Our Staff

Rev. John T. Dale

Senior Pastor

Pastor John is the Senior Pastor at First Parish. He views the Bible as an anchor for Christians, and believes Christians should constantly ask, seek, and knock on Jesus’s door for guidance in this world.

John married his best friend Kathy in 1982; together they have two adult children, Luke and Erin. John, Kathy, and Kathy’s mom Mindy live in Wakefield. John loves music (he enjoys playing guitar and banjo with the worship team), baseball, and football (he follows the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers, Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots). He also enjoys reading and history.

John was born in Peekskill, NY and has been senior pastor at First Parish since 2019. He holds master’s degrees in Theology and Pastoral Studies, and bachelors’ degrees in Biblical Studies and Sociology. Kathy is a SUNY Albany graduate; she has worked both as a preschool director and kindergarten teacher.

Julie Bohn

Young Adult Ministries

Julie’s goal for youth and young adults is to introduce them to a fruitful relationship with Christ and into meaningful connection with one another, through Christ. Julie knows that youth and young adults need a strong spiritual foundation, now more than ever. She recognizes that gaining and maintaining that foundation is much more successful with the support of a Christian community.

Julie loves writing fiction and has written two full-length novels so far that she plans to edit and one day publish! She is originally from Colorado, recently became an aunt, and loves playing volleyball!

Julie has worked with FPCC Teens since 2018 and began leading our Youth and Young Adult Ministries in 2019. Julie received her BA in English Language & Literature from Southern New Hampshire University.

Kellie Roden

Chair of Christian Education

Kellie chairs First Parish’s Christian Education Committee, the group responsible for managing childcare for our youngest friends (ages 0-4), and educational programming for Children’s Chapel (grades K-5) and Youth Group (grades 6-12).

Kellie works closely with our many Children’s Chapel teachers and Julie Bohn (Young Adult Ministries) to ensure delivery of engaging Christ-centered curriculum and plenty of fellowship opportunities to build a strong community.

Kellie and her husband Brian are parents of 3 amazing kiddos, and have been members of First Parish since 2016.

Donald “Don” Hodgkins

Music Director and Organist

Don has had a passion for organ music from an early age, having spent much time in churches as the son of a Congregational pastor. Don loves playing First Parish’s historic (and complex!) Austin organ, our midi synthesizer, and directing the Sanctuary choir. He also organizes annual Community Messiah Sings with an orchestra and soloists every December and has planned concerts by visiting choirs over the years (most notably the Christ’s College Choir from Cambridge, UK).

Prior to First Parish, Don worked for over 30 years as a music therapist and special education teacher, and had a private music therapy practice. He founded and directs the Wakefield Summer Band, and also plays in and shares conducting responsibilities for the Wakefield Lakeside Concert Band. Though he’s best known for organ, few may realize that Don also plays the baritone horn!

Don lives in Wakefield with his wife Faith; together they have two adult children. He has served First Parish since 2002 and holds a Master’s of Music degree in Music Therapy from the University of Miami.

Doug Jackson

Praise Band Leader

Doug heads our praise band, Cornerstone, during the 11am contemporary service each week. On any given Sunday you’ll find Doug and this 7-10-member worship team leading the congregation in upbeat Christian music. Doug and his wife Nancy are long-time church members, parents of 5 adult children, new grandparents, and very familiar faces around First Parish. Doug recently became a parent again, this time to several adorable baby chicks!

Ruth Ross

Office Administrator

Ruth works in the church office during the week and is likely to be the voice you hear when you call the church’s phone number. She provides operational and administrative support to the Pastor, church staff, and volunteer-based boards and committees. She also manages our many building-users. Ruth is a longtime member of the church and has served First Parish on various committees over the years. And, she loves celebrating Christmas!

Erica Illanes

Accounting Assistant

Erica assists the Treasurer in duties of payroll, contractor, and vendor payments. Erica and her husband Rodrigo are parents of two First Parish teens and their 4-legged love, Remi (who sometimes accompanies Erica to work in the office!)

Brian Foster

Communications Coordinator

Brian designs and produces communications pieces for First Parish. In this way, Brian supports First Parish’s many outreach efforts in print and online. Outside of graphic design and social media, Brian is also a talented musician and very active with our teens and young adults! This fall Brian will begin his graduate studies in mental health counseling, with a certificate in Christian counseling.

Kenneth “Ken” Wood

Sexton

Ken is a First Parish fixture, having been with the church for 32 years. He helps maintain the building’s interior and exterior, preparing rooms for building users and church events. Ken is extremely generous with his time and resources, always looking for ways to help others in the church and greater Wakefield community.