Rev. Janet Stoddard
Rev. Janet, an ordained UCC minister, grew up on a small suburban farm in Newington, CT. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1984. After several years working in the private sector and three years serving as Director of Christian Education in Southington, CT, she pursued her calling to ministry, earning a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Seminary in 1999.
Following her ordination, Rev. Janet served for eight years as the Protestant Campus Minister at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, while also working as a chaplain at the Hospital for Special Care, supporting elderly patients and their families.
In the fall of 2020, she was called to pastor Elmwood Community Church (UCC) in West Hartford, where she led the congregation through a thoughtful and courageous four-year discernment process that ultimately resulted in the church’s decision to close, leaving a meaningful legacy. It was during this time that she discovered her deep love for pastoring a small church, which has now led her to Chilmark.
At the heart of Rev. Janet’s ministry is a simple yet profound message: reminding all people that they are God’s love embodied. She will begin her ministry with the Chilmark Church on March 1, 2025 and will be moving into the Parsonage with her beloved dog, Toby.
Sean McMahon, Music Minister
In early summer of 2023, we were delighted to welcome Sean McMahon as the Music Minister of Chilmark Church. Sean had been a friend of the church since he arrived on Martha’s Vineyard in 2016, often accompanying our Sunday worship services and contributing his talents to our Offering of Music and Light. Now, as our Music Minister, his musical gifts continue to enrich and uplift our worship, bringing depth and beauty to our services.
Sean is a well-respected island musician, teacher, and songwriter, skilled in guitar, piano, and organ. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, he majored in Contemporary Improvisation with a focus on jazz, world, and early sacred music theory and composition. His love of music is deeply connected to his faith journey—rooted in his Catholic upbringing and shaped by his years as a Baptist preacher. Over time, he has shared his gifts in a variety of faith contexts, serving as an ecumenical missionary of the Church.
Beyond his music, Sean is a husband and father, bringing warmth and dedication to all he does. We are grateful for his presence and for the inspiration he brings to our church community.