Reverend Judith C . Medeiros
Rev. Judith Medeiros was Ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2006. She received her Master's of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, Ma. and was awarded the Koinonia Preaching award for excellence in preaching and the Jonathan Edwards award for her contributions to the well-being of the community. She specialized in Theology and the Arts and was privileged to participate in many programs by leading musicians, artists, poets, and iconographers. Rev. Medeiros received her Bachelor's of Science in Psychology specializing in Family and Community Systems at Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA. This has given her great insight into the dynamics of family and group interactions and the ways in which our community affiliations shape us from generation to generation. Systems thinking teaches that we build each other up by focusing on what we do well as opposed to focusing on our weaknesses. We see the whole, from the balcony, instead of only noticing the problems. The best way to help a family or community grow is to increase their strengths and appreciate their gifts. In her early years, Rev. Medeiros was an early childhood educator, and one of the first Nationally Certificated Family Daycare Providers. While attending Cambridge College, she took advantage of the college model encouraging students to profile life experience for college credit by documenting her experience in the field. Rev. Medeiros was the first and only student that defended her self-learning of thirty-five college course credits. Her understanding of early childhood development inspired her to write a book for children in the hospital entitled: "Through My Eyes." Written to encourage children to express their feelings and give voice to their fears. The workbook offers creative writing, drawing, prayer and meditation. Special permission was given by singer/songwriter Shaina Noll to use lyrics from songs produced on her album "Songs for the Inner Child." With support from Andover Newton's Psychology Department Chair, Professor Brita Gill-Austern, the book received a grant from the Seraph Foundation to be published on behalf of Boston Children's Hospital. Rev. Medeiros has served in a variety of ministerial positions providing her with many gifts and skills, including serving on an Interfaith Pastoral Team at the Brooksby Village Retirement Community. Serving alongside pastors representing Catholic, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist faith practices, her own deepened and her reverence for other paths to God increased. Rev. Medeiros is presently seeking certification as a Spiritual Director from the Shalem Foundation to enable her to offer spiritual guidance to those seeking to deepen their relationship with God as well as those who may not be associated with a specific faith or religious community but are curious about the Divine. Rev. Medeiros is delighted to serve Honeoye UCC as their Interim minister and looks forward to the journey of helping them discover their gifts, strengths, and unique call to be God's love in the world.
Music Director Nancy Pease
Our music director since 1976 is Nancy Pease, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. She is an outstanding pianist and flutist and is gifted on a number of instruments. She also brings a wide range of music traditions and styles to worship and the music program. In addition, she is a music teacher who gives private lessons.