Clergy

440.247.6490 ext. 100

Hamilton was born and raised in Bangor, Maine. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, he is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. After attending Yale Divinity School, he received his Master of Divinity from Bangor (Maine) Theological Seminary.

From 1987 to 1995, he served two multi-denominational churches in East Montpelier, Vermont. In 1995, he moved with his family to Barrington, Rhode Island, where, until 2004, he served as senior minister of Barrington Congregational Church, UCC.

In November of 2004, Hamilton began his ministry at Federated Church. As a pastor, his focus and passion have always been the Bible, preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.

Hamilton is married to Mary Senechal, an artist and registered nurse. They have two adult sons.

440.247.6490 ext. 101

bwooster@fedchurch.org

Betsy was called to serve as Pastor of Transformational Ministries at Federated Church on June 26, 2022. She returned to Ohio in 2021, after several years in Boston, MA, where she earned her Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. She is thrilled to be back in greater Cleveland! While in Boston, she spent a year as a seminary intern at Old South Church in Boston, served for a year as the Office of Spiritual Life Fellow at Wellesley College, and completed her clinical pastoral education at Brigham and Women’s hospital.

Betsy is married to Rev. Matt Wooster, senior minister at Plymouth Church UCC, in Shaker Heights, and they are parents to grown sons, James and Sam, daughter-in-law Emily, and soon to be daughter-in-law Ann! Betsy loves to hike and cycle, spend time at the North Carolina shore and at Elk Lake in Michigan, and read great novels and theology. She enjoys being “mom” to their new puppy, Harper, and more than anything else, loves being with her family in any way, shape, or form!

440.338.6606

marciasnavely1@aol.com

Marcia hails from Sharon, PA where she started piano at five and became a church organist at twelve. While at Case Western Reserve University, she completed chemistry studies as well as a graduate program in classical organ. She was a Research Chemist at BP Research for many years and at the same time Director of Music at Valley Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge.

Marcia has been the Organist at The Federated Church since 1994 where she accompanies the choirs, instrumentalists, soloists and coordinates special music programs. She is also the Music Director for Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy and does free-lance accompanying for Chagrin Falls schools and numerous community and professional theaters.

She is married to Gregory Polyak and their blended family boasts ten children and 22 grandchildren.

440.428.2461

phaynish@sbcglobal.net

Pat was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and is a graduate of Truman State University with a degree in Music Education. Her master’s degree in Theatre and Music is from Carthage College in Wisconsin. Raised in the Presbyterian Church, she has been involved as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School teacher, Choir and Drama Director at various Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in the Midwest. Pat joined the Federated Music Ministry team in the fall of 2008 as Director of the Children's Choir for students in grades 1-6.

Pat retired from her position as music teacher and department chair for the Chagrin Falls School System. She lives in Solon with her husband, Tom.

440.247.6490 ext. 131

mculbert@fedchurch.org

Marty grew up in the Chagrin Valley, was baptized and raised in The Federated Church. She joined the staff of Federated in 1996. Marty feels blessed to share the life of Christ with Junior High kids through Church School and J.O.Y. (Jesus Oriented Youth) Group activities. Her favorite event of the year is taking the kids backpacking in Colorado to build their Faith and Trust in God.

Marty’s passion to make a difference in the lives of others drew her to be the Staff Liaison to the Mission and Service Commission, and the Social and Environmental Justice Committee, where opportunities for volunteering and financial support abound. Marty Lives in Chagrin Falls with her best friend and wife, Martine. Life is Truly Good!

440.247.6490 ext. 130

klefeber@fedchurch.org

Kristin grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education. Though she only taught professionally for a short time, Kristin has taught voluntarily in children’s and other church ministries for over 10 years. At her previous church in Baltimore, she was an adult small group leader and the volunteer director of preschool ministries. After moving to Ohio, Kristin’s family joined Federated in June 2017. Here at Federated, she has led two Lenten book studies, coordinated and taught one summer of Sunday School and coordinates Family Ministry Events.

Kristin and her husband, Zach, live in Auburn with their two children, two dogs and two cats.

440.247.6490 ext. 110

mowen@fedchurch.org

Having grown up in Northeast Ohio, Melissa has recently moved back to the area from Santa Barbara, CA. In Santa Barbara, Melissa had, for thirteen years, been the Executive Director of SBC Senior Care, Inc., where she managed all the operations and executive functions for a $5 million senior healthcare company.

Melissa has a keen attention to both people and operations, and a great deal of experience running an organization devoted to service. Her office is on the 4th floor.

440.247.6490 ext. 111

bstrong@fedchurch.org

Brooke is a lover of all things God and all things administration. Brooke has an immense love for ALL people, a positive attitude, strong organizational skills, and great attention to detail. With a long history of serving in ministry and extensive administration experience, she now has combined the two and serves as the Congregational Life Administrator at Federated Church.

Brooke is the loving mother of a sassy “threenager” named Zoe Reign. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys giving back to her community with various community service organizations, fellowshipping with her women’s groups, and going on countless adventures with Zoe Reign.

440.247.6490 ext. 115

ltaylor@fedchurch.org

Laura joined the Federated Church staff as Campaign Assistant in April 2017 for the Rejoice & Renew Capital Campaign, which officially runs through December 2020. During the Fulfillment phase of the campaign, Laura continues to ensure proper credit of all capital campaign pledge payments and disseminating information about the capital projects to the congregation.

Since 2019, as Fund Development Associate, she has also been working closely with the Senior Director of People and Operations, the Church Staff, and Lay Leaders, Commission or Committee members to identify, solicit and steward gifts in support of the mission of The Federated Church. This specifically includes coordinating the annual Stewardship Campaign to support the Church’s General Fund, writing request letters/grants for any Designated Fund or Special Projects, and administering the Legacy Fund’s Planned Giving initiatives.

Laura has been a member of Federated since 1999, where she and her late husband, Ryburn, raised their children Amanda and Wilson. Professionally, Laura has 10 years' experience in the fundraising field and 20 years' experience in the grant-making field. It is a delight to bring her gifts to an organization whose arms continue to embrace her family.