Reverend Bill Friederich has been an ordained minister since 1977, graduating with Masters Degrees in Theology and Christian History from Wheaton Graduate School in Wheaton, Ilinois.  He also completed a Master of Divinity degree from Bangor Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine.

Rev Bill served as Assistant Chaplain at a U S Army stockade in Germany, and a Missionary in Germany and Italy. He was a Campus Chaplain at the University of Maine, as well as Director of Admissions for Bangor Seminary.  While in Maine he served UCC churches in Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, and Castine before moving to Florida. His most recent pastorate was at Longboat Island Chapel where he served as Senior Pastor for five years. He and his wife Bah reside in Bradenton, enjoying sun and sand. Both are accomplished musicians, enjoy good food and delight in visits with their granddaughter!

Jeff moved to Sarasota in 1980 with his parents. His husband of 4 years, Michael, moved to join him on Longboat Key in 2015. They currently live on the mainland in Bradenton but look forward to returning to live on Longboat again in the near future. Both are avid bridge players with Jeff maintaining a student directory and teaching online. He has recently become one of the Chapel’s tech support team members. Both enjoy arts and crafts and swimming. They both love to sing and hope to join the choir in the near future. They say that it was the friendly and accepting nature of the congregation that drew them to the Chapel.

Becky joined us in 2023! A transplant from Wayzata, MN, Becky has lived in Florida since 2018, starting off in Cape Coral and later moving to Bradenton in 2020. She has two grown children and one grandchild still living in the cold tundra. She went back to college at age 53 to complete a BA degree in professional writing.

Her motto’s are:

• You are NEVER too old to learn something new or to follow your dreams!
• BELIEVE in God’s spiritual energy and lift yourself to it.

Alyssa Adamson has been singing at Longboat Island Chapel since Fall of 2022. She has been a singer since she could talk. She began voice lessons at age 7, and performed in community choirs and community theatre productions throughout her childhood. Alyssa obtained a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Florida Southern College and then a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University.

Alyssa has been a music teacher since 2015, and now teaches Elementary Music and Sixth Grade Choir at Pine View School in Osprey, FL. She is also the director of the Venice Youth Chorus and has recently taught Music Together classes for young children ages 0-5 and their families. Alyssa enjoys singing for any occasion, and especially enjoys using her voice for worship.

In her free time, Alyssa likes to spend time with her family, including her husband, stepson, and two beautiful daughters, who all also enjoy visiting the chapel with her. She is very excited to continue to bring music to the Longboat Island Chapel, and she is thankful to call the chapel members her family.

After studying piano at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, then transferring to Northwestern University to perfect her performance technique; Cynthia Nash-Frye played piano bars and sang with big bands, wedding and bar mitzvah bands. She also practiced real estate in the Chicago area for 30 years to fulfill her joy of finding families their dream home. All along, she served the Church by playing piano, singing and accompanying choirs; plus entertained as a solo act for weddings & private parties in Chicagoland. Now that Cynthia is retired from real estate, she’s living her dream of playing piano and singing every day!

When not playing the piano or singing or serving at Church, she can be found at the beach-shelling, boating, fishing or swimming with her husband Ken. She also enjoys walking their dog Peaches and traveling to visit 6 kids and 8 grandchildren! Cynthia is a recent transplant here and has embraced the natural beauty and Island Time in paradise whole-heartedly!

Susan Schaefer re-located to Florida from Michigan in 2009.  She retired after 22 years from the Admissions Office of Central Michigan University.  The skills utilized in her position of Office Manager are utilized daily at the Longboat Island Chapel.  She and her husband Bruce became members of the Chapel in 2009, and Susan was hired in 2011.

Jerry is originally from Augusta, Georgia and has an associate degree in Parks Management from Lake City Community College. Prior to coming to the Chapel he worked for a company that installs and repairs windows. His custodial duties include setting up rooms for group meetings, multiple interior and exterior building maintenance as well as various projects on the grounds of the Chapel.

Diane joins us once again as our wedding coordinator, as she once served in this capacity for the chapel. Her desire to return was rooted in the love of the Longboat Island Chapel’s mission and people.  Diane grew up in Bradenton and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Communications degree. Diane and her husband John have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three grown children. Their son Chris is in finance in NYC, daughter Emily is a lawyer in Tampa and the youngest Caroline is a distance runner at the University of Notre Dame.

Diane has worked in event planning, wedding coordination, public relations, and healthcare sales throughout her career. Her expertise will be at the forefront of ensuring that brides and grooms experience a seamless and joyous wedding day. In her spare time, Diane enjoys running, walking the beach, reading, and enjoying time with family. Diane’s favorite motto to live by is, “Carpe Diem”.