Rev. Dianne E. Arakawa – Interim Pastor
Pastor Dianne began serving us in February of 2019. She understands her ministry as a specialized ministry, and brings many years of experience in intentional transitional ministry in the United Church of Christ.
Previously she served in Niantic/East Lyme, CT; Simsbury, CT; Boston, MA; East Milton, MA; and Belmont, MA as well as in the Chicago, IL area and in New York, NY. Before being asked to serve in CT, she was the Chair of the Transitional Ministry Committee of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Pastor Dianne holds an MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School in the history of religions; an MDiv from the Harvard Divinity School, where she received the American Bible Society Prize and a Certificate in the Teaching of Religion in Schools; and a BA from Wheaton College in MA, where she double majored in Religion and Art History.
She is married to the Rev. Stephen C. Washburn, and they have a grown son. When not ministering, she enjoys visiting museums and historical sites, listening to classical music and watching opera, walking on beaches, skimming ethnic cook books and diving into British detective mysteries.
Marcia Hempel – Music Director / Organist
Music Director Marcia Hempel is a highly skilled organist with extensive training in choral direction for both children and adults.
Marcia 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 directs the Young Singers Program for ages 9-16, sponsored by the church. She conducts the Harwich Women’s Chorus, which she started in 2013, and accompanies the Victrola Chorus, which performs at nursing homes. Prior to coming to First Church, Marcia was the founder, director and accompanist of the Nantucket Women’s Choir.
Kimberly Perry – Administrative Assistant
Kimberly is our new Administrative Assistant. She said she first applied to us because she felt a “calling” to this church position.
She is friendly, communicates well, is experienced, organized, able to multi-task, detail-oriented with publications and projects, and highly skilled with computer programs, digital platforms as well as social media.
From 2013-20, Kim was part-time Office Manager/Executive Assistant at Calmer Choice of S. Yarmouth and 2014-17 part-time Administrative Coordinator at CHNA for Cape Cod and the Islands; from 2011-13 she worked as Office Manager/Assistant for Accounts Payable at the W. Yarmouth Office of Servpro of the Mid-and-Outer Cape; from 1990-2011 (21 years) Kim served in different capacities at Cape Cod Health as Project Specialist, Marketing Specialist, Executive Assistant and Administrative Secretary. She also drove a school bus for Yarmouth sometime in between.
Kimberly was born in Springfield, MA, but moved to Barnstable on the Cape when she was seven years old. She attended Cape Cod Community College for Business Administration. She is married, has three sons, a dog and a cat. Since 2008 she has been a member of the W. Dennis Community Church, United Church of Christ, where she also served as clerk and volunteered in a variety of ways. In her free time, she enjoys family, walking on the beach, exploring the Cape and its history, reading and learning.
Paul Frederickson – Sexton
Paul has served as Sexton at First Church since 2006. He enjoys his work and the people here.
Being the son of a long-time member, he grew up in this church and is knowledgeable about its buildings, campus and history.
A talented musician, he contributes to our Coffee House gatherings. Paul also works at the Cape Cod Technical High School.
He is married to Susan.