Rector
The Rev. Scott A. Ciosek
The Rev. Scott A. Ciosek is Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, where he has served since July 2013. An ordained priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, he is also the founder and Executive Director of The Bridge: A Center for Hope and Healing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit counseling and behavioral health center located on the campus of St. Peter's. Since January 2020, he has served as Episcopal Chaplain at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.
A native of Somerset, Massachusetts, Scott grew up in St. John of God Parish and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1993. He earned a Bachelor of Philosophy in 1996 and a Master of Divinity in 2000, both from St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Scott was ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church on June 3, 2000, where he served for five years. After completing a Diploma in Anglican Studies at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, he was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church by the late Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
In addition to parish ministry, Scott has served as an Adjunct Professor at Bristol Community College, teaching Coping with Life and Death and Introduction to Philosophy. He currently serves as Dean of the Mt. Hope–Buzzards Bay Deanery in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Scott and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Dighton, Massachusetts, with their three children.
Scott is passionate about helping churches thrive in today's world. His ministry is centered on congregational growth, adult spiritual formation, LGBTQIA+ ministry, vibrant and spirit-filled worship, contemporary liturgical music, community engagement, disciple-making, and reimagining new models of church that faithfully respond to the needs of contemporary society.
Curate
The Rev. Faith Mbuthia
Rev. Faith is thrilled to join St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Dartmouth as the Youth and Family Coordinator. Her journey in faith began in her early youth in Kenya, where she grew up attending Sunday school and youth group activities.
After relocating to the US, Rev. Faith was appointed as the Family Director and Event Organizer at Grace Chapel Brockton, her sending Parish. She earned her Masters degree in Divinity from Bexley Seabury Seminary. During the pandemic, Faith initiated a prayer group for the elderly women with linguistic challenges from her native country. She interned at several churches in the South Shore and organized youth camps during her field education and formation period. These aspects deepened and stabilized her passion for working with young people and helping them grow in their faith.
When Faith is not planning exciting events for the youth group or leading Bible studies, you can find her enjoying walks, listening to worship music, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She’s also an avid reader and loves discussing books with the teens.
Her goal as Youth & Family Coordinator is to create a welcoming, fun, and spiritually nurturing environment where our young people can explore their faith, build lasting friendships, and develop into confident, compassionate leaders in our community.
Reverend Faith is full of joy and always excited to meet new faces and hear fresh ideas! Feel free to reach her at Fmstpetersdartmouth@gmail.com or stop by her office.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity”, 1 Timothy 4:12
Administrative Assistant
Nicole Branco
Raised in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Nicole holds a Master’s degree in English and brings a strong background in communication, organization, and community engagement to her role as Administrative Assistant.
Outside of her work with the church, Nicole is also a small business owner. She co-owns a fitness studio with her sister, where they focus on promoting health, balance, and well-being within their community.
Her professional life reflects her passion for both service and connection—whether through supporting church ministry or encouraging others to live active, healthy lives.
Director of Music / Keyboard Accompanist
Chris Oliveira
Chris has been cultured around music since birth. Chris was known to have identified notes by ear on a keyboard crawling on the floor before he could walk. In 1st grade, Chris’ talent was noticed by Our Lady of Mount Carmel School’s Music Teacher and Piano Instructor, David Langevin. Chris began taking lessons with Mr. Langevin all through high school where he learned music theory and became a classically trained pianist. In the 5th grade, Chris began playing for school Masses and ultimately, became a liturgical pianist and organist.
Chris learned to play the church organ on the classic 1920’s built Hooks & Hastings full pipe organ at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford under the direction of then-pastor Fr. Henry S. Arruda. At the age of 18, Chris then took a full-time organist position with the Parish of St. Anthony’s in Taunton. Since then, Chris has played at several different parishes and built musical bonds and connections with many other musicians.
Chris’ love for playing music has also gone far beyond the church walls. Chris played for several bands of various genres, continuously polishing his piano and keyboard skills. He has been a pianist for musicals such as: Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc. just to name a few. Today, he is on his 7th year as a part of the house band for the International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA) which hosts world renowned artists from all over the world.
When Chris is not playing music, his occupation is in the Medical Gas field where he has many years of hands on experience and project managing teams of technicians to design, maintain, install, and certify Medical Gas systems in hospitals and urgent care centers throughout the Southcoast and beyond; as well as years of commercial plumbing and HVAC project management experience.
Chris has a passion for sharing his music with people. Music enhances prayer and is an important expression of everyone’s spirituality. Chris lives his life with a strong sense of family and he is beyond ecstatic to join the Music Team here at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. His goal is to create a bond through music with the team and all current and future parishioners.
Cantor / Leader of Song
Lindsey Ashworth
Lindsey Ashworth is a recent college graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Rhode Island College in Providence, RI. She has spent numerous years teaching voice and theatre to youth performers across the Southcoast, while also performing in several shows. Past credits include Reality Romance (Destiny M), Cabaret (Fraulein Kost/Sally Bowles u/s), 1776 (Martha Jefferson), and The Little Mermaid (Andrina). When not performing, you will find her walking and playing fetch with her beloved golden doodle. Lindsey also has previous ministry experience serving in parish settings as a Cantor / Leader of Song and is excited to be joining the Music Ministry at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Cantor / Leader of Song
Catarina Avelar Rebello
Catarina Avelar Rebello has served as a liturgical musician at parishes on the SouthCoast for over 25 years, a calling rooted in her deep love for God. She is also an acclaimed Portuguese-American fado singer whose powerful, expressive voice has made her one of New England's most respected interpreters of Portugal's national musical tradition. Born in on the SouthCoast to a with proud a Portuguese heritage, she has dedicated her career to preserving the rich heritage of fado while sharing its timeless stories of love, longing, resilience, and “saudade” with audiences throughout the United States and beyond. Her heartfelt performances have earned her recognition as one of the region's leading ambassadors of Portuguese culture.
A familiar presence in the Portuguese-American communities of New Bedford and the SouthCoast, Catarina has performed at cultural festivals, charitable events, and concert venues, helping introduce new audiences to the beauty and emotion of fado. Outside of her musical career, she has also served her community as a social worker. Whether through her gift of music or in service to others, Catarina Avelar continues to honor her Portuguese heritage through music that connects generations and celebrates the enduring spirit of fado.
Cantor / Leader of Song
Maureen Huberman
Maureen began her musical journey at a young age. She has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who was an accomplished pianist and vocalist.
Music is the core to Maureen’s heart and soul. A native to the South Coast, Maureen grew up on the stage – from violin lessons and ballet recitals to work with the Zeiterion Theatre and beyond. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Opera performance) from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, a Master’s of Education from Bridgewater State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Merrimack College. As a current Teaching and Learning Specialist with the New Bedford Public Schools, Maureen brings her passion for the arts daily to her students.
When not at school Maureen and her husband established Camp Triple Threat, LLC in 2019. A performing arts camp for kids ages 6-14 years of age. Through this camp, she can hone her passion for performance and guide the next generation of performers to the stage. The camp is now in its sixth season and growing every year.
Maureen is delighted to join the music ministry team at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for music with the parish community.
Financial Administrator
Michelle L. Letts, EFPM
A Southcoast native, Michelle has over 35 years experience in medical practice management and accounting including human resource, payroll, HIPAA, medical billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgets, projections and business restructuring.
