If you have any questions about our congregation, please do not hesitate to contact the office by email (office@barharborucc.org) or by telephone at 207-288-3280. We look forward to hearing from you!
Staff
Rev. Rob Benson, Pastor
Rob and his family have lived on Mount Desert Island since 2002. He loves music and swimming (especially outside); Cristy, Rob's wife, is busy making functional and beautiful art, from hundreds of face-masks, to quilts, to various knitting projects. They have two sons: Peter, who is studiying at Northeastern University, and Jacob, who is at MDI High School. “We love the spirit of community here on MDI and are especially grateful for the wonderful, thoughtful, caring, devoted congregation of Bar Harbor Congregational Church. We are excited to see how the Spirit will continune to move and lead us together in service to God.”
Kiah Baxter, Minister of Faith Formation
Kiah works collaboratively to nurture and develop our various programs for all ages. She's a native of Lewiston, Maine, and earned her Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. Most recently she worked as Director of Children’s Ministry at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. Kiah is active in dance (ballet), a certified archery instructor and challenge course guide, and a trained facilitator in the Our Whole Lives curriculum. Finally, Kiah is a member-in-discernment in the UCC ordination process. Kiah and her husband Carter love hiking, the outdoors, and have an interest in sustainability and farming. They have one dog – Tobie – a dachshund terrier mix.
Robin Ann Barron, Organist and Music Director
Robin Ann Barron has been a church organist and music director for 36 years, and a public school music teacher for grades pre-K through 12 in Maine and Vermont. She’s currently taking the Master Gardener course through Hancock County Cooperative Extension. She loves gardening, music, drama, films, reading, cooking, fly fishing and fiber arts. She lives in Sullivan with her dog Renny and her cat Spooky. Her favorite kind of humor runs mostly to British TV – Jeeves & Wooster, Monty Python, Black Adder and Fawlty Towers.
Paul Dickson, Church Administrator
Paul Dickson came to Mount Desert Island in 2002 and has served as our Parish Administrator since February 2006. Also an active musician, he has served as organist and choir director in churches in Rhode Island and Maine. He and his wife Mimi live on the ‘quiet side’ of MDI.
Oliver Mexas, Nursery Staff
Oliver is a student at College of the Atlantic who is interested in plants and ecology, childcare and education, and medicine.
Amber Rinaldi, Nursery Staff
Amber is studying Liberal Arts / Radiology at Eastern Maine Community College.
Ashley Graves, Nursery Staff
Ashley grew up on MDI and is now at College of the Atlantic studying early childhood and music education.
