Laurel Robinson, a deacon, serves on Church Council and participates in the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, and Women's Ensemble. After growing up in Missouri and then spending a decade in Seattle, Laurel earned a Master of Arts degree in writing and editing at UNC-Greensboro and moved to Maine in 1997. A Centre Street member since 2003, Laurel works as a professional copyeditor. She and Cindy Huggins were married at Centre Street in 2014.
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Dr. Cynthia Huggins leads Centre Street's music program and Worship Planning Team, while also serving as church moderator. A proud Southerner who grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cindy holds degrees in music, religious studies, and English. Now retired from a career in higher education, including serving as president of the University of Maine at Machias, Cindy has been a Centre Streeter since 2003.
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Lynne Gibson lives in Machiasport and works for the Department of Health and Human Services. A Centre Streeter since 1998, she participates in the Chancel Choir, Women's Ensemble, and Handbell Choir. Currently serving as clerk, financial secretary, and Council member, Lynne is also president of the Board of Directors for the Machias Area Food Pantry.
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Sarina Brooks, a deacon, serves on Church Council and participates in the Chancel Choir and Women's Ensemble. She's also a Member in Discernment in the Sunrise Association and a student in the Pathways Theological Education Program. A professional therapist, Sarina is licensed as Centre Street's Director of Pastoral Care and helps lead our Care Team.
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Ernie Atkinson is an avid bike rider and a long-time member of the Chancel Choir. Ernie moved to Maine in 1993 for an internship involving Atlantic salmon, and he's been working to restore this magnificent creature ever since. His research for his recently completed master's degree models stocking scenarios to optimize survival of juvenile Atlantic salmon. Ernie and his wife Bonnie, our church pianist, are the proud parents of two wonderful young men.
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Bonnie Beiswenger worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist and later a teaching assistant in special education. In 2019 she moved from New York State to Dennysville. At Centre Street, she participates in the Chancel Choir, Women's Ensemble, and Handbell Choir. Bonnie volunteers at the East Machias library and the Machias Area Food Pantry, and she enjoys playing piano, hammered dulcimer, and guitar.
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Ellen Farnsworth directs the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, serves on Church Council, chairs the trustees, and participates in the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir. A native of New Jersey, Ellen spent childhood summers on Maine's Gardner Lake. She moved to Maine in 1976 and joined Centre Street in 1983. Ellen works as a Family Visitor for Maine Families, providing support for pregnant and parenting families. She and husband Don enjoy spending time with their blended family of seven children and seven grandchildren.
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Joyce Kryszak, a member of Centre Street's Just Action Committee, is a veteran journalist. Before moving to Maine, her work as a public radio reporter and producer for NPR affiliate WBFO in Buffalo earned her an Edward R. Murrow Regional Award and many Associated Press awards for in-depth reporting on government, social justice, cultural affairs, and the environment. She also reported for the national desk of NPR, Voice of America, New England News Collaborative, The Environment Report, and others.
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Ed Mosel, a long-time summer resident of Downeast Maine, sings in the Chancel Choir during the summers and occasionally participates in worship services via Zoom, along with wife Carol, from their Florida home during the rest of the year.
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Rev. Art Nelson and Laurel, his wife, have been summer residents of Downeast Maine—and two of Centre Street's strongest supporters—for many years. Now making their home in Northbrook, Illinois, Art and Laurel grace us with their presence occasionally at worship services, thanks to the magic of Zoom. We were especially blessed to have Art as our Zoom guest preacher on April 23, 2023. To watch Art's message, "Emmaus Sightings," click HERE!
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In 1945, the United Nations founded World Food Day, now celebrated annually in over 150 countries. In October of 2023, Ken Warner, co-director of the Machias Area Food Pantry, shared his perspective on the growing food insecurity in our local area and how our pantry is responding to the need. Lynne Gibson, president of the MAFP's Board of Directors, reflected on the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread, challenging us to reconsider the words of Jesus to his disciples, "You give them something to eat." To listen to Ken and Lynne, click HERE.
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Worship
10:00 a.m. First three Sundays in the sanctuary and streamed on Zoom. Fourth Sundays exclusively on Zoom. January and February – All services on Zoom. |
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