Legacy Fund for Ministerial Interns

Honor the Legacy. Build the Future.

The Legacy Fund for Ministerial Interns

In accordance with the wishes of our retiring senior minister Gary Smith, the Legacy Fund for Ministerial Interns was established to support future ministerial interns at First Parish. Earnings from this endowment fund will be managed in perpetuity by the First Parish Trustees.

My experience as a full time intern at First Parish in Concord has been indispensible to my success in parish ministry.  Gary taught me about excellence in worship, how to be a great colleague, and when to laugh... After fourteen years and many stoles, I still wear the beautiful silk screened stole you gave to me upon my ordination.  It was an honor and a privilege to serve as your intern, and I am deeply grateful.

Reverend Sharon Dittmar, First Unitarian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio

The ups and downs can take you for a ride; the moments of self-doubt are unsettling; and I often hear Gary's voice in my ear. Then I remember to lift my gaze, look out over the horizon of years, and try to be more of a visionary…After the blessing, the walking-with, the leading, and the preaching, I suspect it is vision, above all else, that will be Gary’s legacy.

Reverend Angela Herrera, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Honor retiring minister Gary Smith while helping future ministers spread Universalist Unitarian messages and principles in a world that dearly needs these messages.  (Click 2011_Legacy_Appeal.pdf for a contribution form.)

View the full text of the testimonials from Gary's Interns:

Sharon Dittmar

Lissa Gundlach

Angela Herrera

Jan Neilsen

Diane Rollert

Paul Sawyer

Erik Wikstrom