MEET OUR CHURCH STAFF

At Naples UCC, we are a community of believers who strive to be inclusive and welcoming of all. Meet our team of dedicated staff members who work together to spread the message of God's love and grace in everything we do. Each member brings unique skills and talents to help us live out our mission.

Led by Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Williams

Rev. Dr. Mark Williams

Senior Minister

Rev. Dr. Mark Williams brings to Naples UCC a pastoral spirit and vision that is enthusiastic, hopeful, kind, mission-driven, and authentic. A thoughtful and compelling preacher who enjoys connecting scripture to the everyday lives of parishioners, Pastor Mark truly cares for our church and for our community. Williams's interdenominational experience is the perfect fit for pastoring a church with a wide variety of theological backgrounds. Williams has led diverse churches in four different states in three different denominations. His vocational and educational experience with the U.C.C., United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Congregational Church, Presbyterian Church, and Cooperative Baptist Church (not to mention marrying a Roman Catholic) speaks to his inclusive, all-embracing spiritual values. Rev. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Mercer University. A Florida native, Pastor Mark enjoys the outdoors and "anything and everything baseball." Mark and his wife Emily are very involved in the Naples community and have three young children: Nolan, Marie, and Anna.

Email Mark

Rev. Angela Wells-Bean

Minister for Congregational Care

Rev. Angela Wells-Bean extends God’s unconditional love to all people, especially those on the margins. Her worship leadership is hopeful, empathetic and prophetic. Pastor Angela oversees our numerous caring ministries at NUCC, including our Stephen Ministry and WISE for mental health ministry. Additionally, she works with our Board of Missions and Outreach to connect our church and its parishioners to mission partners—local, national, and global. Prior to serving in Naples, Rev. Wells-Bean was the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Burlington, MA for nine years. Rev. Wells-Bean received her Bachelor of Arts from New College of Florida and her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. Currently, Pastor Angela is working toward a doctoral degree at Emory University. Her doctoral research explores all the many positives that come from pastoring a church that is fully open and affirming to those who identify as LGBTQ+ . Pastor Angela is a part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative of the United Church of Christ, and she was named as one of the female clergy leaders under 40 to follow in the United Church of Christ. Rev. Wells-Bean enjoys spending time with her husband, Andy, raising two young children: Soren and Emerson.

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Program Staff

Chelsea Godwin

Receptionist and Membership Coordinator

Email Chelsea Godwin

What our community loves about Chelsea is how helpful she is with everyone with whom she interacts—in person, on the phone, or via email. If you have a question about our church, about a ministry event, or about becoming a new member—Chelsea is our "go-to" person. Should you have any questions about the church, email Chelsea.

Jeannie Snedeker

Director of Christian Education

Email Jeannie Snedeker

Jeannie Snedeker brings to Naples UCC a vision for Christian Education that is compassionate, thoughtful, and always inclusive. A mother of three grown children and former elementary school teacher, Jeannie has decades of experience teaching and relating to families and young people of all ages. What we all love about Jeanne is that she always goes the extra mile to help both children and their parents feel welcome and comfortable at our family-friendly church. If you have questions about Youth Sunday School, the Naples UCC nursery, or our Splash Wednesday afternoon curriculum, be sure to contact Jeanne. When sharing a precious child with Jeanne, you are entrusting the child into wisest and most caring of hands!

Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf

Director of Music

Email Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf

If you're searching for a stellar music program, look no further! At Naples UCC, music is at the heart of our worship and ministry, with each service featuring music creatively intertwined with the day's scripture. We regularly host performers from The Naples Philharmonic at Artis-Naples and talented singers from Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf, our Organist and Director of Music since 2001, oversees every facet of our Music Program. In addition to her choral and organ duties, she manages an extensive concert series. Dr. Becky earned dual undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Church Music from Shenandoah College & Conservatory of Music and pursued graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and the University of Miami, where she completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. Hailing from a small West Virginia town, she began her keyboard studies in childhood and continued her education with weekly trips to Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. Married to William Rumpf since April 16, 2016, they live in Naples with their two rescue puppies, Bonnie and Clyde. For inquiries about our music events or to get involved, please reach out to Becky via email.

Team

From leading worship to organizing events, our team is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Asher Klipstein

Office Assistant and Rental Manager

Asher is responsible for daily office operations, coordinating volunteer support for church operations, and managing the church calendar. He also assists with finance, data processing, and event logistics as well as manages rentals for the church. If you have questions about booking a room at church, renting a space or the church calendar, please email Asher.

Email Asher Klipstein

Bradley Van Houten

Executive Director

Brad is responsible for all aspects of our Audio Visual and Video production including the support needs for rentals. If you have questions about Livestreaming, AV Support for an event or other aspects of our online life at church, email Brad.

Email Bradley Van Houten

Darren Paquette

Executive Assistant to the Clergy Team

Darren Paquette is responsible for managing the schedules and administrative functions for our clergy team. He works closely with all staff, lay leaders and volunteers to coordinate many of their activities. If you would like to schedule a meeting with one of our pastors, please email Darren.

Email Darren Paquette

Dr. Alexandra Carlson

Pianist

Dr. Carlson is our resident pianist and plays during worship each week supporting the choir. Sasha's gifts in the area of sacred music have helped her garner the reputation of being one of the most outstanding church pianists in the United States.

Email Dr. Alexandra Carlson

Elena Fernandez

Nursery Caregiver

Elena works with our kids ministry and is here on Sundays to provide Nursery care during the services.

Email Elena Fernandez

Jim Asmus

Assistant Custodian

Jim assists with custodial work on campus and keeping the church running

Email Jim Asmus

Jodi Nienkerk

Director of Financial Operations

Jodi is responsible for all aspects of our Church’s finances. If you have any questions on Planned Giving or Stock Donations, email Jodi.

Email Jodi Nienkerk

Ray Gangl

Custodian

Ray oversees the maintenance and repairs on our beautiful campus and helps support rentals and events. Should you notice something that needs attention, email Ray.

Email Ray Gangl

Sandy Goldstein

The Bargain Box Thrift Store Manager

Sandy oversees and manages the daily operations of our thrift store, The Bargain Box. If you have any questions about donating or volunteering with her at the Bargain Box, please email Sandy.

Email Sandy Goldstein

Susan Melick

Events Coordinator

Susan is responsible for planning all Church Events, both on, and sometimes, off campus. If you have questions about finding a venue, room set up, food prep, serving as a hostess, our monthly Social Soirée or coordinating your wedding day, email Susan.

Email Susan Melick

Tony Falco

Director of Technology

Tony is responsible for managing all aspects of our Information Technology, such as email, Office 365, the card key system and classroom technologies. If you have questions regarding technology or IT, please email Tony.

Email Tony Falco

Yuliana Mercado

Communications Specialist

Yuli oversees and coordinates our weekly bulletins and email blast as well as any printing and publication support for church sponsored events and happenings. She is the main proprietor of our Facebook page and website and serves as our lead contact for all advertisements and press connections. If you need publication support or would like to contact the church with a media request, please email Yuli.

Email Yuliana Mercado

DISCOVER YOUR FAITH

We were put on earth to be in relationship with God and others. Naples UCC exists to help you with these two key relationships. At Naples UCC, we hope you will find encouragement, love, and support as you walk with God and live with God's people. No matter your faith background and no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Naples UCC will always honor your individual religious freedom as you deepen your understanding of God. At Naples UCC, we believe that more unites us together in our faith than does divide. We may not all believe alike, but we do love alike!