.
In addition to Rev. Hank’s extensive ministerial skills, he brings a unique background and variety of interests to our congregation. Hank was deeply involved in the punk rock scene of the 1980s in Boston and worked as a roadie for several bands traveling the country and the world. He is a history buff, especially when it comes to UUism and New England history. Hank is a regular contributor on the VUU, a weekly online talk show from the Church of the Larger Fellowship, and he created the “Hot Stove Report” on Facebook, which is a page to discuss and distribute information about the ministerial search process.
Hank and his wife, Rebecca Scott, have been married since 2002 and they live in Medford with their two beautiful daughters, Ruth (age 12) and Bethiah (age 9). Rebecca also grew up a Unitarian Universalist and she and the girls look forward to making UUCR their spiritual home.
In shared ministry with Rev. Hank, we will continue to build spiritual lives, grow and welcome new church members, and get outside of our own doors to help heal the world – all while retaining the “pastoral heart” of this congregation. We will “live” our mission with joy, hope, love and compassion.
Throughout this past year and over the course of candidating week, our passion for our beloved community was deeply expressed with high hopes. We worked together to consider the needs of our congregation as a whole, with faith in our collective strength. It is important to thank each and every one of our members, friends, children and youth for being a part of this process. Reverend Hank will join us officially in mid-August 2017. Our search has ended, let our journey together begin!
If you would like more details about Rev. Hank Peirce, visit his personal website, https://revhankpeirce.com. Feel free to contact the Ministerial Search Team if you have any questions.
Your Ministerial Search Team – Lorraine Dennis – Chairperson, Michele Catalano, Laura Cavicchio, George Marinakis, David Oakes, Dakota Raine, and Mary Wahlman-Krogh