FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2025

First Church in Salem Welcomes New Minister, Danielle Garrett

Salem, MA – First Church in Salem, Unitarian Universalist is delighted to announce that Danielle Garrett will join the congregation as its next minister in August 2025. Garrett succeeds Reverend Jenny Rankin, who has served the church in interim ministry since 2022.

Garrett, a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, currently serves as Assistant Minister at First Unitarian Portland (Oregon). Before following her call to ministry, she spent a decade in Washington, D.C., as a nonprofit director and health care policy analyst. She holds a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Garrett brings to Salem a deep commitment to parish ministry, a passion for justice, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of a good church potluck. A country music fan and seasoned pilgrimage enthusiast, she has accompanied congregations on spiritual treks through Spain and Scotland.

First Church is eager to begin this new chapter with Garrett, celebrating its theological, philosophical, and spiritual diversity while continuing to move the historic and beloved church into the future. Together, the congregation will explore how to further embody the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity to honor love as our guiding principle.

The wider community is warmly invited to meet Danielle Garrett during a special service on Sunday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at First Church in Salem. All are welcome.