John Buehrens

Unitarian minister, writer

John Buehrens has served as the Minister of the First Parish in Needham since 2002. From 1993 to 2001 he was the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Ordained in 1973, he served congregations in Tennessee, Texas, and New York City prior to his election to that office. A graduate of Harvard College and of Harvard Divinity School, he is co-author of *A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism* (1989, 1996) and author of *Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals* (2002). Cited as a scholar, organizer, but above all, pastor, John has been awarded three honorary doctorates. He has taught seminary courses in history, theology, preaching, and the practice of ministry. Long a leader in interfaith cooperation for peace and justice, he currently serves as national co-chair for Freedom to Marry, as Senior Advisor to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, as a member of the Needham Human Rights Committee, as past president of the Needham Clergy Association, and as past President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association for the Mass Bay District. He has been married since 1972 to the Rev. Gwen Langdoc Buehrens, a priest in the Episcopal Church. They are the parents of two young adult daughters.