Minister & Staff
Minister: Reverend Christana Wille McKnight
Rev. Christana Wille McKnight was brought up a Unitarian Universalist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Always spiritually curious, she majored in Religious Studies at Scripps College in Claremont, California. Christana graduated with honors from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, MA in 2005, and was ordained in 2006. Christana’s experiences in ministry have been shaped by the years she has spent in working in different Unitarian Universalist churches and organizations, as well as her five years as a long-term care and hospice chaplain. She loves to wrestle with the “big questions” of life like, “Why are we here?” or “What does it mean to forgive?” Since coming to First Parish in Taunton in April of 2012, Christana has overseen significant growth in the congregation, and looks forward to continued vitality and joy in our community.
In the community and the denomination, Christana has served in a variety of roles, including as a member of the Taunton Opiate Task Force, the Taunton Clergy Association, as President of the Ballou Channing Ministers’ Association, and as a Trustee for the UUMA Board of Trustees. Christana lives in Seekonk with her husband Eric and their two children; Bryson, born in 2007 and Deliah, born in 2009. Christana may be contacted at minister@firstparishtaunton.org or 508.822.2107.
Rev. Christana Wille McKnight was brought up a Unitarian Universalist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Always spiritually curious, she majored in Religious Studies at Scripps College in Claremont, California. Christana graduated with honors from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, MA in 2005, and was ordained in 2006. Christana’s experiences in ministry have been shaped by the years she has spent in working in different Unitarian Universalist churches and organizations, as well as her five years as a long-term care and hospice chaplain. She loves to wrestle with the “big questions” of life like, “Why are we here?” or “What does it mean to forgive?” Since coming to First Parish in Taunton in April of 2012, Christana has overseen significant growth in the congregation, and looks forward to continued vitality and joy in our community.
In the community and the denomination, Christana has served in a variety of roles, including as a member of the Taunton Opiate Task Force, the Taunton Clergy Association, as President of the Ballou Channing Ministers’ Association, and as a Trustee for the UUMA Board of Trustees. Christana lives in Seekonk with her husband Eric and their two children; Bryson, born in 2007 and Deliah, born in 2009. Christana may be contacted at minister@firstparishtaunton.org or 508.822.2107.
Director of Religious Education: April Rosario
April came to First Parish Church and Unitarian Universalism in 2015. She and her husband, Chris, were looking for a church their children, Mariya & Liam, could grow up in that reflected the values they wanted to raise them with. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, April leads our Monday night Soul Matters group and previously chaired the RE committee.
In her statement April said, "I'm really excited for the future of the RE program and the journey that lies ahead. We have such an amazing group of children and young adults at First Parish and I'm honored to be leading the effort to continue building the RE program. I'm grateful to the many adults who are lending their talents to help as well." April can be contacted at DRE@FirstParishTaunton.org
April came to First Parish Church and Unitarian Universalism in 2015. She and her husband, Chris, were looking for a church their children, Mariya & Liam, could grow up in that reflected the values they wanted to raise them with. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, April leads our Monday night Soul Matters group and previously chaired the RE committee.
In her statement April said, "I'm really excited for the future of the RE program and the journey that lies ahead. We have such an amazing group of children and young adults at First Parish and I'm honored to be leading the effort to continue building the RE program. I'm grateful to the many adults who are lending their talents to help as well." April can be contacted at DRE@FirstParishTaunton.org
Music Director: Kaeza Fearn
Kaeza Fearn is a pianist, composer and choral director who grew up in a family of professional musicians. Her passion is community building through the arts and she has a special interest in sacred music from all traditions and across all faiths and cultures. Kaeza received her B.A. from Haverford College in Piano Performance and M.M. from The Hartt School in Composition. In addition to happily joining in creating the musical tapestry at First Parish, Kaeza teaches piano, accompanies dance classes and vocalists and leads sacred circle dance. Kaeza can be contacted at KaezaFearn@gmail.com
Kaeza Fearn is a pianist, composer and choral director who grew up in a family of professional musicians. Her passion is community building through the arts and she has a special interest in sacred music from all traditions and across all faiths and cultures. Kaeza received her B.A. from Haverford College in Piano Performance and M.M. from The Hartt School in Composition. In addition to happily joining in creating the musical tapestry at First Parish, Kaeza teaches piano, accompanies dance classes and vocalists and leads sacred circle dance. Kaeza can be contacted at KaezaFearn@gmail.com
The Matthew Mission Director: Mark Cook
The Matthew Mission came to First Parish Church in March 2014 with the goal of helping the homeless and those in need. Mark and his all-volunteer staff make and hand out "blessing bags" of blankets, food and hygiene supplies; operate a food pantry; and assist their guests in obtaining needed services or finding shelter. In November 2014 the mission opened a Community Outreach Center. Mark can be contacted at Matthew25Mission@gmail.com
The Matthew Mission came to First Parish Church in March 2014 with the goal of helping the homeless and those in need. Mark and his all-volunteer staff make and hand out "blessing bags" of blankets, food and hygiene supplies; operate a food pantry; and assist their guests in obtaining needed services or finding shelter. In November 2014 the mission opened a Community Outreach Center. Mark can be contacted at Matthew25Mission@gmail.com
Congregational Administrator: Lindi Malo
Lindi has been a member of this church since 2012. They hold a BA in Communications from Bridgewater State University, and are a lifelong Tauntonian. Lindi uses their passion for Film & Photography every chance they can. They are our Sound Tech for Sunday services, and maintains our internet presence. Lindi can be contacted at Office@firstparishtaunton.org
Lindi has been a member of this church since 2012. They hold a BA in Communications from Bridgewater State University, and are a lifelong Tauntonian. Lindi uses their passion for Film & Photography every chance they can. They are our Sound Tech for Sunday services, and maintains our internet presence. Lindi can be contacted at Office@firstparishtaunton.org
Sexton: Chris Rosario
Chris has been a member of First Parish since 2015. He and his wife, April, came looking for a church in which to raise their children. He has a passion for cleaning and always has our church smelling amazing. He is our resident handyman, handling a wide variety of projects around the building. Chris chairs our Building & Grounds team.
Chris has been a member of First Parish since 2015. He and his wife, April, came looking for a church in which to raise their children. He has a passion for cleaning and always has our church smelling amazing. He is our resident handyman, handling a wide variety of projects around the building. Chris chairs our Building & Grounds team.
Church Green Farmer's Market Manager: Veronica Palladino
Veronica Palladino has been a member of First Parish Church since 2017 and is excited to be managing the Church Green Farmers Market. Veronica holds a BA in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University. Veronica grew up on a dairy farm and lives at Spring Rain Farm in East Taunton, where she and her husband William McCaffrey operate their own farming business producing fruit and pastured pork. Veronica loves working in community and sharing her knowledge about food from the field to the table. Veronica can be contacted at CGFMmanager@firstparishtaunton.org
Veronica Palladino has been a member of First Parish Church since 2017 and is excited to be managing the Church Green Farmers Market. Veronica holds a BA in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University. Veronica grew up on a dairy farm and lives at Spring Rain Farm in East Taunton, where she and her husband William McCaffrey operate their own farming business producing fruit and pastured pork. Veronica loves working in community and sharing her knowledge about food from the field to the table. Veronica can be contacted at CGFMmanager@firstparishtaunton.org
