About Us

Staff

Rev. Valeria Schmidt

Intentional Interim Minister

(she/her)
rev.schmidt[at]beneficentchurch.org

Raised on three different continents by a German diplomat family, Valeria came to the U.S. in 2009 to serve two rural UCC churches in Pennsylvania, then an American Baptist and UCC congregation in central Massachusetts. She left congregational ministry in 2022 to pursue a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and work as an interfaith chaplain at the University of Massachusetts Boston and then as a hospice chaplain in Rhode Island, which brought her to Providence.

A few years after venturing out into the “real world,” Valeria felt called back into the church, and especially to support churches going through transition. She has a passion for peace, justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, which led her to Beneficent Church.

Valeria loves people, music, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Also, sleep.

In her free time, she can be found exploring the city on her bike, her feet, a scooter, or a RIPTA bus, sitting in coffee shops or restaurants (often with her spouse Allyn), running, reading, watching “Friends,” or – a newly discovered and quite addictive hobby – crocheting.

Valeria believes in the power of God’s love and is excited to be with the good people of Beneficent Church for the next couple of years to discern where God is calling them.

Frances-Elayne Johnson

Minister of Music

(she/her)
music (AT) 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.

Will Cooley

A/V Technician

(he/him)
av (AT) 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.

Cory Bouchard

Parking Attendant

(he/him)

Cory joined the Beneficent team in 2024.

Bob Ryder

Facilities and Maintenance

(he/him)

Bob joined the Beneficent team in 2024. Staff bio coming soon!

The Beneficent Church community exemplifies and lives out the
affirmation, “All are welcome” —something churches often profess but fail to honor. In Beneficent Church, we have been embraced as we are and have found our long-sought-after spiritual home.

Leslie and John F.

I am proud to be a lifelong member of Beneficent! I grew up in our
Sunday School, married another Beneficent member who sang in the choir, and raised our family in our Sunday School.

Irene H.

Beneficent was a Godsend to me when I was grieving the loss of my parents. I found it to be a comforting and completely accepting place for me personally.

Valerie T.