I am delighted to announce the appointment of Alexander Levering Kern as our new Executive Director. In his professional and personal life, Alex is deeply committed to CMM's mission: "to mobilize congregations across economic, religious, racial, and ethnic boundaries so that, in partnership, we can work more effectively for a just society." Please help me to welcome him warmly to the CMM community.

Alex brings to CMM considerable vision, energy, and experience in nonprofit leadership, education, and justice ministries. He has worked effectively with agencies in the Boston area and beyond, including the Boston Theological Institute's Restorative Justice Working Group, American Friends Service Committee, and the North Carolina NAACP. A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Alex served most recently on the seminary staff and adjunct faculty at Andover Newton Theological School, where he received his Master of Divinity degree and directed the Faith Youth Institute (FYI). In addition to his CMM responsibilities, Alex serves as Protestant chaplain in the interfaith chaplaincy program at Brandeis University.   Deeply involved in ecumenical, peace, homelessness, and youth empowerment efforts, Alex is also editor of Becoming Fire: Spiritual Writing from Rising Generations. Originally from Washington, DC, he has traveled and worked in Southern Africa and Latin America and currently lives in Somerville with his wife Rebecca Grunko and two small children, Elias and Ruthanna.  

Alex says, "It is an honor and a privilege – indeed, a blessing - to join the CMM family at this exciting time in the history of the organization and our Commonwealth. As CMM enters its fifth decade of service to the Greater Boston region, we are uniquely positioned to be a leading voice for social change and community transformation. I very much look forward to building on our distinguished legacy and working together to advance our shared vision."  

I want to thank fellow members of the CMM Board for their active participation in the search process for our new Executive Director. We look forward to working closely with Alex, and with each of you, in coming months. Alex is eager to meet with individuals, member congregations, partner agencies, and other community groups. Please do contact him directly at akern@coopmet.org or 617-244-3650, or stop by the CMM office at Eliot Church in Newton, 474 Centre Street, Newton, Mass 02458.

CMM also wishes to welcome:

Polly Hamlen as Program Director for CMM,

Megan Lynes and LaToya Staine Carriker as Program Co-Administrators for the Interfaith Youth Initiative and

Miriam Stein as Consultant for Partners for Justice Advocacy Network.

Thank you for your support for CMM as we begin this exciting new phase in our journey together.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Barrer