Rev. Tony Lorenzen

Phone: 978-663-2293

Email: alorenzen@uuma.org

I am excited to begin my ministry here in Billerica. I preach three out of four Sundays a month and will be teaching Adult Religious Education classes (see the calendar page for schedules and upcoming sermon titles). I also host a tea every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. in the parish hall and everyone is invited. Each Thursday I lead Evening Prayer in the sanctuary at 6 p.m. I am available to provide pastoral care to members of the congregation, and to officiate at weddings, memorial services, and child dedications for both members and non-members.

I am looking forward to participating in interfaith events throughout the community, supporting social justice work with other members of the congregation and the community, and getting to know the congregation and Billerica.

Thus do we honor the gathering of this Church in 1658 by those who sought to walk with God.

When First Parish Church in Billerica was first gathered in 1663 it was the town church, the only church in town. The church was gathered at a time in Massachusetts history when the government required a community to have built a meeting house, gathered a church and settled a minister in order to granted a town charter. The church served the parish, a geographic term, defining the land around church building. Today, First Parish Church is still here for all the people of Billerica who seek a spiritual home. Our Unitarian Universalist Faith is a creedless religion rooted in the principles of Freedom, Tolerance and Reason. We still hold to the congregational polity of those who first gathered here and practice democracy within our congregation and advocate for democratic practices in the greater community. We welcome all spiritual seekers who are looking for a place to practice the responsible search for truth and meaning in caring community.

I was born in Fitchburg and raised in Leominster, Massachusetts. I am a 1990 graduate of Fitchburg State College (B.A. English cum laude and a minor in Music) and I received my Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 1994. I did my Clinical Pastoral Education at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA where I served as a chaplain on the Intensive Care Unit. I completed my ministerial internship at First Parish Church in Weston, serving part-time for one year and full-time for one year. My ministry in Weston included the Coming of Age program, leading Sunday School Chapel services, teaching adult education courses, Soulful Sundown services, providing pastoral care, and assisting with preaching and leading worship.

I was granted preliminary ministerial fellowship by the MFC on March 23, 2007 and ordained by my home church, First Church in Leominster, UU on June 3, 2007. Before entering the ministry I worked as a Catholic high school theology teacher, a Hospice chaplain, and a case manager for an HIV-AIDS services provider. Ive also taught the Bible as Literature at Fitchburg State College in the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education since 1995. I have an extensive social justice and political organizing background. I did my college internship with Amnesty Internationals regional office in Somerville and later served as interim coordinator of student groups. I have canvassed and helped organize a meetings with my legislator for Mass Equality. Ive served on the local MLK Coalition in Leominster and as a member of the North Central Massachusetts Minority Coalition White Allies. I was the Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Partys candidate for Lt. Governor in 2002 and have served on state and national political campaigns at various levels. Ive published Op-Ed pieces in the Fitchburg Leominster Sentinel & Enterprise and The Worcester Telegram & Gazette on topics such as human rights and voting rights issues. Ive also published two pieces on pastoral care in the journal Healing Ministry. My theological interests include Unitarian Universalist history, process theology, creation spirituality, Zen Buddhism, and contemporary worship and music.

I love reading and writing. I like to play chess and enjoy tending my organic garden. I keep active by weight lifting, walking, and playing tennis. I like to cook. I am the type of Red Sox fan that helps people understand the word fan is a shortened form of the word fanatic.

My partner Tina is an elementary school educator. She has spent most of her career in a fourth grade classroom, but last year took on the job of Elementary Math Specialist. She recently received the first Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching, a peer nominated award in her school system. She likes to read, sing, and quilt. My son Zackary will be entering fifth grade this year. He loves his computer, reading, and NASCAR racing.

I look forward to meeting you in person. Please join us at First Parish Church in Billerica, Unitarian Universalist.

You can read and listen to some of Tony's work on the Past Sermons and Writings pages.