South Freeport Congregational Church Staff
Minister: The Rev. Sally E. Norris
It is an immense blessing and joy to serve in ministry with the wonderful people of the South Freeport Congregational Church. Upon arrival in January 2020, I discovered a warm, faith-filled congregation. Such fabulous, beloved people of God! Together we are building community where the all-inclusive love of God is made real, as we seek to follow in the ways of Jesus Christ through the inspiring imagination of the Holy Spirit.
Prior to SFCC, I served for ten years in a vibrant church in a seaside town on Cape Cod. During this time I was active in the Nauset Interfaith Association and co-founded the MLK Action Team. My ministry began in New York City where I served for many years at The Riverside Church.
I am a native New Yorker (and yes, a Yankee fan in primarily Red Sox territory!) where I graduated from the United Nations International School and then went on to earn my B.A (linguistics) from Barnard College and my M.A. (linguistics) is from Columbia University. I received the M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary, specializing in Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages. I love languages, both ancient and modern, and love the whole breadth of literature in the Bible – stories, poetry, prophetic words, parables, visions, and so much more! God alive through the witness of Scripture! Additionally, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage in doctoral work (Biblical Studies) in residence at The Queen’s College, Oxford University (UK) for five years.
I love the UCC (the United Church of Christ) and I rejoice that my ministry has also included work on committees in both local UCC Associations and regional Conferences.
For spare time, I love gathering with family and friends, rejoicing in music and art, travelling and discovering wonderful cultures, taking a slow paddle in a canoe, and enjoying the beautiful abundance of nature in Maine. But most of all, I love serving God with the wonderful people in Maine
It is an immense blessing and joy to serve in ministry with the wonderful people of the South Freeport Congregational Church. Upon arrival in January 2020, I discovered a warm, faith-filled congregation. Such fabulous, beloved people of God! Together we are building community where the all-inclusive love of God is made real, as we seek to follow in the ways of Jesus Christ through the inspiring imagination of the Holy Spirit.
Prior to SFCC, I served for ten years in a vibrant church in a seaside town on Cape Cod. During this time I was active in the Nauset Interfaith Association and co-founded the MLK Action Team. My ministry began in New York City where I served for many years at The Riverside Church.
I am a native New Yorker (and yes, a Yankee fan in primarily Red Sox territory!) where I graduated from the United Nations International School and then went on to earn my B.A (linguistics) from Barnard College and my M.A. (linguistics) is from Columbia University. I received the M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary, specializing in Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages. I love languages, both ancient and modern, and love the whole breadth of literature in the Bible – stories, poetry, prophetic words, parables, visions, and so much more! God alive through the witness of Scripture! Additionally, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage in doctoral work (Biblical Studies) in residence at The Queen’s College, Oxford University (UK) for five years.
I love the UCC (the United Church of Christ) and I rejoice that my ministry has also included work on committees in both local UCC Associations and regional Conferences.
For spare time, I love gathering with family and friends, rejoicing in music and art, travelling and discovering wonderful cultures, taking a slow paddle in a canoe, and enjoying the beautiful abundance of nature in Maine. But most of all, I love serving God with the wonderful people in Maine
Pastoral Resident: Jeremy Young
Jeremy W. Young is a Licensed Minister with the South Freeport Congregational Church and our resident Member in Discernment. He has been offering pulpit supply for the last nine years throughout the Cumberland Association. He is currently a student at the Maine School of Ministry. His love of trains is lived out in his full time career working for the nation's largest railroad, and his passion for ministry is expressed in his in preaching, both at his home church and others. Jeremy has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL and a Masters of Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University, Ft. Worth, TX.
Jeremy W. Young is a Licensed Minister with the South Freeport Congregational Church and our resident Member in Discernment. He has been offering pulpit supply for the last nine years throughout the Cumberland Association. He is currently a student at the Maine School of Ministry. His love of trains is lived out in his full time career working for the nation's largest railroad, and his passion for ministry is expressed in his in preaching, both at his home church and others. Jeremy has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL and a Masters of Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University, Ft. Worth, TX.
Director of Administration and Education: Bethany Dunfee
As a Maine native who grew up on the coast, Bethany Dunfee feels a connection to small coastal communities and fell in love with South Freeport when she moved to town years ago. Beth has been working in the Church office since Christmas of 2013 and in various capacities for Christian Education here since 2008. A few decades ago, Beth earned her B. A. degree in Studio Art from Bates College in Lewiston with a concentration in Education and Physical Sciences. In 2013 she earned a Graduate Certificate in Creativity and Change Leadership, and a year later a Master of Science degree in Creative Studies from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY, Buffalo. For 21 years prior to working at SFCC, Beth worked in public education as a full time art teacher for both elementary and high school students and ran a Before and After care program at a local elementary school. Sunday mornings, during the school year, Beth can be found teaching the older kids here at the church, and during the week, Beth is hard at work in the church office. In addition, directing SFCC's Vacation Bible School each summer is one of Beth's greatest joys.
Beth loves helping people discover more than they think is possible, either through teaching, through her work in the church office, her work as a professional Creative Problem Solving facilitator, or in being a mom to her remarkable teenager. Contact Beth at southfreeportchurch@gmail.com.
As a Maine native who grew up on the coast, Bethany Dunfee feels a connection to small coastal communities and fell in love with South Freeport when she moved to town years ago. Beth has been working in the Church office since Christmas of 2013 and in various capacities for Christian Education here since 2008. A few decades ago, Beth earned her B. A. degree in Studio Art from Bates College in Lewiston with a concentration in Education and Physical Sciences. In 2013 she earned a Graduate Certificate in Creativity and Change Leadership, and a year later a Master of Science degree in Creative Studies from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY, Buffalo. For 21 years prior to working at SFCC, Beth worked in public education as a full time art teacher for both elementary and high school students and ran a Before and After care program at a local elementary school. Sunday mornings, during the school year, Beth can be found teaching the older kids here at the church, and during the week, Beth is hard at work in the church office. In addition, directing SFCC's Vacation Bible School each summer is one of Beth's greatest joys.
Beth loves helping people discover more than they think is possible, either through teaching, through her work in the church office, her work as a professional Creative Problem Solving facilitator, or in being a mom to her remarkable teenager. Contact Beth at southfreeportchurch@gmail.com.
Music Director: Denis Drobinski
Denis Drobinski has been the SFCC Choral Director since 2000. His wealth of experience as a choral director is seen each week leading our choir and music program. His ability to create joyful and meaningful musical experiences for singers of all levels and ages, coupled with his 40 years of professional experience as both teacher and music director at other churches and schools, has made our little church choir one of the best choirs in Southern Maine.
Denis Graduated from the University of Lowell (MA) with a B.M. in Voice and from The University of Maine with a M.M. in Voice.
Denis is a composer and arranger. His music has been performed at USM, UMO, U O Lowell, The Maine Composers Forum, and by schools and churches throughout Maine and Massachusetts. He has performed many roles in opera and musical comedy. He has been featured with both the Portland and Bangor Symphonies, the Choral Arts Society, Oratorio Chorale, and at the Wolftrap Center for the Arts.
We are most fortunate to have his talented experience leading our Church Choir.
Denis Drobinski has been the SFCC Choral Director since 2000. His wealth of experience as a choral director is seen each week leading our choir and music program. His ability to create joyful and meaningful musical experiences for singers of all levels and ages, coupled with his 40 years of professional experience as both teacher and music director at other churches and schools, has made our little church choir one of the best choirs in Southern Maine.
Denis Graduated from the University of Lowell (MA) with a B.M. in Voice and from The University of Maine with a M.M. in Voice.
Denis is a composer and arranger. His music has been performed at USM, UMO, U O Lowell, The Maine Composers Forum, and by schools and churches throughout Maine and Massachusetts. He has performed many roles in opera and musical comedy. He has been featured with both the Portland and Bangor Symphonies, the Choral Arts Society, Oratorio Chorale, and at the Wolftrap Center for the Arts.
We are most fortunate to have his talented experience leading our Church Choir.
Organist: David Watts
David Watts became a member of the Church in 2003, and has been organist, pianist and a vocal soloist for the Church since 2008. Growing up in Pennsylvania, David began studying the piano at the age of 5, and holds degrees in composition and education from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and West Chester University. He was the director of instrumental and general music at Freeport High School and is now the Five Town CSD Adult and Community Education Director in Camden, Maine. In his spare time he directs Chandlers Military Band based out of Portland.
David has written a collection of solo piano works, and performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 25 years prior to moving to Maine. He is very interested in the use of improvisation, jazz and contemporary music in the worship service, while still maintaining a focus on traditional hymnody and classical music.
David Watts became a member of the Church in 2003, and has been organist, pianist and a vocal soloist for the Church since 2008. Growing up in Pennsylvania, David began studying the piano at the age of 5, and holds degrees in composition and education from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and West Chester University. He was the director of instrumental and general music at Freeport High School and is now the Five Town CSD Adult and Community Education Director in Camden, Maine. In his spare time he directs Chandlers Military Band based out of Portland.
David has written a collection of solo piano works, and performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 25 years prior to moving to Maine. He is very interested in the use of improvisation, jazz and contemporary music in the worship service, while still maintaining a focus on traditional hymnody and classical music.
Sunday School Teacher: Bethany Watts
Bethany Watts currently teaches the Younger Ages Sunday School Class (Pre-K to about Grade 3.) Growing up at SFCC, she has been involved in many of the kids activities since she was little.
Bethany Watts currently teaches the Younger Ages Sunday School Class (Pre-K to about Grade 3.) Growing up at SFCC, she has been involved in many of the kids activities since she was little.