Acting Pastor Rachel Guaraldi

Rachel joined us as Acting Pastor in March 2025. She is an active and devoted member of our local community who has been involved in our church in various ways, most notably leading Story Sundays (focused on intergenerational worship) for many months and leading worship on many Seeking Spirit Sundays.

Professionally, Rachel is a practitioner and scholar of contemplative theology, peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue, and spiritual caregiving. She holds a graduate degree in teaching from Towson University and a religious studies graduate degree from the Earlham School of Religion. Rachel also trained as a Spiritual Director with the Shalem Institute. She is a member and recognized minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) and an interfaith chaplain nationally certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains.

In addition to serving our church, Rachel works from home offering spiritual direction and soul care sessions. She recently worked full-time as a palliative care chaplain at Dartmouth Health. In the past, Rachel has also worked as an interfaith staff chaplain at several Boston-area hospitals and taught Spiritual Caregiving to volunteers working with elders. She has a deep interest in pastoral care.

Rachel lives in Strafford, Vermont, with her husband Ben and their three children, Gideon, Galilee, and Gwynevere. In her free time, Rachel studies Spanish, herbalism, storytelling, and seasonal cooking. She also loves gardening, preserving the harvest, fiber arts, reading, taking photos, and exploring the outdoors.

Trustees

Bob Bushnell*
Glenn Wylie*

Deacons

Becky Bailey, chair*
Beth Randall
Debby Richie, treasurer
Cameron Speth, secretary

Mission Committee

Danette Harris*
Maggie Hooker
Cameron Speth

Sexton

Jim Schley*

Administrator

Jane Prescott*

Moderator

Joey Hawkins*

* member of Church Council