Leadership

Picture of a compass with text "leadership"

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Page updated 27 August 2023; Burlington Presbyterian Church

Pastor – Rev. Trina Portillo

Pastor Trina Portillo
Rev. Portillo with Her Family

Rev. Catriona (Trina) Portillo was installed as our pastor in 2018. She is the third installed pastor at the church since its founding in 1962. Trina was Moderator of the Presbytery of Boston in 2022. She is enrolled in a D. Min. program through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary focused on faithful risk-taking. She served previously as our interim minister, and before that as pastor of a small, urban congregation in Rochester, NY. She and her family moved to Massachusetts in 2014. Trina graduated from the College of Wooster in Ohio and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She worked in development for Chicago Lights, an outreach ministry of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago. Rev. Portillo has been involved in food justice projects with the denomination, and immigrant support and orientation with the International Institute of New England. Trina lives in Framingham with her husband and daughter. When not engaged in church or family activities, Trina enjoys singing in a community choir, taking walks in nature, watching movies, and trying new kinds of cuisine.

The Session

Leadership in the Presbyterian Church is shared by Ministers and Elders working together in councils. We are led by our local church council (the “Session”) which includes the Pastor and Elders elected by the congregation.

Church councils must express the diversity of the church’s membership and provide for full participation and access to representation in decision-making. The Holy Spirit calls women and men to all ministries of the church. Church leaders do not simply reflect the will of the people, but seek to discern and represent the will of Christ. In leading the congregation, the Session guides our witness to the activity of God in the world, so that the we may be a community of faith, hope, love, and witness.

Session Members

  • Trina Portillo (Pastor & Moderator
  • Marylou Lynn (Clerk
  • Juliet Graham
  • Brad Morrison
  • Linda Roscoe
  • Jen Slater
  • W. Mark Vogel
  • Mark Wells

Deacons

The ministry of deacon is one of compassion, witness, and service — sharing the love of Jesus with those who are poor, hungry, sick, lost, friendless, oppressed, burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honesty, love, compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.

Board of Deacons

  • Jackline Pipim
  • Jennifer Dewar
  • Kim Oey-Rosenthal
  • Marion McPhee
  • Mercy Agyapong

Trustees

The active elders serving on the session are also the trustees for the corporation of the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA.

Treasurer

The session elects a treasurer to administer the financial affairs of the congregation. Our current treasurer is Ken Dewar.

Music Leader

Our worship accompanist is Cheyenna Rain Eagle. Chey (pronounced SHY) is a certified music therapist working in Arlington and Wakefield, and an experienced church accompanist.