Staff

Senior Minister

(she/her)
(401) 479-6791 (cell)
revelizabeth@beneficentchurch.org

Elizabeth is a graduate of Northwestern University (with departmental honors) and Harvard Divinity School (awarded the Hopkins Share for Ministerial Promise and the  Billings Prize for Pulpit Delivery). She was ordained in the United Church of Christ and served churches in Boston, Chicago and San Francisco before shifting to hospice chaplaincy for a few years. She returned to parish ministry when she was called to be Senior Minister of Beneficent in 2019. Elizabeth has been active in the UCC denomination on national, regional and local levels and has organized extensively in local interfaith communities. She has taught Christian education at every age and stage and written more curriculum than is probably healthy or normal.

Since she was a young child, Elizabeth has been in love with the Christian clock and is happiest when taking it apart to see what makes it tick. She quarrels with scripture and the Christian tradition constantly but she is dug in deep and here to stay, all the while formulating her next irreverent thought. Elizabeth has an adult daughter, Abigail, a writer, musician and costume designer who lurks around Chicago scattering mischief and dress pins. Elizabeth shares her home with a rescued chocolate lab named Rosie and way, way too many books. She runs or rides a stationary bike daily and loves to do the kind of elaborate cooking that uses every pan in the kitchen cabinet. And there is usually a large Coke in her car’s cup holder.

Minister of Music

(she/her)
(401) 228-1366 (secure voicemail)
music@beneficentchurch.org

Beginning piano lessons at age 7, Frances has strived to share and expand her music career. While still in high school, she joined The Good News Kids, an ecumenical singing group that toured the country spreading the gospel. During those same years, Frances started studying piano at the University of Rhode Island. After graduating high school, she enrolled at Roger Williams University majoring in music and theatre. Frances was accepted into their extended-course program in London, England, where she spent a year in advanced studies.

To “support” her career in music, Frances started working as an insurance field examiner in Boston. She continued for the next fifteen years working as an examiner by day, and working cabarets, supper clubs and theaters at night in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL.

In 2007, Frances returned “home” to church. She became the Music Director at Community Baptist Church in Newport, RI in 2007. In 2011, she took the position of Worship Leader at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD. 2013 brought Frances to Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Newport, RI as their Director of Music Ministry. She also is the Artistic Director of RPM Voices of Rhode Island.

Director of Christian Education

(he/they)
(401) 714-4850 (cell)
education@beneficentchurch.org

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jaquel (he/they) is an activist, educator, and burst of energy. Jaquel is a product of public school, graduating from Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia. After graduating high school, Jaquel pursued a degree in Christian Education by enrolling in Ohio Christian University where he majored in Leadership in Ministry. During his undergraduate years, Jaquel served as a Youth/College Pastor for Word of Love Christian Church in Atlanta, GA and Lead Sunday School teacher for Tri-Cities Church in East Point.

Jaquel obtained a Master of Art in Religious Education from The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) where he also served as the Vice-President of the Student Christian League. After graduating from the ITC, Jaquel enhanced his education by serving as Director of Christian Education, Youth Pastor, Charter School Board Member, Religious Life Program Coordinator, and by serving in many other vocational roles.

Jaquel currently serves as a National Board member for the Association of United Church Educators (AUCE), representing the Southern Region. Since his return to Atlanta in 2021, Jaquel has served as the Program Coordinator for Sisters Chapel of Spelman College. During that time, Jaquel served as the Co-chair for the 2022 and 2023 Baccalaureate Ceremony, Sister Chapel E-Board Advisor, and an Inaugural Lavender Graduation Committee Member.

In his spare time, he looks to create The Eunuchs Closet, a religious safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, and spend time with his Parti Poodle, Ella.

Finance Manager

(she/her)
(401) 228-1368 (secure voicemail)
finance@beneficentchurch.org

Heather brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to her role as Beneficent’s Finance Manager, with a focus on process improvement to ensure consistency and transparency. Her proficiency in QuickBooks and varied work history make her a perfect fit for the wide variety of tasks required of our Finance department.

After attending Salve Regina University in Newport, Heather completed several accounting courses at Community College of Rhode Island while working a full-time job as an office manager. She’s worked for a number of nonprofit organizations in the area – including a theater company, Jewish synagogue, and a local farm which is also on the National Register of Historic Places.Born and raised in Rhode Island, Heather is an avid reader, always trying new culinary skills or can be found on the beach collecting sea glass. She also is the mother of two children, one cat, and two dogs.

Social Media/Office Manager

(he/him)
(401) 331-9844
officemanager@beneficentchurch.org

As a teenager, Charlie once hacked into his pastor’s computer and re-wrote the church website to proclaim undying support for the Patriots, as opposed to the Pittsburg Steelers. Born and raised in New England, Charlie considered this display of regional loyalty to be morally justifiable (although neither his parents nor church staff agreed).

Since then, he’s decided it’s probably best to use his tech powers for The Greater Good, opting to utilize his skillset for more creative, artistic, and empowering pursuits. Charlie loves the color blue, owns a cat who still refuses to help pay the rent, and will never turn down a slice of pizza.

Church Receptionist; Door Attendant; Parking Attendant

(she/her)

Kelsey is a sophomore at Johnson & Wales University, majoring in Exercise and Sport Science. She plans to attend graduate school nearby to become a doctor of sports medicine. Kelsey competes on JWU’s Varsity Equestrian team and has been competitively riding horses for 15 years. She owns two horses, Dolly and Guinness.

Originally from southeastern Massachusetts, Kelsey lived in Virginia from 2013 to 2023. College and family brought her back to New England, where she now lives with her roommate, Ally, and her cat, Nova. She enjoys spending time with her nephew, Harrison, and watching a good Netflix show.

A/V Technician

(he/him)
(401) 753-2773 (text only)
av@beneficentchurch.org

Will Cooley, born and raised in the city of Orlando, FL., was immersed from a young age in the world of music that fueled his fascination with audio and technology. As a teenager, he spent countless hours experimenting with recording equipment, learning the fundamentals of sound engineering, and honing his technical skills. This early exposure laid a solid foundation for shaping his dual interests in both performing and producing music. 

After high school, Will spent the next five years performing across the southeast, playing both intimate gigs and larger venues. Drawing on his experiences from Orlando, New York, and every stop in between, Will currently spends his time in Rhode Island blending his technical and creative capabilities to produce high-quality audio and video content. 

Along with ongoing regular performances, Will tutors aspiring musicians, drawing immense satisfaction from sharing his knowledge with others. In addition to such a fulfilling and dynamic professional life, Will enjoys balancing his work by spending time with his family. He looks to his future with excitement, eager to embrace whatever new challenges and opportunities wait for him on this journey.

Nursery Attendant

(she/her)

Sharon has been an early-childhood educator for 35 years. She likes to travel the world and reads lots of books, and she brings that spirit to her care of Beneficent’s youngest.

Nursery Attendant

(he/him)

Stiven – who joined the Beneficent team in 2024 – loves building Legos® with his cousins, watching Marvel movies, and perfecting his planting hobby. He spends his free time reading a good book, or volunteering at community art programs.

Parking Attendant

(he/him)

Cory joined the Beneficent team in 2024.