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Rev. Joy Utter - Senior Pastor We are blessed and fortunate to have such a multi-talented person, the Rev. Joy Utter, as our Senior Minister. Joy was raised in Elmira, New York and went on to Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana where she received her BA in Music Education and English. She received a Masters in Education at Ohio University and earned her Master of Divinity Degree at Andover Newton Theological School in MA. Prior to becoming an ordained minister, she utilized her talents by teaching music, which is evidenced by the ways that she integrates music and liturgy so skillfully to create such meaningful worship services here at the church. Joy has been at the Seekonk Congregational Church for the past 21 years. She has served on numerous Conference and RI State Council of Churches Boards and committees, hosted a monthly radio program, served as Chaplain of the Seekonk Police Department as well as other local community endeavors. Her commitment to Mission and Social Justice concerns has not only empowered this church to be open and affirming of all people who enter the sanctuary… but also to be outreaching to our partners in Haiti and South Korea and constant in facing the challenges of our world. Joy has visited and ministered to people in many countries around the globe as well. Rev. Utter is married to the Rev.
Dr. H. Daehler Hayes and in her limited spare time enjoys gardening, music,
reading, traveling, restoring their 1750 home and spending time as a mother
and grandmother with family. |
Reverend Marilyn Elizabeth Ricci - Associate MinisterOffice Hours Rev. Marilyn Ricci is on the staff 15 hours each week as our part time Associate Minister. Her responsibilities include the coordinating the Confirmation program, guiding youth programming, assisting in worship, preaching several times throughout the year, planning mission trips and Bike Hikes with our Conference Minister Emeritus, Rev. Daehler Hayes, who is a member here, and she is often called upon for counseling as well. She continually builds community
and awareness of justice concerns as well as encouraging our youth to
share their gifts with others |
Susan Barrow- Director of MusicHere in our faith community we are now blessed with the presence of organist and choir director Susan Barrow. She grew up in Swansea and has two sons – - Jason is a graduate of Bridegwater State College with a Degree in Graphic Design and Photography and is currently employed at The Taunton Federal Credit Union as a Graphic Design Specialist. - Jared graduated from Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School in 2008 and is cuurently a full time student at Bridgewater State College majoring in Marketing Management. Her parents Robert and Dolores Barrow are also members of the church and are in the choir. |
Janice Moran - Pastoral AssistantJanice
Moran is our Pastoral Assistant and has been a member of the Seekonk Congregational
Church since 1981. Her job as Pastoral Assistant involves guiding the
volunteer operations of the church relating to worship, programs, meetings,
and recruitment. She helps coordinate the schedule of events, sets up
meetings, assures that the Sunday morning worship service runs smoothly,
schedules the use of the building by all groups , coordinates greeters,
ushers, readers, acolytes, nursery care and coffee hour hosts, and about
1000 other details too numerous to list! |
Maria Tavares - Office AdministratorMaria is most definitely every
church’s ‘dream office administrator ’. She makes
the office and all aspects of this church’s life run with superb
organizational ability… always with a pleasant smile and kind word
as well. She has that special ability to juggle all the tasks (amidst
numerous interruptions) and always manages to achieve top-quality work.
Maria has been the church Office Administrator
since 1999. Maria works each day from 9a.m.-2
p.m. and enjoys her work so much that she has been known to come in early
and leave late! |
Addie Heelan - RN - Parish NurseAddie obtained her degree in Nursing and became licensed in New York. She worked at St. Charles Hospital in the Maternity Unit and Special Care Nursery. She has been a member of the Seekonk Congregational Church since 1992 when she, husband, Tom and children moved to Seekonk from Long Island, NY. Since her arrival in New England, Addie has worked at several of the large hospitals in Providence, Fall River, and Attleboro. She is currently doing Per Diem Nursing and Childbirth Educator work within the Maternal/Child Health Field. She is also employed by Community Care Services (formerly VersaCare, Inc.) as both Nurse Consultant for the Family Resource Center, a homeless shelter and the Young Parents/Healthy Families Program as a Childbirth Educator for teen parents. Addie began her duties as Parish Nurse on September 1, 2000 by appointment. |
Kristin Putney - Director of Christian EducationOne of the reasons our church is
so active is that the parents want their children to have quality faith
education and enjoy it in the process. Kristin has been the Director of
Christian Education for the past 10 years and administers two church schools
each Sunday during the church year, as well as overseeing the Summer Church
School each Sunday and Vacation Bible School during August. |