Church Staff

Rev. Steve Bascom | Pastor

Rev. Stephen Bascom, Sr. grew up in a large family on a small farm in Nottingham, NH. Called to pastoral ministry from the age of 5, awakened to Christ as Savior, baptized in the Holy Spirit, Steve has served as a United Methodist pastor for 30 years in churches in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He received a BA from the University of New Hampshire and dual-degrees, MDiv and MRE, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1990. His wife, Jude, a talented artist, was an educator and director of theater throughout southern New Hampshire before retiring due to disability. They have three adult children: Stephen, Jr (wife, Melissa and son, Jonah), Elle and Gabe.

Carla Daigle | Church Administrative Assistant

Ryan Slocum | Pianist / Organist

Ryan Slocum began his work as the pianist/organist in the Fall of 2022, bringing with him great talent and experiences having played at several other area churches.

Caroline Coffin | Choir Director (Director of the Wesleyan Singers)

Caroline "Kary" Coffin returned in the Spring of 2023 to direct the Wesleyan Singers. Kary has directed the choir in the past, and has remained active in worship service leading music, performing solo pieces, or assisting with youth music and special events.

William Buzza | Bell Choir Director

William "Bill" Buzza has directed the handbell program at the church since 1993. Bill first started ringing handbells in the youth handbell choir at the Grant Memorial U.M.C. in Presque Isle, Maine, and has been involved in the art of handbell ringing ever since. Bill earned his B.M. degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine in 1993 and his M.S. Ed degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New England in 2010. Bill teaches music at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine and has guest conducted at various honors music festivals and Maine handbell conferences.

Cherie Downing | Christian Education Director

Cherie lives in Poland, Maine and is married to Stan (Butch) Downing. She has been a member of UMCA for more than 15 years, has sung in the choir and has served on numerous Church committees. Cherie retired after 37 years of teaching at Minot Consolidated School, including 25 years in Grade 4 and the remaining years as the Language Arts Teacher for Grades 6, 7 and 8.

Sharon Flowers | Nursery Care Provider

Sharon Flowers retired several years ago from a job she held for 23 years and moved here to Maine to be closer to her son & his family. Mrs. Flowers says "Being asked to take care of children in the nursery has made me happy, given me many hours of laughter & love. It has made me feel like a part of another whole big, loving family.

Peter Poliquin | Church Custodian

Peter was born and raised in Lewiston. He graduated from Lewiston High School. He has two daughters which are both teachers. Jennifer teaches 6th grade at St. Dom's and Nicole teaches History at Leavitt Area High School. He also has a grandson named Charlie. Peter enjoys the outdoor activities such as fishing, boating and hunting. When he was younger he participated in amateur boxing. He has been working for the UMC for 15+ years.

Members of the Leadership Team

United Methodist Church of Auburn

Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development Roster for 2023

Updated, 3/2/2023

 

Church Staff/Officers/Assistants

Ministry Team:                                 Members of the Congregation

Pastor:                                                Rev. Stephen Bascom, Sr. (2016)

Administrative Assistant:                 Carla Daigle (2020)

Lay Leader:                                       Don Malpass (2023)

Church School Superintendent:      Cherie Downing

Wesleyan Singers Director: Caroline Coffin (2022)

Handbell Choir Director:                 William Buzza (1993)

Park Ave. Pickers Facilitator:          George Matthews

Organist:                                            Ryan Slocum (2022)

Custodian:                                         Peter Poliquin (1998)

Beacon Editor:                                  Edith Ellis

Membership Secretary:                    Sharon McGilvery

Nursery Care:                                   Sharon Flowers (2016)

Parish Nurse:                                    Lucille Webber (1999)

AV Technician:                                 Len Lednum (2020)

Webmaster:                                       John Derouche (2020)

UMCA Facebook:                             Megan Spiller (2020)

 

 

Church Council

Chair:                                                 Lucille Webber (2021)
Recording Secretary:                        Bruce Hall

Lay Leader:                                       Don Malpass (2023)

NOW Co-Chair:                                Donna Manson (2022)

Christian Education:                        Kay Little

Missions Chair:                                 Pat Titus (2020)        

Worship Chair:                                 Wanda Sprague (2017)

Music Representative:                      TBA

Finance Chair (May 2023):              Marcia Hennessey (2023)

Trustees Representative                   John Plourde (2023)

Staff-Parish Relations Chair:          Kathy Gleason (2023)

Financial Secretary:                          Nancy Lander (2023)

Treasurer:                                          Donna Stewart (2020)

Church School Superintendent:      Cherie Downing

UWF President:                                 Lucille Webber

Scout Liaison:                                    Bruce Hall

Lay Member to AC:                         Lucille Webber (2018)

Beautification Team:                        Suzanne Plourde (2022)

Calvary UMC Representative:        Nancy Craig (2022)

Calvary UMC Representative:        Richard Gross (2023)

 

 

Program Leadership

NOW Team

(Nurture, Outreach, Witness)

Steve Bascom, Co-Chair (2022)

Donna Manson, Co-Chair (2022)

Sharon McGilvery, X, Membership Secretary

       2023                                             2024                                                    2025

  Pat Thomas                               Sharon Folker                                  Luckie DiBello

Dorothy Brooks                         Donna Stewart                                   Joanne Badger

 Brenda Mower                     Sandra Chamberlain                              Sarah Poulin

                                                    Donna Manson                                   Pat Robichaud

 

Missions Team

(Missions, Advocacy)

Pat Titus, Chair (2020)

           2023                                         2024                                                    2025

Sharon McGilvery                        Janet Irish                                      Marcia Akers

       Pat Titus                               Helen McKinley                                Nancy Craig        

   Marcia Baxter           

                                   

Mission Projects:

   High Street Food Pantry – Leroy Brown, David MacMahon, Mary MacMahon

   Thanksgiving Baskets/Giving Tree – Pam MacDonald, Jan Wilkinson

   City Mission Board:

            Steve Bascom, X, Pastor

            Nancy Craig, X, City Mission Director

            Auburn Members: Pat Titus, Lucille Webber

            Calvary Members (4): Luckie DiBello, Pat Gardner, Yvonne Gross, Bill Reed

 

Christian Education Team

(Faith Formation)

Kay Little, Chair/Sec

Cherie Downing, CS Superintendent, X

         2023                                           2024                                                    2025

    Kay Little                                 Larry Jordan                                        Sue Biddle

 Caroline Coffin                          Megan Spiller                                     Emily Denny

 Beth Woodhead                          Cherie Poole                                       Jessica Pratt

                                                 

Vacation Bible School: Cherie Downing, Director

UMYF Leaders: Cherie Poole (2019), Caroline Coffin (2019)

Faith Journey Facilitators: Steve Bascom, Barbara Jamrog, Janice Meserve, Pat

    Thomas, Lucille Webber

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast: Don Malpass, Joel Irish, Steve Bascom

Wednesday Online Study: Kay Little, Facilitator

 

Worship Team

(Prayer, Worship, Spiritual Disciplines)

Wanda Sprague, Chair (2017)

 

 

2023                                                    2024                                        2025

   Kathy Gleason                                   Peter Keniston                       Brenda Bisson

Stephanie Therriault                                      Marcy Kenison                      Yvonne Gross

 

   AV Technician: Len Lednum (2020)

   Sanctuary Monitors: Joel Irish (2021)

   Worship Songleader: Caroline Coffin (2020)

 

Music Team

(Instruments, Choirs, Handbells)

George Matthews, Co-Chair (2019)

Scott Kenison, Co-Chair (2019)

Ryan Slocum, Organist, X

William Buzza, Handbell Choir Director, X

Caroline Coffin, Wesleyan Singers Director, X

        2023                                                        2024                                        2025

Caroline Coffin                                 Rev. Joe Beardsley                       Beth Labrie

  Scott Kenison                                  George Matthews                         Judy Kuhn

 

United Women of Faith

Lucille Webber, President

Sharon McGilvery, Vice-President

Jan Wilkinson, Treasurer

Shirley Keene, Secretary

Cindy Bragdon, Ruth Circle

Pat Thomas, Judy Sargent, Naomi Circle

Cherie Downing, Chris Conant, Christmas Fair co-chairs

 

Mission Support

Board of Trustees

John Plourde, Chair (2023)

Don Malpass, Lay Leader, X

            2023                                        2024                                                    2025

       Gary Bain                         Paul Farnsworth                                   Tim Lander            

      Paul Bisson                          Judy Sargent                                 Rev. Steve Bascom

      Tom Mower                         John Plourde                                     Carroll Akers

 

   Beautification Committee:

      Suzanne Plourde, Donna Stewart, Judy Worden

   Kitchen Stewards:

      Barbara Jamrog, Jan Wilkinson

 

 

Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC)

Kathy Gleason, Chair (2023)

Don Malpass, Lay Leader, X

Lucille Webber, Lay Member to Annual Conference, X

       2023                                             2024                                                    2025

Rosemary Malpass                     Betty Young                                     Kathy Gleason

 Nancy Lander                           Nancy Holler                                    Elizabeth Meid   

 

Finance Team

David MacMahon, Chair (Marcia Hennessey, as of 5/1/23)

Lucille Webber, Church Council Chair, X

Don Malpass, Lay Leader, X

Donna Stewart, Treasurer, X

Nancy Lander, Financial Secretary, X

John Plourde, Trustees Chair, X

      2023                                             2024                                                     2025

Scott Efland                               Tim Worden                                  Marcia Hennessey

David MacMahon                   

 

Assistants to Financial Secretary: Janet Irish (counter, 2021), Judy Worden (counter, 2021)

Assistant to Treasurer: Carla Daigle (2020)

 

Nominations and Leadership Development Team

Rev. Steve Bascom, Chair, X

Don Malpass, Lay Leader, X

        2023                                            2024                                                    2025

Kathleen Cormier                        Penny Price                                 Pam MacDonald

 Nancy Holler                               Judy Worden                               Sharon McGilvery

 

Notes:  According to “The Book of Discipline”, paragraph 244.3, the pastor is the administrative officer of the church and, as such, is an ex officio member of all conferences, boards, councils, commissions, committees, and task forces unless otherwise restricted by “The Book of Discipline”. The Lay Leader is also an ex officio member of program and administrative committees, attending as able.

X – Ex Officio

TBD – To Be Determined