Rev. Dr. Mary Louise Gifford, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, is the Senior Pastor of our church. Before earning her Doctorate in Ministerial Leadership at Andover Newton Theological School (2008), Dr. Gifford received her Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology (Bridgewater State College, 1992), and her Master of Divinity degree (Andover Newton Theological School, 2003).
Before coming to Wollaston, Mary Louise was a Community Coalition Coordinator for Impact Quincy, a Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) located in downtown Quincy. Her work was funded through the MA Tobacco Control Program (MTCP). In addition to organizing the City of Quincy’s “Great American Smokeout”, she also was the Women’s Issues Alliance Coalition Coordinator, promoting health and wellness through a program she designed called, “Celebrating Women in the Journey of Life”. As an Adjunct Faculty member of Quincy College for nine years, she taught Psychology and Sociology, and other Behavioral Science courses. As a psychologist, Mary Louise maintained a private practice in counseling during many of those same years.
She currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at Andover Newton Theological School where she teaches a course called, “The Turnaround Church”, based on her book, “The Turnaround Church; Inspiration and Tools for Life-Sustaining Change” (Alban, 2008). Her current writing includes a second book, with a working title of “Keep Awake! What Happens After the Turnaround”. Mary Louise speaks to congregationa groups, large and small, to share the turnaround story of our church.
Mary Louise is the recipient of a 2010 Haystack Award for Evangelism in recognition of her faithful work in bringing knowledge and inspiration to the movement of turnaround churches. She is the Program Designer and Director of the Pastoral Residency for Turnaround Ministry at our church and is a Field Education Supervisor for Andover Newton Theological School and the Boston Theological Consortium.
In addition to leading our congregation, Dr. Gifford serves on the MA Conference United Church of Christ’s Commission on Evangelism and Church Vitality. She is a Certified Vitality Coach for the Conference and is a facilitator for a Clergy Community of Practice group for Turnaround Ministers. Mary Louise lives with her husband, Mark, with whom she enjoys spending time with their adult children and young grandchildren.