Leadership & Staff

Rev. Sean Bendigo

Senior Pastor

Rev. Sean Bendigo is the Senior Pastor of First Church in Wenham. He lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with his partner, Michelle, and their cat, Penny. He is the proud father of two adult children who are making meaningful contributions in the world. Sean enjoys running, ocean sculling, cooking, exceptional coffee, travel, and face-to-face conversations.

He believes that gratitude, radical welcome, authentic belonging, compassion, and the freedom to become who God created us to be have the power to transform lives and communities.

Sean grew up in North Carolina and was, as Southerners say, “raised right” in a small rural Baptist church. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. He has served in parish ministry for more than thirty years.

Ordained as an American Baptist minister, Sean spent twenty-five years serving in that tradition before finding his spiritual home in the United Church of Christ. In addition to his pastoral work, he is a certified executive coach and systems coach, helping individuals and organizations navigate change, strengthen relationships, and live more fully into their purpose.

Pastor Shellie Brook

Associate Pastor

Pastor Shellie is the Associate Pastor at First Church in Wenham. She lives
with her wife Rebecca, their 6 kids (ages 11-19), 2 dogs and a flock of chickens.
She is a Lancaster County PA gal, born and raised, though has lovingly called NH
home for 17 years and counting. She loves coffee, prayer walks, bonfires & books.

She can often be found in their backyard sanctuary playing guitar, reading or
writing. A Princeton grad and currently part of BU DMin cohort she is committed
to being a lifelong student and teacher. Shellie is passionate about following Jesus
in the way of welcome & witness, justice & joy. We are all beloved participants in
the ongoing song of God.

Janet Glasser

Choir Director

Janet Glasser Janet was raised in the UCC faith and brings over 30 years of experience in church music to FCW. She directs the Senior Choir, Youth Choir and Chime Choir and curates some of the special music events held at the church. She has a private voice and piano studio from her home studio in Wenham with students of all ages from all over the North Shore. She is the accompanist for several local schools and freelances as a Music Director and pianist/keyboardist in the Greater Boston area. Janet enjoys all types of music and has fun as the keyboardist for the Psychedelic Relics, a classic rock cover band. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Joe Stroup

Organist and Pianist

Joseph Stroup has been the organist and pianist at First Church since 1986. During this time, until 2011, he maintained a career as a Systems Analyst and computer programmer in the Financial and Insurance fields. For over 20 years he has been a collaborative pianist and Music Director in the Greater Boston area, working with many local performers, orchestras, and community theaters, and several colleges and high schools. A major high-light of his tenure was the opportunity to participate in the selection of the Schantz Organ Company and to advise on the tonal design of the church’s 2-manual instrument, which was installed in 2004. He is a past contributing editor of the Boston Singers Resource website and was briefly on the faculty of The Landmark School in Beverly. He is a graduate of the Oberlin College School of Music with a degree in Organ Performance.