At Franconia Church of Christ, we have a rotation of lay leaders. These are members who have stepped up to the plate to give sermons and design the service. Meet them, check out their message.

Cindy Berlack

After their son, Ronnie, a U.S. Ski Team athlete, died in an avalanche while skiing, Cindy and her husband Steve founded BRASS .

Pastor Emeritus Bill Briggs

Bill Briggs, retired minister and owner of Sterling Works, marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights marches of the 1960’s.  He enthusiastically supports young people, motivating them to become “movers and shakers” for their generation.  He would love to speak to student groups, of any size, on the importance of marching and how from his experience it is both important and effective.  His passion is Honduras Hope, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hondurans in the Yoro area.

Paula Herbert


Paula Herbert taught 8th grade English for 21 years and currently owns Love.Yarn.Shop. in Bethlehem. She has two grown sons, and four grandchildren, and lives in Franconia with her husband and dog. She enjoys knitting, cooking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and hiking.

Robin Lubguban

Robin Lubguban is a retired Math teacher from Lisbon Middle and High School.  She is “Tutu” to four grandchildren and enjoys knitting, camping, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing.

John Vail

John Vail has worked as a carpenter and social worker.  He has a Masters Degree in Divinity.

Robert Owen Williams

Robert Owen Williams plays tuba in North Country Community Band, Whitefield Town Band, Lancaster Town Band, and the Summertime Marching Band (where he sometimes plays trombone instead), as well as various small groups and special occasions such as TubaChristmas .  He sings in our church choir and the White Mountains Camerata and plays recorder, teaching a recorder class at White Mountains Community College.  He composes music primarily for band.  You can check out recordings of his compositions at www.youtube.com/tubarobert
 
Aside from music and working for the church, Robert enjoys hiking and playing board games and leads a Hike and Game event several times a year.
 

Paula Bishop

Paula Bishop, seen here with the carolers, leads both music and worship. She has a doctorate in Musicology and is part-time faculty at Bridgewater State University. She is technology coordinator for the Society for American Music and co-editor and contributor to Hidden Harmonies: Women and Music in Popular Entertainment, and Whose Country Music? Genre, Identity, and Belonging in Twenty-First Century Country Music Culture.

Shirley Peterson

Shirley Peterson and her husband moved to Franconia a few years ago. They have two sons and daughter-in-laws who have given them four grandchildren and now three great grandchildren. They are blessed as they all live close to them. After earning her degrees, Shirley has worked with children, families, and the elderly to assist them with their health care needs and other concerns.