Reverend Barbara Callaghan, Senior Minister
Rev. Barbara Lea Callaghan is the Senior Minister of Hancock United Church of Christ. Barbara is passionate about building communities of depth and love that are engaged in liberative social transformation through the power and grace of God.
Barbara earned her undergraduate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. After college she worked as a campus minister for a non-denominational college ministry in South Carolina and North Carolina. Barbara then earned her MS in Counseling and Educational Development from UNC-Greensboro, and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. She worked as a Family and Children’s Counselor for Kids’ Path, a Hospice program for children, in Greensboro, NC. Barbara then established her own counseling practice, Sacred Journeys, PC, where she worked with a variety of clients for seven years. Barbara was in the midst of a ten year counseling career when she heard the call to go to seminary and pursue ordained ministry. She graduated with her MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York in 2013 and was ordained in the UCC shortly thereafter.
Barbara served as a Minister of Youth and Young Adults at a UCC church in New Jersey upon graduation from seminary. She accepted the call as Second Minister of HUCC in 2015, and was called by unanimous congregational vote as Senior Minister in 2021. Barbara is currently pursing her Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation at Candler Theological School at Emory University. She will graduate in 2022.
On a personal note, Barbara loves to run, bike (both road and mountain), do CrossFit, hike, write, read, watch UNC college basketball, and spend time with family and friends. She and her wife Kate also stay active by trying to keep up with their kids, Eliza (4), Oliver (1), and their golden retriever, Cuzco.
Reverend Callaghan
David C. Clark, Second Minister
David is a native of the beautiful state of Maine and a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School. He is a third generation MDiv on his father’s side and is excited to pursue a life in ministry. His spiritual life began as a child at the UCC summer camp, Pilgrim Lodge where he counseled, volunteered, and for the past four years served as the assistant director. He’s worked in residential student life at his alma mater the University of South Maine, as a youth counselor with Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, and taught in many environments such as churches, adult eds, and at the college level.
David Clark
Katie Brown-Bright, Student Minister for Children and Families
Katie Elliot is a second year Master of Divinity student at Boston University. She is originally from Houston, Texas, but has lived in the Boston area for almost ten years. She received her B.S. in Biology from Gordon College in Wenham, MA. She has a passion for working with children and spent four years working with autistic children before starting her theological education. She loved the opportunity to get to know the children she worked with and to be a part of their growth. She has volunteered in kid’s church programs since she was in middle school, and is passionate about childhood spiritual formation. She plans to work in a church context after she graduates from BU, and is excited for the opportunity to learn and serve with you at Hancock Church! In her spare time she enjoys knitting, drawing, and spending time with her 9 month old nephew.
Katie Brown-Bright
Mark Morgan, Director of Music
Director of Music Mark Morgan joined the Hancock staff in June of 2009. He has served 6 different churches in 5 different states over the course of his over 30 year career in church music. Mark firmly believes in the integration of music with the rest of the worship in order to create a unified, uplifting worship experience. Mark is the Director of the Chancel Choir, the Hancock Choristers, and the River Rock Band. With a keen interest in children and education, he encourages persons of all ages to share their musical gifts with the congregation. A professional singer, conductor, teacher, and composer, Mark was the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of New England Light Opera and sings with various area groups. A native of Wisconsin, Mark is a graduate of Macalester College and the Eastman School of Music. He lives in Melrose with his wife Amy and two sons, Owen and Hugh.
For more on Mark’s professional activities, visit markdmorgan.com.
By appointment
Mark Morgan
Marilyn Becker, Director of Handbell Ministries
Marilyn Becker became the Associate Director of Music in 2009 after serving for a year as Interim Director of Music. She has served as a professional church musician since her first job as a paid chorister in college. She brings a love of music and teaching to all her work at Hancock.
With a background in conducting, organ & piano, and accompanying she is a versatile member of the music staff. Her responsibilities at Hancock include directing the Hancock Carillon and playing the organ. Marilyn is a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music and Westminster Choir College.
Sundays
Marilyn Becker
Ian Watson, Organist
Multi-talented Ian Watson has been described by The Times in London as a “world-class soloist”, performer of “virtuosic panache” and by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as “a conductor of formidable ability.” He is Artistic Director and Music Director of the Connecticut Early Music Festival, and Associate Conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society.
Ian won a scholarship at age 14 to the Junior School of the Royal Academy of Music in London, later winning all the prizes for organ performance. He completed his studies with Flor Peeters in Belgium.
Ian has appeared with most major UK orchestras and also the Polish and Stuttgart Chamber Orchestras, Bremen Philharmonic, Rhein-Main Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Komische Oper Berlin, and Darmstadt State Opera among numerous others. He is featured on many film soundtracks including Amadeus, Polanski’s Death and the Maiden, Restoration, Cry the Beloved Country, Voices from A Locked Room, and the BBC‘s production of David Copperfield.
Suzie Barry, Director of Operations
Suzie comes to Hancock with over 10 years working for churches, most recently in Bedford, MA. A native Lexingtonian and graduate of Bentley University, she lives in Lexington with her husband Mike, has two grown sons, a dog, and two cats. An active member of the Lexington community, in her spare time she likes to garden, bake and read a good mystery novel.
Suzie Barry
Jane Park, Church Administrator (Interim)
Jane Park returns to Hancock Church as temporary Church Administrator. Jane worked at Hancock previously from 2013 - 2016. Since then she taught violin lessons, went on tour, and started a performance series for Asian performers in the Boston area called Asian Glow. This past year in lock down was filled with dog-walking, hiking with friends, and watching a lot of Korean dramas on netflix. She is grateful to be here on Massa-adchu-es-et and Pawtucket land, and privileged to connect remotely.
Tuesday - Friday
Jane Park
Get Involved
Worship @the Well Worship at the Well meets in the chapel at 5:00 PM. Join ...
Worship @the Well
Worship at the Well meets in the chapel at 5:00 PM. Join in for a personal and powerful evening service with a focus on community and connection.Monday Morning Prayer Zoom Join Pastor David on Zoom each Monday morning of Lent from ...
Monday Morning Prayer Zoom
Join Pastor David on Zoom each Monday morning of Lent from 7:30-7:45am for a time of prayer and centering before the week begins. You are welcome to join with camera and microphone on or off as David shares prayer and a short devotional to start the work week well. This class will meet Monday mornings from 7:30 - 7:45am, Feb. 19 - Mar. 25. Please contact Office@HancockChurch.org to connect with this class.Monday Night Small Group Zoom Barbara and David lead a small group Bible study on ...
Monday Night Small Group Zoom
Barbara and David lead a small group Bible study on the Gospel of Mark using short video teachings from Amy-Jill Levine. Levine is a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, and brings a new and fresh understanding to this book of the Bible. You do not need to be at each meeting. Drop-in when you are able! This class will meet Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00pm, Feb. 19 - Mar. 25. Email Office@HancockChurch.org to connect with this class.Pastor's Class Bible Study Every Wednesday, Pastor’s Class reads and discusses the scripture passage for ...
Pastor's Class Bible Study
Every Wednesday, Pastor’s Class reads and discusses the scripture passage for the following Sunday. It is led by the week’s preacher and there’s no homework or extra reading required! Pastor's Class is held weekly on Wednesdays from 1-2:00pm via Zoom. Contact Office@HancockChurch.org for the meeting link or more details.Free Wednesday Noontime Concerts Free noontime classical concerts are back for the season of lent ...
Free Wednesday Noontime Concerts
Free noontime classical concerts are back for the season of lent at Hancock Church 1912 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. The concerts will take place at noon each Wednesday from February 21 - March 27 in the sanctuary of the church. The series will feature a variety of music including solo organ, early music, chamber music, and solo piano. Performers include organist Ian Watson, the Joyful Noyse Early Music ensemble, pianist Shi Chen, and performers from the Handel and Haydn Society. Ian Watson is the new organist at the church, and serves as the Associate Conductor of the Handel And Haydn Society and is the Director of the Connecticut Early Music Festival. Each show is free, about 30 minutes long, informal, and open to all. The church is handicap accessible and hearing assist devices are available. Free parking is available in the rear of the church and on the street. For more information, visit www.hancockchurch.org or call (781) 862-4220. MAR 20 Ian Watson, organ MAR 27 Shi Chen, pianoA Joyful Noyse Concert A Joyful Noyse performs Forgotten Treasures: Opera arias from 18th Century Hamburg featuring ...
A Joyful Noyse Concert
A Joyful Noyse performs Forgotten Treasures: Opera arias from 18th Century Hamburg featuring Handel, Telemann, Keiser, and more. Performed on period instruments by A Joyful Noyse at Hancock Church. $15 suggested donation at the door.