STAFF AND LEADERSHIP

The Rev. Melissa Remington

The Rev. Melissa Remington has been an ordained Episcopal priest for over 15 years. She has served in parishes from Western New York to Florida to West Virginia. She and her husband moved to New Hampshire in 2019 to be closer to family. She has been involved with the West Virginia diocese Commission on Diversity and Racism. She has also worked with all ages on Christian formation and education. She is a strong advocate for inclusivity of children and youth in worship. Prior to her ordination to the priesthood, Rev Melissa was a research scientist. She especially enjoys exploring the connections between religion and science.

Melissa and Kelly have 5 grown children and 8 grandchildren. Melissa has recently accepted a position to teach two chemistry laboratories for freshman at SNHU as an adjunct instructor this fall. She enjoys the out of doors and has two horses (a palomino quarter horse, Elena, and an auburn quarter horse named Yuma). She enjoys hiking, the ocean, gardening, reading and spending time with family and friends.

The Rev. Shawn La France, Deacon

Shawn V. LaFrance was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire in 2017 after finishing the diaconal formation program in the Diocese of Massachusetts. He did chaplaincy training (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Havenwood-Heritage Heights in Concord and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

Shawn completed the Education for Ministry program at St. Paul’s Church and began serving as a Deacon at Grace Church after ordination. He is from the Granite State, born in Berlin and raised in Laconia. He earned his undergraduate degree at UNH and completed a Master of Public Health and an MS in Urban Planning at Columbia University.

Shawn retired in 2023 from a career in community-based health services. He is married and the parent of two adult sons.

Keith Belanger, Music Minister

Keith is a music director, vocal coach, singer, and accompanist, and is very happy to serve the Episcopal Church as a music minister. Keith was the organist and choir director at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Pittsfield for 10 years and was educated in music education at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to being the resident music director for the Majestic Theatre in Manchester, Keith works full time for Premier Coach of Vermont. He lives in Derry with his wife and 3 sons.

Vestry

The Vestry meets on the third Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. They pray together and provide leadership and service for the church’s finances, ministries and spiritual direction. Currently, its members and officers are:

Joel Smith, Senior Warden
Don Henderson, Junior Warden
Adam Czarkowski, Treasurer
Charlotte Cross, Clerk
Rick Wolf
Becky Kasten
Arlene Levesque
Wendy Hawkes

Convention Delegates

These delegates are elected annually to represent our members at the diocesan (state-wide) Fall Convention where they vote on budget and policy decisions. This year, our delegates are:

Rick Wolf
Wendy Hawkes
Linda MacDow
Linda Regan, alternate