Meet Our Clergy & Staff

The Reverend Dr. James A. Weldon, Jr. is the twelfth rector of the the Parish of the Good Shepherd. He is responsible for all areas of parish life and is oversees worship, music, Christian education, outreach, and community activities.

Fr. Jay is originally from Georgia and has served at parishes up and down the east coast. Previous to his arrival in Waban in 2016, he was Rector of St. Patrick’s, Albany, GA, Assistant Rector at Grace Church in New York City, and Curate at King of Peace, Kingsland, GA. Before ordination, he worked in finance, homeless ministry at First Presbyterian, Atlanta, and youth ministry at Peachtree Christian (Disciples of Christ) in Atlanta. He earned degrees from the University of Georgia, the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, General Seminary, and Emory University.

Jay is married to Alison and they have two children, Ella and James.

Jamie Apgar is a versatile musician. He came to Good Shepherd from Berkeley, CA, where he held a joint appointment directing the wide-ranging music programs at All Souls Episcopal Parish and Church Divinity School of the Pacific, a seminary of the Episcopal Church. A scholar specializing in early modern England, Jamie earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2018, and has published several essays on the role of music in post-Reformation religious politics. His reconstruction of Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder’s Da pacem, Domine has been recorded by the Byrd Ensemble (Seattle) and has been sung in concert by Musica Intima (Vancouver). He also has extensive experience as a consort singer, most recently with Schola Cantorum of Boston. When not engaged with music, he can usually be found in the company of his wife Melanie, whether on a walk, baking cookies, or watching pro football.

The Rev. Margaret E. Lias serves as Deacon. Ordained in June 2023 by the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Deacon Margaret  brings with her a love of liturgy, music, and God’s children (that’s all of you). At PGS, Deacon Margaret will assist by proclaiming the gospel, engaging and enabling others to serve, and helping to “...interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world.” (The Book of Common Prayer p. 543) As is the nature of the diaconate, a non-stipendiary role, Deacon Margaret also has a full-time job outside of PGS as well as other pursuits. Deacon Margaret serves as Administrator for Governance and Grants and Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Massachusetts, she  is a retired professional musician, and serves on the board of directors of Bethany House of Prayer and the Dedham Cultural Council. When she’s not doing all those other things, Deacon Margaret loves to spend time at home in Dedham with her spouse, the Rev. Dr. Meghan T. Sweeney, son Elliot, goldendoodle Seamus, and sassy cat Gertrude. 

Clare Feltham serves as the Parish Administrator of Parish of the Good Shepherd. Originally from Ireland, Clare and her family relocated to Waban in recent years.

Oscar Vasquez has served as sexton at Good Shepherd since 2022. He is responsible for building maintenance, upkeep, landscaping, and repairs. As a native speaker of Spanish, he plays a special role in working with the Spanish Immersion Montessori School.

Oscar was born in Chile and immigrated to the United States shortly before the end of the Pinochet regime. After a career in chemical engineering in Santiago, he translated his skills to public building maintenance in MetroWest Boston. Shortly before his arrival at PGS, Oscar retired after thirty (30) years of work for the City of Wellesley.