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.
Position Open - Please contact office@auburnmethodist.org if interested in this opportunity to support worship and ministry.
Position Open - Please contact office@auburnmethodist.org if interested in this opportunity to support worship and ministry
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 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 retired 5 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 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.
Updated, 1/13/2022
Ministry Team: Members of the Congregation
Pastor: Rev. Stephen Bascom, Sr. (2016)
Administrative Assistant: Carla Daigle (2020)
Lay Leader: Joel Irish (2015)
Church School Superintendent: Cherie Downing
Wesleyan Singers Director: Beth LaBrie (2017)
Handbell Choir Director: William Buzza (1993)
Park Ave. Pickers Facilitator: George Matthews
Organist: Judith Kuhn (2015)
Custodian: Peter Poliquin (1998)
Beacon Editor: Edith Ellis
Membership Secretary: Sharon McGilvery
Nursery Care: Sharon Flowers (2016)
Parish Nurse: Lucille Webber (1999)
Chair: Lucille Webber (2021)
Recording Secretary: Bruce Hall
Lay Leader: Joel Irish (2015)
NOW Co-Chair: Donna Manson (2022)
Christian Education: Kay Little
Missions Chair: Pat Titus (2020)
Worship Chair: Wanda Sprague (2017)
Music Representative: TBD
Finance Representative: Marcia Hennessey (2019)
Trustees Representative Paul Bisson (2020)
Staff-Parish Relations Chair: John Derouche (2018)
Financial Secretary: Marcia Hennessey (2019)
Treasurer: Donna Stewart (2020)
Church School Superintendent: Cherie Downing
UWF President: Lucille Webber
Scout Liaison: Bruce Hall
Lay Member to AC: Lucille Webber (2018)
Member-at-Large: Caroline Coffin (2018)
(Nurture, Outreach, Witness)
? Co-Chair (2022)
Donna Manson, Co-Chair (2022)
Sharon McGilvery, X, Membership Secretary
2022 2023 2024
Donna Manson Ruth Southworth Sharon Folker
Cindy Visbaras Dorothy Brooks Donna Stewart
Suzanne Biddle Benda Mower Pat Thomas
(Missions, Advocacy)
Pat Titus, Chair (2020)
2022 2023 2024
Marcia Akers Sharon McGilvery Janet Irish
Marcia Baxter Pat Titus Helen McKinley
Mission Projects:
High Street Food Pantry – Leroy Brown, David MacMahon, Mary MacMahon
Thanksgiving Baskets/Giving Tree – Pam MacDonald, Jan Wilkinson
Christian Education Team
(Faith Formation)
Kay Little, Chair/Sec
Cherie Downing, X
2022 2023 2024
Mary MacMahon Kay Little Larry Jordan
Rev. Russ Peppe Carol Christopoulos Megan Spiller
Caroline Coffin Beth Woodhead Cherie Poole
Vacation Bible School: Cherie Downing, Director
UMYF Leaders: Cherie Poole, Caroline Coffin (2019)
Faith Journey: Sue DeRoche
Faith & Family Facilitator: Caroline Coffin (2018)
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast: Don Malpass, Joel Irish, Steve Bascom
Worship Team
(Prayer, Worship, Spiritual Disciplines)
Wanda Sprague, Chair (2017)
Joel Irish, Lay Leader, X
2022 2023 2024
Brenda Bisson Kathy Gleason Peter Keniston
Wanda Sprague Stephanie Therriault Marcy Kenison
AV Team: Len Lednum, Joel Irish, Nancy Lander, Steve Bascom, Don Malpass?
Music Team
(Instruments, Choirs, Bells)
George Matthews, Co-Chair (2019)
Scott Kenison, Co-Chair (2019)
Judith Kuhn, X
Beth LaBrie, X
William Buzza, X
2022 2023 2024
George Matthews Caroline Coffin Rev. Joe Beardsley
Gordon Sweet Scott Kenison
United Methodist Women
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
Gary Bain, Chair (voted by Trustees, January 2020)
Debra Danforth, Vice-Chair (2020)
Joel Irish, Lay Leader, X
2022 2023 2024
Tim Lander Gary Bain Paul Farnsworth?
Debra Danforth Paul Bisson Judy Sargent
Larry Jordan Tom Mower
Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC)
John Derouche, Chair
Joel Irish, Lay Leader, X
Lucille Webber, Lay Member to Annual Conference, X
2022 2023 2024
John Derouche Rosemary Malpass Betty Young
Shirley Keene Nancy Lander
David MacMahon, Chair
Lucille Webber, Church Council Chair, X
Joel Irish, Lay Leader, X
Donna Stewart, Treasurer, X
Marcia Hennessey, Financial Secretary, X
2022 2023 2024
David MacMahon Scott Efland Tim Worden
Kathy Gleason Frank Thomas
Assistants to Financial Secretary: Janet Irish (counter, 2021), Judy Worden (counter, 2021), Kathy Gleason (counter, as needed)
Assistant to Treasurer: Carla Daigle (2020)
Rev. Stephen Bascom, Chair, X
Joel Irish, Lay Leader, X
2022 2023 2024
Brenda Bisson Kathleen Cormier Penny Price
Marjorie Smith Nancy Holler Judy Worden
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
