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Reverend Dana Allen Walsh is a pastor, teacher, and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She is the first female Senior Pastor of South Church in Andover in their 300 year history. Prior to her call to South Church in 2014, Dana served for eight years as Minister of Hancock United Church of Christ on the historic battle green of Lexington.  She holds a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Mary Washington. Dana was raised in Trumbull, CT where her spiritual journey began with the Catholic Church until she felt her call to ministry through youth service trips.

Dana is a seeker of the sacred in the ordinary. She sees traces of the divine in deep conversations, in the chaos of parenthood, and in the intergenerational joy of church. Dana believes that church is where we remind each other of who God has called us to be in this world: people of hope and people of courage.

Dana resides in Andover along with her husband, Sean and two children: Leighton & Emerson. You can find Dana fueling up with a latte at Caffe Nero, hiking an AVIS trail with her dog, Bono, or rifling through the clearance rack at Chic Consignment.

Alex Shea Will began as Associate Pastor at South Church in July of 2015. Prior to South Church, he served Hancock United Church of Christ for three years in various roles, the last being Acting Minister of Congregational Care. Alex loves not only when he gets to work with our youth, but also hosting lunches at local retirement communities. He is passionate about helping folks embody worship – through singing, movement, and proclamation – and instilling confidence to share our Christian faith. Alex holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Catawba College, a UCC affiliated college in Salisbury, North Carolina, and a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.

Alex lives in Medford and spends much of his free time playing and coaching rugby, and watching soccer. You can read more about Alex and follow his blog at alexsheawill.com.

Sherry was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, the oldest of 6 children. She graduated from the University of Nebraska as a French horn major with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She married Philip Tupper from Wilmington, MA, moved to Andover and is the mother of 2 children and grandmother of 3.

Sherry taught music for 11 years before moving to Montreal with her family. While in Montreal, she served as a pastoral assistant at the Beaconsfield United Church of Canada, Beaconsfield, Quebec. Upon her return to Andover, she was invited to join the pastoral team at South Church where she served 18 years at Director of Outreach Ministries before retiring. Her responsibilities included warming up the hand of fellowship, tracking visitors and leading the Inquirer’s classes for new members.

In 2009 Sherry became a widow after 42 years of marriage. In 2010 she was invited out of retirement by the Senior Pastor to join the pastoral team where she presently serves as Minister of Visitation.

Sherry has held a wide variety of positions in the church including, Senior Deacon, Superintendent of the Church School, and Director of the Children’s Choir. Presently, she knits for the Prayer Shawl Ministry, sings with the Sanctuary Choir, leads a women’s Bible Study and coordinates “Prayer Partners” – South Church’s Intercessory Prayer Group.

Outside interests include Gordon College in Wenham, MA where she serves on the Council of 125, president of the Board of The Salzburg Institute of Religion, Culture and the Arts (a 6 week summer school program in Salzburg and Vienna for college students), alpine skiing, kayaking, sailing, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and international travel.

Cathy directs the Sanctuary Choir, the handbell choir and all the youth choirs, while also working closely with the Pickers as well as playing the organ and piano for worship services. She also works in the Boston area as an organ recitalist, accompanist, organ and piano teacher and coach, and conductor, and is a teacher with the Young Organist Initiative with the Boston American Guild of Organists. With a passion for bringing people of all walks of life coming together for good, she is the new Musical Director for The Lord’s Prayer Experience, an interfaith journey into song and spirit. She has recorded on the organ with the Beauport Classical label, is the featured organist on the accompaniment recording for book The Everything Guide to Stress Management by Melissa Roberts, and was a contributor for the new book for church leadership entitled God’s Business by Kurt Glacy. She received a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance with a Specialization in Church Music from the University of North Texas and a Master of Sacred Music from Boston University’s School of Theology with a concentration in organ.

Jennifer Murray leads youth group, works with the confirmation team and assists in worship. She is a recent graduate of Andover Newton Theological School. Outside of South Church she loves to read, drink coffee and spend time with her family and friends. Jenn is thankful for the progressive, loving and open welcome that this congregation offers.