The staff at Second Church comes from a diverse background and provides equally varied resources to the church and community. The collegial atmosphere is an essential ingredient in our creative approach to proclaiming the Gospel.
Reverend Dr. Wayne Earl
Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Earl is an ordained UCC minister who has served for over 30 years as a chaplain, settled pastor or interim pastor. He most recently completed his seventh interim ministry at Allin Congregational Church in Dedham, MA. In addition to pastoral ministry, Rev. Earl has taught for many years as an adjunct college professor of humanities. Rev. Earl and his wife, Lori, love to travel and have lived in three states and four countries. Most importantly, they are the proud parents of five children and two grandchildren! They presently live in Quincy with their youngest child, Abraham, a high school sophomore. In his role as a minister, Rev. Earl prefers to be called ‘pastor’ or by his first name, Wayne.
“I have a passion for making sure that those I serve feel equipped for all they may be called upon to do in their various vocational contexts.”
“I am passionate about gifting faith and hope, so that imperfect people might feel welcomed and accepted into the community of the church…”
“I am passionate about loving God and my neighbor and I am committed to the idea that every person I serve knows how deeply and fully they are loved by God.”
His faith has led Pastor Wayne toward many vocational experiences. He is a best-selling author and motivational speaker. He has taught at the college level. He and his wife Lori have served abroad as missionaries. He is a trained court mediator. As a chaplain, he has worked with addiction and suicide prevention.
Fred Saunders
Administrative Assistant
Our Administrative Assistant provides support to the Minister and all staff, officers, boards and committees. Fred is a graduate of Attleboro High and Norwich University. He is retired from Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. as a programming project leader, and from the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in personnel and administration. He is a life-long member of Second Church, having been active in youth groups and Scouting early on, and passing through most of the committees of the church since starting his family. He describes his current position as the greatest retirement job he could hope for, working closely with several hundred of his closest friends. He is also the Church Curator and is active in the music programs and other areas. Fred lives in North Attleboro with his wife Sandy who is also very active in the church. They are the proud parents of three and grandparents of eight.
Bill MacPherson
Director of Music
Bill MacPherson has been Director of Music at Second Congregational Church, Attleboro, for 25 years, first from 1986-1993 and, currently, since 2002. At Second Church he is not only the organist but also directs the Adult Choir and the Handbell Choir.
He attended Brown University (A.B., magna cum laude, Chemistry), where he studied organ with the late Prof. William Dinneen. He accompanied the University Chorus, including their concert tour of English Cathedrals — a life-changing event, and the reason he never became a chemist. He holds graduate degrees (A.M., Ph.D.) in historical musicology from Harvard University.
He recently retired from the music faculty at Wheaton College, Norton, MA, where he taught music history and theory, served for many years as departmental accompanist, and held the position of College Organist from 2007 to 2019. His academic specialty is 17th- and 18th-century British music, and he enjoys frequent travel to London to work in the Rare Book and Music Room of the British Library.
He has also taught at CCRI, Lincoln, RI, and at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, and, while there, also worked as a music reviewer for the Worcester Telegram. He was the first and long-time accompanist for the Providence Singers, served for ten years as organist of Temple Emanu-el, Providence, and for more than 25 years as organist and, later, music director at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Attleboro.
“I’ve been a churcb musician longer than I’ve been a college professor, beginning in my early teens and continuing now even after my retirement from academia. I’ve always loved choral music and the organ and its music, but, honestly, I get as much pleasure from just accompanying the hymns on Sunday morning. It’s a privilege to serve the congregation at Second Church and to share my love of music both in worship and in choir rehearsals.”
