OUR PASTOR
Second
Congregational
Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation
of the United Church of Christ
Sunday 9:30 AM
35 Conant Street, Beverly, MA 01915
978-922-5722
OUR STAFF
Wendy Linares - Chaplain
Wendy Linares is an Ordained Interfaith Chaplain. She was ordained by the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine ( ChIME) in 2014. Wendy learned about the spiritual practices of many faith traditions and has an appreciation and respect for those with varying paths to God. She is also ready to serve those with no particular faith tradition.
Wendy lives in Beverly with her husband Keith. They have four grown children between them and four grandchildren whom they adore! Wendy likes all things creative as well as outside the box worship.
She loves serving Second Church in her role as chaplain. Wendy and Keith have been part of Second Church for many years. When she is not working as chaplain, she enjoys thrift shopping for unusual treasures and exploring the world of nature. She is joyful and still holds onto her sense of wonder and sense of humor. You can expect her to marvel at rainbows and streams and flowers growing out of cracks in the sidewalk! Call on her if you need support.
Wendy's Email: wendylinares60@gmail.com
Ms. Mary Jane Clark, Parish Administrator
Mary Jane Clark is responsible for the many groups that use the church facility. Her primary focus is on keeping the operation of our church programs running smoothly, by supporting the church staff and members as needed. She views her position as that of problem-solver/troubleshooter for over thirty-five years; but most importantly, she is the first welcoming presence to greet visitors to the church office. Mary Jane has been an active member of our faith community for the past fifty-four years!
Mary Jane's email is parishadmin@beverlysecond.com
Marshunda Smith, Music Director
Marshunda began as the Music Director in the Fall of 2022 and has been bringing the joy and movement of the Spirit to worship and SCC music ever since! She conducts our Senior Choir, and other occasional small groups, and share her other musical gifts with the congregation. She is a great blessing and inspiration in our midst!
A 16 year New England resident, Marshunda hails from Tennessee, and from a family tradition of music. She started playing cello in 6th grade because of a teenage crush but ended up falling in love with the cello instead.
After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Marshunda began teaching at a local high school. It was there that she discovered a love of conducting and teaching music! So inspired, she completed her Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting with an emphasis in Music Education at the University of Southern Maine, under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Lehmann. While in Maine, she conducted the Odeon Youth Orchestra as well as guest conducted during various music festivals in the state. Her musical pursuits kept pointing her to the Boston area, and so she eventually settled in the North Shore area, while continuing to still hold a presence in the Maine and New Hampshire area.
Marshunda was inspired to help co-found and conduct the No-Name Orchestra of Boston, granting musicians a chance to play a concerto or other solo work with a full orchestra. The conductor, soloist, and orchestra perform a work for the first time upon meeting each other with no rehearsals. No-Name Orchestra is now in its 5th year since being founded and gives at least 3 performances each year around the Boston metro area.
In February of 2018, Marshunda guest conducted the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra and made history by becoming the orchestra's second female conductor in 20 years and the first African American to conduct the orchestra in its 70-year history!
2018 gave rise to Marshunda's performing chamber music in homes across the Boston area. Her Coquettish Dances program was such a hit that she performed it in her hometown of TN after being away for twenty years AND she recorded and released the Coquettish Dances album on December 25, 2018.
Currently, Marshunda is working on several musical endeavors titled "The Marshunda Project presents". The first Marshunda Project premiered on October 5, 2019. She conducted and premiered new works by a local composer as well as brought forth works for chamber orchestra from composers who aren't well known. Because of the success of the first project concert, Marshunda is programming a series of concerts that bring new composers and new-old composers to the front.
When not performing, recording or making history, Marshunda pursues her love of teaching, inspiring young musicians, and sharing her own quirky sense of fun with others. She teaches at the Waldorf School in Beverly, MA, holds a private music studio of violin, viola, and cello students, mentors other Waldorf teachers and is writing her first book.
Joshua and Sarah Del Dotto
Pianists
Josh and Sarah began playing for SCC's worship services in 2022. They bring their wonderful talents and spirit to SCC's music each week. We are blessed to have them as part of our worship team!
Together, they are the owners and teachers of the Del Dotto Piano School in Salem, MA. They are also deeply involved in many other musical endeavors throughout eastern Massachusetts!
