Edwin Spencer Parsons

Background

Parsons, Edwin Spencer was born on February 16, 1919 in Brockton, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Edwin Webber and Ethel Faunce (Marsh) Parsons.

Education

AB, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1941. Doctor of Divinity, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1967. Bachelor's Degree, Andover Newton Theological School, 1945.

Doctor of Divinity, Kalamazoo College, Mich, 1966. Doctor of Humane Letters, Chicago College Osteopathic Medicine, 1978.

Career

Ordained to ministry, American Baptist Church, 1944; assistant minister, First Baptist Church, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, 1945-1947; executive director, Baptist Student Foundation, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1947-1959; pastor, Hyde Park Union Church, Chicago, 1959-1965; associate professor ethics, University of Chicago Division School, 1965-1978; professor, University of Chicago Division School, 1978-1981; director ministerial field education, 1977-1979; assistant to dean, 1981-1988; dean, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 1965-1979; vice-president, director, New England office Health Resources Ltd., Kansas City, Missoury, 1979-1989. Consultant department church and society American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, 1979-1986, also editor Massachusetts Baptist News, 1983-1985. Chairman strategy and action committee, board directors Massachusetts Council Churches, 1983-1985.

Adjunct Professor Andover Newton Theological School,1981-1985.

Achievements

• Edwin Spencer Parsons has been listed as a noteworthy clergyman, educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

• book

  • The Christian yes or no

Membership

President Council Hyde Park-Kenwood Churches and Synagogues, 1963. Chairman Abortion Rights Association Illinois, 1974-1979. Founder, chairman Illinois Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, 1975, Illinois Clergy Consultation Services on Problem Pregnancies, 1971-1979.

Board directors, chairman clergy advising committee Planned Parenthood Association, Chicago, 1977-1979. Board directors Hyde Park Young Men’s Christian Association, Facing History and Ourselves National Foundation, 1983-1987. Board of Governors International House, Chicago, 1969-1979.

Trustee Packard Manse (Massachusetts), Baptist Theological Union, University of Chicago, 1960-1970, 81-96, honorary trustee, since 1996. President, board of managers Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board, 1975-1981. Member policy council Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights of Massachusetts, 1980-1986.

Secretary, treasurer Bolton Institute for Sustainable Future, 1983-1987. Member general board, member exec.com., member of commission on Christian unity American Baptist Churches, 1963-1972, 74-81;board directors Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 1984-1992. Interim associate director Mass Council Churches, 1988-1989.

Connections

Married Tai Shigaki, September 22, 2007, Eleanor Millard, November 3, 1944 (deceased). Children: William Spencer, Ellen, James Millard, Bradford Delano.

Father:

Edwin Webber Parsons

Mother:

Ethel Faunce (Marsh) Parsons

Spouse:

Eleanor Millard

child:

James Millard Parsons

child:

Ellen Parsons

child:

William Spencer Parsons

child:

Bradford Delano Parsons