Church Staff

Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell

Pastor

Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell joins South Church on June 8, 2025.  She comes from Boston where she recently completed a book about how clergy became frontline workers and unsung heroes during the COVID 19 pandemic. She and her wife, The Rev. Peggy O’Connor, interviewed 53 clergy in 17 states and together wrote The Perpetual Pivot: Ministry in the Pandemic and Beyond, based on their findings.

Susan has served as a settled pastor at churches in Winchester, Needham and Harwich Port, MA, as well as an interim pastor in Appleton WI. She believes that this is a moment in history when the voices of faith leaders are essential in our nation and local communities. She is convinced that the United Church of Christ has a unique perspective that brings people hope that it is possible to build communities based on biblical principles of justice and compassion.

Rev. Cartmell is passionate about preaching and has written a book about how to preach using themes from scripture. A strong advocate for racial justice, she is on the leadership team of the Antoinette Brown Society, a group of women faith leaders who work to fight racial inequity at the national level of the UCC.

Susan received a Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Newton Theological School.

Susan is married to Rev. Peggy O’Connor, a retired UCC minister and former chaplain at the UCC Society, Chautauqua Institution in New York. Susan has three grown children and eight grandchildren. One daughter lives in Easthampton, and Susan and Peggy feel drawn to the pace, the values and the spacious vistas in the Connecticut Valley.

Marilyn Brayne

Minister of Music

Marilyn Brayne, of Amherst, holds a Master of Arts from McGill University in her native Montreal. Marilyn has been working for South Congregational Church as organist and then Minister of Music for over 30 years. Marilyn brings the joy of sharing sacred music to young and old alike. In 2012 she supervised the installation at South Church of the restored 1896 Casavant organ by Czelusniak et Dugal. With a Bachelor of Music in School Music, she previously taught general music to all students at Hadley Elementary School for many years.

Tony Niedbala

Sexton

Tony works diligently to keep our facilities clean, safe, and operating smoothly.  He was previously on the custodial staff at Hadley Elementary School, where he ensured that the students and staff had a safe and fun educational experience.