The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (UUCSR) announced that Reverend Ned Wight will begin a year in the role of interim senior minister starting on Aug. 16. The current senior minister, the Reverend Dr. Paul S. Johnson, leaves that position in August to begin service as interim minister at Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stuart, FL.
Prior to this appointment, Wight was executive director of the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock for 10 years. As executive director, he served as chief administrator for the Veatch Program, which allocates approximately $12 million annually to grantees that promote system social change, and was responsible for providing vision and leadership to its board of governors and professional staff. He also oversaw the Large Grants Program that awards grants of up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations selected by members of the congregation through a democratic process.
“We’re happy to have Ned continue his service to the congregation in a new role,” said Congregation President Arnold Babel. “His familiarity with the congregation
is a real plus.”
“I am very much looking forward to the challenge of serving the Shelter Rock Congregation in this new role,” Wight said. “I welcome being part of a strong ministerial team with Reverend Jennifer Brower and Reverend Natalie Fenimore, collaborating with others on the UUCSR staff, and working closely with lay leaders.”
Prior to his decade of service as the executive director of the congregation’s Veatch Program, Wight served as a parish minister for 14 years—13 of those at Summit UU Fellowship in suburban San Diego, CA, and one year as acting senior minister at First Parish UU in Belmont, MA. Wight celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the UU ministry on June 8 of this year.
In addition to his ministerial service, Wight served on the board of the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association as a trustee from the Pacific Southwest District from 2001-06. He has also been active in the Metro New York Chapter of the UU Ministers Association.
—Submitted by the Unitarian Universalist Church at Shelter Rock
