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My name is Dawn Rauch Westman. I am 27 years old, married to a deployed Army soldier and have a 3 year
old daughter, Cassandra. I was confirmed into Gray Memorial United Methodist Church when I was 13. I have been
involved in the Adult Choir, Church Newsletter, and many other church activities. I am currently the Church Secretary
and run the nursery. I recently moved back to the United States from Europe, and am happy to finally be home! (Photo
by Dale Sharp)
| Church Secretary |
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| Dawn Rauch Westman |
| Gray Memorial United Methodist Church |
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| Rev. Anna C. Beach |
Meet Our New Pastor and Her Family
Rev. Anna Beach has been serving the Pleasant Street UMC in Waterville, Maine for the past three years. Prior to that she
served the Bow Hills UMC in Bow, New Hampshire for 9 years. Both churches conducted extensive building projects under her
pastorate. They were the latest in several building programs in which she has taken part since she was in high school.
Originally from Stamford, Connecticut, Rev. Beach has held various staff administrative and leadership positions in 250
to 3,000 member churches and other church related settings in Connecticut, Washington, DC, New Hampshire and Maine.
She served as The Coordinator of Adult Ministries in the former NH Conference and has served in the past on several committees
in the New England Conference, including the Conference Worship Task Force and the Bishop’s Initiative on Children and
Poverty. She currently serves as an assistant secretary at sessions of the New England Conference.
Rev. Beach attended The American University in Washington, DC and is a graduate of Albertus Mangus College in New Haven,
CT, and Boston University School of Theology.
Among other activities, she enjoys rock hounding, reading, swimming and watching movies.
She and her husband , Ken, have been married for 40 years and have 2 daughters, Kathleen and her husband, Ron Seal who
live in Texas. Their daughter, Jennifer, lives in Massachusetts.
Ken grew up in Guilford, Maine and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in electrical engineering.
He received a Masters Degree from Rensselear Polytec (RPI). After 41 years working for the U. S. Government and in private
industry, Ken retired in 2002 and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 2003. He has played flute in the
Merrimack (NH) Community Concert Bank and the R. B. Hall Band in Maine. His current major project is getting ready to build
a future retirement home on Whetstone Pond in Blanchard, Maine.
They are both looking forward to living in The County.
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| Church Treasurer |
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| Roberta Pelletier |
Roberta Pelletier:"I
started as the Church's Treasurer in January 2000,replacing Mary Jane Russell who gave me some very practicle lessons
on how to accomplish the job. She was certainly a lot of help over the first several months as I learned the process
and became famliar with all the monthly responsibilities.I thoroughly enjoy doing this work and hope to continue doing it
for many more years.
Being a staff member of Gray Memorial United Methodist Church has meant a
lot to me as I have felt a special bond with this church "family", perhaps more so than the average congregation member.
It has opened my eyes to the financial responsibilities we all must share in order to keep our church strong and visible
in the community"
" I moved to Northern Maine in March 1995 for my job at DFAS Limestone. I have worked for the Federal Government
for 30 years. I became a church member in mid-1996. Moe and I plan to remain in this
area after we retire from our full-time jobs as we both fell in love with this area and thoroughly enjoy Aroostook County.
We hope to travel more once we are not working full-time, but will continue to call Aroostook County our home".
| Choir Director |
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| Margaret Cyr |
Margaret Cyr: I was born in East Vassalboro and after many moves I came to Aroostook County in 1964. I taught music
in the Caribou School System for 25 years. I served as choir director and organist at Holy Rosary Catholic Church until I
came to Gray Memorial UMC in 1986. I have served as children's choir leader, senior
choir director, organist, and worship committee chairperson.
I have been accompanist many years for the C-PAC musicals and for the P.I. Community Players' musicals.
I am married to Robert Cyr and we have two children: Robin, a CPA in Portland and Jeffery, a teacher in Castle Rock, Co.
| Financial Secretay |
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| Debbie Stallings |
Debra Stallings:
I have been a member of the Gray Memorial Methodist Church since the day
after I arrived in Caribou approximately 6 years ago moving from Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey to work at the Defense Finance
and Accounting Center. I was born in Bangor, Maine and spent several years traveling the world as my father was in the
Air Force and my husband was in the Army, but now I am happy to call the "County" my home. My church family serves as
my 'relatives' in Aroostook County and my son is close enough to visit often in Bangor. I've served on the Church
and Community Committee, Altar Committee, Administrative Council, and worked 3 wonderful years with the Youth Group (UMYF).
I look forward to serving my church family in this new capacity.
Robert Thompson:I attended Gray Memorial the first time on Mother's Day in 1986.
I transferred my membership from the Limestone Methodist church to Gray
Memorial on September 27, 1987 at which time Norma became a member and our children Bryan & Stephanie were
Baptist.
I have served on the Finance & Stewardship committee's and have also had the privilege to chair both committees.
I have enjoyed the fellowship working with the congregation in special funds raisers, especially the summer chicken BBQ and
the harvest supper. Today serving as your co-lay leader is certainly a pleasure and I welcome the opportunity to serve the
congregation at Gray Memorial Methodist Church...
| Co Lay Leaders |
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| Robert Thompson and Karthleen Forbes |
Kathleen Forbes:
Co-Lay Leader; Certified Lay Speaker; Church School Superintendent; Handbell Choir Director; Choir Member; Education and
Family Ministries Committee Member.
Gray Memorial has been my church home for my entire life. I enjoy the fellowship of many church friends and appreciate
the spiritual growth that I have experienced in their presence. Working with the children of the church is a very rewarding
experience. They are so open to the Biblical messages and eager to share their enthusiasm for Church School. Musical worship
is also very important to me. So many messages have presented themselves to me in musical form and I hope that through my
involvement in choir and handbells, I have helped others experience joy in the worship of God
| Church Organist |
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| Leila Robertson |
Leila Robertson: Leila Quimby, Fletcher, Robertson was born in Van Buren, Me. Since she can remember , music has
always been a large part of her life. She moved to Caribou when she was 15 years old. This began her journey of glorifying
God thru a music ministry. She became a member of Gray Memorial Methodist Church and was invited to join the Choir as an alto,
then at 19 was invited to become the organist of My Church. What an honor. She has served for 30 years. She married Amos Fletcher
Jr. in 1941. He had a beautiful baritone voice and also served in the choir until his death in 1968.
In 1970 she retired as organist and moved to Presque Isle. She served as organist in several churches in Presqque Isle.
She lived in Presque for 25 years and married Charles Robertson.
Will wonders never cease. In 1993 The Reverend Lynne Josselyn invited her to play again in her beloved Church.
It is now 2004 and she has retired as full time organist and is acting as a substitute organist. She is very commited
as the accompanist pianist for the Chancel Choir under the able direction of Margaret Cyr. Only God knows how long this endeavor
will last.
What a privilage to glorify God through music. God is Good!
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