Rev. Steven T. Savides, Pastor & Teacher
781–395–2633

Steven is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. He is emerging as a leader in the church revitalization and transformation movement with a passion for seeing progressive Christianity flourish.

Together with his wife, Nanette, who is preparing for ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ, Steven is devoting his life to sharing the just and inclusive love that Christ Jesus offered the world. Seeing no barriers to God’s love, he seeks to extend an extravagant welcome to everybody and to work toward reconciliation in our broken yet beloved world.

He and Nanette love to hike, camp, take long walks, read fantasy novels, and enjoy board games. Their love of nature translates into a passion for the environment and they do all they can to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Miss Molly Malone and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who go by Molly and Emerson, are the felines who remind them constantly to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Steven is a charismatic preacher and compassionate pastoral caregiver who seeks to equip and empower those he serves for their own vocations and ministries. He brings talents for storytelling, education, and spiritual discernment to his ministry and, when he’s not spreading the gospel of church revitalization, offers workshops on spiritual practices. Among Steven’s ongoing research interests are the writings of the Apostle Paul, shame theory, the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the promise of social media for evangelism.

He serves on the Committee on Ministry and as a Boundary Awareness Trainer for the Metropolitan Boston Association and on the Commission for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, all of which serve Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Steven holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School (graduated 2006) and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School (graduated 2008). Prior to entering seminary, he was a journalist with The Christian Science Monitor in Boston and with The Pretoria News and Eastern Province Herald in South Africa. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on May 21, 2006 at Hope Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass. Steven has been Pastor and Teacher of The Congregational Church of West Medford since mid 2008.

You can access Steven’s personal website and blog at thesavides.com/steven and follow him on Twitter with the username StevenSavides

Herman Weiss, Organist & Choir Director
781–395–3360

Besides extensive experience working with churches, Herman has a PhD in musical composition from Brandeis University and has studied composition and organ at the Paris Conservatory on a Fulbright Fellowship. Herman also performs as part of the DreamSong Duo with his wife, soprano Marsha Johnson.

Leanne Ward, Church Administrator
781–395–3360

Leanne moved to Medford in the summer of 2011 from Pembroke, MA with her son. Leanne has close to 10 years experience in the administrative field and has worked for a range of companies from large financial institutions to small construction companies. She holds a certificate in office management and is a qualified paralegal. Here Leanne handles scheduling of events, tenant needs, assists the Treasurer with accounting and also supports Rev. Steven, other staff and committees as needed.

When not at work, Leanne enjoys spending time with her son by watching movies and playing basketball. She also enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and riding her bike.

Thelma Thompson, Administrative Assistant & Treasurer
781–395–3360

Thelma, a long-time church member and retired legal secretary, serves as Treasurer and supports the church office administratively.

Stephen Smith, Sexton
781–395–3360
Steve oversees our physical plant and is available to short-term renters to ensure they have access as required.

Paul Roberts, Moderator
781–395–3360
In the Congregational tradition, the church's Moderator is elected by the congregation to serves as liaison between the church council, staff, and committees that are responsible for the life of the church.