Congregational Church of Boca Raton
Staff

Senior Pastor Tom Lacey

First of all, let me say, “Thank you” for taking a look at Congregational Church of Boca Raton, and if I may dare say so—you must be a special person. There are some large churches in the area that may be better known, but we are the one church that puts together a lot of good things for a wonderful bunch of really great, unique individuals and families.  

At Congregational Church, we take care of people from birth and baptism to weddings and family, through the joy of good times and the needs of tough times, including touching celebrative memorial services for our beloved family members. We offer a warm and wonderful nursery and Sunday school as well as youth groups for children and teenagers. We have a First Communion program and Confirmation. We have programs for parents to work out parenting issues. We study the Bible. We go golfing. We have rummage sales. We go Christmas caroling and celebrate Christmas with a wonderful Christmas Eve candlelight service. We go out for weekly suppers together. We have Women’s Fellowship programs and Ladies Night Out activities. And, more importantly, we want to hear what you find important for your life and how we may be able to offer you what you are seeking. On Sundays, a homey type of coffee time starts off the morning, so if you’re running late and haven’t had time to get your coffee, don’t worry, we have plenty here for you. Our worship service is full of people enjoying the music our wonderful choir, soloists and ensembles offer to God and church each Sunday. As for my messages, please be your own judge. You will find them in the sermon section in this website, which is true of anything else I have mentioned. I invite you to take a “walk” through the church by going through our website.

Please forgive me for talking so much about what’s going on here when this page was supposed to let you know a little bit about me. It’s just that I am so proud of the people in the church I serve that I got carried away. As for me, I graduated from the University of Iowa, which means I’m a Hawkeye, in 1988, and then from the Chicago Theological Seminary in 1991. I came here from the Chicago area in 1996. I am married to Marit Hasmats, who is originally from Sweden but has lived in the US since 1990. We have five wonderful children, Courtney, Cameron, Linnea, Lucas, and Elise, the last two being twins, a nice surprise and incredible blessing.

When we are not working or taking care of children, we try to get out to golf or exercise, including yoga and swimming, hang out with friends, go to movies or musicals, try to find a new restaurant, or read. Of course at this point with three kids under three years old, this is more like wishing than actually occurring, but as we all know: Children do grow up.

But enough about me.

I hope to learn more about you! So I invite you to send me an email to tomlacey@churchofboca.org or phone me at: 561.395.9255. Of course the best way is to come to church Sunday morning at 10 a.m. and begin a brand new, Lifefriend relationship with us and with God. I pray that you do!

Assistant Pastor Roy Nyren

Roy is a retired clergyperson of the United Church of Christ. He and his spouse Nancy live in Boca Raton and are members of the Congregational Church of Boca Raton. Roy was born in Connecticut and received a B.A. from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Yale University. He also received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Andover Newton Theological School. He was ordained in 1959. Roy has served as pastor of 5 congregations in Colorado, Wisconsin, Ohio, Massachusetts, and California, and as interim pastor of two congregations in Florida

 Director of Music

Lu Anne Leone




Church Organist
Nicholas R. Wurster

 Director of Christian Education

Tracy Martin

Tracy is a native Virginian.  She grew up in the Washington D.C. area and attended Virginia Tech in southwestern Virginia.  She met her husband to be in college.  She and Gary were married in 1984 and soon moved to south Florida.  They have two children, Samantha, 14 and Jack, who is 8.  Tracy and Gary became members of the Congregational Church in 1993.  Both Samantha and Jack were baptized at this church.  She was happily surprised to find her childhood church was similar to the Congregational Church; she felt right at home. Tracy became the Director of Children's Ministries in 2003 where she enjoys the challenges of developing new programs for the church.

 Church Administrator
Shannon Peterson

Originally from the Midwest, Shannon grew up in Hinsdale, IL (a suburb of Chicago).  She lived the past ten years in Seattle, Washington before moving to South Florida in November 2004. 

Shannon grew up in the United Church of Christ as her father is a UCC pastor.   In Seattle, she was actively involved in Alki Congregational United Church of Christ.  She has led volunteer projects such as refugee resettlement, event planning and wedding coordination.  In addition, she volunteered in the church office, when needed.

She was led to this church during a Sunday worship service sometime in February 2005 to see what there was to offer.  She enjoyed the sermon given by Pastor Tom, saw lot’s of smiling faces in the pews and loved the music! 

As it turns out this church needed an administrator and Shannon needed a job.  She was offered the position and began here on March 13.  Please come introduce yourself on Sunday at worship or during the weekday in the church office! 

 
Sexton
Dan Morrison

Financial Secretary
Eleanor Magee

Volunteer Youth Director
Jennifer Rink

Children's Choir Director
Denise Nering

“I have been exposed to music from a young age, seeing my father conducting bands and choirs, plus composing and arranging music.  Starting with piano at age 5 and French horn at age 14,  I knew that music was my passion.  I studied at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.  I experienced performing with Symphony Orchestras, Bands, Choirs, Brass Quintets, Brass Ensembles and many more.  Being now a mother of three, I have the desire to teach children to enjoy and develop the love for music.”

                                   E-mail at office@churchofboca.org