Rev. Jennie Valentine (she/her/hers)

Minister of Faith Formation and Service

Rev. Jennie has always loved working children, mostly because she is a child-at-heart! She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Framingham State College in 1991 and a Master’s of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 2011.  She went to seminary with the intent to serve children and youth as ordained clergy.  Life’s twists and turns carried Jennie through several pastorates in New Hampshire and Massachusetts churches.  God has returned her full-circle to serve children and youth as ordained clergy at First Church, the church that affirmed and supported her Calling and has always held her heart.

Jennie’s personal ministry is summarized as “speaking for justice, peace, and the environment.” She is passionate about peace and love, and how we live them out everywhere.  Her ministry is that of education and advocacy for all three.  She has experience in coordinating church school, youth projects and trips, intergenerational service trips, and faith formation programs for all ages.   Her social justice work aims to help bring a just world for all.

Rev. Jennie spends her free time walking/hiking, caring for her 7 chickens, knitting (which she learned in First Church’s Shawl Ministry!), and floating in “her” pond.  She lives in Forestdale with her husband of 30 years, Paul, and the cutest dog in the world, Pikku. They have two adult children, Chelsey (married to Devin) and Sam, and two granddaughters, Daisy and Sanni.