Our Ministers and Staff

Our ministers and staff guide our ministries and care for our community’s people! Scroll down to meet these amazing humans!

 BACC’s Staff Values

Ministers

Pastor Nikira Hernandez (They/Them)

Senior Minister

Pastor Nikira (they/them) is a queer, Two-Spirit, teacher, preacher, healer, and activist. They believe that everyone is a beloved child of God - including you reading this now, Cedar tree standing tall outside, Great Blue Heron flying over head, and Raccoon peering through your garbage bin - and that there is nothing you could do (or not do), believe (or not believe) that could keep you from the love of the Creator.

Pastor Nikira's theology is grounded in both their Christian and Native American (Paiute) spiritual traditions, and informed by their participation in Black Lives Matter and Indigenous sovereignty movement spaces. Pastor Nikira graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a concentration in Environmental Justice, and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion.

They grew up jumping in the ocean in unceded Ohlone territory. When not at work, Pastor Nikira is most likely to be found in the garden, or walking in the woods with their dog, Jesse.

Pastor DeShay Freemyer-Jackson (She/They)

Associate Minister and Trans BIPOC Pastoral Resident

DeShay Freemyer-Jackson (She/They) blends Womanist perspectives with theology, spirituality, Black queerness, music, and cuisine. She served as the Minister of Worship and Arts at The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, Texas. They presently serve as the Director of Programming and Development for Color Splash Out, an LGBTQIA+ camp for middle and high school students and their allies. DeShay holds a Master’s in Divinity from Brite Divinity School, specializing in Black Church Studies and Gender/Sexual Justice, and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Culver-Stockton College.

DeShay co-authored Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians published by Chalice Media and they were featured on HBO’s We’re Here, Season 3, Episode 1. DeShay was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Black Church Equality Fellowship in 2023, hosted by Pride in the Pews, a nonprofit advocating for Black LGBTQ+ empowerment in the pew, pulpit, and public square. In May 2023 she was invited to serve as the worship leader/musician at Princeton Theological Seminary’s “Iron Sharpens Iron” Women’s Leadership Conference.

DeShay enjoys cooking, baking, bowling, listening to jazz, sloths, and spending family time with her husband Zane, and their two ginger cats, Sassy and Serene.

Rada Ruggles (They/He)

Summer Pastoral Intern

Rada Ruggles (They/He) is a trans, queer, Kazakh adoptee, student, activist, musician, historian, philosopher, and artist. Their theology is rooted in a blend of Christian and Unitarian Universalist spiritual traditions, the teachings of their family and mentors, and their identity as a transgender-Kazakh adoptee.  Rada graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a B. A major in Religious Studies and American Studies with minors in History and Philosophy & Ethics. Rada has also served in various volunteer positions, including with Emma’s Revolution, the Allston Brighton Food Pantry, Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts, and on Service trips to New Orleans and Hartford. They have served in various liturgical roles, including preacher, deacon, retreat leader, lector, eucharistic minister, and acolyte. They are attending Boston University School of Theology, where they are completing a Master of Divinity. They have completed a short internship with First Church Somerville and recently conducted a study of contemporary UCC liturgy practices. He also works as a historical educator at Old North Church. Rada has been deeply involved in and shaped by his work in historical research, the Black Lives Matter movement, Food and Housing Justice, Transgender Celebration, Palestinian Liberation, and the social justice music community. 

They grew up in Somerville, attending both Unitarian Universalist (UU) and Catholic church communities, created magic in theater and art classes, and traveled with his family. When not working or studying, Rada can be found at protests, knitting, hiking, playing video games, biking, or playing with his dog Hector. 

Staff

Haze Odell (They/Them)

Operations & Buildings Manager

Haze’s bio coming soon!

Fe Cabral (They/Them)

Receptionist

Fe is a Latinx non-binary artist whose work passionately intersects with community care, particularly in the realms of public health and education.

Embracing harm reduction and the spectrum of ability, Fe employs art as a powerful tool for activism and social change. Their creative practice is dedicated to advocating for inclusive and equitable solutions, using their artistry to address pressing issues and foster dialogue.

Through their multifaceted approach, Fe aims to both inspire and support communities, blending artistic expression with meaningful, hands-on engagement in public health and education.

Richard Stroshane (He/Him)

Sexton

Richard Stroshane came from the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Mae Siu Wai, back in 1981. They have lived in Allston Brighton ever since. They had two children who are now grown. Rich had a long healthcare career at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

In retirement, he has fulfilled his interest in being part of a team by working part-time and volunteering. He began as a volunteer with the church's Community Supper on Wednesdays and then became a member of the Food Pantry's board. He also volunteers and works part time for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in Boston.

He is a long-time member of Eliot Church of Newton and is learning to play several musical instruments.

Matthew Rasure(He/Him)

Director of Development
development@brightonallstonucc.org

Matt Rasure (he/him) is a community advocate, scholar, and clergy person who is passionate about the intersection of faith and community empowerment. Matt has deep commitment to funding sustainable and meaningful community programs to create a more just world.

Before transitioning to his new role, Matt served as Senior Minister at First Baptist Church of Medford, where he led the congregation in innovative programs for the arts, social justice, and community engagement. He also serves as President of the Board for the Center for Career Development and Ministry, a psychological supports and vocational counselling service supporting clergy throughout their lives.

Matt’s academic journey began with a fascination for patterns in mathematics and music, and eventually to scholarly work in the ancient world. His scholarly work explores the complex relationships between holiness, space, death, and mental health. In addition to a PhD from Harvard University, he also holds an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and studied for two years at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In his personal life, Matt shares his love of food and hospitality with his wife, the Reverend Rachael Pettengill-Rasure, an Episcopal priest in Milton, MA. Together, they are the parents of two children, Jack and Maggie. When not at work, Matt enjoys cooking, trying to keep fit, and sailing.

Fernando Michelin (He/Him)

Music Director

Fernando Michelin is our church musician. A native of Uruguay, Nando came to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music more than 30 years ago.

He leads the Nando Michelin Group and has recorded several jazz CDs, including Duende, Reencontro, When Einstein Dreams, Common Grounds, and Facing South. He is an associate professor in the piano department at Berklee College of Music. 

There are samples of his music on Myspace, or follow the Nando Michelin band on Facebook.

Shoko Majors

Nursery Attendant

Hello My name is Shoko Majors. I am originally from Kobe Japan. I can speak and write in Japanese at native speaker level, I also can write Japanese style Chinese. I have one 15 years old daughter. I went to Kansai Gaidai University in English, University of Colorado at Denver in Psychology, Red Rocks Community College in Early Childhood Education, and planning to continue education in Massachusetts. I have worked in NAEYC daycare as a lead infant teacher for 13 years and I have also worked in public school settings. Currently, I am working in Kiddie Academy at Framingham Massachusetts. My goal is to become a special education teacher. 

I enjoy piano, yoga, zumba, hiking, and cooking. 

I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity on Sunday.

Lina Tellez Sarmiento (She/Her)

Sunday Song Leader

Lina’s bio coming soon!

Grace Wang

Volunteer Coordinator

Grace’s bio coming soon!

Rosa Gonzalez

Food Justice Meals Coordinator

Rosa has been actively supporting the Boston neighborhoods for over 17 years. In addition to serving up delicious food in our kitchen, she is currently serving her community at IBA as an Ambassador. She comes to us with experience working with many different people, including seniors and people with disabilities, and a background in food justice work through the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Rosa’s passion for serving the community came from growing up with a Mother who worked in the Kitchen at BPS for many years. She is inspired by her travels, being a foodie, and expressing her talents with her creative meals to serve at BACC. She looks forward to feeding everyone’s soul and happiness!