Church Staff

Church Pastor: Betsey Mauro

Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro was called to serve the Congregational Church in Rockland in 1995. Prior to her ordination which took place in the Congregational Church of Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1987, she earned her Masters of Divinity degree from the Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, Indiana. In May of 1997, she graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Her thesis was on Confidentiality in the Church and some of her findings were published in the January 28 issue of 'The Christian Century' magazine.

 

Dr. Mauro has served in a number of capacities with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches including service on the Executive Committee and as Moderator.

 

She has worked as a training facilitator on issues of spirituality for hospice volunteers, sexual assault and domestic violence crisis workers, and childhood sexual abuse survivors. She is especially interested in adult education in the church and personally enjoys playing her flute and piccolo, kayaking, photography and reading.

 

Director of Christian Education: Carole Hallundbaek

Carole Hallundbaek is Director of Christian Education at RCC, an area that encompasses the Spirit Rock Children's Program, teen and youth programs, and adult education and spiritual growth opportunities that include retreats, book studies, and special discussion forums. Carole is an award-winning writer, spiritual director, and national news commentator on faith and spirituality. Published for over 20 years, she is the author of Saints in Love: The Forgotten Loves Between Holy Women and Men – and How They Can Make Our Relationships Divine (Crossroad, 2007), which chronicles the intimate, often hidden, relationships between famous male and female saints in history. Her previous book, Dear Little One: Thoughts to My Child in an Uncertain World (Crossroad, 2005), was inspired by her own daughters, Emma and Hanna. Carole earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at New York University, and did her graduate studies in theology and religion at Maryknoll School of Theology and Fordham University, where her pastoral focus was Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Carole and her husband Michael are raising their children in Lincolnville.

 

Interim Church Musician: Dick Einsel

Richard Einsel, a retired professional church music director, started serving in August 2006 as an "intentional interim" with a term of up to one year. 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.

 

Church Dog: ANNIE OAKLEY

Cairn terrier Annie Oakley is the official greeter during her visits to the church office. She also takes on the responsibility of barking at the crows on the church lawn. Among her other duties, Annie liaises with the office manager to write an occasional column in "The Newsletter" providing the "lighter side" of the church news. The Church Dog makes her residence with Senior Pastor Betsey Mauro.