Carter is delighted to have Sandra as our Lead Pastor. Sandra has spent more than 30 years serving churches in Illinois, New England, and Canada. She is heavily involved in leadership at the New England Annual Conference, serving currently as dean of the Provisional Leadership Academy, as well as being a certified contextual education supervisor with the Boston University School of Theology. Sandra is married to Rev. Travis Bonnette-Kim, who is currently serving in Melrose. They have two adult daughters, Amanda and Ashley.
Grace Kang is a passionate Christian and a devoted church musician. Born in South Korea into a multigenerational Christian family, she began serving in worship leadership at an early age as a soloist and accompanist. Grace holds a Bachelor of Music from Boston Conservatory and a Master of Music from Boston University, both in Vocal Performance. She also holds an M.B.A. from Northeastern University and completed the Global Executive Leadership program at Yale School of Management.
Parallel to her music ministry, Grace is a seasoned financial professional with over 20 years of experience holding various senior executive roles within the investment management industry.
Throughout her career, Grace has served as a Minister of Music and Music Director for multiple congregations across New England and California, most recently serving as the Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Melrose. Classically trained yet entirely conversant with contemporary music, Grace brings a flexible leadership style to Carter Memorial UMC, warmly blending diverse musical genres to enrich the worship experience.
Aaron Rosenthal plays piano and organ at Carter Memorial, where he also serves as choir accompanist. He also works as a freelance pianist, composer, and arranger around the greater Boston area. One of his most frequently performed works - Voices of Terezin, a setting of children's poetry from the Holocaust - has been performed on four continents and is published in versions for mixed and women's chorus. Aaron also writes and plays keyboards for indie pop/rock band Eddie Japan. Aaron is married to Mia Motobuchi and has two daughters, Ella and Serena.
Chuck has been a lifelong member of Carter. He grew up in Needham and graduated, then went into the Army after high school. After a time, he returned in 2006 to Carter and has been actively involved in various ministries and roles (trustees, lay leader, usher, etc). Since August of 2021 has been serving here as Buildings and Grounds Manager. He enjoys working with all of the groups that meet in the building and getting to say hi to all of the children and teachers in the CCC and CNS as they walk by his office.
A highlight and real passion of Chuck’s has been the opportunity to participate in the mission trips over the years (at least 15 to date), both to take the time to help others and to teach the youth the various trade skills needed at those sites.
