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

msimone@fedchurch.org

Mark joined the staff at Federated Church in 1990 as youth pastor. He still loves teenagers everywhere. People wonder when he’ll “grow up” and become a real pastor. After over 41 years in youth ministry, Mark believes he pastors the church of the future while ministering to youth in the present.

Born and raised in Ravenna, Ohio, Mark served in the church of his childhood, First Congregational Church. He obtained his undergraduate degree (dual major in psychology and sociology) from Kent State University and a Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Mark is married to Kathy Simone, artist and teacher at Orange Schools. They have four kids and six grandkids, all residing in Chagrin Falls – which means lots of family dinners and a little too much babysitting!

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. 133

dherschel@fedchurch.org

An Ohio native, Dolly attended Ohio State University and graduated with a Marketing Degree. After college, her work experience ranged from a National Bank Examiner, to a Unit Secretary on the Labor and Delivery Ward, to then a Companion Care Giver. Now, with her job as primetime@fed Coordinator, she hopes to inspire older adults to stay active and involved so they can lead happy and healthy lives. She joined Federated Church in 2012.

Dolly is married to Tom, the Market Manager of the CBS Radio Cleveland stations, for 25 years. Dolly likes going out to eat and playing tennis.

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. 111

smithm@fedchurch.org

Melinda was born and raised among the rolling pastures and fruit orchards of western Maryland. She graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in mathematics and spent her first career as a rocket scientist - actually as a system engineer from General Electric’s Space Division working for NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center. She retired from that to raise her three children, whom she considers her best work.

Melinda joined the staff at Federated in 1998 where she specializes in maintenance. Her duties include maintaining the membership databases, maintaining the church calendar and maintaining the church’s network of computers.

Melinda and her husband Todd joined Federated as members in 1989. They raised their three children at Federated but the nest is now empty.

440.247.6490 ext. 113

communications@fedchurch.org

Trisha Holland moved back to the Cleveland area after she received her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Strategic Communication from The Ohio State University in 2013. She is excited to add fresh, new ideas to Federated’s marketing & communication pieces, as well as expanding the social media presence, and modernize the communication strategies. Previously she was a content writer, social media manager, research assistant, and volunteer Marketing/PR Director at OSU.

Trisha is a dancer, a baker, a creator, and a bookworm. Trisha currently lives in Lyndhurst with her husband, Aaron, and two young daughters. You can find them at the park, on a bike ride, or relaxing in the backyard on any given day. (Unless it is cold and snowy. Then they are inside, cuddled under blankets, and watching a movie.)

440.247.6490 ext. 103

kcritchfield@fedchurch.org

Kiersti grew up in Wadsworth Ohio. She attended Ohio University in Athens, where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. Previously, Kiersti was the nursery coordinator at Mayfield Methodist Church in Chesterland for several years. She and her family began attending Federated Church in the summer of 2013. Kiersti became the Director of Child’s Faith Formation B-5th grade at Federated Church in 2014 and faithfully served in that position for 5 years. Kiersti then assumed the role of Pastor Care Administrator in 2019.

Kiersti is the loving wife of Matthew Carty, a Cleveland-based attorney. They reside in Chesterland with their four children. Kiersti was a Jazzercise instructor for five years in Chesterland, and still enjoys attending classes as a customer. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

440.247.6490 ext. 115

rejoiceandrenew@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.

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 brings with her a keen attention to both people and operations, and a great deal of experience running an organization devoted to service. We are delighted to welcome her to Federated’s staff!