WHO WE ARE
REV. BRUCE HAAPALAINEN
PASTOR
Rev. Haapalainen has more than 42 years of pastoral ministry experience, most recently as senior minister at First Congregational Church in Mansfield, Ohio. He has served in churches with memberships from under 100 to 900, both as a solo minister and as a head of staff.
“Through the crafting and presentation of messages I seek to bring life and depth both to the corporate life of the congregation and to the individual spiritual journeys of its members,” Rev. Haapalainen says. “As a preacher I use contemporary illustrations, but never lose my primary concern of remaining faithful to the Biblical text.”
Rev. Haapalainen shares the three gifts that he brings to ministry: a sense of humor, imagination, and energy. “My sense of humor helps me enjoy the many, many wonders and surprises which cross my path every day. While I am very serious about the responsibilities of serving Christ, my sense of humor keeps me from taking myself too seriously. Imagination is what keeps me excited about the possibilities for ministry. God created humans in the image of God, imagining what we might become. My energy level is what sustains me as I try to help the Church discover what God intends for us. I have found that there are few qualities more contagious than energy and enthusiasm.”
Rev. Haapalainen’s experience also includes six years teaching philosophy at the collegiate level. He is a three-time published author, newspaper columnist, and blog writer. He holds a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Northern Michigan University. He and his wife Jeanie reside in Marion, Massachusetts.
DEBRA SUE RICHTERS
SECRETARY
I grew up in Manomet and have lived in the area my entire life--other than two years working at Walt Disney World. My husband, Darryl, and I have five children.
Working at the church feels like something I should have been doing all along. The entire church family are such welcoming people, I cannot imagine ever leaving.
My grandmother told me long ago, ”If you dread going to work in the morning, you need to find a different job.” So true! I have been with Second Church since June 2012, and I look forward to coming to work every day.
MARILYN OZELIUS
CHURCH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
​
I love working with children! In my professional life I am a preschool teacher, and a swimming teacher, both of which I have been doing for MANY years.
I have been teaching Sunday School for many years also, beginning when my children were young. I have always felt blessed to be a part of the children’s program at Second Church.