The Reverend Dr. Mark Boyea , Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea joined First Congregational Church in July 2005 as its Senior Minister. Ordained in June 2005, Mark entered the ministry after 20 years as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator. He comes to us most recently from Union Congregational Church in Montclair, where he served as Assistant Minister for three years while attending Drew Theological School. Dr. Boyea graduated with a degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Potsdam College (NY), then attended East Stroudsburg University (PA), where he earned a Master's Degree in Education and Administration. Subsequently, he served as Assistant Director of Athletics at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, and as Director of Athletics at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire, during which time his interest in psychology deepened due to his work with students and staff. This would lead him to pursue a Ph.D in that field, which he earned from the University of Maryland in 1994. While guided by his faith throughout his personal and professional lives, it was during the latter part of his tenure (1997-2002) as Director of Athletics and Instructor of Psychology at The Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, NJ, that Mark realized that what had always drawn him to teaching, coaching, and counseling was a desire to help people become all that God wants them to be. From this insight, he made the decision to enter seminary, and received his Master of Divinity degree (summa cum laude) in May 2005. One of nine children, Mark was born in upstate New York, and met his wife of twenty years, Cindy Seeley Boyea, while attending graduate school. Mark and Cindy now reside in Scotch Plains with their children, Ryan and Kelsey. Contact Mark by calling the church office at (908) 233-2494 or via email at: uccfcc.mark@verizon.net

Reverend Joy Mounts, Associate Minister Reverend Joy Mounts joined First Congregational Church in September of 2005 as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry. After a seventeen year career as a Corporate Meeting and Events Planner for Union Carbide and The Dow Chemical Company, as well as much prayer and discernment, Joy felt led by God to the path of full time ministry. She is In-Care with the Fairfield East Association (Connecticut Conference of the UCC) and on track to be ordained in the summer of 2007. In October of 2005 she was licensed for one year to administer the sacraments in her capacity as Director of Youth and Family Ministry. Joy previously worked for two years as a student minister intern at Christ Church, Summit while attending Drew Theological School. Joy received a BA in Theater with a minor in Religion from Texas Christian University. She then attended Miami University, where she received a MS in Mass Communications. After graduation she began employment with Union Carbide Corporation as an industrial and promotion video writer/producer. In a short time she was also handling meetings and trade shows. During her tenure at Union Carbide, she also managed advertising for the Plastics recycling business and edited an in-house divisional magazine. Choosing not to make a career with The Dow Chemical Company after their merger with Union Carbide, Joy decided to pursue a long-held dream and attend seminary. She received her Master of Divinity degree (summa cum laude) from Drew in May 2005. Joy is the eldest of three daughters. She was born in West Virginia, although her father's long career in the chemicals and plastics business led the family to live in many different states (West Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey and Connecticut) as well as spending several years in Brazil. Joy currently resides in Watchung. Her sisters, their families and her parents live in the tri-state area, and Joy is blessed to be able to be an active presence in her nieces' and nephews' lives. A cancer survivor, Joy is thrilled to be finally following the calling to ministry that has long been in her heart. Contact Joy by calling the church office at (908) 233-2494 or via email at: uccfcc.joy@verizon.net

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