Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister
Marlin grew up as a Unitarian in Illinois. He
majored in Sociology at Tulane, and graduated from Harvard Divinity
School. All Souls called him in 2000 at age 32, making him the youngest
senior minister of a major congregation in the denomination.
Marlin began his religious life in the North Shore Unitarian Church in
Deerfield, Illinois.
He received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Tulane University,
and then taught English and American Culture in Japan for two years. He
followed that with a three year around the world bicycle trip, studying
Jewish and Christian traditions in Israel, and visiting and writing
about Unitarian communities on the Island of Negros in the Philippines,
in the Khasi Hills of Northeast India, and in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the
Czech Republic, Hungary, and Rumania. The experience helped him
recognize the Unitarian ministry was his calling, and he enrolled at
Harvard Divinity School.
At Harvard, he was selected to assist the
Unitarian Universalist Association at interfaith and international
relations, and was invited to present a message to the Triennial World
Congress of the International Association for Religious Freedom in
Korea.
After graduating, he served as Minister of
Outreach at the historic First and Second Church in Boston. He became
widely recognized within the denomination for his development of the
"Soulful Sundown Service" program in Boston, which reaches out to
unchurched young people. His success demonstrated by wide distribution
of a manual he wrote on how to bring young people into church.
He spoke frequently on interfaith relations,
religious freedom, and on worship for young adults. First and Second
Church Minister Emeritus Rhys Williams calls Marlin "a well grounded
individual with extraordinary gifts that enhance the religious and
spiritual dimensions for both individuals and society."
All Souls Search Committee Chair Chip McElroy
says the committee was impressed with Marlin's energy, creativity, and
personal charisma at age 32 and "his tenure at First and Second Church
in Boston have combined to give him maturity beyond his years, and the
ability to reach out to diverse groups of people. It's important for
the Congregation to remember that John Wolf was 34 when he was called
to All Souls, and Brent Smith was 35."
Since arriving at All Souls in late 2000, Marlin
has shown a connection to the future growth of all people, both one on
one and from the pulpit. It is often said that destiny is the result of
uncontrolled events conspiring to create great opportunity. Marlin
Lavanhar is the right man in the right place. He is "A man who has lost
no time."