Mathewson Street
United Methodist Church
134 Mathewson Street Providence, RI 02903

 401-331-8900
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com




Meet Our Staff and a Few of our Volunteers

The ministries of Mathewson Street United Methodist Church are guided by a two- member pastoral team comprised of Rev. Aida Irizarry Fernández and David Clyle Morse. They receive the Spirit-inspired assistance of many members of the congregation, a few of whom are  introduced to you here.



The Rev. Dr. Aida Irizarry Fernández

The Rev. Dr. Aida Irizarry Fernández was appointed to Mathewson Street United Methodist Church in August of 2008.

Between 2000 and 2003, she served the Metro Boston North District; and from July 2003 until coming to Mathewson Street, the new Metro Boston Hope District in the New England Conference.

She was ordained as an elder in the Southern New England Conference in 1991, and was previously the Associate Council Director in the Northern New Jersey Conference. She served a total of eight years as the District Superintendent of the Metropolitan Boston–Hope District in Massachusetts.

Rev. Irizarry received her Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1997, and her Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity from the School of Social Work and the School of Theology, Boston University in 1989.

Her previous experience includes pastoral ministry in New York and Massachusetts, as well as her work as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist.  In addition, Rev. Irizarry served as a consultant to the National Hispanic Plan since 1997. She is called upon frequently as guest preacher, guest speaker, workshop facilitator, and Bible study leader.

She was reassigned for a second term to the boards of directors of the General Board of Global Ministries and the National Urban Strategy Committee. She also served as one of the past quadrennium directors for  North East Multiethnic Center and the Anna Howard Shaw Center at the Boston University School of Theology. She is currently faculty for the Curso de Estudio at Garret Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Rev. Irizarry has also traveled abroad to Europe, Africa, Korea, and Latin America.

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Rev. Irizarry is married to the Rev. Radamés Fernández. They have three adult children: Radames, Ruth, and Joshua. They also have three granddaughters: Natalie, Anaisha and Yanahia.

Rev Irizarry loves to play, read, sew, watch good movies and enjoy nature.

e-mails:
aidayradames114@aol.com
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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David Clyle Morse

David Clyle Morse is a lay minister who serves as Assistant Pastor. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Boston University, where he received one of 3 seminarian-of-the-year awards. David’s journey in ministry began in Vermont when he became Organist for the Williamstown Federated Church at the age of 12. Upon graduation from college, David developed a major music and arts ministry at South United Methodist Church in Manchester, Connecticut. It was during this 17-year tenure that he felt the call to a ministry beyond music and subsequently went to seminary.

David joined the Pastoral Team at Mathewson Street UMC in 1998. He works in all areas of church life while fulfilling many musical and administrative tasks. He has developed a style of preaching that is verbal and visual, and buoyant and insightful, being described by one person as a storyteller par excellence. He is fully at ease with the structures of written liturgy or doing an activity while preaching, from painting a picture to decorating a cake, yet always with sound messages that are multi-layered.

David’s playful nature has allowed him to develop specialized ministries with Koko The Gorilla. David and Koko frequently travel throughout the country (37 states!)  in the spirit of evangelism, integrating themselves into worship and presenting special programs and concerts involving the organ, handbells, storytelling and visuals. This includes a series of stories and poems that are presented with the help of colorful bird puppets. Russell The Crow is particularly helpful, not just in playing the organ, but by taking receipts at toll booths as they travel.


KoKo & David at the keyboard

The musical parts of David’s life continue to be a primary way to connect with people in a greater community. He currently serves as a Saturday organist/cantor for Holy Ghost Church in Providence and trains a Gregorian chant choir at St. Timothy’s Church in Warwick. Since the beginning of his musical journey, with piano lessons at the age of 10, David earned degrees in music, appeared 21 times as a piano soloist at New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall, was one of 10 choral conductors chosen nationwide to conduct the 1500-voice choir at the Ocean Grove (NJ) Choir Festival and has organized and conducted several European concert tours with singers from all over the United States. 

He has also traveled to England several times to present concerts to benefit the North London Hospice. 

David's dream is to help people explore artistic, spiritual and theological ways of understanding their own abilities to be expressive by any means.

To hear a sample of Mr. Morse's exquisite playing, click here: Ave Maria (Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles-Mare Gounodo).   This song is one of 14 on his CD, available out our Church Store, entitled Music at Mathewson, Vol. I: Music of the King of Instruments.

Throughout the year, Mr. Morse offers an inspiring performance the third Thursday evening of the month as part of Providence's "Gallery Night."

emails:
drigor480s@aol.com

MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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  Paul C. Medici

Paul C. Medici, Program Coordinator at MSUMC, attended Our Lady of Providence Preparatory Seminary and then went on to Rhode Island College to study for degrees in Biology and Cultural Anthropology. He combines his social services training with a gentle spirit in welcoming and helping others.

He has worked extensively in HIV Case Management both in Boston and Rhode Island. He helps those needing services to be directed to the most appropriate place for their needs to be met.

On Fridays, Paul helps with the PICA Community Meal program, and can usually be found in the foyer greeting and assisting folks as needed.

Paul also coordinates the staffing of volunteers for various programs, including Gallery Night.

emails:

pmd33med@yahoo.com
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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  Al Seguin

Al Seguin and his wife Doris have been faithful and giving members of MSUMC for more than 5 decades. He has been on the MSUMC's Board of trustees since the 1970s and has chaired it several times over the years. He has also been our Building Manager for more than decade, and we have relied upon him to maintain our heating and cooling systems, as well as to handle all the little -- and occasionaly big -- emergenices that can and do crop up with a building that was erected in 1951. We are blessed by his extensive knowledge,  hard work, and deep love for our church.

emails:

aws26ri@cox.net
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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  Audie Jennings

Audie Jennings and her husband Bill have been members of MSUMC -- and faithful servants to its missions -- for nearly three decades. Attracted to our church "because of its urban mission, location, and faith journey support," Audie has served in a number of capacities including, at present, Chair of the Church Council and Member of the Trustees.

She holds a B.S. and M.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University in Rehabilitation Counseling. Her employment has mostly been in mental health group homes and rehabilitation programs, as well as in the directing of middle-school Community Service Learning and Mentoring programs.

Audie volunteers her time and energies throughout the year, and we are blessed by the intelligence, creativity, and wit that she brings to so many of MSUMC's community events and activities.

emails:

audie.jennings@cox.net
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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Barbara Geary


Barbara Geary has been one of MSUMC's stalwart volunteers for the past many years-- giving faithful and exemplary service day-in and day-out. She serves as a greeter often, both on Sundays and during the week. She assists with our Afia Center, as well as with our our weekly and monthly adult Bible study offerings. Her love of our Lord and of our church gives inspiration to us all.


emails:

barbg7432@yahoo.com
MathewsonStreetUMC@gmail.com

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