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Dan Harper | Curriculum Vitae

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Ordained Unitarian Universalist Minister

Minister, First Parish in Cohasset, Mass., 2022 - present

 

Exterior of wood frame meetinghouse, facing the steeple (short wall), double hung windows, clapboard sides, painted white

First Parish in Cohasset, viewed from the north

  • Parish ministry: preaching, rites of passage, pastoral care, etc.

Associate Minister of Religious Education, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Calif., 2009 – 2022

 

Interior of the Main Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, looking from the back over the heads of the congregation

Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Sunday morning service

  • Regular duties of ministry: preaching, rites of passage, pastoral care, etc.
  • Worked with lay leaders to provide programs and classes for adults, teens, and children
  • Developed curriculum and curriculum resources for children and teens, for both in-person and online classes
  • Coordinated and taught OWL comprehensive sexuality education, gr. K-1, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12
  • Implemented safety policies, including child abuse prevention, online safety, and COVID safety

Parish Minister, First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, Mass., 2005-2009

 

Interior of the old stone church of First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, looking from the organ loft over the ehads of the congregation towards the pulpit and the Tifanny mosaic

First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, Sunday morning service

  • Carried out ordinary duties of ministry: preaching, rites of passage, pastoral care, etc.
  • Helped congregation heal from sexual misconduct committed by a previous minister
  • Worked with lay leaders to increase Sunday morning attendance
  • With lay leaders, coordinated 300th anniversary celebrations for the congregation
  • Established monthly concert series with a retired music professor and others
  • Served as one of the youth advisors
  • Helped expand the congregation's Web presence

Interim Associate Minister, Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, Ill., 2004-2005

  • Assisted congregation in transition from a lay religious education professional to a second minister
  • Worked with congregation to confront allegations regarding misconduct of past staff members
  • Carried out ordinary duties of ministry

Assistant Minister of Religious Education, Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, Calif., 2003-2004

  • Assisted congregation in establishing a third full-time ministry position
  • Consulted with individuals about allegations of sexual misconduct committed by a previous minister
  • Carried out ordinary duties of ministry

Lay Religious Educator

Director of Religious Education, First Parish Church, Lexington, Mass., 1997-2002

  • Supervised and led programs and classes for teens and children, 30 hours per week
  • Ministerial intern 2000-2002: preaching, rites of passage, pastoral care, etc.

Director of Religious Education, First Parish of Watertown, Mass., 1994-1997

  • Supervised and led programs and classes for teens and children, 17 hours per week
  • Grew enrollment from 10 to 40 children and teens

Other Work Experience

Carpenter, Ken Marriner Carpentry and Cabinetmaking, 1991-1995

  • Carpenter and cabinetmaker in this 2-person shop

Salesperson, Concord Lumber Corporation, 1984-1990

  • Over a million dollars in annual sales

Education

M.Div., Meadville-Lomard Theological School, Chicago, 2003

  • 2000-2002: Ministerial internship, First Parish in Lexington, Mass.
  • 2001: One unit of clinical pastoral education, Massachusetts General Hospital

Graduate study, Emerson College, Boston, Mass., 1990-91

  • Coursework in creative nonfiction, literature, and teaching methods
  • Received top merit-based scholarship

B.A., Haverford College, Haverford, Penna., 1983

  • Senior thesis on philosophical hermeneutics as applied to pre-Socratic philosophers
  • 1983: Department prize in philosophy for self-directed reading program

Selected service to Unitarian Universalism

  • 2020-present, President, Pacific Central District chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association
  • 2013-present, Good Offices Person, Pacific Central District chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association
  • 2012-2013, Member of District Executive Search Committee, Pacific Central District
  • 2011-2014, Secretary, Pacific Central District chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association
  • 2010-2013, Good Offices Person, Pacific Central District chapter of the UU Ministers Association
  • 2000, 2002-2009, 2011-2012, Writer for UUA website during General Assembly
  • 2006-2007, Board member, Ballou Channing District
  • 2001-2003, Good Offices Person, Massachusetts Bay District chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association
  • 1999-2001, Board member, Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF)
  • 1999-2002, UUA Youth Office, co-leader of continental trainings for youth advisors and youth leaders
  • 1997-1999, UUA Pamphlet Commission

Selected Community Activities

  • 2016-present, environmental justice curriculum development for Ecojustice Camp
  • 2012-present, help organize and run Sacred Harp singings, and a local folk music jam
  • 2009-present, help support homeless ministries at the UU Church of Palo Alto: Hotel de Zink, at the church each September; Heart and Home, at the church 6 weeks each winter; and the year-round Safe Parking Program
  • 2005-present, blogger
  • 2001-2003, On-call chaplain, Massachusetts General Hospital, once or twice per month
  • 1991-1996, Licensed tourist guide in historic Concord, Massachusetts

 

Photos on this page have been blurred to maintain privacy.