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STAFF
Rev. John R. Hogue, Minister and Teacher
The Rev. John R. Hogue and his wife have relocated to Wiscasset from Rumford Maine in the Black mountain area. Starting September 1st, 2025, Rev. Hogue is the settled minister at First Congregational Church of Wiscasset. He will serve 3/4 time in Wiscasset and will continue to serve 1/4 time at the UCC church in Mexico, Maine. While in Rumford for the past several years, he and his family have enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, with a mountain brook not far from their home. Now they look forward to life on the Midcoast and the opportunity to kayak! Rev. Hogue also enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, gardening and woodworking. He prefers to be known as Rev. John rather than the more formal Rev. Hogue, so if you meet him, go ahead and make a friend.
Rev. John is married to Veronica, and they have three sons. Their oldest is Daniel who is married to Megan and have a 9 month old Granddaughter Iris. Their son Isaac is a chef at Thorn Hill restaurant in Jackson, NH. Their son Nethanel lives in Rumford and works at Brick and Stone restaurant in Rumford.
Rev. John most recently served three rural churches in Maine. Each Sunday he began at Weld UCC at 8 am, followed by Shorey Chapel UCC and concluded his Sunday preaching at Mexico UCC. Round trip each Sunday he drove 97 miles! He previously served UCC churches in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Rev. John graduated from Waynesburg University and received his Master of Divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He worked on various ecumenical mission projects in the Rumford area and looks forward to joining or starting similar projects in the Midcoast region.
Rev. John looks forward to utilizing his skills in fundraising , leadership , building teams, mission work, strengthening people’s faith development , social justice , building Open and Affirming strengths and above all, being in the ministry of presence in people’s lives. In terms of preaching, Rev. John uses storytelling as a method of teaching along with humor and utilizing the scriptures into modern day context. As Pastor, John believes the following leadership style is one of the following: encouragement, listening, engaging in the community and helping define our ‘why’ into the next chapter of ministry. It is critical to remember that we are All on the journey together, and that no matter who we are and where we have come from, God loves us. Rev. John proclaims that you are welcome at First Congregational Church of Wiscasset!
Joel Pierce, Organist/Choir Director
Joel comes to us from Green Valley, Arizona. Joel lives in Topsham, ME, and teaches piano and organ to 50 students! Joel spent part of his childhood in Massachusetts before moving to Arizona. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. In 2017 he received a Master’s of Music in Organ Performance/Sacred Music from the University of Arizona. He began playing in church when he was 14 and has been an accompanist and/or music director since then. He has been a pianist, organist, vocal and handbell choir director and eventually oversaw the entire music program at a large Presbyterian church in Green Valley, Arizona. In addition, Joel has worked in Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic and UCC churches. He has also accompanied musical theater productions. Joel moved back to the northeast 3 years ago after 20 years in the southwest. He is very happy to be in Maine and even enjoys our cold weather. Joel appreciates our old organ and looks forward to working with our vocal choir and our new chimes choir.
Ms. Mary McKinney, Sexton
Mary began serving as our church's sexton in 2011. She keeps our church looking it's best as she cleans and cares for our building! In addition to her work here, she works for Lincoln County as the Custodian. Mary is also a member of our church and serves on the Christian Education Committee. Mary, and her husband Jon, are the proud parents of Vivian, and reside on Westport Island.