Rev. David M. Rider
Interim Priest
The Rev. David Rider serves as our Interim Priest, a position he has held in several large and small parishes over the years. In addition to his liturgical and pastoral duties, David helps the parish re-imagine its next chapter with a new Rector. David and Jackie Rider relocated to Falmouth in 2021 after he retired from 12 years leading the Seamen's Church Institute in New York City. When not at Church, David works as a maritime and portrait photographer.
Brittany Lord
Music Director, Organist
Brittany Lord has been our Music Director since 2008. She earned a Master’s degree in organ performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where she studied organ with Alan Morrison. She received Bachelor’s degrees in Organ Performance and Music Education from the University of Southern Maine, studying organ with Ray Cornils. In addition to her various musical activities, Brittany is an active volunteer with the Master Gardener’s Association of Cape Cod and also has an extensive home garden where she grows a variety of vegetables, perennials and native plants.
Nancy McDonald
Parish Administrator
Nancy joined the staff in the fall of 2015. Her background includes bookstore sales and administrative consulting for a local non-profit. In addition to her daily and weekly responsibilities, she schedules and facilitates the rental of the Woods Hole Room in the Parish and Community Center and supports the Treasurer by providing data entry into our accounting system. Nancy’s favorite part of the job is working with a great team of colleagues and lay leaders; she also enjoys the variety in her job. In her free time, Nancy loves working in her vegetable and flower gardens, walking with her dog and playing the ukulele. Her black Lab, Ivy, is the official Parish Hall greeter.
Doug Amon
Cemetery Interment Coordinator
Prior to becoming the Cemetery Interment Coordinator for the Church of the Messiah and Woods Hole Village Cemetery, Doug was the Cemetery Caretaker for 45 years at the Oakgrove Cemetery in Falmouth. Doug and his wife live in the home she grew up in in Woods Hole. His cemetery duties include oversight of the physical grounds, coordination of interments and oversight of administrative tasks. Doug believes that the sacred solemnity of a cemetery lends to wonderment about the life stories of those interred and allows for contemplation of life eternal. He sees the job as a life-affirming position. As a spiritual seeker and mystical explorer, Doug is always alert to unexpected resurrections.
Jennifer Beth Kelly
Bookkeeper & Financial Recorder
Jennifer has served as our Bookkeeper & Financial Recorder since 2018. Her key responsibilities include reconciling the church's various financial accounts each month, running supporting financial reports and preparing our quarterly donor mailings. She says she enjoys the intellectual challenge of her position and the level of focus and attention to detail that it requires. A native of Falmouth Heights, Jennifer graduated from Babson College, magna cum laude, with a BS in both Economics & Investments. Outside of her time working at the church, Jennifer is a Yoga Teacher & Wellness Coach, where she offers private sessions and public classes in the local community.
Bruce Bagley
Church Sexton
Bruce has worked for the Church as its Sexton since 2015. In this role he is responsible for facilities management and maintenance. He and his wife have lived in Falmouth for the past 9 years. Previously he lived and worked on Naushon Island where he served as Superintendent, responsible for the management of all island functions and personnel. Bruce enjoys working for the Church; he particularly enjoys the flexibility of the job and the courteous and respectful work environment.
Vestry
Our vestry, essentially the Board of Directors, is capably led by Wardens Peg Nicholson and Michael Kasparian.
John Holden is completing his second year as Treasurer and continues to inspire us with his dedication and tireless work ethic.
Winnie Dick capably and quietly executes the role of Clerk.
Vestry Members
| Peg Nicholson, Warden | John Holden, Treasurer |
| Michael Kasparian, Warden | Winnie Dick, Clerk |
| Susan Morse | Randy Hensley |
| Patti Dibella | Denise Jay |
| Paul Graney | Hannah Piecuch |