Clergy

440.247.6490 ext. 100

Vicki “retired” in May 2024 after more than a decade serving as the pastor of Middleburg Heights Community United Church of Christ. Motivated by her passion for justice, extravagant welcome and multi-sensory worship, she led the congregation to become Open and Affirming, to join Greater Cleveland Congregations, and created WorKship Sundays, days when the church worships in service to the community rather than in the sanctuary.

Vicki is a graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and Michigan State University. An entrepreneur for nearly 30 years, she serves as the Vice President of McGaw Technology, Inc., an aerospace research and development company headed her husband who holds a PhD in aerospace engineering. She and Mike are the parents of two children, Megan who passed away in 2018 after a short battle with an aggressive cancer, and Christopher who currently resides in the Central African Republic where he serves as a diplomatic security special agent for the State Department.

Vicki enjoys traveling, cooking, reading and listening to all kinds of music. She has an unfortunate addiction to Coke Zero, enjoys a good glass of wine, and loves change. She is thrilled to serve Federated as the interim pastor during this time of transition.

440.247.6490 ext. 101

[email protected]

Betsy was called to serve as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Federated Church on June 26, 2022. She returned to Ohio in 2021, after several years in Boston, MA, where she earned her Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. She is thrilled to be back in greater Cleveland! While in Boston, she spent a year as a seminary intern at Old South Church in Boston, served for a year as the Office of Spiritual Life Fellow at Wellesley College, and completed her clinical pastoral education at Brigham and Women’s hospital.

Betsy is married to Rev. Matt Wooster, senior minister at Plymouth Church UCC, in Shaker Heights, and they are parents to grown sons, James and Sam, daughter-in-law Emily, and soon to be daughter-in-law Ann! Betsy loves to hike and cycle, spend time at the North Carolina shore and at Elk Lake in Michigan, and read great novels and theology. She enjoys being “mom” to their new puppy, Harper, and more than anything else, loves being with her family in any way, shape, or form!

440.338.6606

[email protected]

Marcia hails from Sharon, PA where she started piano at five and became a church organist at twelve. While at Case Western Reserve University, she completed chemistry studies as well as a graduate program in classical organ. She was a Research Chemist at BP Research for many years and at the same time Director of Music at Valley Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge.

Marcia has been the Organist at The Federated Church since 1994 where she accompanies the choirs, instrumentalists, soloists and coordinates special music programs. She is also the Music Director for Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy and does free-lance accompanying for Chagrin Falls schools and numerous community and professional theaters.

She is married to Gregory Polyak and their blended family boasts ten children and 22 grandchildren.

440.428.2461

[email protected]

Pat was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and is a graduate of Truman State University with a degree in Music Education. Her master’s degree in Theatre and Music is from Carthage College in Wisconsin. Raised in the Presbyterian Church, she has been involved as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School teacher, Choir and Drama Director at various Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in the Midwest. Pat joined the Federated Music Ministry team in the fall of 2008 as Director of the Children's Choir for students in grades 1-6.

Pat retired from her position as music teacher and department chair for the Chagrin Falls School System. She lives in Solon with her husband, Tom.

440.247.6490 ext. 131

[email protected]

Marty grew up in the Chagrin Valley, was baptized and raised in The Federated Church. She joined the staff of Federated in 1996. Marty feels blessed to share the life of Christ with Junior High kids through Church School and J.O.Y. (Jesus Oriented Youth) Group activities. Her favorite event of the year is taking the kids backpacking in Colorado to build their Faith and Trust in God.

Marty’s passion to make a difference in the lives of others drew her to be the Staff Liaison to the Mission and Service Commission, and the Social and Environmental Justice Committee, where opportunities for volunteering and financial support abound. Marty Lives in Chagrin Falls with her best friend and wife, Martine. Life is Truly Good!

440.247.6490 ext. 130

[email protected]

Kristin grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and is currently studying to earn a Master’s in Spiritual Direction from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. After moving to Ohio, Kristin’s family joined Federated in June 2017 and she joined the staff in October 2019. She thoroughly enjoys companioning people as they allow their spiritual journeys to unfurl no matter their age or stage.

Kristin and her husband, Zach, live in Auburn with their two teenaged daughters and their two dogs.

440.247.6490 ext. 110

[email protected]

Beth joins the Federated Church staff after nearly 25 years in arts administration, experiencing all elements of the nonprofit world. Her “superpower” is the ability to synthesize divergent ideas, and the people who bring them, into something collaborative and exciting. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) and a master’s degree in Business from the University of Louisville (Go Cardinals!).

As a 20+ year member, Federated is Beth’s home church and has been her musical outlet. Participating in most of the music ensembles, past and present, and especially singing in many major works has been a constant joy. In recent years, Beth had the honor to serve on the Church Council and as the “Pandemic Moderator” in 2020 and 2021. Beth and her husband Bob were married on the red carpet at Federated and their daughters Sarabeth and Susannah were baptized and grew up here.

440.247.6490 ext. 111

[email protected]

Brooke is a lover of all things God and all things administration. Brooke has an immense love for ALL people, a positive attitude, strong organizational skills, and great attention to detail. With a long history of serving in ministry and extensive administration experience, she now has combined the two and serves as the Congregational Life Administrator at Federated Church.

Brooke is the loving mother of a sassy “threenager” named Zoe Reign. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys giving back to her community with various community service organizations, fellowshipping with her women’s groups, and going on countless adventures with Zoe Reign.

440.247.6490 ext. 115

[email protected]

Thea joins the staff at Federated after more than 10 years in the non-profit world, having spent most of that time with two of our mission partners, Family Promise and Humble Design. This is her second time on staff. She served as the Interim Director of Children Ministries in the early 2000's. A twenty-year member at Federated, she is thrilled to be back and walking this faith journey with people she holds dear in a church she loves.

A mostly native Clevelander, she grew up a pastor's kid at First English Lutheran in Cleveland Heights. Both of her kiddos were raised in this amazing church family and have grown and flown the coop. She now resides right up the road in an old farmhouse with her husband, Chuck, dogs, barn cat and too many chickens to count.

Thea's role as the new Director of Generosity includes overseeing all fund development and fundraising, working with marketing and community engagement, and helping connect people, both inside and outside the church, with our events and activities. Come visit Thea in her office on the 4th floor.