OUR 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. Angela Wells-Bean, Minister for Congregational Care
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Mark Williams
Rev. Dr. Mark Williams was born and raised in Vero Beach and grew up attending the Community Church of Vero Beach (UCC). This church shaped his life, his faith, and his future ministry in powerful ways. Rev. Williams received an undergraduate degree from Davidson College. Shortly thereafter, he received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University. While at Duke, he served as a ministry intern and young adult pastor at Pilgrim UCC in Durham, NC. It was at Pilgrim UCC where he met his wife Emily, and it was also where God orchestrated his ordination. Some years later, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching from Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. After pastoring churches in Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, he returned to his home state of Florida where for the past nine years he has served as the Senior Minister at United Church of Marco Island. Mark and Emily have three children, Nolan, Marie, and Anna.
Minister for Congregational Care
Rev. Angela Wells-Bean
Rev. Angela Wells-Bean serves as Minister for Congregational Care at Naples United Church of Christ. Rev. Wells-Bean provides leadership for the numerous caring ministries at NUCC, including our Stephen Ministry. Additionally, she works with the Board of Missions and Outreach encouraging partnerships with local and global missions.
Prior to serving in Naples, Rev. Wells-Bean was the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Burlington, MA for nine years. For a brief period, she was the youngest ordained pastor in the UCC at just 25 years old. Rev. Wells-Bean was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida and is glad to be back in her home state, closer to family. Rev. Wells-Bean received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from New College of Florida and her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She is a part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative of the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ. She was also named as one of the female clergy leaders under 40 to follow in the United Church of Christ.
Rev. Wells-Bean is committed to extending God’s unconditional love to all people, especially those on the margins and she is thrilled to be on the staff at Naples UCC. When she’s not working, Rev. Wells-Bean spends her time with her husband, Andy, raising their two sons, Soren and Emerson.
Executive Assistant to the Clergy Team
Darren Paquette
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.
Director of Music
Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf
Dr. Becky is responsible for all aspects of our Music Program. Since 2001, Dr. Becky
has served as the Organist and Director of Music at NUCC. In addition to her choral
directing and organ responsibilities, Becky oversees an extensive concert series.
Becky received two undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor
of Church Music) at Shenandoah College & Conservatory of Music in Winchester,
Virginia. Her graduate studies began at Westminster Choir College, in Princeton, New
Jersey, where she was an organ student of Donald McDonald and a conducting student
of Joseph Flummerfelt. In 1998, Dr. Becky completed the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree
in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. If you have
questions about our concert series, joining our choir, sponsoring a music selection
during a service, performing as a musician in one of our many music events, or
donating to the Music Fund, email Becky.
Pianist
Dr. Alexandra Carlson
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.
Director of Christian Education
Jeanne Snedeker
Jeanne is responsible for our Children’s Education Program. All children are welcome
to participate in our activities, whether or not their parents are member of Naples UCC.
If you have questions about Youth Sunday School, Naples UCC nursery, Wacky
Wednesday, or other children’s programming and events. If you would like more info about our Children's Programs, please email Jeanne.
Volunteer Youth Director
Sara Treiser
Sara is responsible for all Youth Programs for middle and high school teens. All teens
are welcome to attend, whether or not their parents are members of Naples UCC. If you
have a teen in your life and have questions about when they meet and events planned
on our church campus and other local venues, email Sara.
Nursery Caregiver
Elena Fernandez
Elena works with our kids ministry and is here on Sundays to provide Nursery care
during the services.
Events Coordinator
Susan Melick
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.
Director of Technology
Tony Falco
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.
Coordinator for Membership & Stewardship
Chelsea Godwin
Chelsea is responsible for coordinating the activities of Membership and Stewardship.
If you have a question about becoming a new member, attending our prospective
member orientation and luncheon, obtaining a name tag, participating in the New
Member Potluck gatherings, making a pledge, inquiring about your pledge status and
statements, please email Chelsea.
Communications Specialist
Yuliana Mercado
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.
Custodian
Ray Gangl
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.
Director of Operations
Jodi Nierkerk
Jodi is responsible for all aspects of our Church’s daily operations and all finances. If
you have questions regarding renting a space, reserving a room, a maintenance
request, or any Planned Giving or Stock Donations, email Jodi.
Assistant for Finance and Administration
Asher Klipstein
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. If you have questions about booking a room at
church or the church calendar, please email Asher.
Director of Production
Brad Van Houten
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.
The Bargain Box Thrift Store
Sandy Goldstein
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.
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!