The Andover Newton community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former trustee, Rev. Avery Post. Rev. Post had a profound impact on our institution and the wider church.

Founding Dean Sarah Drummond writes: “We at Andover Newton acknowledge and mourn the passing of Avery Post: former trustee, pastor, past president of the United Church of Christ, social justice advocate, writer, and preacher. Post was known to have blended prophetic and approachable styles of leadership, influencing generations of ministers as a mentor and role-model. His passing is an emotional one, in that so many of the pains with which the world groans were ones to which Post dedicated his life. We join in the song of lament being sung for his work and rededicate ourselves to picking up his cloak, striking the water, and moving forward (2 Kings 2:14).”

In an article posted by our historic partners, the United Church of Christ, current trustee and Andover Newton alumna Davida Foy Crabtree (MDiv ‘72) offers her own powerful testimony about Rev. Post: “Avery was Conference minister in Massachusetts while I was a student at Andover Newton. I was deeply involved in anti-war, feminist and anti-racism work, and thought nothing of speaking up even when the powers that be were put off by it. A few years later, Avery and I both went on a mission tour in Asia led by Bob Moss (UCC president at the time). By the third week, I had been terribly ill for more than a week. One night, he came to my room and said he was taking me to the hospital and wanted no complaints. I went; they said he had saved my life.” 

We at Andover Newton offer prayers of comfort for the family, friends, and colleagues of Rev. Avery Post. May you rest in peace and rise in glory, good and faithful servant.

Find more remembrances of Rev. Post on the UCC website.