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
Pastor Rob has served BHCC since 2014, and says that he is "deeply grateful for the faithful dedication, kindness, and grace of this amazingly talented congregation." His wife Cristy teaches science at MDI High School, and their sons Peter and Jacob are working their way through college. Rob and Cristy enjoy everything from swimming, hiking, and sailing, to music and crafts. Their wonderful black lab Echo, and their cats Luke and Purr-fect, help keep the empty nest a little less quiet.
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.
Heidi Powell, Music Director
Heidi Powell is a baroque violin specialist and has performed throughout North America and Europe. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Indiana University, an Artist Diploma in Baroque Violin from Oberlin Conservatory with further studies at the Darius Milhaud Conservatoire d’Aix-en-Provence, France. In addition to being the Music Director at the BH Congregational Church, she is also a Suzuki violin teaching specialist and teaches privately in the Downeast Maine area as well as at Ellsworth Community Music Institute. Heidi is the Artistic director of BOOM, the Baroque Orchestra of Maine, a non-profit organization seeking to educate rural Maine audiences about historical baroque performance practice.
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.
Hannah D'Alessandro, Nursery Staff
Hannah is a junior at College of the Atlantic with a background in dance and music and an interest in interfaith chaplaincy.
Emerald Mundt, Nursery Staff
Emerald is a student at College of the Atlantic and is interested in astrophysics, agriculture, and ecology. She has taught at the United Congregational Church of Christ in Elliot, Maine. Emerald says, "I am so excited to be part of the Bar Harbor community and contribute to this church!"
