Staff

The Reverend Stacy Swain is our Minister.  Stacy comes to ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ after more than twenty years experience in the field of public health with poor and disadvantaged populations. Stacy envisions church as an inspiring community of people who are committed to following the Way of Jesus — growing in love of God and of each other while loving kindness, doing justice and walking humbly with God.   

Stacy was born and spent most of her childhood and youth in Minnesota. She received a B.A in English literature from Carleton College in Northfield MN, a Master of Public Health with concentration in Epidemiology from the School of Public Health at Boston University and a Master’s of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School where she graduated with distinction and received the award for excellence in biblical studies. 

Stacy lives with her husband Mark, their two adolescent children and two dogs in Roslindale, Massachusetts. She is a great fan of the outdoors, loves mint chocolate chip ice cream and at some point in her life really would like  to run a half marathon.

 

staff_william William Merrill is our Organist and Music Director. Mr. Merrill is one of Boston's most highly respected collaborative pianist/coaches. He has worked with luminaries such as Helen Donath, Roberta Peters, Erie Mills, Eleanor Steber, and Deborah Voigt, as well as many other eminent singers. The Boston Globe praised his collaborative accompaniments as "supportive, elegant, and apparently effortless." He has given recitals at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York. He also has played at the Gardner Museum, Jordan Hall, Symphony Hall, and virtually every concert venue in Boston and throughout New England, including the Newport Music Festival. He has played around the country in places such as the San Diego Art Museum and the San Francisco War Memorial Auditorium. Mr. Merrill also has participated in community concerts around the U.S. Additionally, he has appeared on CBS "Sunday Morning" with Charles Kuralt. Abroad he has played in concert throughout Europe and in China as a guest of the government. His recordings include the CDs "A Room With a View" songs of Noel Coward on Newport Classics and "Guinevere and Other Ballads" of Sir Arthur Sullivan on Pearl Records with baritone Richard Conrad. Mr. Merrill's extensive professional affiliations include the Boston Academy of Music, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Goldovsky Opera Institute, the New England Conservatory Opera Department, and the Opera Company of Boston.

 

[SinglePic not found]Kathy Malone is our Director of Youth and Children's Ministiries.  Before coming to The Union Church, Kathy served as the chair of the Christian Education Committee at Church of the Covenant in Boston and  was responsible for the smooth running and oversight of the educational programming for the church's children and youth.  One of the things Kathy loves about the Union Church is our child cherishing focus and she is always looking for  ways to integrate, more and more fully, the children and youth into the worship, mission and community life of the church.  She is also particularly interested in exploring ways to nurture the spiritual life of children, youth and families in the home.  Kathy works part time between August 15th and June 30th.

 

Luisa O'Toole is our office manager.  Luisa has an accounting background and solid familiarity of church operations. Luisa is known for her capacity to manage a wide array of tasks with competency and grace. 

Luisa is in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to noon, and Thursdays and Fridays from 8:00 to 2:00 pm. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Heidi Ward is our Student Pastor for 2011-2012.   Heidi is a second year Master of Divinity candidate at Andover Newton Theological School with a special interest in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She is pursuing ordination in the Metro Boston Association of the United Church of Christ through Old South Church, her home congregation.  Heidi has a diverse faith background, including time spent in the Episcopal and Assemblies of God traditions.  She has served professionally in a variety of advocacy settings including:  grassroots organizing, advocating for LGBTQ equality, and international travel and education.

A native of Upstate New York, Heidi holds a BA in Religious Studies and Psychology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  In her down time, you’re most likely to find Heidi reading, enjoying a live music show, or volunteering on a political campaign.  Heidi is thrilled to be joining such a diverse, radically welcoming, faithful congregation.  She looks forward to growing in our walk with Christ together.