Reverend Laura Biddle
Reverend Laura P. Biddle, Minister
pastortabernacle200@gmail.com
2013 marks my ninth year with Tabernacle Church. There have been some great moments during these years of ministry. We have been persistent in opening our doors and extending a genuine welcome as an Open and Affirming congregation. What this means is that the folks who worship together on Sunday mornings and who work as leaders of the church, come from all walks of life. Our Mission program reflects a long history focused on sharing faith and resources with people in the world who are in need of healing and belonging. Our education program allows children to participate in the full experience of sacrament and worship, while discovering age-appropriate ways to understand the Bible and Church. We are creative in our use of Music in worship and in outreach; we have occasional visits from my puppets; we offer Artist’s Workshops during Lent; and we welcome new artistic expressions of spirit in all areas of our life together. Being an artist and a spiritual healer, these are the aspects of minitry that truly excite me. Tabernacle has had a long history of commitments to Mission. As I represent Tabernacle in the community, I have agreed to serve on several Boards and Committees. I currently am on the Board of Directors of Family Promise of North Shore Boston. This is a Network of churches on the North Shore who have agreed to house homeless families one week at a time. With the support of other churches, Tabernacle is one of the 13 HOST CHURCHES in this network. I also serve on the Planning Board for ECCO (Essex County Community Organizing). We are currently working with almost 50 clergy on the North Shore to address issues that effect our congregations. I am an Advisor to HAWC and Lifebridge. And a Spiritual Advisor for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Project for Survivors) to Military Families who have lost a loved one to suicide. I grew up in the Episcopal Church and after graduating from NYU with a Fine Arts Degree, attended the Episcopal Divinity School in 1982. While in seminary, I worked at the City Mission Society of Boston as the Director of Prison Ministries. This organization introduced me to the United Church of Christ. Enthralled by the denomination’s deep commitment to Mission and Social Justice, I chose to be ordained in the UCC in 1993 at Church of the Covenant in Boston. My work with women in prison and CMS continued from 1983-1998.
For several years, I tiptoed into Parish Ministry as a Children’s Music Minister in 1995 in Lincoln Mass and as an Interim Associate Minister in 1996 in Lowell Mass. In 1997 I felt Called to full time Parish ministry and started at Central Church UCC, in Newburyport Mass. as their first ordained woman minister. And in 2004, I began my ministry as Senior Pastor at Tabernacle Church. I love this Open and Affirming community.
My three children are out and thriving in their lives. My oldest daughter Ydiahna (Ahna) lives in Baltimore and is working full time. My son Leonel (Lee) is working in Newburyport and attending NECCO as a full time student. And my youngest daughter Asia is attending UMass Amherst as a Sociology Major. With an “empty nest” I spend much of my free time reading, riding my motorcycle, dancing and creating pottery on a potter’s wheel. My puppets and guitar always accompany me as a minister and teacher; and I teach a class at Wheelock College to help other teachers use puppets in their work with children.
Please feel free to contact me with questions about our ministries at Tabernacle Church.
2013 marks my ninth year with Tabernacle Church. There have been some great moments during these years of ministry. We have been persistent in opening our doors and extending a genuine welcome as an Open and Affirming congregation. What this means is that the folks who worship together on Sunday mornings and who work as leaders of the church, come from all walks of life. Our Mission program reflects a long history focused on sharing faith and resources with people in the world who are in need of healing and belonging. Our education program allows children to participate in the full experience of sacrament and worship, while discovering age-appropriate ways to understand the Bible and Church. We are creative in our use of Music in worship and in outreach; we have occasional visits from my puppets; we offer Artist’s Workshops during Lent; and we welcome new artistic expressions of spirit in all areas of our life together. Being an artist and a spiritual healer, these are the aspects of minitry that truly excite me. Tabernacle has had a long history of commitments to Mission. As I represent Tabernacle in the community, I have agreed to serve on several Boards and Committees. I currently am on the Board of Directors of Family Promise of North Shore Boston. This is a Network of churches on the North Shore who have agreed to house homeless families one week at a time. With the support of other churches, Tabernacle is one of the 13 HOST CHURCHES in this network. I also serve on the Planning Board for ECCO (Essex County Community Organizing). We are currently working with almost 50 clergy on the North Shore to address issues that effect our congregations. I am an Advisor to HAWC and Lifebridge. And a Spiritual Advisor for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Project for Survivors) to Military Families who have lost a loved one to suicide. I grew up in the Episcopal Church and after graduating from NYU with a Fine Arts Degree, attended the Episcopal Divinity School in 1982. While in seminary, I worked at the City Mission Society of Boston as the Director of Prison Ministries. This organization introduced me to the United Church of Christ. Enthralled by the denomination’s deep commitment to Mission and Social Justice, I chose to be ordained in the UCC in 1993 at Church of the Covenant in Boston. My work with women in prison and CMS continued from 1983-1998.
For several years, I tiptoed into Parish Ministry as a Children’s Music Minister in 1995 in Lincoln Mass and as an Interim Associate Minister in 1996 in Lowell Mass. In 1997 I felt Called to full time Parish ministry and started at Central Church UCC, in Newburyport Mass. as their first ordained woman minister. And in 2004, I began my ministry as Senior Pastor at Tabernacle Church. I love this Open and Affirming community.
My three children are out and thriving in their lives. My oldest daughter Ydiahna (Ahna) lives in Baltimore and is working full time. My son Leonel (Lee) is working in Newburyport and attending NECCO as a full time student. And my youngest daughter Asia is attending UMass Amherst as a Sociology Major. With an “empty nest” I spend much of my free time reading, riding my motorcycle, dancing and creating pottery on a potter’s wheel. My puppets and guitar always accompany me as a minister and teacher; and I teach a class at Wheelock College to help other teachers use puppets in their work with children.
Please feel free to contact me with questions about our ministries at Tabernacle Church.
Jane Ayer
Jane Ayer, Christian Education Director
Jane’s entire career has been in Christian Religious Education.
She possesses a Master’s in Religious Education from Providence College;
a Post-master’s Certificate in Spirituality as well as a C.A.E.S degree from
Boston College. She is published in Guided Meditations for children, youth, and adults and has been a co-author for religious textbooks. Jane loves collaborating with staff and volunteers, creating workshops and Vacation Bible School; supporting liturgical dance in worship, leading prayer experiences and retreats, and joining in mission outreach.
Jane’s entire career has been in Christian Religious Education.
She possesses a Master’s in Religious Education from Providence College;
a Post-master’s Certificate in Spirituality as well as a C.A.E.S degree from
Boston College. She is published in Guided Meditations for children, youth, and adults and has been a co-author for religious textbooks. Jane loves collaborating with staff and volunteers, creating workshops and Vacation Bible School; supporting liturgical dance in worship, leading prayer experiences and retreats, and joining in mission outreach.
Bobbie-Jo Flynn
Bobbie-Jo Flynn, Church Administrator bobbie@tabernaclechurch.org
Bobbie is our new Church Administrator. She is a recently retired Secondary English Teacher and has worked as an Administrator in the past. Bobbie possesses a Masters of Art in Teaching from Salem State University. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Bobbie is our new Church Administrator. She is a recently retired Secondary English Teacher and has worked as an Administrator in the past. Bobbie possesses a Masters of Art in Teaching from Salem State University. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Raeleen George
Raeleen George, Organist raemay59@comcast.net
Raeleen started playing in church when she was 12 years old. She has been playing the organ at Tabernacle since August 1998 when she fell in love with the people and music of Tabernacle and she has been with us ever since! Raeleen is trained as a pianist and organist. She lives in Salem with her husband, Jim, and her two teenaged sons, Sam and Jake.
Raeleen started playing in church when she was 12 years old. She has been playing the organ at Tabernacle since August 1998 when she fell in love with the people and music of Tabernacle and she has been with us ever since! Raeleen is trained as a pianist and organist. She lives in Salem with her husband, Jim, and her two teenaged sons, Sam and Jake.
Valerie Peterson
Valerie Peterson, Music Director
peterso_05@yahoo.com
Valerie has been a member of Tabernacle Church for the past 24 years. She is an Elementary Music Teacher in the Marblehead Public School System and the music director for the women's chorus CALLA LILY. Valerie has a B. Mu.Ed from Lowell State College, a MA from the University of Connecticut. ORFF Certification, and studies voice with Susan Robbins. When she is not working she shares her time with her husband Bob and their children, Lindsey, Whitney and Ross.
Valerie has been a member of Tabernacle Church for the past 24 years. She is an Elementary Music Teacher in the Marblehead Public School System and the music director for the women's chorus CALLA LILY. Valerie has a B. Mu.Ed from Lowell State College, a MA from the University of Connecticut. ORFF Certification, and studies voice with Susan Robbins. When she is not working she shares her time with her husband Bob and their children, Lindsey, Whitney and Ross.
Lorraine Santo
Lorraine Santo, Assistant Church Administrator LSanto416@aol.com
Lorraine is our new Assistant Church Administrator. She is a retired Administrator for Anthony Auto Rental and was formerly a Senior Head Bank Teller for HSBC Bank, USA, and a Supervisor for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Lorraine considers her most important job being "Nana" to her two grand-daughters. She lives in Salem with her husband Gary and they enjoy traveling, the theatre, and fine dining.
Lorraine is our new Assistant Church Administrator. She is a retired Administrator for Anthony Auto Rental and was formerly a Senior Head Bank Teller for HSBC Bank, USA, and a Supervisor for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Lorraine considers her most important job being "Nana" to her two grand-daughters. She lives in Salem with her husband Gary and they enjoy traveling, the theatre, and fine dining.
