Council Staff

The Rev. David A. Lima, Executive Minister

The Rev. David A. Lima has been appointed Executive Minister of the Inter-Church Council. A lifelong resident of New Bedford, the Rev. Lima co-pastors New Seasons Worship Center in East Freetown, along with his wife, the Rev. Joanne Lima. Married for 25 years, they have three children. Over the years, the Rev. Lima has served in a variety of leadership positions at the Council, including the presidency from 2001-05. He also has been active in the Council's Clergy and Kids Lunch program in the New Bedford Elementary Schools and the Clergy Ride Along ministry with the New Bedford Police Department.

Constance R. Fontaine, Council Administrator

Connie has 30 years of clerical experience combined with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. She is a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University with a B.A. degree in history. She is a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church in New Bedford. To further the Mission of the Council, she provides support to the Executive Minister, the Staff and the Board of Directors. Among other duties, Connie routinely manages reception for the Council's property, all administrative correspondence, coordination of volunteer ministries, facilitation of weekly staff meetings , financial development, development and implementation of policies and procedures, design and maintenance of the Council's extensive database as well as computer hardware and software maintenance for 9 computer systems. Connie also designed and maintains the Council's web-site.

Email: Connie(a)iccgnb.org

Carol Murchie, Finance Manager

Carol originally trained in history and library science, both at the University of Michigan. Her work experience has been multifaceted with particular strengths in budgeting, management, data organization, and creating systems for managing information. She is parishioner of Trinity Lutheran Church where she served three years as Treasurer, overseeing migration of the church financial record-keeping to QuickBooks software, implementing check request system with required signoffs, and developing a gifts policy for the church.

E-mail: Carol(a)iccgnb.org

The Rev. Steven E. Rodrigues, Director of Ministries

Rev. Rodrigues was recently hired as the Director of Ministries being vacated by Marilyn Greene. Pastor Rodrigues is the Senior Pastor of The Church At The Crossroads in New Bedford where he ministers with his wife, Dianne and daughter, Nicole. In addition to his daughter Nicole, Pastor Rodrigues has two sons; Matthew and Adam, two daughters in laws, Tiffany and Sara, and four grandchildren; Brycen, Elijah, Caleb and Olivia.

Email: pastorsteve(a)iccgnb.org

Leona J. Fisher

Manager Representative Payee Ministry

Ms. Fisher derives great pleasure from being of service to people. She attended the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth for business management. While living in the Washington, D. C. area she also attended various courses for financial management, child daycare management and psychology. Ms. Fisher has 18 years experience in the field of property management, has worked for the Small Business Administration and briefly, in the banking industry. The cumulate of these and other positions she has held have provided her extensive experience in administration, accounting, budgeting, bookkeeping and interpersonal relations. Ms. Fisher attends the New Bedford Foursquare Gospel Church where she serves on the Church Council, attends second year theology classes and is committed and active in various ministries.

Email: Leona(a)iccgnb.org

Pamela Souza, Social Director

Melville Towers and Grinnell Congregate Home

Pamela is a graduate of Boston University with a B.S. in Sociology. She has extensive experience working in the field of mental health and has worked with the mentally challenged. She worked for eight years at D.S.S. specializing in abuse and neglect issues. Pamela is an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where she serves on the executive committee of the youth center. In addition she is part of the leadership team of the Alpha program. She has been Social Director at Melville Towers and Grinnell Congregate Home since November of 1998.

Email: Pamela(a)iccgnb.org

Gabriel Teixeira

Council Sexton

Gabriel is a graduate of Sylvania Technical School and has extensive experience in all aspects of property and building maintenance . In addition to overseeing all maintenance of the historic Council House and Carriage House located at 412 County Street, Gabe maintains Brock Avenue Elderly Housing which is the home for 44 residents as well as the Grinnell Mansion which is home to 17 residents. Gabe has been with the Council since 2004.

Debra Kenney

Resident Services Coordinator

Debbie has been working with people of all ages for the past 28 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State College in Psychology and has taken various course work on the graduate level. She has worked with the chronic mentally ill in both a housing setting as well as community programs. She has worked and created parent training programs, building collaboration among service providers, worked with her husband of 37 years in facilitating Marriage Prep programs and working with marriages that are experiencing trouble. She is now enjoying ministering to the Resident of the Young House. She has three grown children and five grandchildren.

Email: Debbie(a)iccgnb.org

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