Tabernacle Church, UCC

Reverend Laura P. Biddle, Minister
pastortabernacle200@gmail.com

2012 marks my eighth 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.

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.

Elizabeth Nelson, Church Administrator
liz@tabernaclechurch.org

Liz has been the Church Administrator at Tabernacle Church since 1991. She loves her Tabernacle Church family and has watched many children grow up in the church. She also enjoys being Tabernacle’s Wedding Coordinator. Participating in the preparations for weddings and hosting visits to our Historical Room, enables Liz to meet and greet people from all around the country. Liz enjoys balancing many aspects of her job which includes preparing the monthly newsletter, Sunday bulletins and being our Web Master. She lives in Danvers with her husband Steve and their 4 cats! Her son Andrew and daughter-in law-Krystal live in Arizona.

Betsey Bennett, Christian Education Director
betseyben@aol.com

Betsey Bennett grew up in the family of Tabernacle Church and raised her four daughters, ages 16 to 27, here in the faith and love of the United Church of Christ.  She enjoys sharing the Bible and all its stories with all ages of children, 2 to 92!  "Godly Play has given me an understanding of God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Bible that makes me want to share our loving God with everyone!" 

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.

Raeleen George, Organist
raemay59@comcast.net

Co-Sextons: Eric Morin and Steven Vousboukis

Photos taken by Jane Taubeneck, Professional Photographer: janiebugphotos@aol.com