Senior Pastor: Rev. Seth D. Jones

Rev. Seth D. Jones has been a father to daughter, RJ (short for Rhiannon), for almost 13 years, a husband to his wife Kate for almost 20 years and an ordained minister for about 2 years. Seth was called to the ministry when he was 16 years old, after he was baptized on the hill behind his parents’ home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin by his Congregational pastor of First Congregational Church of Eau Claire. Between that initial calling and when he returned to seminary in 2005, Seth followed a circuitous path that has led him to Rockland Congregational Church. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a BA in English Literature, Seth attended United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. There, he received an M.A. in Religious Studies and lost his faith. Around that time, he also started studying Tai Chi Chuan, a Chinese martial art and meditation practice. He taught Tai Chi for almost 12 years. During his time at the Tai Chi school, Kate and Seth helped form a commune focused on Tai Chi. While teaching Tai Chi, Seth also worked in a variety of positions in the financial industry. After crashing the email servers for a major corporation, working in mortgages before the big housing crash and going broke trying to sell financial products, Seth was drawn back into the Christian faith, kicking and screaming. His family and he joined Colonial Church of Edina, Minnesota in 2003 and, under the guidance and care of a great many people there, Seth remembered his call to the ministry. Seth started attending Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, a lone Congregationalist in a sea of Lutherans. He also was accepted to the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies (CFTS) through the NACCC. Seth received his M. Div from Luther Seminary in May of 2008, was recognized at Plimouth Plantation by the NACCC at the beginning of June, 2008 and was ordained at Colonial Church of Edina on June 15, 2008. The Lord saw fit to send Seth and his family out to Yellowstone Park, beginning in July, 2008, where he was pastor of Mt. Republic Chapel of Peace, an interdenominational church that serves Yellowstone Park and the Beartooth valley. Mt. Republic Chapel considers its mission to be a training ground for new pastors, and given its remote location and that it is the only church for 60 miles in any direction, Seth received a crash course in ministry. Seth, Kate and RJ are very happy to be by the ocean and Seth is very excited to be the pastor of Rockland Congregational Church.

 

Minister of Music: Richard Einsel

Richard Einsel began serving as our church musician in August 2006. His extensive resume includes a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY; a Master of Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York, NY; organ study with David Craighead, Charlotte Gordon, Robert Baker and Nadia Boulanger, Paris, France; choral study with John Parella, Elaine Brown and Margaret Hillis; choral diction with Madeline Marshall; and piano study with Harry Watts, Eastman School of Music. He served in the US Military from 1951-1955 and graduated from the Navy School of Music, Washington, D.C. For forty years he acted as a full-time church musician, with the longest tenure at Asylum Hill Congregational of Hartford, CT (1966-2000), where he was involved in choral, handbell and youth choirs, the Asylum Hill Music Series and all facets of church life. With two additional experiences as an "intentional interim," Dick brings a wealth of experience and energy to his work with the Music Program and choirs.

 

 

Parish Nurse: Nancy Lewis, RN

In 2007, Nancy celebrates 50 years of a varied and successful nursing career. Following her last full-time position as Administrative Supervisor at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, she completed the Parish Nurse Program at Marquette University College of Nursing in Milwankee, Wisconsin. As Parish Nurse, Nancy assists the pastor in monitoring members of the congregation with health issues. She does no hands-on nursing with the exception of a monthly blood pressure clinic. She is an active retiree who enjoys spending time with her family, particularly as a "rooting team" for her grandchildren, and doing gardening and bird-watching. Her continuing professional involvement includes serving on the Board of the Knox County Federal Credit Union, and on the Professional Activities Committee at Kno-Wal-Lin Home Health Care.

 

Office Manager: Alison Metcalfe

Alison has worked at Rockland Congregational Church since 1986. She is a native of Scotland and holds a M.A. (Hons) in Arts (English Language and Literature) from the University of Edinburgh. Her varied responsibilities at the church are as much a ministry as a job. Alison also uses her writing, bookkeeping and organizational skills to volunteer at her home town church, library and Historical Society. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, camping and canoeing.

 

 

 

 

Custodian: George Manson

George finds working for the church to be very different from his years with ConEd, the giant Connecticut utility company, although he still uses his skills as a Master Electrician. George values the supportive congregation and small staff team. The congregation in turn values George's can-do attitude and incomparable handyman gifts. He is responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the church building, setting up furniture and equipment for groups using the facility, and minor repairs. George works closely with the Building Amdinistration and Maintenance Ministry Team in taking care of maintenance and repairs. George and his red truck can be found at church on Sundays and most weekday mornings.

 

 

 

Custodian: Rick Grimes

Rick is a member of the church who started job-sharing with George Manson as part-time custodian in July 2007. A skilled handyman, he likes using his building maintenance knowledge and experience for his church. He especially likes the friendly work environment. Rick enjoys talking with friends and family, reading, old movies and working around his home. Although he fits two jobs into his busy life, Rick still finds time to sing with the Alleluia Choir and make coffee for the church staff in the mornings.