Rev. Ken McGarry, Pastor
Pastor Ken began serving the church in the fall of 2020 as our 39th Settled Minister. Prior to coming to Stoneham, he was Associate Minister for Youth and Families at the First Church of Nashua, New Hampshire. He has also directed youth programs for congregations in Connecticut, Colorado, and Kansas.
Pastor Ken studied youth ministry at Central Christian College of Kansas and the New Testament at Denver Seminary in Colorado. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver.
Ken and his wife Christine live in Reading with Opal, their fluffy Bedlington Terrier. Together, they enjoy reading (although Opal prefers barking to reading) and hiking in the beautiful hills of New England.
Naré Kim, Director of Music
Renowned for her “highly expressive phrasing” and “shimmering warmth of sound,” Korean soprano Naré Kim has shared her singing talent on stages alongside companies including the Cambridge Chamber Ensemble, Boston Opera Collaborative, San Diego Opera, Opera NEO, Seoul Metropolitan Opera, and more. Additionally, she has held leadership roles in directing choirs in Seoul and throughout the United States. Naré is also a dedicated advocate for literacy education, collaborating with organizations like Pimsleur and Books International. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from Seoul National University and currently resides in Massachusetts with her son and husband.
Joy Riordan, Office Administrator
Joy grew up in the neighboring town of Malden. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Hospitality Administration, she worked for over 15 years in Boston hotels. Joy currently lives in Stoneham with her husband Joe, their two kids Amelia and Joey, and Larry the Australian Cattle dog. She loves Boston sports, especially the Celtics, and remains a devoted fan of Tom Brady.
Kristie Colwell, Purpose School Director
Kristie joined the Purpose School in November 2000. She was the Director of the Children’s Place at the Navy Yard for five years before joining the Purpose School. Before becoming the Director at the Navy Yard she was a toddler and preschool teacher. Kristie holds a teaching degree from Wheelock College, and is certified to teach pre-K through 6 grade in the public school system.
Kristie lives in Stoneham with her husband Mike and their dog Maisy. Both of Kristie’s children attended Purpose School and now are living on their own. Her daughter teaches in NYC and her son is a manager at Essex Sports Center in Middleton.
Lynn Haddad, Treasurer and Food Pantry Director of Operations
Lynn has been a member of the First Congregational Church since 1994 and Church Treasurer since 2013. As the owner Expressions in Fabric, a custom window treatment workroom, she has been designing and fabricating custom window treatments and home accessories since she started the business in 2004.
Lynn is the Director of Operations of FCC’s food pantry where she spends numerous hours volunteering. Her hobbies include gardening at home as well as keeping First Church’s grounds beautiful, reading, sewing and traveling with her family.
Lenny Levine, Sexton
Lenny has a background in Real Estate and construction, and has been lovingly maintaining First Church since the fall of 2013. He was previously a member of the Swansea, MA, Mt. Dora, FL, and Jackson, NH Fire Departments.
Lenny enjoys fishing, handyman projects, working outside and spending time with his friends.
