FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PELHAM

Carlos Jauhola-Straight
Pastor

Carlos joins the First Congregational Church of Pelham United Church of Christ as its new pastor.  Seeking to bridge the gap between old and new, traditional and contemporary, honoring our history and learning to sing songs of the past, present and future, Carlos encourages all to authentic relationships  where all discover their unique voice.

In worship, Carlos has a passion for color, fabric, art, drama and song.  We are invited to active faith rather than passive, to participate rather than observe. How is God calling you to put your faith into action?

​At home he is a spouse, father, hiker, photographer, coffee-lover, artist, and creator of unique liturgical art and stoles.

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Carlos is always eager to share his passion for both coffee and faith and invites parishioners and community members to share a cup of coffee and conversation. him to set up a time.

E-mail: jauholastraightc@gmail.com
 

 

 

Tom Seniow      
Director of Music
 

Music Director, Thomas Seniow, directs the adult Chancel Choir.  Tom holds a bachelor of science degree in music education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a Master of Science Degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
 

Tom has been a public school music teacher for over 25 years. He is currently the director of choirs at Manchester Central High School and has taught previously in the Pelham, NH and Chelsea, MA school systems.
 

Tom has 2 children- Kendra and Laura, and 2 step-children - Joey and Sarah. Tom sings in the tenor section of the Manchester Choral Society. He and his wife Brenda, whom he met here at church, raise Nigerian dwarf dairy goats and lots of other animals at their Windham home.

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Sue Howard
Church Organist/Pianist
 

Sue Howard has been First Congregational Church’s organist/pianist since 1978.  She was hired after having been asked to substitute for the church organist at the time, on a Sunday back in the Fall of 1977. The rest is history!
 

Sue holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. She taught piano at McComb High School in McComb, Mississippi for one year, and has held various secretarial positions over the years, as well as teaching small groups of piano students from time to time.
 

Sue has two grown children and five grandchildren When not playing for local school choral groups (Central High School in Manchester), playing for weddings, community events, playing with dance bands, and especially playing at jam sessions at jazz clubs, Sue enjoys other interests like genealogy, collecting recipes, Scrapbooking, and THE RED SOX! She also enjoys being a part of Women’s Fellowship and their activities for the church.

 

Lupe Nova
Sexton
 

Our sexton Lupe has been with us since October 2022. He additionally works at a local school in the area as a cleaner. He has been a wonderful addition to our team and always keeps the church looking and smelling its best! While a majority of his family is still in Mexico, Lupe is close to his daughter and looks forward to trips to Mexico to see his family.

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Stephanie Noel

Administrative Assistant

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Stephanie has been with at First Congregational Church since October 2021. She has a strong and varied administrative background, and provides Pastor Carlos a few laughs on occasion. She lives in Dracut with her two kids, Hayley and Austin. She enjoys true crime shows and all the Boston sports teams - especially the Bruins!