Park Street Church

annual meeting 2013

MODERATOR: Douglas May (2016)

Jesus has graciously guided me out of teenage rebellion and into a relationship with him, enabling me to navigate the worlds of school, work, dating, marriage, and family. I met my wife at Park Street, we raised our two children here, they married here and continue to serve here. I have been drawn into formal and informal ministries—small groups, teaching classes, boards of deacons and elders, nominating committee, prayer ministry, a helping hand. I love the people that God has gathered here, and would be honored to serve as moderator. The Moderator (three-year term) presides over the elder board and congregational meetings.

TREASURER: Mike Ahearn (2014)

I came to Christ at the age of 30, more than 20 years ago. Since that time, our Lord has changed my life, and—more important—he has changed me. As the apostle Paul said, nothing compares to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. I came to Boston and Park Street Church in 1989 and met my wife, Joy, in a “Young Adult” small group. We live in Arlington with our son, Joshua. It has been my privilege to serve our Lord, and you, in a variety of ways since 1989. I have taught Christian Formation classes for children, led in the Young Adults Ministry, served as a Deacon and Elder and been on the Nominating Committee. I look forward to continuing to serve our Lord and you as Treasurer. The Treasurer (one-year term) is the chief financial officer of the church.

MISSIONS TREASURER: Brian Lacey (2014)

I have worshipped at PSC for 27 years, 18 of them with my wife, Joan, whom I met here and for which I am forever grateful to PSC. We have two children, Amanda and Brent, ages 15 and 13. For many years, I was PSC’s Treasurer and a member of the church’s Finance and Administration Committee. As Missions is the heart and sole of our church—constituting its very DNA—I am honored to stand for the post of Vice Treasurer of Missions where I trust that I can bring my professional legal fiduciary background to the service of Christ. I taught FOCUS ESL classes here in the early 1990s so it will be wonderful to be part of Missions once again. In addition to supporting Missions, the Treasurer of Missions (one-year term) is the Vice Treasurer of the church and as such serves as the first backup when the Treasurer is absent or incapacitated.

ASSISTANT TREASURER: Tracey Noga (2014)

I grew up in a congregational church and in a Christian home in Connecticut. I have been attending PSC since I moved to the Boston area in 2001. I am an Associate Professor of Accountancy at Bentley University and currently reside in Somerville. Since becoming a member of PSC in 2003, I have been involved in various small groups and was the chairperson of the Bicentennial Celebration. I currently serve in a Barnabas group and on the Finance and Administration Committee. I served as Assistant Treasurer the past three years and I am looking forward to continuing to serve the body of Christ in that role. The Assistant Treasurer (one-year term) serves as a second backup to the Treasurer and assists both Treasurers with their responsibilities.

CLERK: Earle Nicholas (2014)

Susan and I met while living in Vermont. We married in 1968 and remained in Vermont for 28 years. When our two sons were in college, we moved to Chatham. While living in Chatham, we joined the First Congregational Church and became truly committed to following Christ. About ten years ago we moved to Boston and joined PSC. While serving on the Membership Committee, we developed wonderful friendships with other members. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard to fulfill the duties of this position. The Clerk (one-year term) gives notice of and provides written record of the church’s Annual and special meetings. He/she also processes any membership-related correspondence.

Nick Dedeke

I made a commitment to follow Christ while I was in high school. I moved to Boston for work in 2001. After visiting several services in 2001, I prayerfully decided that Park Street was the church for me. I met my wife, Sarah, at a CrossWalk event. We got married in 2008. I have served as a facilitator, as an instructor, and as a member of the board for the Christian Education ministry. I am currently a deacon in the church. I have also served as a member and as Chair of the Deacon’s Committee. Moreover, I was a small group leader in the CrossWalk ministry. During evening services, I have sung for the offertory, read scriptures, and served communion. I am looking forward to serve in every way, knowing that his grace is sufficient for me.

Jim Feenstra

I grew up in a Christian family in Western Michigan, moved to California where I met my wife Wendy, then moved to Boston in 1996 with our daughters Jaclyn and Michelle. We’ve attended PSC since 2004 when we helped stage Children’s Choir Cantatas. I’ve served on the Global Professionals subcommittee and participate in the Bliss-May Barnabas group. I’m also active in a small-group Bible Study and help the Coffee Hour team on Sunday morning welcoming visitors. I teach at Lexington Christian Academy where my ministry there included chaperoning 2 students to internships at the Andrew Murray Centre in South Africa.

Simon Fowler

I came to faith in Christ when I was 23, having grown up with a tradition of faith, but having none myself. An American exchange student and Mere Christianity were God’s double-whammy to bring me to himself. I took a year-long trip around the world soon after I came to faith and met my wife, Manuela, in Bangkok, Thailand. We and our two girls, Celeste (8) and Madeleine (5), live in Somerville. In the past, I worked in student ministry and in telecoms training. I now work in leadership development. Serving on the board of elders provides a great opportunity to understand the church better and to pray for and encourage both the ministers and the congregation.

Joel Stanton

We frequently pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.” What an honor it is to serve our Lord whenever we can put those words into practice! Park Street has blessed our family in countless ways, and I am humbled to be considered as an Elder candidate. I grew up in Utah as a Mormon until age 12, then my family left Mormonism and gave our lives to Jesus Christ. I met my wife, Hilary, during college and we married after graduation in 1999, moved to Boston, and discovered PSC. We’ve been involved in several ministries ranging from small groups, to family ministries, to a Ghana missions trip. We and our kids Simon, Clover, and Gideon live in Medford. To God be the Glory!

Kyle Vogan

I came to faith at a young age and continue to marvel at God’s grace. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! My wife, Jennifer, and I moved to Boston and began attending Park Street Church in 1998. As part of this community of faith, we have served on the Small Group ministry team, facilitated classes for engaged couples and co-led several small groups. We live in Melrose with our sons, Evan and Jayden. For the past three years, I have served on the Board of Elders and on the Missions Committee. I am humbled to stand again as a candidate for Elder and trust God for strength to serve his people faithfully.

Acacia Abraham

I came to Park Street Church on the recommendation from a friend when I first moved here from Colorado in ‘95; in fact I came my first Sunday in Boston. I stayed at PSC because I felt I was among Christian peers (Café, the evening service) for the first time in my life and felt at home. After getting married, my husband Jason and I not only dedicated ourselves to God and each other but also to PSC. I was a regularly attending member at that time but not yet a member. I became a member as part of that commitment. PSC is special to me because of solid Biblical teaching, small groups, and phenomenal programs for kids and families. I am motivated to give back to and help maintain the mission of PSC just as those who have gone before me have done, to ensure that I have had a place and an opportunity to meet the truth of Christ, worship and serve. Co-leading the Thursday women’s study with Lois Barndt is one of my current joys in my walk with Christ. I am privileged to witness what God is doing in the lives of the women in our group...leading through listening...and listening to God’s leading.

Robert Albright

My wife (Malissa) and I have been regular attendees of Park Street Church since 2009 when we moved here for my job in nonprofit consulting. Malissa and I have both served on the Park Street Union leadership team, serving young married and engaged couples since 2010. My specific role on Union has been to oversee communications for all-Union events such as the Progressive Dinner and couples’ discussion on managing money as God’s stewards. I was baptized as an infant and raised throughout my childhood and teenage years at a Methodist church in North Carolina. I was “confirmed” in the church while I was in elementary school, which is one of the first times I recall making a conscious effort to proclaim Christ as my Savior. My relationship with the Lord was deeply strengthened as an adult, particularly in 2008 when I was diagnosed with cancer. In going through surgery at Mass General Hospital and eventual recovery to become cancer-free, I realized what my Savior was all about as I had to completely trust in his will. I am passionate about using my spiritual gifts to glorify God. I’m a strong believer in servant leadership, and see service to Park Street Church through the Nominating Committee as one way to be a humble and faithful steward of God’s gifts.

Bryan Bilyeu

I was born in Oregon and became a Christian when I was fairly young. I was a very zealous and outspoken Kindergartner. I was raised going to church, was baptized as a teenager, and grew in my faith in college. I was involved with campus ministries in college, so I only attended Sunday services at Park Street Church until after I graduated. I then joined the choir and started looking for a small group. I started a men’s small group and a few years later decided that I should become a member after having been a regular attender for about seven years. Despite my inclination toward singing in front of crowds, I prefer to work behind the scenes, so the Nominating Committee seems like a good fit. I’ve been involved with the deacons subcommittee before, the committee that nominates the Nominating Committee, so I’m familiar with the sort of work that needs doing. I have benefited greatly from this church and would enjoy the opportunity to seek out fresh leadership from our ever-churning congregation. Church is not a spectator sport.

Lora Knight

Park Street Church has been my spiritual home for almost twenty years. Both of my children grew up here. We began attending when my son, Jonathan, was 10 years old and we recognized that a vibrant youth group would be important for him. Our daughter, Bethany, now 17, is a regular youth group member. I, myself, had become a Christian as a young teenager and since then have always attended and been involved in my church. I became a member in 2001. Over the years at PSC, I have served on the Nursery Committee, helped in various ways in Women’s Ministry, served on several Barnabas Groups, and a few years ago, I did serve on the Nominating Committee. Currently, I belong to the Milton Small Group, whose members have become very dear friends, as well as being fellow Park Streeters and neighbors who live close by. A large active church such as ours needs us all to pitch in and do our parts. Some jobs may seem daunting, but if I am asked to do something, I will consider it. As a former nurse, I am comfortable meeting people and asking questions. I realize the amount of time and work involved as a member of the NC. I consider it a tithe of my time should I again serve in this capacity. A lot of prayerful consideration will be needed to discern possible candidates for elder. It has been my experience though, that at the end of any service in God’s name, I am the one who receives the greatest blessing from the experience.

Lessie Robb-Nicholson

I became a Christian when I was 14, and began worshipping at Park Street when I was in college and involved with Harvard-Radcliffe Christian Fellowship. My husband Brit and I came to Boston in 1978 to do our medical training at MGH and the Brigham, and we started coming to Park Street whenever we could. We were very drawn by the teaching. We became more involved when we started in Community Bible Study. We developed friends here at Park Street and felt we were getting fed in small group study and worship. For over 25 years, we had a small group Bible study in our home. We found a church home that was a fit for us, and continued to be as we raised our four daughters. At this stage of my life, I look forward to the opportunity to use the people skills God has given me to serve the church as part of the Nominating Committee. It will be a privilege to work with a cross generational team to help support the leadership of Park Street.

Amy Van Erman

I began attending Park Street in the fall of 2008 when I moved to Boston for grad school. Being far away from home and not knowing many people, it was a blessing to come to church and be with others who share a love for Christ and commitment to serving Him, as well as those around us. In 2010, my husband, Greg, and I became members of Park Street and joined a neighborhood small group which meets in MetroWest. I have served in the Wings Ministry, and currently serve as a Barnabas Group member and in the Sunday morning Nursery. I have been blessed to take part in these ministries, and would be honored to serve on the Nominating Committee.