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Centre Street Church does not currently have a professionally trained, ordained minister, but we don't see ourselves as a church that is lacking something. Instead, we are a richly blessed group of progressive Christians who love God, our neighbors, and each other—and we are excited to discover where God is leading us! In the UCC, we're all called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. This was true of the New Testament church over 2,000 years ago, it was foundational in the "priesthood of all believers" doctrine espoused by Martin Luther in the early sixteenth century, and it is still true today. Our diverse group of worship leaders and lay preachers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. But no matter who we are or where we are on our individual faith journeys, we've all found a home in the United Church of Christ and its progressive, peace and justice oriented theology. |
Worship Speakers
To read recent messages, click on the titles below.
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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 member of Centre Street since 2003, Laurel works as a professional copyeditor. She and her partner, Cindy Huggins, were married at Centre Street in 2014.
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Dr. Cynthia Huggins, the church moderator, leads Centre Street's music program and Worship Planning Team. A proud Southerner who grew up in the Carolina foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cindy holds a B.A. in music and religious studies and a Ph.D. in English. Now retired from a career in postsecondary education, including a decade as president of UMM, 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. Lynne has served Centre Street in many capacities over the years, currently as Council member, clerk, financial secretary, and Personnel Committee member. Lynne is also president of the Interim 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. Sarina is also a Member in Discernment in the Sunrise Association and a student in the Pathways Theological Education Program. A licensed therapist, she is Centre Street's Director of Pastoral Care, leading our Care Team and serving the pastoral needs of our church family. |
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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 (almost 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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After spending many years as a full-time mother, Bonnie Beiswenger returned to college and worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist and later a teaching assistant in special education. In 2019 she moved from New York State to Dennysville. Since joining Centre Street, she's been participating in the Chancel Choir, Women's Ensemble, and Handbell Choir, and she also served as a deacon. Bonnie volunteers at the East Machias library and the Machias Area Food Pantry, and she enjoys playing piano, hammered dulcimer, and guitar, as well as reading, gardening, and spending time at her cottage in Machiasport. |
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Ellen Farnsworth directs the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, leads Centre Street's trustees, serves on Church Council, and participates in the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir. A native of New Jersey, Ellen spent childhood summers on 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 is a member of Centre Street's Just Action Committee and participates in the Old Time Radio Guild. |
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Ed Mosel, a long-time summer resident of Downeast Maine, sings in the Chancel Choir during the summers and regularly participates in worship services via Zoom from his Florida home for the rest of the year.
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Rev. Susan J. Maxwell, a 2014 graduate of Andover Newton Theological Seminary, was ordained at Centre Street and served as our pastor until September of 2022, when she resigned to go into pastoral counseling. Click on the titles below for pdf copies from this selection of Susie's sermons.
A Mighty Perspective (8-28-22) Blueberry Festival Sunday (8-21-22) Messy Business (7-17-22) Rest Up (7-3-22) Cry Me a River (6-5-22) I'm Listening, God (5-15-22) The Aroma of Extravagant Presence (4-3-22) AFGO (3-20-22) Your Inner Zoo (3-13-22) Me and My Shadow (3-6-22) The Lord Needs It (Palm Sunday 2021) We Remember (Easter 2019) |
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