Get to Know Us: Stories of Faith, Family, and Community at Bethel

At Bethel Church of the Nazarene, we believe the church isn’t just a building, it’s a family. Every week, people from different backgrounds, cultures, and life journeys come together to worship, grow, serve, and support one another. This blog series, Get to Know Us, is our way of celebrating the beautiful diversity within our congregation.

Through a set of simple interview questions, you’ll meet the people who make Bethel what it is. We hope these stories help you feel more connected, inspired, and at home as you discover the unique ways God is at work in each of our lives.

Welcome to the family. Let’s get to know each other.

This is Cathy Hughes.

Hi! My name is Cathy Hughes and I am married to a really great guy, Bruce Hughes. We
have no children but we have one cat, Freddie, who we took in from friends at Bethel
who moved to California. We live in Abington where Bruce is involved with town
committees and an elected member of the planning board. I am currently the elected
chaplain of my local DAR chapter and have previously served as historian and registrar,
as well as, chairing various committees. I enjoy participating in the many service
opportunities in the DAR.

I came to Bethel 40+ years ago, first visiting and then transferring membership from
another church. I really liked the community feel at Bethel and meeting new friends
while getting reacquainted with old friends. I am now serving a one-year term on the
church board and am on the discipleship committee. Once a month I bring a Mission
Moment to the service highlighting missionaries and areas of missions.

I still love the feeling of community at Bethel and the welcoming posture to all who come
through the doors. There is a true desire to reach out to those around us. The worship
services help me to focus on God and His presence. The sermons challenge me to
think and act more like Christ and my time at Bethel has contributed to a more mature
Christian faith.

God is challenging all of us at Bethel to be faithful in stewardship and outreach, to be
more aware of the needs around us and how to meet those needs. If you are thinking
about visiting Bethel, just do it! You will find a loving, welcoming community, you will find
home!

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Pastor Mat

Pastor Mat (he/him) came to Bethel in the Fall of 2003 to serve as the youth pastor. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Northwest Nazarene University in 2010. Currently, Mat is a Doctor of Ministry candidate at Nazarene Theological Seminary in the Black Leadership and Ministry track. Mat married the love of his life, I’Esha, on July 11, 2009. They have three wonderful children. Mat is ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Mat has been serving as Bethel Church of the Nazarene’s lead pastor since 2015. Mat served as an instructor of philosophical ethics, church history, and theology in the Religion and Culture program at Eastern Nazarene College for over ten years prior to the school’s closing. Currently, Mat teaches religious studies as an adjunct at Regis College in Weston, MA and theology as an adjunct at Northwest Nazarene University. In addition, Mat volunteers on several non-profit boards and is a co-leader for Quincy4Justice, Quincy Interfaith Network, and Quincy for Transformative Change. He enjoys reading, riding his bicycle, traveling, swimming, stimulating theological discussions, and cold brew coffee. Mat is passionate about the intersections of theology and justice. He is committed to dismantling white supremacy and patriarchy in the church and society. Mat’s specific areas of ministry at Bethel include church leadership, worship coordination, staff development, and pastoral care.