Leadership

Interim Pastor

Reverend Dr. Cliff Hersey

Cliff comes to us uniquely qualified to serve as Interim of FCCOE. His roots are in the Nazarene Denomination. He was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, attended Eastern Nazarene College and further educated at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He is ordained by the Nazarenes.

Cliff has a pastoral heart. His life of ministry has been devoted to building up churches in a variety of pastoral roles and also teaching in higher education: teaching in Communication Arts at ENC and Gordon College.

Cliff’s career has been devoted to both education and church development. In the latter he has guided churches through formative transitions. He has also planted churches and helped congregations transition to full time pastors.

His work in education ranged from the classroom to developing public relations for ENC and administering several programs at Gordon College.

In retirement Cliff has continued to provide pulpit supply to churches of varied denominations and liturgical styles. He is currently attending, and working with, All Saints Church, an Anglican congregation in Amesbury. His sermons are scripturally based, thoughtfully composed, and spiritually challenging. He provides practical suggestions on how to live out the faith. His delivery is conversational in tone.

Cliff lives in Byfield with his wife, Sue. They have two adult children and seven grandchildren.

Pastor Cliff began his interim time with FCCOE on January 1, 2025 and will serve us up until the time we select a full time pastor.

Youth Pastor

Cullen Capehart

S. Cullen Capehart is a student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He graduated from the Universtiy of North Carolina where he met his wife Karen. The two moved up to South Hamilton in 2022.

Cullen likes to read, play video games, discuss theology, and is always up for a good cup of coffee and conversation.

Administrator (website & FB mgr.)

Lisa Cleverdon

Lisa began working as the admin. & website/FB manager in 2014. She has been a church member since 1989, after she moved to Essex. She has been a member the following church committees; Christian Ed., Trustees, and Deacons. She has participated in: HS & MS youth group, VBS, Open Door, Family Promise, Holiday Fair, mission trips, bible study groups, and in many community outreach programs on Cape Ann.

Lisa has 2 grown married children, Kyle and his wife who live and work in the North Shore area and Brittany and her husband who live and work in VT. Lisa is a volunteer coach at Ipswich HS for field hockey & lacrosse. She lives in Ipswich. Loves hospitality, travel, big dogs, and all sports.

Music Director

David Shorey

David Shorey began as Director of Music in the fall of 2020. He and his wife Wendy have been members of FCCOE since 2006, and David has accompanied the church choir and has led songs of praise during the worship service for a number of years.

David is a graduate of Gordon College in Wenham with a degree in Music Education. Previously he was Director of the Bookstore at Gordon College, worked in banking management in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C, served full time as a Minister of Music and Administrator for a church plant in Carmel, Indiana, and most recently worked for 24 years at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, as Director of Support Services, a position from which he has recently retired.

David and Wendy live in Ipswich.

Church Leaders

Treasurer

Frank Stewart

Assistant Treasurer

Sarah Cushing

Moderator

Craig Hammon

Clerk

Organist

Lisa Reis

Vicki Harvey

Trustee Chairs

Dick Cairns & Dennnis Hoover

Deacon Chair

Sue Bell

Christian Ed Chair

Tom Griffith

Mission Chair

Judson Reis

Retired Pastor

Reverend Dr. Timothy M. Ziegenhals

After 30 years as a dedicated shepherd to the FCCOE congregation, Tim retired at the end of 2024. The congregation continues to be very grateful for all he did for the Church in his time with us and we hold him and his wife Rama in prayer as they enter a new chapter of their lives together.