First Congregational Church | Harwich, MA

Rev. Thomas C. Leinbach - Pastor

Pastor Tom combines a keen interest in Christian theology as it relates to current events, culture, and the ways these various elements diverge and intersect. He values the importance of pastoral care and loves teaching and preaching the gospel, seeking always to connect faith with real, everyday living.

Tom is married to Linda. Their family includes Jonathan and Kristin, who along with her husband, Kevin, have two daughters, Autumn and Abigail. Each is a blessing and a joy.

Tom has served U.C.C. churches in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, coming to First Church as settled pastor in 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University as well as two master’s degrees from Yale Divinity School.

Marcia Hempel - Music Director / Organist
hempelm@earthlink.net

A recent addition to our staff, Music Director Marcia Hempel is a highly skilled organist with extensive training in choral direction for both children and adults.

She has studied organ at the New England Conservatory, piano and voice at the Rhode Island Conservatory and choral conducting at Westminster Choir College, to name just part of her broad and ongoing training. Her interests are eclectic ranging, as she puts it, “from Bach to Bernstein,” including the jazz organ! She also plays the guitar. In addition to her church work, Marcia leads private singing and piano lessons for children and young adults. She is the founder, director and accompanist of the Women’s Chorus of Nantucket, and has experience in local theater. This summer she is initiating a 1/2 hour "Wednesday Night Organ Concerts" series beginning on June 27th.

G.Nickerson Gail Nickerson  - Secretary
firstchurchharwich@verizon.net

Originally from New York City, Gail moved to Cape Cod and married a local school teacher.  Their two grown daughters still live here on the Cape.  One is a school teacher and the other is Christian Education Director at another local church.
                                                                                                                     Besides Gail’s duties as church office administrator and secretary, she also is writing an historical novel about the Salem witch trials.