First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist of Northborough, Massachusetts
Our Minister
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people, and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics, and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Welcome to First Parish
Our Beliefs and Worship
Our Religious Education
Our History
Our Minister
Our Staff and Governance
Our Calendar and Programs
Where to Find Us
Biography of Rev. Dr. Judith E. Wright
I became a Unitarian Universalist at the age of nineteen. I feel very fortunate to have found my spiritual and religious home so early in my life. Here I raised, along with my first husband, Marllyn Boswell, our four children. Marllyn and I gave birth to two of our children (Lorena and Chris) and we adopted the other two (Martin and Dianna). The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of State College, PA was our religious home as a family for twenty four years. I was active in this Fellowship as religious education teacher (for many years), Chair of the Religious Education Program, and Chair of the Worship Committee.
In mid-life I faced some huge challenges. I divorced Marllyn, and became a single mother for nine years. I also received my Ph. D. from The Pennsylvania State University in Counseling Psychology. I specialized in child psychology. I practiced initially within a community mental health center in Altoona, PA, where I worked with families on welfare and at the poverty level. Here I began to experience a budding sense of the spiritual aspects of life. A spiritual journey began with workshops and trainings with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Ram Dass, Virginia Satire, and Carl Rogers. I began a meditation practice in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and invited members of the State College Fellowship to join with me. Some did.
In 1987 I felt a mystical call to seminary, which I decided to follow. I entered The Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1987, and graduated with high honors in 1990. I was ordained in 1992 by The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Burlington County, New Jersey. I served this group of wonderful people for ten years as their parish minister. After I left the area, this congregation joined forces with another, and is now The Dorthea Dix Congregation in southern New Jersey. Besides serving this congregation, I obtained Final Fellowship from the UUA in Community Ministry. I ministered in urban Philadelphia in different capacities. I was the main chaplain at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia for three years. I also entered into the CPE training program, and served as a CPE supervisor in training for seven years. Within this role I worked within an interfaith context with numerous students who were training to enter into the ministry. I guided them through their first encounters with the ill and dying in four different hospitals in the Philadelphia area. This was a rich and rewarding experience for me, and has given me a vast understanding of interfaith ministry. Working with those who are ill or dying for many years has taught me the sacredness and preciousness of life, and the primary need for loving relationships through out life.
I also, during these years in New Jersey and Philadelphia served as a therapist for three years (part-time) at an HIV-AIDS pediatric clinic as their psychological consultant. In addition, I established a large private practice, which focused mainly on families and children in Moorestown, New Jersey. Letting go of this practice was a huge experience in my life, as I finally shifted my identity from psychologist-minister to solely minister. I stepped into the role of Interim Minister at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, Rhode Island in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Here I learned the ropes of parish ministry in a growing congregation in the midst of huge transitions. I decided, from this experience, that I wanted, truly, to be a settled parish minister. And thus, in May 2002, I was called to come to The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Northborough, where I am now delighted to be their settled minister.
For almost thirty years I have had an interest in Buddhism I originally studied Vipassana Buddhism with teachers from The Insight Meditation Center in Barre, MA. Then, for about eight years I was a student at The Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York. More recently I have stepped onto a Tibetan Buddhist path. This occurred primarily through receiving The Kalachakra Teachings from His Holiness, the XIV Dalai Lama in 1999 in Bloomington, Indiana. Through His Holiness's teachings, I decided that I am no longer solely a Unitarian Universalist. I am a Unitarian Universalist Buddhist. I am currently seeking teachings from His Holiness's monks and teachers at His North American seat in Ithaca, New York (Namgyal Monastery). My favorite Buddhist quote is from Kalu Rinpoche. It seems very compatible with our Unitarian heritage of the Oneness of the Divine:
We live in illusion
And the appearance of things.
There is a reality.
We are that reality.
When you understand this,
You see that you are nothing.
And being nothing,
You are everything.
That is all.
In my personal life I married in 1990 a wonderful man, whom I love deeply. Rudy Nemser was a parish minister for forty-nine years. As well as being my husband and friend, he mentored me into the parish ministry. Sadly Rudy died just before I came to First Parish Northborough. I have been widowed since 2002. Currently I enjoy my children and their partners, my four grandchildren, my dog Bacsi, my cats Mudita, Kashi, and Gracie. I have a daily meditation practice, enjoy knitting, quilting, and bird watching. I also enjoy being with friends and having a good time.
It is a deep privilege for me to be the settled minister at First Parish, Northborough. Ours is a ministry that is a mutual sharing of laity and clergy. As a religious community, we are growing, and in that growing, developing a Beloved Community of Unitarian Universalists who are willing to go the extra mile for those in need. I am proud to be part of a congregation that is a Welcoming Congregation, and also is now in the process of becoming a Green Sanctuary. I look forward to meeting anyone interested in our Beloved Community, and would love to welcome you to First Parish, Northborough.
Office Hours
Tuesdays 10 - 4
Wednesdays 10-2
and by Appointment
Contact
Phone: (508) 393-6422
Send E-Mail
Come as you are and be welcomed.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist
40 Church Street
Northboro, MA 01532 USA
Phone: (508) 393-6422
Fax: (508) 393-8938