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.
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 "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 "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 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 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, 3/2/2023
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)
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)
(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, 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
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
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)
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
