Rev. Ben Lee, Pastor
Ben believes that the church has the peculiar potential to bridge everything seeking to divide us from one another to connect us to one another in Christ. In other words, church can be a healthy community in which to grow up, grow strong, and grow old secure in healthy relationships. We don’t always get it right, but with God’s help and mutual accountability, we can do better day by day. We can grow closer to God and one another and invite others into the emotionally and spiritually healthy community we call First UMC of Somerville.
Born in Buffalo, NY, Ben grew up on or near Air Force bases in upstate New York, northern Maine, North Carolina, and England. After finishing high school, he enlisted himself, and was stationed in Germany where he served as a Weather Forecaster. When his enlistment was over, he returned to America and earned a B.A. at Rutgers-New Brunswick in English and History with a focus in Creative Writing. While still discerning God’s call, Ben worked with the National Park Service as a Historical Interpreter at Historical sites in New Jersey and in and around New York City before beginning his Seminary studies at Drew, earning a Masters of Divinity and becoming an Ordained Elder in the UMC while serving under appointment to different churches in our Annual Conference.
Before arriving at First UMC of Somerville, Ben served Oxford and Summerfield UMCs in Warren County, Bridgewater UMC as an Associate Pastor, and Flemington UMC. He is married to Melissa and the proud father of four children who have taught him more about God’s patience, grace, and love than anything else.
Born in Buffalo, NY, Ben grew up on or near Air Force bases in upstate New York, northern Maine, North Carolina, and England. After finishing high school, he enlisted himself, and was stationed in Germany where he served as a Weather Forecaster. When his enlistment was over, he returned to America and earned a B.A. at Rutgers-New Brunswick in English and History with a focus in Creative Writing. While still discerning God’s call, Ben worked with the National Park Service as a Historical Interpreter at Historical sites in New Jersey and in and around New York City before beginning his Seminary studies at Drew, earning a Masters of Divinity and becoming an Ordained Elder in the UMC while serving under appointment to different churches in our Annual Conference.
Before arriving at First UMC of Somerville, Ben served Oxford and Summerfield UMCs in Warren County, Bridgewater UMC as an Associate Pastor, and Flemington UMC. He is married to Melissa and the proud father of four children who have taught him more about God’s patience, grace, and love than anything else.
Dr. Janet Stafford, Assistant Minister/Director of Christian Education
A leader in intergenerational worship and education experiences, Dr. Janet R. Stafford's passion is multi-generational worship/learning and empowering parents to be spiritual leaders for their children.
She assists in worship, prepares devotionals for families and adults, coordinates the church's communications, leads various adult and cross-generational short-term groups including confirmation, and oversees the youth group. Janet also is a published novelist and owns a small publishing company called Squeaking Pips Press. She has writes an historical fiction family saga (the Saint Maggie Series) and has published several novellas and short stories.
Born in Albany, New York, Janet spent most of her childhood and all of her teen years in Parsippany, New Jersey and thinks of herself as a Jersey Girl. She has a B.A. degree in Asian Studies from Seton Hall University, and a Master of Divinity degree and a Ph.D. (North American Religion and Culture) from Drew University.
She assists in worship, prepares devotionals for families and adults, coordinates the church's communications, leads various adult and cross-generational short-term groups including confirmation, and oversees the youth group. Janet also is a published novelist and owns a small publishing company called Squeaking Pips Press. She has writes an historical fiction family saga (the Saint Maggie Series) and has published several novellas and short stories.
Born in Albany, New York, Janet spent most of her childhood and all of her teen years in Parsippany, New Jersey and thinks of herself as a Jersey Girl. She has a B.A. degree in Asian Studies from Seton Hall University, and a Master of Divinity degree and a Ph.D. (North American Religion and Culture) from Drew University.
Jennifer McKenna, Office Manager
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Jen McKenna joined the FUMC staff as Administrative Assistant in November of 2016. A Somerville resident for over 17 years, she makes her home with husband, Chris and her two sons, Ryan and Connor. She graduated from West Virginia University, where she majored Interior Design and now owns JAM Designs, a company that specializes in handmade and personalized items for the home. JAM Designs can be found on Etsy.
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Regina Koebele-Demaree, Organist and Choir Director
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Regina Koebele-Demaree leads the congregation in worship as organist, pianist, and choir director and is involved in worship planning. A native of Germany, she earned a Church Musician degree for professional organists and choir directors in Hamburg, Germany under the auspices of the Nordelbische Lutherische Landeskirche. As part of her double-major in Music and Education, Regina completed practice exams at the Musikhochschule Hamburg (Music Conservatory) in church organ, piano, conducting, and voice. Working in the rich tradition of Methodist music ministry, Regina feels honored and privileged to serve the congregation of FUMC. To contact Regina please call the church office: 908-725-1473
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Kevin Daley, Substitute Organist
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A resident of Princeton, New Jersey since 1995, Kevin Daly holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Theory and Composition from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, having finished there (summa cum laude) in 1999. While at Westminster he was twice named Andrew J. Rider Scholar for outstanding academic achievement (1996 and 1999), won the Priscilla Stilz Award for progress in the study of German in 1997, and in 1998, the Nancy Wickland hymn tune writing contest. A member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the music honor society, he was organist at St. Agnes Church in Clark, New Jersey from 1995 to 2006; Director of Music at St. James the Less (R.C.) in Jamesburg, New Jersey from 2009 to 2019; and choir director at Temple Shaari-Emeth in Manalapan, New Jersey from 2007 to 2019. He’s the author of five works for solo organ, two of which have been featured on “Pipedreams,” the Public Radio show hosted by Michael Barone (Program #0809: The American Muse; Program #1428: From the Mailbag). His compositions are available at www.kevindalycomposer.com.
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Vida, Church Dog
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First UMC has had an illustrious line of church dogs over the last 13 years. Beginning with China the American bulldog, to Tippy the miniature Australian shepherd, and now Vida the coonhound/beagle mix, our Church Dogs have served as official greeters and dispensers of unconditional love. Vida hails from Tennessee and was moved from a shelter in that state to the SAVE shelter located in Montgomery, NJ. It was there that she and assistant minister/Christian educator Dr. Janet Stafford first met and adopted each other. Please feel free to stop by the office during the week once the COVID-19 crisis has eased up and say hello. You will be warmly welcomed by Vida!
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