Meet the Staff of East Congregational Church!
Here are some of the committed people you may meet in your dealings with East Church. Note that contact information for the office and the pastors is available on our contact page.
Mark Seifried
Interim Pastor
Mark Seifried came to New England to go to seminary at Andover Newton almost 20 years ago and never left. He joins East Church as an intentional interim pastor. That means he is only with us a year or two between settled pastors. But he’s still our pastor and will cover all the duties such as preaching, visitation, counseling and administrative duties, plus will help us implement a vision and growth plan for the future. Reverend Seifried prefers to be called “Pastor Mark” because his greatest joy comes from being a pastor and teacher.
Pastor Mark was born and raised in St. Louis, went to college in Indiana at Purdue University, and has lived in Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL. He went to culinary school, managed restaurants for 15 years and worked as a developmental disabilities vocational manager. Since coming to the ministry, Pastor Mark has worked with urban, rural, and suburban congregations in the United Church of Christ.
I feel blessed to be ministering with the saints of East Church in this time and place. I fell in love with the congregation before I even got to meet everyone because the deacons gave me such a warm reception and described the community as faith-filled, nurturing, and hungry for God. The church is in a unique position – to pray about the opportunities around us in this rapidly changing culture, learn new ways to use the gifts among us that will rouse congregational vitality, and serve the God who inspires us to bless the world with acts of justice, mercy and love. Let us minister with joy and expectation!
Lynn Salmonsen
Music Director
Lynn Salmonsen joined East Church as Choir Director and Organist in 1996. She enjoys preparing and leading the Adult Choir for Sunday services and special occasions, rehearsing the Millennium Choir (younger children and youth) and collaborating with soloists as well as other musicians and members of the congregation.
A pianist who’s played organ since high school, Lynn received her Bachelor of Music from The Hart School in W. Hartford, CT and an Artist Diploma in chamber music from the Langy School in Cambridge, MA. She also did graduate studies at the School of Fine Arts, Boston University.
Through the years at East Church, I’ve had the pleasure of working musically with many members of the congregation and staff in preparation for services and other events such as the “galas” (church–wide musical extravaganzas), the Taber Concert series, Wine and Song evenings, Sunday Brunch afternoons as well as other concerts and fundraisers.
I invite you to join our worship services, sing with the Choir or come to one of our many musical events.
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Jenny Nelson and Brian Caffelle
Christian Education Co-Directors
Jenny and Brian are both teachers. Jenny teaches Kindergarten in Quincy and Brian is a special education teacher in Milton.
Jenny grew up in Milton, and received a Bachelors Degree in Education from Curry College. Her interest and experience with younger children in and outside of the church enrich her work with teachers in the younger grades.
Brian grew up in Canton, and received a Bachelors Degree in Education from Norwich University. Because of his interest and experience teaching older children, he takes on a leadership role with the Confirmation Class.
Together Jenny and Brian lead the Junior and Senior Youth Groups. They work as a team to bring out interests, skills and inquiry into the Church community.
Lanelle C. Fleming
Secretary
Lanelle C. Fleming happily joined East Church as Secretary in November 2010. Her voice is likely to be the first one you hear if you call the Church Office and if she can’t answer your question, she’ll point you to the right person in the Church to help you. Although a resident of Dorchester, Lanelle has many fond memories of her childhood when she attended St. Mary of the Hills School and Fontbonne Academy of Milton. To her position at East Church, Lanelle brings a lifetime in the church, the joy of serving God in all ways and years of experience in administrative and executive support, with degrees in Management and Psychology from Cambridge College. Lanelle is also a mom to her two boys and, in her spare time, she enjoys working out, singing and listening to music, reading, writing fiction and poetry and spending time with her family. Her office hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“I am so happy to be able to serve at East Church. My time here has been absolutely wonderful and I enjoy the welcoming community here.”
Arlene Sellon
Sexton
Arlene Sellon is a longtime Milton resident and has served as the ECC Sexton since 1996. She oversees all the housekeeping needs of the church along with assisting at all the weddings, funerals and outside functions.
It has been a pleasure serving the East Church family as your Sexton.
