The Rev. Jan Gregory-Charpentier has been the pastor of the United Parish of Upton since November 1999. Prior to that time, she served as Associate Pastor for the First Congregational Church of Holliston, MA for 61/2 years, and the Pastor for the Smithfield Friends Meeting for 3 years.

Rev. Jan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in 1984 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology. After spending four years working in the mental health field, she entered Andover Newton Theological School, from which she graduated in 1992 with Honors. She was selected by the Faculty to represent her graduating class as their Commencement Speaker. Rev. Jan was inducted into the Jonathan Edwards Honor Society in 1992 and received the R. Dean Goodwin Award for Excellence in Communication that same year.

Rev. Jan has enjoyed successful and meaningful pastorates in a variety of settings; suburban and small city environments; small to large membership congregations; Quaker, United Church of Christ, and, now, United Methodist. Her focus has continually been on well-crafted, dynamic worship, spiritual formation for individuals and groups, and effective, relevant outreach to those in need on Christ's behalf.

One of her favorite quotations is:

"Jesus promised those who would follow his leadings only three things: that they should be absurdly happy, entirely fearless, and always in trouble." - Marty Babcock