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The Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver, Senior Pastor Rev. Copenhaver is a magna cum laude graduate of Dickinson College and received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 1980. Rev. Copenhaver served churches in Phoenix, Arizona, Burlington, Vermont and Westport, Connecticut before becoming Senior Pastor of Wellesley Congregational Church in 1994. He is the author of four books: Living Faith While Holding Doubts; To Begin at the Beginning: An Introduction to the Christian Faith; Good News in Exile (co-authored with Anthony B. Robinson and William Willimon); and Words for the Journey: Letters to Our Teenagers About Life and Faith (co-authored with Anthony B. Robinson). He is currently working on a new book about Christian practices. |
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The Rev. Kathleen E. Musser, Associate Pastor Rev. Musser received her Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. She has served as Chaplain at hospitals in Methuen and in Lawrence and as Chair of the Protestant Chaplaincy at Newton Wellesley Hospital. Prior to coming to Wellesley Congregational Church, she served as Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction at the South Church in Andover, MA. Rev. Musser has developed myriad pastoral care ministries, as well as an active Labyrinth Ministry at Wellesley Congregational Church. |
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The Rev. Pamela H. Emslie, Associate Pastor Rev. Emslie is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School. At Village Church she works primarily with the youth. She previously served five years as youth group Co-Leader and Advisor. Pam completed her field education at United Church of Christ, Congregational, Burlington, MA, leading worship, providing pastoral care and directing the Confirmation program. She has completed a two year leadership program and certification in Spiritual Direction. She currently teaches the “Houses of Healing” emotional awareness program to men in prison. |
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The Rev. Christina L. Braudaway-Bauman, Associate Pastor Rev. Braudaway-Bauman is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology (M.Div. 1987). After serving as a local church pastor for nine years, she joined the staff at Andover Newton Theological School, working in continuing education and alumni/ae relations. In addition to her work as the Pastoral Residency Coordinator since 2003, Chris is the Associate for New Clergy Development of the Massachusetts Conference, overseeing mentoring programs for all new UCC clergy in the Commonwealth. She has recently joined the staff of WVC as an Associate Pastor. |
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The Rev. Liz Garrigan Byerly, Pastoral Resident Liz grew up in Central Pennsylvania and graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor's of Social Work in 2001. Before attending seminary, she worked at Gould Farm in the Berkshires, a therapeutic community for adults with mental illness. During her time at Andover Newton Theological School, Liz served as a student pastor at the United Parish of Auburndale. After completing her student chaplaincy, she has continued to serve as a part-time chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital. Liz was ordained on July 5 at the Monterey United Church of Christ in Monterey, Massachusetts. She is married to Danny Garrigan-Byerly, who teaches third grade in Sudbury. |
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The Rev. Elissa Johnk, Pastoral Resident Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Elissa is still a proud Hawkeye. She first came to the Boston area to attend Wellesley College, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Religion and Political Science, and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004. After college, Elissa served as a Fulbright scholar in South Korea, teaching English in a rural high school, and as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Iowa City. While in seminary, she completed a term as a student chaplain at Beverly Hospital, and is currently a student pastor at Old South Church in Boston. She has completed her final semester at Harvard Divintiy School, and is in In-Care for ordination with the Eastern Iowa Association fo the UCC. |