Skip to main content

Ministers & Staff

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. C. Maxwell Olmstead

Max Olmstead came to The Dover Church in 2009, with his wife and two boys. A Massachusetts native and lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, Max brings a passion for the experience of God to ministry. Whether in worship, or teaching yoga and meditation, chatting over coffee, or sharing stories of our life with God, Max seeks to help people find words for their faith, making God accessible, practical, applicable, and personal. When he was a professor of Old Norse, Vikings and Swedish language, Max lived in Colorado, California, Seattle, WA, Iceland and Sweden. When not doing things with his family or around the church, Max loves to flyfish for trout and striped bass, practice and teach yoga, kayak/canoe, run, hike and bike in the woods, and keep bees.
Associate Pastor

Rev. Kayla Edstrom

Kayla, native of Easton, MA, started as a Pastoral Associate at The Dover Church in January 2020 while finishing up seminary. She was drawn to TDC by the authenticity and welcome she found, and in June of 2020, the congregation made it official by calling Kayla to serve as Associate Pastor. Kayla is excited to come alongside The Dover Church in the work of striving together to follow Jesus, love our neighbors, and work for reconciliation and justice in the world, and she is energized by getting to spend time learning with and from young people.

When not at The Dover Church, Kayla also co-directs Camp Wilmot, a Christian overnight camp in the Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire. As a camper and now a staff member, Camp Wilmot has been a place where Kayla has witnessed the transformative power of belonging and play, and where she’s developed a passion for youth ministry. Kayla enjoys running, reading mystery novels, gardening, cooking, exploring all the amazing outdoor spaces the Dover area has to offer, and spending time with her family, friends, and her husband Walter.

Director of Music Ministries

Christine Hogan

Christine is an organist/pianist/choral and handbell conductor with more than 25 years’ professional experience. She is a member of the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists where she is a board member and former leader of many groups including Chair of the Young Organist Initiative which grew tremendously under her leadership. She served as Chair of the Curtis Friends of Music Program at Ephraim Curtis Middle School in Sudbury where she successfully oversaw fundraising and acquisition of a concert grand piano for their auditorium. She also served as Music Director of the ECMS Theatre Troupe, as well as pianist for the choral and instrumental programs for over 10 years. She is currently the choral accompanist at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School LSRHS). Christine lives in Sudbury with her husband Paul, a Sudbury native with whom she shares five children. Jake, an alumnus of McGill University is a Data Scientist with Twitch, Charlotte is at Simmons University pursuing her dietetics and nutrition degree, twins Maeve and Bridget at McGill University and University of Maryland College Park respectively, and Lorelei is a freshman at LSRHS.
Assistant Treasurer

Nancy Simms

Nancy Simms is the Assistant Treasurer of The Dover Church and has served in that capacity since 2014. She also has served the church in several volunteer capacities including as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, a member of the visitation ministry team, a member of Sunday school teaching teams, and most recently as a member of the Handbell Choir. Nancy is active in the local community, having served on and led many committees, commissions and boards, and continues to enjoy the connections she makes through these volunteer activities. Nancy’s prior work experience includes assignments in multiple east coast cities with an international public accounting firm and several years with a private consulting firm in Washington, DC. Nancy grew up in Middlebury, Vermont, received her undergraduate degree in Economics and German from Williams College, and earned an MBA degree in Finance and Public Policy from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband have four (mostly grown) children. Nancy enjoys walks in beautiful places, cooking and eating good food, reading books and going to the movies, doing needlework and craft projects, and laughing with friends and family.
Director of Congregational Life

Beth Benjamin

Beth joined The Dover Church staff in August 2013. She and her husband, Mike, moved to Dover in 1999 from California. Beth became a member of the church in 2008 when she was asked to serve on the Pastoral Search Committee. She has also served the church as Moderator (Jan. 2010 - Jan. 2013), Music Committee Chair/member and she has taught Sunday school classes for many years. Beth has volunteered in many areas of the local community (Girl Scouts, Dover-Sherborn Town Soccer) and currently volunteers with AFS USA, formerly American Field Service. Beth grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attended The College of William and Mary, in Virginia, and earned a Master’s degree from Boston University. She and Mike have three grown children, Miles, Audrey and Emily. Beth enjoys looking for wildflowers while walking through the woods, gardening, and being with her family.
Administrative Assistant

Martha DePaola

Beth joined The Dover Church staff in August 2013. She and her husband, Mike, moved to Dover in 1999 from California. Beth became a member of the church in 2008 when she was asked to serve on the Pastoral Search Committee. She has also served the church as Moderator (Jan. 2010 - Jan. 2013), Music Committee Chair/member and she has taught Sunday school classes for many years. Beth has volunteered in many areas of the local community (Girl Scouts, Dover-Sherborn Town Soccer) and currently volunteers with AFS USA, formerly American Field Service. Beth grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attended The College of William and Mary, in Virginia, and earned a Master’s degree from Boston University. She and Mike have three grown children, Miles, Audrey and Emily. Beth enjoys looking for wildflowers while walking through the woods, gardening, and being with her family.

Get the Dover Church's latest news and updates in your inbox!