The first recipient of UURMaPA’s Unsung Hero aware is the Rev. Glen Snowden. Glen is a former member of the UURMAPA Board and took on the role of Coordinator of the Caring Network Reps all across the Continent. I know of his work because he persuaded me to take on the position of Caring Representative for the Ballou Channing District. It was my job to keep in touch with retired UU ministers and their partners and report back to him on any needs or concerns that came my way.
Glen also worked on the Planning Committee for the Attleboro Fall Conference for a number of years. I have direct knowledge of his able work in this area as well because he got me to serve on that Committee with him. How do you say No to a sweet talking guy like Glen when all he wants you to do is assist him in his wish to be of help and service to his fellow ministerial colleagues and their partners.
Glen may be soft spoken, but he’s very persuasive in a very caring way, because he really cares and he really means it when he sets out to be of help and service to others or asks you to join him in that service. I can also testify that Glen Snowden is the kind of guy who hangs in there for the long term, loyal to the end. He did it with his late beloved wife Lorraine, and he did it in so many other tasks and obligations he took on over the years.
For example, Glen has been Secretary of the Society for Ministerial Relief at least since 1980. David Pohl says that Glen was there when he went on in 1973. People who have dealt with Glen on personal financial issues have uniformly said that he was most kind and gracious and professional in helping them. Many retired ministers are indebted to Glen – not for the money they received since that came from the Society- but for his assistance in helping them organize their finances to present their case for help. He has always been diligent and timely in his response to people in need.
For many years Glen was Secretary of the Unitarian Service Pension Society, and still continues to serve as one of its Directors. This is an investment group that manages and distributes quarterly contributions to retired ministers who have served for 20 or more years.
If that were not enough Glen also serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society since at least 1990—an organization with both Congregational and Unitarian roots that provides charitable help and aid to needy clergy and their family within our Congregational and Unitarian churches.
I don’t know where Glen finds these groups but I’m glad he’s there “doing the Lord’s work.”
I’ve known Glen since 1970s and 80s when he asked me to speak to one of his religion classes at Emerson College (where he was a teacher and professor) about parapsychology and mystical experience . He and I worked together on the Psi Symposium Board for some 30 to 40 years trying to promote interest in psychic and mystical experience within the UUA.
I told you Glen had the propensity to hang in there for the long term. I’m just glad he’s hung around long enough to be part of our UU Retired Ma Pa organization and just in time to receive this first and well-deserved Unsung UURMAPA Hero Award.
— Dick Fewkes