The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Landrum, Minister
Our minister is the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum. Cindy has been in the Unitarian Universalist ministry since 2001. Prior to her arrival at FPC in 2018, Cindy served churches in Clarklake, Michigan; Gardner, Massachusetts; and Houston, Texas. She was awarded the title of Minister Emerita from her last congregation, the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty, because of her leadership strengths and long tenure. Cindy has a BA from the University of Michigan in English and Psychology, an MA from the University of Georgia in English, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Meadville Lombard Theological School. Her MA work was on folk narratives in the AIDS caregiving community, and her D.Min. dissertation focused on the shifting relationship to feminism among her generation of female UU ministers.
Cindy was raised UU, and is a strong supporter of Unitarian Universalist religious education as a result. She describes herself as a spiritual humanist who draws from a wide variety of religious and secular sources for her sermons. She draws in particular from her love of Christian storytelling, Pagan and Wiccan ritual, and Buddhist practice. Secular sources that have influenced her range from the literature of the holocaust to science fiction and fantasy, and even Winnie-the-Pooh.
Cindy has been very active in our larger association and minister’s groups, and is an avid writer, and has published a book of sermons and has had writings published in UU World on several occasions. She has created two coloring books of her Zentangle art which have been used by congregations all over the country.
Cindy has been very active in social justice work and spent 10 years working toward getting a non-discrimination ordinance adopted in Jackson, Michigan to guarantee protection for LGBTQ+ individuals, which was passed in the winter of 2017. She has also served on the boards of social justice organizations, including for both racial justice and LGBTQ issues.
Cindy has a husband, Peter Morrison, a daughter, and a two cats. Her family (except the cats) enjoy science fiction and fantasy books and movies, are avid board game players, and enjoy art and crafting.
Make an appointment with Cindy at https://calendly.com/minister-fpc. She can also be emailed at: minister@fpc-stow-acton.org
Schedule an appointment with her here!
Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson, Director of Religious Education
Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson (no pronouns) has been a Unitarian Universalist Religious Educator for well over a decade. Rayla's previous congregation was located in Hartford, CT and Rayla currently lives just north of Hartford with three children, one dog and way too many cats. Although Rayla has not yet decided how much their children will participate in FPC activities, you will often find Rayla in the building with their middle child Kennedy (she/her) who is 16.
In addition to working directly within congregations, Rayla has served several roles regionally and nationally within the UUA faith. Rayla currently serves as a New England Peer Facilitator supporting congregations, their religious education department and their boards. Rayla also serves on the Skinner House Equity and Inclusion Panel which supports mainly UU authors in the areas of justice and liberation. In the summers, Rayla leads a weeklong series on divination at RE week at Ferry Beach where Rayla has gotten to know several FPC members. One of Rayla's greatest passions is as a writer, contributing often to Braver/Wiser which is a series located on the UUA website. Additional contributions and videos may be accessed via the UUA website and via other UUA adjacent resources.
In addition to serving at FPC, Rayla also works as a Field Representative for the US Census Bureau and as a curriculum curator with the UUA.
Email Rayla: dre@fpc-stow-acton.org
Chris Hossfeld, Director of Music
Chris Hossfeld joined the FPC community in August 2023. His professional experience spans many years as a conductor, composer, vocal performer, and lecturer in academic, church, and community settings. He has served as the director of music for Yale Divinity School’s Marquand Chapel, St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Lincoln, MA, First Parish (Old Ship Church) in Hingham, MA, and Grace Episcopal Church in Newton, MA. In Montreal, he was the conductor and co-artistic director of Opera da Camera and co-founded One Equall Musick, a collaborative vocal ensemble.
Chris composes music for many settings, from concert works to music for liturgy or film. His music has been performed at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Music Garden, Jordan Hall, and at Yale and Harvard Universities. He has received commissions from various ensembles, including the Rosetta Trio, the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, and the Grammy-nominated string orchestra A Far Cry.
In addition to serving the FPC community, Chris is also the director of music and ritual and instructor in sacred music at Harvard Divinity School.
Email Chris: music@fpc-stow-acton.org
Meg Rivers-Wright, Membership Coordinator and Parish Administrator
Meg comes to us with a history of Unitarian Universalist knowledge and connections in the community. UU churches have always been special to her. Meg's parents were married in the UU Church in Albany, New York, where she was dedicated and later attended services as a teenager. Her wife grew up attending the UU church in Easton, MA, and they were married by Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie of Boston’s Arlington Street Church.
Meg has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middlebury College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College. She’s worked as a university administrator, public school English teacher, and personal trainer. She’s a teacher, writer, organizer, and uplifter, and loves nothing more than guiding people to feel better about who they are. Meg lives in Maynard with her wife, two teenagers, and two dogs. You can reach her at office@fpc-stow-acton.org and follow her pandemic puppy adventures in the #denofpositivity on Facebook.
Email Meg: office@fpc-stow-acton.org
Trever Berens, Accompanist
Trevor Berens is a pianist, composer, and music therapist. He holds degrees from Loyola Marymount University (BA: Music and Psychology, specializing in piano and composition), California Institute of the Arts (MFA: Performer/Composer), and Lesley University (MA: Expressive Therapies, specializing in Music Therapy). His former piano teachers include Tania Flesicher, Peter Miyamoto, and Vicki Ray, and his former composition teachers include Paul Humphreys, Stephen “Lucky” Mosko, Mark Saya, and James Tenney. As a pianist, he enjoys playing in a variety of styles, including avant-garde classical music, traditional classical music, and free improvisation and as a collaborator, he enjoys working with a wide variety of individuals and ensembles, including solo vocalists and instrumentalists, chamber groups, dancers, and choruses. Trevor is the founder of the Boston area based ensemble, Sonic Liberation Players, which specialized in performing music by modern experimental and avant-garde composers. Trevor runs the Berens Voice and Piano Studio out of Pepperell with his wife, Jessica, works as a music therapist working with young children, and is accompanist for the Halalisa Singers. www.trevorberensmusic.com
Email Trevor: accompanist@fpc-stow-acton.org
Janet Beatrice, External Publicity Coordinator
Janet is FPC’s External Publicity Coordinator. Janet submits articles, calendar items, and worship information to local newspapers, TV stations, and on-line resources. FPC members can send listings, event info, or any questions about external publicity directly to Janet.
Email Janet: pr@fpc-stow-acton.org
Mike Silkonis, Sexton
Mike spent the last seven years as head custodian for the Wayland Public schools. He is now retired and lives in Maynard. He loves to garden, ride mountain bikes and hunt.
Email Mike: sexton@fpc-stow-acton.org
Felix Freeman, AV Tech Assistant
Felix our tech assistant helps the the video streaming during Sunday services and special events, working the camera and sound. He is a Junior at Maynard High School.
The Reverend Thomas A. Rosiello, Minister Emeritus
The Reverend Thomas A. Rosiello served First Parish Church from 2002 to 2017, a 15-year ministry. Tom contributed to the growth and vitality of our church—expanding our community, our programming, our campus, and most of all, our spirit. Tom served our congregation with compassion, intelligence, and often spoke out on issues of social justice, leading initiatives to recognize the rights and dignity of all persons and putting his beliefs into action in his journey.
Upon his retirement in 2017, the congregation voted unanimously, with deep respect and gratitude, to designate Tom as our Minister Emeritus. This honor recognizes and sustains our continuing, but changed, relationship with Tom.
