MEET OUR PASTORS

 

Rev. Susan Panek Polizzi, D. Min.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Panek Polizzi has been a part of American Baptist congregations her entire life. She was ordained in 1981 by the First Baptist Church of Rahway, New Jersey, her home church, and has served congregations in Wisconsin, New York State and now First United Baptist. She served as Treasurer of the Ministers Council in Wisconsin and as President in New York State. She also has an ecumenical background, having served as a program director for a Lutheran retreat center, Chaplain and Instructor at a Presbyterian college (Carroll University, Waukesha, Wisconsin), and an interim in a Disciples of Christ congregation.

Pastor Panek Polizzi earned a BA in English Literature and Spanish from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary.

She married Emanuel V. Polizzi in 1984 and they are the parents of two children and doting grandparents of a grandson.

 

Rev. Dr. Bradford H. Lyle, Pastor Emeritus

Dr. Lyle has a rich history with First United Baptist Church. Only five ministers in the 180 year history of the church served more than a decade. One of them was Pastor Daniel C. Eddy during the Civil War Era - 10 years. The other four are 20th Century Pastors. They include Otto Loverude - 16 years, Ambrose Bailey - 12 years, Bruce Lambert - 11 years and Brad Lyle - 19 years!

Dr. Lyle served the church longer than any Pastor in our history. Both the quality of his service and the quantity of his years will remain a bench mark for others who follow. Dr. Lyle retired in the Fall of 2004 after 37 years in pastoral ministry. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, he is a graduate of Brown University (BA), Colgate-Rochester Divinity School (M.Div.) and the Theological School of Drew University (D.Min.).

Dr. Lyle served as pastor of American Baptist congregations in New Jersey, Colorado and most recently the First United Baptist Church of Lowell, Massachusetts for 19 years. During his tenure here he was given the opportunity of representing the Merrimack Valley Baptist Association on the General Board of the American Baptist Churches, USA, for six years and serving as president of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts for two years. Service to the Lowell community included membership on the Board of Directors for the House of Hope, the Ethnic Covenant and Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Lyle has been married to Anita A. Lyle, a retired schoolteacher, for 39 years. They are presently members of the First Baptist Church of Lexington, Massachusetts. Brad and Anita have two adult children and four grandchildren.