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: Barry Sanders
Barry found Unitarian Universalism during his college years and quickly fell in love with this faith that compels us to love one another, walk this life together and learn from each other. Like many parents, Barry wanted a nurturing, supportive environment for his children to explore the sacred in themselves and in the world. The opportunity to do that for and with other families was too good to pass up and Barry has now been Director of Religious Education at First Parish since 1994. As DRE, Barry is responsible for the Sunday School and Youth Group. The first priority of both these programs is to help our children and youth love to be at church and feel that they belong here. When not in Sunday School with the kids, Barry can often be found telling a story during the Sunday morning worship service, co-leading intergenerational services and, occasionally, taking the pulpit himself. Barry may be contacted at Barry.Sanders@live.com
Barry found Unitarian Universalism during his college years and quickly fell in love with this faith that compels us to love one another, walk this life together and learn from each other. Like many parents, Barry wanted a nurturing, supportive environment for his children to explore the sacred in themselves and in the world. The opportunity to do that for and with other families was too good to pass up and Barry has now been Director of Religious Education at First Parish since 1994. As DRE, Barry is responsible for the Sunday School and Youth Group. The first priority of both these programs is to help our children and youth love to be at church and feel that they belong here. When not in Sunday School with the kids, Barry can often be found telling a story during the Sunday morning worship service, co-leading intergenerational services and, occasionally, taking the pulpit himself. Barry may be contacted at Barry.Sanders@live.com
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 and performs in a kirtan band. 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 and performs in a kirtan band. 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. She holds a BA in Communications from Bridgewater State University, and is a life long Tauntonian. Lindi uses her passion for Film & Photography every chance she can. She is 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. She holds a BA in Communications from Bridgewater State University, and is a life long Tauntonian. Lindi uses her passion for Film & Photography every chance she can. She is our Sound Tech for Sunday services, and maintains our internet presence. Lindi can be contacted at Office@firstparishtaunton.org
Sexton: Jamie Breden
Jamie has been a member of this church since 2015. She uses her passion of being Eco-Friendly to make sure that the way we clean our building will do as little harm to the environment as possible. Jamie is also in charge of our resident handy people, who work on projects all throughout the building. She is also the manager of our Church Green Farmer's Market.
Jamie can be contacted at Mayajade3115@gmail.com
Jamie has been a member of this church since 2015. She uses her passion of being Eco-Friendly to make sure that the way we clean our building will do as little harm to the environment as possible. Jamie is also in charge of our resident handy people, who work on projects all throughout the building. She is also the manager of our Church Green Farmer's Market.
Jamie can be contacted at Mayajade3115@gmail.com
