FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SOUTHAMPTON, UCC
STAFF
Reverend Elva M., Bridge Pastor
Elva M. is our Bridge Minister as we move toward new season of pastoral leadership. She writes, “My ministry is grounded in the conviction that we are made in the image of God, called to live out God’s love in our daily lives, following God’s call into loving relationship with God, others, and ourselves.”
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she is a graduate of Duke University. A love of languages led her to teaching English as a Second Language in Germany and at community colleges in the Boston area. Because of a strong interest in American history and culture, she earned a Master’s degree in American Studies from U Mass Boston in 1995. For years, she was active in her local church in North Reading, but the “still, small voice” of God (I Kings 19:12) continued to call her toward ordained ministry. Enrolling at Andover Newton Theological School, now Andover Newton Seminary at Yale University, she earned a Master’s of Divinity and was ordained in 1999. After serving churches in Lynnfield and Chelmsford, MA, she was called to the First Congregational Church of Westfield, where she served for fourteen years. She was later called to be Pastor of First Congregational Church of Millbury, from 2018 until 2022.
Pastor Elva is the mother of three adult children and grandmother of four. She loves gardening, travel, swimming, music, and reading all kinds of fiction and non fiction.
David C., Music Director
David is an accomplished vocalist, pianist and actor with performance credits that include Off-Broadway and Regional plays and musicals, roles in independent films, solo piano and voice recitals and experience as a lead singer and keyboardist in a variety of musical genres and groups. He has a deep commitment to use his performance skills and experience to help others develop their talents and has been helping artists prepare for success for over 15 years. He taught Voice at Smith College and is currently revamping and modernizing the vocal program at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, where he directs two music ensembles and also serves as the Music Director for the Mainstage Musicals. He is very involved in the local theater scene, holds a Bachelors Degree from the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, studied acting and filmmaking at the New York Film Academy and is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In his downtime, he enjoys good food and company, rollerblading, reading and sight seeing.
Patty D., Administrator
Patty is a business and operations professional with an extensive financial, marketing and management background. Her diversified experience has often been called an anomaly, and she considers herself blessed to be able to call upon it to perform the varied work that she does. When not managing the church office, she operates her online businesses and advises multiple area non-profits. Patty lives in Holyoke with her husband and fur kids. She is a huge fan of tennis, travel and reading, and especially loves a good biography or autobiography, because real life is way more interesting than fiction.
