Williston-Immanuel Staff

Williston-Immanuel Is:
Fellowship, Nurture, Ministry, and Service

Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson

Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson, Pastor
On October 30, 2011, Deborah Davis-Johnson will be the officially installed Pastor of the new, Williston-Immanuel United Church, with dual standing and ordination-recognition in both the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches/USA denominations. Deborah became the Pastor of Williston-Immanuel United Church in September, 1999, and since the spring of 2009 has effectively guided the smooth uniting of these two active, Portland congregations. Though a life-long American Baptist, Deborah's formative years were helpfully influenced by undergraduate work at Syracuse University and seminary training at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, which is itself a theological school merging four denominations. She was ordained in her home church, the First Baptist Church of Pittsfield, and served that church as Minister of Youth. She also served as Youth Minister at the First Congregational Church in Dalton, MA, and as Minister of Christian Education and Associate Pastor at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Utica, NY. Prior to coming to Williston-Immanuel, she served as Pastor of the Lime Rock Baptist Church in Lincoln, RI. Deborah and her husband, Rev. Craig C. Davis-Johnson, have three children, Micah, Talya, and Rachel.

The Organist and Choir Director of Williston-Immanuel United Church is Kathleen Scott. An accomplished opera coach and conductor, Kathleen recently was the musical Director of PORTopera's 'Maine's Emerging Artists Program.' Her first position as a musical director was with The First Baptist Church of IBC Choir Saratoga Springs, New York, which eventually led her to a career with the Manhattan School of Music, the Crittendon Opera Workshops, and the Boston Opera, Philadelphia Opera and Lake George Opera. At Williston-Immanuel her intention is to maintain the high level and importance of music in worship, which has been a tradition for years at the church, as well as to provide a sense of continuity by using a variety of musical styles. She, her husband, and 2 cats moved to Portland in 2008 from the Hudson Valley of New York State. Assisting in the music program is Assistant Music Director and Accompanist, Denise Calkins. Denise teaches piano from her studio in South Portland and has 30 something students at present. She is also the accompanist for several choirs in the area and acts as music director for local community theaters. She is blissfully married to her partner Mark, and Mom to two terrific boys, Sam & Max.

The Christian Education Coordinator is Paula Costin and the Nursery Care Provider is Victoria Chicon.

Office Manager Wendy Harding has served as Williston-Immanuel’s Office Manager since 2001. As the receptionist, she welcomes visitors to the church Monday through Thursday, and keeps the gears of day-to-day church life operating smoothly, including the coordination of volunteer services and the ministry of the church’s Earth Care Team. Her former experience, helping her to do these tasks well, include assisting in similar responsibilities at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA as well as in a rural health clinic and a community college in Oregon. Wendy lives in South Portland and is the mother of two adult children.

Custodial and Security Coverage is provided by Frank Ashnault (Sexton) and Robin Warner (Security) who caringly provide custodial services and reception/security services for the many facilities and seven-day-a-week activity schedule of the church.