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.
Sara Marean
Co-Pastor
Rev. Sara Marean grew up in the small town of Nelson, NH, where her love of ministry was fostered amongst the trees and hills by her mentor Rev. Lindy Black. She went on to attend Earlham College, where she majored in Religion, and then to pursue her Master’s of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School. After graduating in 2001, she was ordained in Nelson on September 16 of that same year. Since that time she has served churches in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in Salem, Maynard and Georgetown, Massachusetts, in a variety of different positions. She and her husband Rev. Eric Marean began their ministry as co-pastors of East Congregational Church, UCC, on November 10, 2008. She is excited about this new call.
It is a joy to serve at East Church. I feel that, though of course there are differences between us, as ministers and as a church community we are passionate and committed to the same ideas, goals, issues and concerns. I have been blessed to recognize the immense capabilities and energy within this special place.
As a pastor, I hope to offer to this community a ministry of presence and witness, particularly through our worship leadership. Both Eric and I are passionate about crafting a worship experience that feeds the soul and helps individuals deepen their relationship with God and one another.
I believe strongly in the mission and vision of this congregation, and that together we have an amazing gift to offer the community and world around us!
Eric Marean
Co-Pastor
Rev. Eric Marean is not from around here. He was born and raised in Wisconsin. He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and then left the land of cheeseheads and Packers fans to pursue his Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twins Cities. Upon graduation, Eric served as an Associate Pastor at a church in Saint Paul, Minnesota before gladly accepting God’s call to minister in Massachusetts, first in Georgetown and now in Milton. While he still loves cheese, his heart and home is in New England.
I am grateful for and humbled by our call to serve with the members and friends of East Church. While we are called together, as pastors and a congregation, I look forward to building on the strengths of this church which, in my estimation, are numerous. The Spirit is alive in our small group ministries, our worship experiences, our outreach, and our hospitality as an Open and Affirming Church. In all that we do, it is my hope that we live ever faithfully into God’s vision for us as individuals and as a community. We are going to grow in the Spirit. We are going to embrace some change and newness of life. We are going to build and serve community. And, importantly, we are going to have some fun along the way. I hope you’ll join us!
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 the soprano soloist 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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Betsy Draper
Christian Education Director
Betsy Draper joined our staff in 2010 as the Director of Christian Education at East Church.
Betsy is a graduate of Florida State University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Simmons College with degrees in Music Education, Divinity and Business Administration, respectively. Formerly, she served as a denominational chaplain at MIT, and as Director of Education and Outreach at King’s Chapel in downtown Boston. For fun, Betsy sings with the BSO’s Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
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.
