|
|
Our Staff Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner - Pastor Karen Harvey - Director of Music Ministry John Johnson - Sexton Jerry Thornell - Financial Administrator; Gifts & Call Coordinator Debbie Spratley - Pastoral Resident; Chaplain for New Beginnings Joan Aigen - Director of New Nursery School
Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner - Pastor Chapin has been Pastor of United Church of Christ in Norwell, Massachusetts since 2000. He is a 1997 graduate of Boston University School of Theology where he majored in theology and drama. Chapin graduated with his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2006. From 1997 to 2000 he served as Associate Pastor of the Wellesley Congregational Church, where he worked primarily in youth ministry.
He is the author of several Baker's Plays, including Confessions, Taking Root, and An Opportune Time.
His books include Getting into Character: The Art of First-Person Narrative Preaching, as well as Lost in the Middle? Claiming an Inclusive Faith for Christians Who Are Both Liberal and Evangelical and Found in the Middle! Theology and Ethics for Christians Who Are Both Liberal and Evangelical, both co-authored with Dr. Wesley Wildman of Boston University. Chapin is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alban Institute in Washington D.C. and a Trustee of the Center for Congregations in Indianapolis. He will begin teaching at Boston University School of Theology, and has been invited to be a resident preacher at the Church at Point O’Woods on Fire Island during the summer.
Karen Harvey - Minister of Music (back to top) Karen is an accomplished pianist with two piano performance degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she also studied conducting, composition, and organ. A two-time recipient of fellowships to the Tanglewood Music Center, she has been a featured soloist with many local orchestras, and has served as pianist for the Boston Pops Holiday Chorus, the Boston University Opera Institute, and the Boston Ballet Company. Karen was on the faculty of North Shore Conservatory and Endicott College, and has been the Music Director of the SRO Players of Lowell since 1991. For several seasons she conducted the Holiday Classics at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and is currently an Affiliate Artist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Raised in the Greek Orthodox faith, Karen began her music ministry as organist for her home church, later serving several denominations before being called to be Minister of Music at UCC Norwell in the fall of 1994. Since that time, Norwell’s Music Ministry has grown from two choirs to four, including the Sanctuary Choir, the Youth Choir, the Cherub Choir, and the Celestial Ringers, a handbell choir. In addition to the annual performance of two Christmas Celebration Concerts, other events throughout the church year include Music Appreciation Sunday, special Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day choir Sundays, a spring community combined-choir event, and various outreach opportunities for all. Over the years, Karen has composed numerous pieces for the church, many of which have been premiered and used by the ensembles at UCC Norwell; several are currently under consideration for publication.
Debbie Spratley - Pastoral Resident; Chaplain for New Beginnings (top) As resident seminarian, Debbie provides support for the Pastor and the church in the areas of Worship Leadership, Pastoral Care, Ministry Team Coordination, and Adult Christian Education. Worship Leadership include both preaching and worship leader, funeral leadership, and substituting for Chapin during his vacation and times away from the church. Pastoral care responsibilities includes visits and prayer with those who had pastoral needs, and support for the Pastoral Care Team. Ministry team coordination includes working with the Moderator-elect on the All Church Meeting night and communication with the ministry team leaders. As a member of the Adult Christian Education Team, Debbie supports the team with regard to courses offered, provides facilitation for classes, and she has led Women's Advent Retreats.
|
||||
