Our Team
Church Staff
Pastor Eric Jackson
The Rev. Dr. Eric Jackson serves as Minister of Eliot Church in Newton, Massachusetts, having been called to this new ministry on November 25, 2024. Previously, he served as Senior Pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Syracuse, New York. As a pastor who believes deeply in meeting people wherever they are on their spiritual journey, Eric has helped create spaces where both lifelong believers and spiritual seekers can explore faith authentically creating space to explore doubts and grow in their assurance.
During his tenure at Plymouth, he collaborated with church leadership to increase staffing, added two innovative worship experiences ("Jazz and Justice" and "Messy Church"), the stained glass restoration project moved forward, funds were raised and a state of the art livestreaming system was created for hybrid worship, a congregation congregational care team. His commitment to nurturing authentic spiritual leadership has resulted in two persons being prepared for ordained ministry during his tenure, with two more becoming members in discernment pursuing ordained ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Eric Jackson serves as Minister of Eliot Church in Newton, Massachusetts, having been called to this new ministry on November 25, 2024. Previously, he served as Senior Pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Syracuse, New York. As a pastor who believes deeply in meeting people wherever they are on their spiritual journey, Eric has helped create spaces where both lifelong believers and spiritual seekers can explore faith authentically creating space to explore doubts and grow in their assurance.
During his tenure at Plymouth, he collaborated with church leadership to increase staffing, added two innovative worship experiences ("Jazz and Justice" and "Messy Church"), the stained glass restoration project moved forward, funds were raised and a state of the art livestreaming system was created for hybrid worship, a congregation congregational care team. His commitment to nurturing authentic spiritual leadership has resulted in two persons being prepared for ordained ministry during his tenure, with two more becoming members in discernment pursuing ordained ministry.
Throughout his 17-year ministry across New England and New York, Eric has consistently worked to help people deconstruct harmful religious ideologies while building life-giving spiritual practices. At Smith Memorial Congregational Church in Hillsborough, NH, he developed a year-round stewardship ministry, supported the effort to refurbish the handbells, and created the TeenServe program where youth and teens from the church and local community came together for faith formation, community service projects, and community building. At Brookside Congregational Church in Manchester, NH, where he served as Senior Pastor, he pioneered innovative worship services such "Broadway at the Brook,” advocated for the repair of the church's front exterior, and expanded the church's outreach and impact on social justice issues.
Eric brings both heart and mind to his spiritual leadership, holding a B.A. in Political Science from the City College of New York, a Master of Divinity from Drew University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Hartford Seminary. He's currently pursuing a Ph.D. in African American preaching and sacred rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary, with a deep interest in the biblical interpretation and rhetoric of the modern civil rights movement. He has taught Preaching, Introduction to New Testament, and United Church of Christ History and Polity.
His leadership extends throughout the denomination and community. Eric serves on the National Board of Directors of the United Church of Christ, where he sits on the Finance and Budget Committee and the General Synod Planning Committee. He has served in leadership roles within various Associations of the United Church of Christ for many years, including the Committee on Authorized Ministry, Vice-Moderator, and the Congregational Development and Standing Committee. He most recently served on the Committee on Authorized Ministry of the Oneida Association where he helped to support the development of the Association Members in Discernment Advisors so Members in Discernment could be supported through their journey towards ordained ministry when circumstances could not permit or their local churches did not have the capacity to create local church discernment committees. His denominational service also includes serving as Secretary for the New Hampshire Conference Minister Search Committee of the UCC.
As Board President of the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (part of the Faith in Action Network), a multi-faith organization committed to social justice, Eric led the process to reimagine the organization's vision and brought it to financial stability. His community leadership includes serving three terms as Branch President of local NAACP branches, and Vice-President of Interfaith Works of Central New York, where he chaired the Major Gifts committee during the organization's transition from a $3M to $5M budget. He served as tri-chair for the New Hampshire Poor People's Campaign under the direction of Rev. William Barber, furthering his commitment to justice and equity.
Eric is a member of the Academy of Homiletics and the Religious Communication Association, and has been a contributing writer in newspapers, academic journals, and books, focusing on the intersections of faith, progressive Christianity, and justice issues. His scholarly work and public writing reflect his dedication to bridging academic theology with accessible spiritual exploration.
When not accompanying others on their spiritual journeys, Eric finds his own sense of the sacred through connecting with friends and family, snowmobiling, nature, boating, meditation, antique shops, and exploring art galleries and other historical exhibits. He's an avid reader whose favorite book is J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye," he proudly enjoys a good cigar, and believes in the importance of physical wellness through activities like golf and bodybuilding. His appreciation for life's simple pleasures extends to his favorite desserts: white chocolate macadamia nut and chocolate chip cookies, and he maintains a childlike sense of wonder about life, counting "The Wizard of Oz" among his favorite films.
What excites Eric most about ministry is witnessing people discover and embrace their own unique spiritual paths – whether that means questioning traditional beliefs, finding new ways to connect with the divine, or building communities that support authentic faith expression. He believes that true spirituality is about the journey, not the destination, and that every person's path to understanding is valid and worthy of respect.
Got questions about faith? Feedback about church? Or just need someone to talk to? Pastor Eric actually answers his phone, texts, and emails (yes, really). The good, the bad, the awkward – he's here for all of it. And as your new pastor, he especially welcomes conversations that will help him learn about Eliot Church, its people, and the wider community.
Music has been at the heart of Monique’s life, and a second language for her family. Monique attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music and received a Bachelor's in organ performance and a Master's in choral conducting. While at Oberlin she spent time in Europe, teaching at the American School in London, and performing on organs throughout Europe and accompanying and conducting choirs on concert tours in England, Wales, Belgium, Austria, and at the International Choral Festival in Poland.
Monique has been a music director, organist/pianist/singer, choral conductor, composer, and teacher in the Boston Area since 1987. She has accompanied and vocally coached the Newton Community Chorus since 1988 performing choral works of Bach through Durufle. She is a Chapel musician, choral accompanist, and choral conductor at Newton Country Day School. As the Director of Music Ministry, she has interest in choral and organ music of the Renaissance through the Contemporary and she enjoys improvising on hymn tunes for worship. In 2008, she won The New England Early Music Grant and performed a series of early music sacred choral works accompanied by an early music ensemble for Advent worship services. As a composer, she has composed numerous works on Psalm text and poetry and her sacred choral composition, "In Christ There is No East or West", was selected to be performed at the Episcopal convention in 2009. In addition to classical music studies, Monique studied jazz piano and voice and has performed with several jazz ensembles in the Boston area.
Guy has had an eclectic career, starting on farms as a child in New Zealand, an officer in tanks in the British Army, stints in the law, advertising, corporate management, making wildly expensive furniture, managing projects in the Middle East, “head-hunting” in Boston, world-wide sales of aquatic research and aquaculture systems. All through his life he has worked in property development, repair and renovation.
Deb grew up in the United Church of Christ and is currently part-time Christian Education Director at Burlington United Church of Christ. Deb has experience in a variety of office management positions. In her free time, Deb enjoys outside walking, biking, jogging, and playing pickleball. She loves playing board games, card games, and having dinner with family and friends.
Soloists
Soprano Nicola Santoro is quickly establishing herself as a foremost interpreter of contemporary music. This summer, she was an Apprentice Artist with the Chautauqua Opera Company and performed in works such as Thumbprint (Annu) and The Mother of Us All (Lillian Russell), working with directors Omer Ben Seadia and Keturah Stickann and conducted by Kristin Roach and Steven Osgood, respectively. She starred in the collegiate premiere of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs as Chrisann Brennan under the direction of Kevin Newbury and Maestro Michael Christie. Previous role credits also include Mrs. O’Malley/Ensemble (It’s A Wonderful Life), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte). Recently, she received the Encouragement Award in the Boston District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards, was a prize winner in the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition two years in a row, and was a semifinalist in the Orpheus Competition. Nicola earned her B.M. from Westminster Choir College and her M.M. from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Connor Burke is from Wilmington, MA and has been singing for longer than he
can remember, relying on his mother for stories of singing along to the radio in the grocery store at two years old. In the 4th grade, his life as a performer began when he entered the talent show and sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. That same year, he began playing the trumpet in the North Intermediate School Band. He instantly fell in love with the trumpet, and he believes that this particular choice of instrument still informs the melodic and linear way that he thinks about music when performing and when writing.
Connor received a BM in Music Composition and Theory from Boston University,
with a concentration in voice. While studying, he developed a love of art songs, and though he wrote music in various styles for various ensembles, many of his pieces were for solo voice and piano. Upon graduating in 2017, Connor began singing at Eliot Church of Newton, and has thoroughly enjoyed his time thus far. He recently has also begun working as a songwriter for Songfinch.com, where he writes, records, and produces songs for various occasions commissioned by clients.
can remember, relying on his mother for stories of singing along to the radio in the grocery store at two years old. In the 4th grade, his life as a performer began when he entered the talent show and sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. That same year, he began playing the trumpet in the North Intermediate School Band. He instantly fell in love with the trumpet, and he believes that this particular choice of instrument still informs the melodic and linear way that he thinks about music when performing and when writing.
Connor received a BM in Music Composition and Theory from Boston University,
with a concentration in voice. While studying, he developed a love of art songs, and though he wrote music in various styles for various ensembles, many of his pieces were for solo voice and piano. Upon graduating in 2017, Connor began singing at Eliot Church of Newton, and has thoroughly enjoyed his time thus far. He recently has also begun working as a songwriter for Songfinch.com, where he writes, records, and produces songs for various occasions commissioned by clients.
Aside from music, Connor loves watching and following sports, specifically football and basketball. He also plays Dungeons & Dragons every week. His favorite dessert is tiramisu, and though it may upset his tummy, he will not decline.
Tim is a Vermont native, and has been fascinated with music from a young age. In the second grade he wanted to learn the trumpet, but his mother told him: "No you'll learn piano." He is forever grateful for this because it galvanized his love for harmony, polyphony, and J.S. Bach. In high school he developed a special interest in the Passion works by Bach, enthralled by the ephemeral sound he heard at the Marlborough Music festival. He went on to study vocal performance at Wheaton College as a baritone. There, he focused on the solo concert work of Handel, Mozart operas such as Le Nozze di Figaro, and German lieder.
Post Collegiate his range began to expand and he was thrilled to experience the new sounds of "Tenor Land". Living in Boston the past few years, he has pursued graduate vocal studies at the Longy School of Music and The New England Conservatory. Opera has been of particular interest recently, developing Bel Canto technique and performance practice. His recent appearances include concert arias by Edward Elgar and Gustav Mahler, Steven Sondheim musical theater showcase; operatic roles in Rossini's Il turca in Italia, Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, and W.A. Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Post Collegiate his range began to expand and he was thrilled to experience the new sounds of "Tenor Land". Living in Boston the past few years, he has pursued graduate vocal studies at the Longy School of Music and The New England Conservatory. Opera has been of particular interest recently, developing Bel Canto technique and performance practice. His recent appearances include concert arias by Edward Elgar and Gustav Mahler, Steven Sondheim musical theater showcase; operatic roles in Rossini's Il turca in Italia, Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, and W.A. Mozart's The Magic Flute.