Pastor Don Bliss

has served the East Freetown Church since 2001, having formerly served as Minister to Children and Youth at Old West Church in Boston and as Director of Children's, Youth and Family Ministries at the Federated Church of Hyannis.

Don is active with the Mayflower Ministers' Association, E.G.G.S. (the Ecumenical Guys Gospel Society), and is a lifetime member of the American Congregational Society. Don also performs bluegrass Gospel standards and storytelling with 'The Glory Land Parson Band'. He holds a Certificate in 'Effective Youth Ministry' from the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ and The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. He also holds a certificate in 'Youth Leadership Training' from the Epicopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

He was a founding member of the liturgy committee of Pray For Children, a South Coast interfaith prayer event; coordinated the Barnstable Cluster of the Association of United Church Educators of Massachusetts (AUCEM); was a consultant to the Bishop's Task Force for Children and Youth (New England Conference, United Methodist Church); and was a volunteer Youth Leader for many years at the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal). While with the Episcopal Church, he briefly managed the Diocesan Camp and Conference Centers, served on the Diocesan Youth Council and provided conference design services for the Province One of the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA)

Theater is another important element in Don's life. For many years, he has directed the Viking Theater Company at Wareham High School. He formerly served the Wareham Public Schools as "Artist in Residence", presenting drama projects in classrooms to develop alternative teaching and learning styles that supported the curriculum frameworks. In his spare time, Don has toured nationally with the "Phantom of the Opera", and performed as a storyteller and actor. He continues to appear in episodes of The Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater. Don also writes plays and original fiction, some of which have been published.

He lives with his wife Lori, who is a teacher.
His daughter Melissa, recently made him a Grampa.