Tabernacle Church, UCC

Reverend Laura P. Biddle, Minister
pastor@tabernaclechurch.org

As a child I enjoyed the rituals associated with growing up in the church. My father is an Episcopal Priest and my large family was very active in church life. When I graduated from New York University as a Drama Major in 1982, I entered a surprising world - the ministry. My spiritual journey had led me to the performing arts and was now leading me back to the church. I graduated from Episcopal Divinity School in 1986, and was involved in Prison Ministry with the City Mission Society of Boston from 1983-1998. Working with women prisoners and their families as they reintegrated into community life, became my first Call to Ministry. The Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ recognized this Call and invited me to be ordained in the United Church of Christ. My ordination ceremony was at Church of the Covenant in Boston in 1993. I continued working as the Director of Prison Ministries for CMS for five years after ordination. The Call to Parish Ministry began with a position as the Minister of Music for Children in Lincoln Ma. Shortly there after, I worked as an Interim Associate Minister in Lowell. In 1997 I was Called to Central Church in Newburyport as the first ordained woman minister to serve that church. And in 2004, I began my ministry with Tabernacle Congregational Church, UCC. I love this Open and Affirming community, located smack in the middle of the city of Salem. My three children and I live with our Cairn terrier. My oldest is a student at U Mass Amherst and my other children are in High School. I enjoy walking on the beach, riding my motorcycle and my bicycle, and reading! I am trained as a spiritual grief counselor. As a children’s puppet performer, I have entertained children around New England; and I teach a class at Wheelock College in Puppetry for people working with children. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our ministries at Tabernacle Church.

Elizabeth Nelson, Church Administrator
liz@tabernaclechurch.org

Liz has been the Church Administrator at Tabernacle Church since 1991. She loves her Tabernacle Church family and has watched many children grow up in the church. She also enjoys being Tabernacle’s Wedding Coordinator. Participating in the preparations for weddings and hosting visits to our Historical Room, enables Liz to meet and greet people from all around the country. Liz enjoys balancing many aspects of her job which includes preparing the monthly newsletter, Sunday bulletins and being our Web Master. She lives in Danvers with her husband Steve and their 3 cats and has a grown son, Andrew who lives in Arizona.

Betsey Bennett, Christian Education Director
betseyben@aol.com

Betsey Bennett grew up in the family of Tabernacle Church and raised her four daughters, ages 16 to 27, here in the faith and love of the United Church of Christ.  She enjoys sharing the Bible and all its stories with all ages of children, 2 to 92!  "Godly Play has given me an understanding of God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Bible that makes me want to share our loving God with everyone!" 

Valerie Peterson, Music Director
peterso_05@yahoo.com

Valerie has been a member of Tabernacle Church for the past 24 years. She is an Elementary Music Teacher in the Marblehead Public School System and the music director for the women's chorus CALLA LILY. Valerie has a B. Mu.Ed from Lowell State College, a MA from the University of Connecticut. ORFF Certification, and studies voice with Susan Robbins. When she is not working she shares her time with her husband Bob and their children, Lindsey, Whitney and Ross.

Raeleen George, Organist
raemay59@comcast.net

Co-Sextons: Eric Morin and Pablo Oquendo

Photos taken by Jane Taubeneck, Professional Photographer: janiebugphotos@aol.com