Rev. Ed Farrell-Starbuck

Shepherd of the Valley welcomed Rev. Ed Farrell-Starbuck as our new pastor in 2007. Born in Idaho, Ed’s family itinerated with his UM pastor father from Idaho to Massachusetts to Maine. He earned a B.A. in English and Philosophy at Moravian college in Bethlehem, PA and a M.Div. degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. From 1978 to 1994 Ed served three parishes in the California-Nevada Conference before moving back to the Northeast. Since returning to New England he has served congregations in Osterville (MA), Barrington (RI), and most recently, Trinity UMC in Springfield (MA). 

Ed and wife Cindy were married more than 35 years ago and have two children who were born during their sojourn in northern California. Daughter Caitlin works in NYC and is pursuing her M.A. degree in Public Policy. Son Josh currently medical schoolt with an eye towards osteopathic medicine. In recent years, Cindy's work has been in the non-profit sector, most recently at the United Table of Christ in Providence. Besides hanging out with his family and Haines (the family’s beagle), Ed enjoys fly-fishing and kayaking.