Staff and Leadership

Reverend Mark Winters

Pastor

​Our minister goes by "Rev. Mark", "Pastor Mark", and "Dr. Mark", but most people just call him “Mark”. He grew up in a small town outside of Spokane, Washington, and studied English at Boston College (supporting himself by selling pizza at Fenway Park). He worked with children and youth while volunteering for a year in Belfast (Northern Ireland), and worked in social services in the Seattle area before attending seminary. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ, and has served churches in Washington state and the Chicago suburbs. Mark arrived at the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard in February of 2023, and enjoys leading worship for us on Sunday mornings, singing in the choir with Peter, and providing a pastoral presence to our community. Mark has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College, a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary (where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees), and a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Mark enjoys writing when he can, walking in the woods, long conversations over good coffee, and MV Sharks baseball games. He and his family live in Edgartown.

Peter Boak moved to Martha’s Vineyard as a resident in 1994, after vacationing all the previous summers of his life here.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in 1973, and a Master of Sacred Music degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX in 1983, where he graduated magna cum laude. During his 25 years at the Federated Church, he and the choir have travelled to Europe four times, singing concerts in England, Scotland, Wales, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland. When not involved in church music, Peter can be seen on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse as an accompanist for the Wicked Good Musical Revues.  He also collaborates with other musical theater productions on the island. Peter lives in Oak Bluffs with his cat, Eulalie, and with Sadie, his Great Dane.

Matt Durawa

Church Administrator

Matt grew up in Edgartown and in the Federated Church, attending Sunday School as a child, participating in the Youth Group and attending services. He has a great appreciation for the past and future of the Church.. Matt has recently moved back to the Island from Cambridge, MA., bringing a wealth of business experience and talents to running the day-to-day operations of the church.  Office hours are 9am to 3pm. Stop by to say hello!