Minister – Rev. Fred Gagnon
Rev. Fred Gagnon has 30+ years of experience in the pulpit. He has served as a full-time pastor in Millinocket, ME; Conway, NH; and most recently at the First Congregational Church in Scarborough. He began serving First Church in February 2022.
Rev. Gagnon stated in his profile, “I am passionate about… making known to the world the love of God in Jesus Christ, ….bringing the healing power of Christ into the lives of the broken and hurting, and walking with them during times of sorrow and despair, ….preaching, and I am always looking for new, different and more effective ways to share the Gospel with those who gather for worship, ….finding at least one blessing to be grateful for every day.”
Expounding on the love of God, the healing power of Christ, and sense of gratitude in messages from the pulpit are just the things needed worldwide and at First Church. One of Rev. Gagnon’s recommendations said in part, “Ministry is definitely Fred’s calling and it shows in everything he does. His sermons are well thought out and spiritually inspiring, taking scripture and tying it to living in our world today.”
Music Director – Barbara Berry
Music has always been primary in my life, whether singing, playing the piano, accompanying choruses, or teaching. With a Master’s in Education from Lesley University, I have taught music both privately and at Berwick Academy for nearly twenty years (choruses, school plays, classroom music, private lessons and recitals).
As an active church musician for many years, I have served as Music Director both at the West Scarborough Methodist Church and Alfred Parish Church, as well as assisting in music programs at North Saco UCC Church and the Sanford UU Church.
In non-Covid times, I am an adjunct professor at York County Community College teaching and directing the first for-credit music performance course in its history, the YCCC Chorale.
I am also a painter of landscapes and portraits, with a piece newly added to the permanent collection of the Brick Store Museum. As a member of Maine Women in the Arts, I have shown my work from the port to Portland!
I am the proud grandmother of seven wonderful and active grandchildren, between the ages of 2 and 12! Luckily, two are close by in Falmouth, with two more in Burlington, Vermont and another three in Brooklyn, New York.
For my personal balance and rejuvenation, I love to kayak, bike, and walk our beautiful beaches as well as the many nature trails in the area with my husband Paul and our 2 year old rescue pup, Murphy.
It’s an honor to be here and I look forward to getting to know all of you more in the near future.