OUR STAFF
At Naples UCC, we are a community of believers who strive to be inclusive and welcoming of all. Meet our team of dedicated staff members who work together to spread the message of God's love and grace in everything we do. Each member brings unique skills and talents to help us live out our mission. Based in Naples, FL, we are here to serve our communities in all of Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero.
Led by Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Williams & Rev. Angela Wells-Bean, Minister for Congregational Care
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Mark Williams
Rev. Dr. Mark Williams brings to Naples UCC a pastoral spirit and vision that is enthusiastic, hopeful, kind, mission-driven, and authentic. A thoughtful and compelling preacher who enjoys connecting scripture to the everyday lives of parishioners, Pastor Mark truly cares for our church and for our community. Williams's interdenominational experience is the perfect fit for pastoring a church with a wide variety of theological backgrounds. Williams has led diverse churches in four different states in three different denominations. His vocational and educational experience with the U.C.C., United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Congregational Church, Presbyterian Church, and Cooperative Baptist Church (not to mention marrying a Roman Catholic) speaks to his inclusive, all-embracing spiritual values. Rev. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Mercer University. A Florida native, Pastor Mark enjoys the outdoors and "anything and everything baseball." Mark and his wife Emily are very involved in the Naples community and have three young children: Nolan, Marie, and Anna.
Minister for Congregational Care
Rev. Angela Wells-Bean
Rev. Angela Wells-Bean extends God’s unconditional love to all people, especially those on the margins. Her worship leadership is hopeful, empathetic and prophetic. Pastor Angela oversees our numerous caring ministries at NUCC, including our Stephen Ministry and WISE for mental health ministry. Additionally, she works with our Board of Missions and Outreach to connect our church and its parishioners to mission partners—local, national, and global.​ Prior to serving in Naples, Rev. Wells-Bean was the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Burlington, MA for nine years. Rev. Wells-Bean received her Bachelor of Arts from New College of Florida and her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. Currently, Pastor Angela is working toward a doctoral degree at Emory University. Her doctoral research explores all the many positives that come from pastoring a church that is fully open and affirming to those who identify as LGBTQ+ . Pastor Angela is a part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative of the United Church of Christ, and she was named as one of the female clergy leaders under 40 to follow in the United Church of Christ. Rev. Wells-Bean enjoys spending time with her husband, Andy, raising two young children: Soren and Emerson.
Executive Assistant to the Clergy Team
Darren Paquette
Darren Paquette is responsible for managing the schedules and administrative functions for
our clergy team. He works closely with all staff, lay leaders and volunteers to coordinate
many of their activities. If you would like to schedule a meeting with one of our pastors,
please email Darren.
Director of Music
Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf
Since 2001, Dr. Becky Weese Rumpf has developed a truly extraordinary music ministry at Naples UCC. Dr. Becky creates music that inspires, anchors, and encourages all of us. Our Sunday morning worship services feature uplifting music that is creatively intertwined with the scripture for the day. An incredibly talented organist and choir conductor, Dr. Becky Weese-Rumpf embodies a passion for her ministry that is truly contagious. World-renown musicians from the local Naples Philharmonic at Artis-Naples and talented singers from Florida Gulf Coast University enhance our music program under Dr. Becky's visionary leadership. In addition to her choral and organ duties, Dr. Becky plans annually an extensive concert series about which the community raves. Dr. Becky earned dual undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Church Music from Shenandoah College & Conservatory of Music. She then pursued graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and the University of Miami, where she completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. Hailing from a small West Virginia town, she began her keyboard studies in childhood and continued her education with weekly trips to Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. Dr. Becky and her husband William live in Naples with their two rescue puppies, Bonnie and Clyde.
Pianist
Dr. Alexandra Carlson
Dr. Carlson is our resident pianist and plays during worship each week supporting
the choir. Sasha's gifts in the area of sacred music have helped her garner the reputation
of being one of the most outstanding church pianists in the United States.
Director of Christian Education
Jeanne Snedeker
Jeannie Snedeker brings to Naples UCC a vision for Christian Education that is compassionate, thoughtful, and always inclusive. A mother of three grown children and former elementary school teacher, Jeannie has decades of experience teaching and relating to families and young people of all ages. What we all love about Jeanne is that she always goes the extra mile to help both children and their parents feel welcome and comfortable at our family-friendly church. If you have questions about Youth Sunday School, the Naples UCC nursery, or our Splash Wednesday afternoon curriculum, be sure to contact Jeanne. When sharing a precious child with Jeanne, you are entrusting the child into the wisest and most caring of hands!
Nursery Caregiver
Elena Fernandez
Elena works with our kids ministry and is here on Sundays to provide Nursery care
during the services.
Events Coordinator
Susan Melick
Susan is responsible for planning all Church Events, both on, and sometimes, off
campus. If you have questions about finding a venue, room set up, food prep, serving
as a hostess, our monthly Social Soirée or coordinating your wedding day, email Susan.
Director of Technology
Tony Falco
Tony is responsible for managing all aspects of our Information Technology, such as
email, Office 365, the card key system and classroom technologies. If you have
questions regarding technology or IT, please email Tony.
Coordinator for Membership & Stewardship
Chelsea Godwin
Chelsea is responsible for coordinating the activities of Membership and Stewardship.
If you have a question about becoming a new member, attending our prospective
member orientation and luncheon, obtaining a name tag, participating in the New
Member Potluck gatherings, making a pledge, inquiring about your pledge status and
statements, please email Chelsea.
Communications Specialist
Yuliana Mercado
Yuli oversees and coordinates our weekly bulletins and email blast as well as any
printing and publication support for church sponsored events and happenings. She is
the main proprietor of our Facebook page and website and serves as our lead contact
for all advertisements and press connections. If you need publication support or would
like to contact the church with a media request, please email Yuli.
Custodian
Ray Gangl
Ray oversees the maintenance and repairs on our beautiful campus and helps support
rentals and events. Should you notice something that needs attention, email Ray.
Director of Financial Operations
Jodi Nienkerk
Jodi is responsible for all aspects of our Church’s finances. If you have any questions
on Planned Giving or Stock Donations, email Jodi.
Assistant for Finance and Administration
Asher Klipstein
Asher is responsible for daily office operations, coordinating volunteer support for
church operations, and managing the church calendar. He also assists with finance,
data processing, and event logistics. If you have questions about booking a room at
church, renting a space or the church calendar, please email Asher.
Director of Production
Brad Van Houten
Brad is responsible for all aspects of our Audio Visual and Video production including
the support needs for rentals. If you have questions about Livestreaming, AV Support
for an event or other aspects of our online life at church, email Brad.
The Bargain Box Thrift Store
Sandy Goldstein
Sandy oversees and manages the daily operations of our thrift store, The Bargain Box. If you have any questions about donating or volunteering with her at the Bargain Box, please email Sandy.
DISCOVER YOUR FAITH
We were put on earth to be in relationship with God and others. Naples UCC exists to help you with these two key relationships. At Naples UCC, we hope you will find encouragement, love, and support as you walk with God and live with God's people. No matter your faith background and no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Naples UCC will always honor your individual religious freedom as you deepen your understanding of God. At Naples UCC, we believe that more unites us together in our faith than does divide. We may not all believe alike, but we do love alike!