About Us
In the heart of Dover-Foxcroft, our church draws membership from the surrounding area. Our congregation continues to expand our role in this community. We value service to others as a way to share God’s love and bounty.
Not only do we commit to our community with actions, we employ a generosity of spirit when it comes to sharing our facility. Our church welcomes numerous organizations to use space on our property, including but not limited to: Free Monday Night Community Dinners, Center Theatre, Pine Tree Hospice, Downeast Horizons, Living Innovations, Kiwanis, Mayo Regional Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, and Con Brio Brass.
Educational Opportunities
Spiritual Growth for All Ages
Sunday School for ages Kindergarten through 12th grade and Nursery Care for younger children. Sunday School meets September through June during our worship hour (9:30-10:30am).
Youth Group serves students grades 8-12. It is an intentionally Christian community of youth learning and growing through fellowship, study, service, and worship.
Adult Education
We offer a variety of adult education opportunities throughout the year including meditation, book study, bible study, current events, and workshop series.
Music Opportunities for All Ages
Church Choir
Singers are invited to participate in leading worship by singing weekly in our church choir. The choir gathers prior to worship for warm-up and following worship for rehearsal. During summer months the choir takes a break. We invite individuals and small ensembles to share their gift of music with the congregation.
Bell Choir
The sound of a bell choir is something very special. All are invited to join our fun and fellowship regardless of experience.
Special Music
We welcome special music at different times during the year. Soloists and ensembles sometimes offer anthems, offertories, preludes, postludes, and even concerts.
For more information about these opportunities, please contact us.
Meet Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) Hastings
PASTOR
The Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) Hastings is the senior minster. He started as the interim minister on August 1, 2017. That transitioned into becoming our “designated term” minister on April 1, 2019. He is now working with us to form a search committee that will choose his successor. In Maine, Pastor Steve has served churches in Winthrop, Kennebunk, Leeds, and Hartford. He has a PhD in environmental ethics and spirituality, an interest that had a lot to do with his decision to enter the ministry in 1990. He recently proposed that the DFCC try to become carbon neutral by 2023. A Green Team is researching the requirements to do this, and some interim steps have been taken. He has also created and helped lead summer children’s programs here at the church with environmental “stewardship” themes.
Pastor Steve and wife Jill have two grown children, a daughter in Portland who frequently visits and plays violin, and a son in western Massachusetts who is an ESL teacher. They live in the parsonage next door and enjoy the pontoon boat they bought a few summers ago. There are several eagle eyries they visit around Sebec Lake.
Pastor Steve is very active in the Maine Conference, currently as Clerk of the Board, convener of the Earth Care and Spirituality Resource Team, chair of the Social Action Committee and Governance Committee, and member of the Katahdin Association Committee on Ministry.
Rachel Dobbs
STUDENT PASTOR
Rachel Dobbs is currently serving as our Student Pastor at DFCC. She is a third year Master of Divinity student at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax in their Summer Distance program, and she is seeking eventual ordination in the United Church of Christ denomination. Rachel leads the handbell choir at DFCC and assists Pastor Steve with other aspects of church leadership. She and her husband, John, live in Bangor with their daughter Nora.
Christine Paydos
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Chris Paydos joined our church in 1991. In 1997, she was elected as our Church Treasurer, a position she continues to hold. She was hired as our Church Administrative Assistant in 2003. In her free time, Chris enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with her family.
Jayne Sharrow
MINISTER OF MUSIC
I have been involved in Church life it seems, for my entire life. I was brought up in the Milo Methodist Church where my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all attended. My grandmother was the organist before I was born.
It was there that I first began to play the piano for some Sunday School songs and eventually played the organ when I was in Junior High. I was thrown into these situations as people retired or moved away and my father, who had more faith in my ability than I did, happily volunteered me! I did find that I loved it.
I’ve played in many Churches, but have to say that the last 3-4 years have been so rewarding and fulfilling.
I love to express myself with music and pray that someone hearing what I’ve chosen on a particular Sunday speaks to them in a way that calms, brings peace, love, happiness and/or joy into their hearts. That gives me the greatest joy to myself!
Judy Dow
SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUP COORDINATOR
Judy was born in Dover-Foxcroft many years ago. She graduated from Foxcroft Academy and the University of Southern Maine. Judy has a degree in Elementary Education, and taught in the Dover school system for several years before relocating to Georgia, Colorado, and Rhode Island. She returned to Maine – first southern Maine before coming “home” to Sebec. Judy is married to Deb Dagnan. They have 3 beautiful granddaughters. Judy has been involved in church her whole life, so far. First as a Methodist, then attended Metropolitan Community Church in Colorado Springs, and now as a member of the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational United Church of Christ. She has been in the choir, taught Sunday School, lead the youth group, been a member of just about every committee a church has, and has loved it all. 1 John3:1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God!
Jarrod Stevens & Luke Murray
MAINTENANCE CREW
Supervisor, Jarrod Stevens began working for us in August 2017 as a part time maintenance helper under the tutelage of Larry Oliver. With Larry’s passing, Jarrod became our full time Maintenance Supervisor. Jarrod and his wife, Hilary live in Dover-Foxcroft and are parents to 6 children. Jarrod, a deeply religious person, does supply preaching for his denomination.
Maintenance Assistant, Lucas (Luke) Murray was hired in March 2020. Luke is gaining a wealth of experience under Jarrod’s direction. Luke lives in Garland and in his spare time, he enjoys a variety of activities from gaming to making maple syrup to building computers.
Julie Knowlton
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Bio coming soon!
Cara Fuller
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Cara Fuller became a member of the church in 2012. She has served as a Deacon, on a pastoral search committee, and pastor parish personnel committee. Cara began working as the Office Assistant Temp in 2016.
Open & Affirming Statement
Recognizing the foundational importance of the prayer of Jesus, “That they may all be one” (John 17:21), we invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, work, and sacraments of the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.
Following the One who we believe is Creator, Savior, and Sustainer, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, welcoming all people, including those of every race, ethnicity, national origin, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to journey with us toward the realm of God.
As we all move forward with the work of this Church, we commit ourselves to making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ’s open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God’s Love and Grace to be our help and guide.
-Adopted by a vote of the Congregation on June 3, 2018
