A Season to Celebrate and Transition

by | Oct 2, 2025 | Upcoming Events

Message from the First Church Moderator

At the end of August, news spread through our pews that Steve and Jill were planning on retiring and would be leaving First Church at the end of October.  The Executive Circle, though saddened by Steve’s news, unanimously agreed to his wishes. Circle members expressed thankfulness for their service and support for their wishes to retire.

On that Sunday I mentioned to the congregation that Steve’s message that morning undoubtedly would be one of “dreaming and doing”, or “being plugged in” or “jumping into boots when you are called”, or any one of Steve’s familiar calls to action. As always, Steve delivered. 

My message that Sunday was to hold tight while I learned the next steps in the process from the United Church of Christ Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin.  In response to my many questions about a transition, Gordon’s response was singular and direct.  Laid out below is an outline of “next steps” — but Gordon made it clear that the next two months is the time to celebrate Steve and Jill, as well as to recognize our accomplishments and the energy Steve has instilled in all of us.

The Road Ahead

To that end, here is a roadmap as to what’s next.  Keep in mind that the Trustees and Executive Circle are convening regularly and we updated everyone at the Quarterly Meeting on September 28th.  There are unanswered questions, but the various circles are meeting and decisions are being made.

The trustees met September 8th and asked Steve to stay until Sunday, November 16th.  He graciously agreed, and the Executive Circle approved this plan. I would expect that Steve’s sermons, pastoral care and general involvement in church matters will remain unchanged over the next two months, but for two weekends that he will be away.

Rev. Nancy Elder-Wilfrid has agreed to assume leadership of the Worship Circle.  Together with assistance from other members of the Worship Circle and our “clergy stable” she will make sure that our pulpit is covered through the holidays and beyond as needed.  We have asked the Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin, to join us for worship after Steve and Jill have moved. That will happen on Sunday, November 23.

The last thing to know is that congregational churches pick their own ministers. Our Executive Circle will be naming a search committee whose members will be charged with identifying the congregation’s needs, conducting a search for a suitable pastor, interviewing candidates, and recommending their choice for a new pastor to the congregation.  

Best Wishes,

Sam Greene, Moderator

Questions or concerns, please contact me at 603-533-5152 or greeneappraisal@gmail.com

 

 

 

Rev. Steve Miller

The Rev. Steve G. Miller started his ministry at The First Church in Jaffrey in January 2022, after a unanimous vote of approval by the congregation in October 2021 when he visited and conducted worship. Prior to moving to New Hampshire, Miller was the senior pastor at the United Church of Christ-Congregational in Vermillion SD for 26 years.
Steve Miller graduated from Springfield College in 1981. He began studying at Yale Divinity School and transferred to the Pacific School of Religion, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1987. He served churches in Bethlehem, CT and Gilman, IA before going to Vermillion in 1995.

During his long tenure in Vermillion, Steve studied the Lakota spirit, language and music and invited the Lakota community to hold sacred ceremonies at the UCC church. He was also involved in community theater productions and the Vermillion Youth Baseball Association for players. The title of teacher also belongs in Steve’s repertoire, as demonstrated by his popular “World Religions” course at the University of SD

Starting Anew at First Church
Steve came to First Church during the pandemic and brought new energy and ideas to First Church as the congregation emerged from the isolation imposed by COVID. Working with the Minister of Music Gene Faxon and a growing list of volunteers, worship life not only fills the congregation with spirit but offers vision for the future. Late summer and fall showed a distinct increase in attendance, culminating with a full house on Christmas Eve 2023.

Steve has applied his teaching skills to an ongoing faith study series (usually 4-5 weeks) that has become a hub of learning and fellowship for members, neighbors and new friends. Topics explored in these sessions have included the character of faith, a mini course on world religions, a history of church music, and an examination of Christmas carols.

Steve offers pastoral care to members, neighbors, and friends in homes and care facilities. He’s committed to youth work for the New Hampshire Conference UCC - especially camping at the Horton Center in the White Mountains; serves on the board of Jaffrey’s Shelter from the Storm; and supports Jaffrey Adult Day Care by leading monthly singing events. Other community relationships include worship leadership at Cathedral of the Pines and serving as chaplain of the Scout Troup 33, who now call First Church home. Rev. Miller has also been involved with Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality in Oak Park, IL for more 30 years through retreats, conferences, and classes.

Steve’s wife, Dr. Jill Tyler, joined him in Jaffrey the First Church after she retired in May 2022 as professor and chair of the University of South Dakota (USD) Communications Department. They have five children and three grandchildren.
Gene Faxon
Minster of Music

On Sunday, February 2, First Church will celebrate 20 amazing years with its Minister of Music, Gene Faxon. After graduating from Brockton High school (MA), Gene went to Boston University where he earned BA in Music and MA in Education. At BU, Gene studied conducting, voice, piano, and organ while finding time to be president of the Student Council – activities that guided his path forward.

Conducting choral music, teaching, and performing are all hallmarks of Gene’s remarkable career, beginning at Western New Mexico University. Living in Silver City, NM, Gene co-founded The Broken Oak Center for Music and the Arts, which became a focus of community activity, offering opportunities for people of all ages to participate in music, art, theatre, dance and poetry.

Returning to New England in the early 2000s, Gene became Director of Education and a faculty member at Manchester Community Music School in New Hampshire. He also taught music at the Pine Hill Waldorf School in Wilton, NH and worked as a substitute organist for several churches. An active member of the NH American Guild of Organists, Gene served as Dean of the Monadnock Chapter of the AGO. Wherever he was teaching and conducting, Gene introduced Wassail choruses, reflecting a longtime interest and training in Early Music.

As Minister of Music for First Church since 2005, Gene has brought his skills and creativity to all worship services, a concert series, Taizé events, community celebrations of St. Lucia and a Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Easter and Christmas services featuring instrumental quartets and soloists. Under his leadership, Gene introduced Celtic, gospel, folk, Shaker and Broadway music into the life of First Church. A few times a year, he organizes a special service that combines music and readings into a unique communal experience.

Among the instruments that Gene plays with great skill are the organ, piano, harpsicord, recorder, and accordion. Naturally, he is a piano tuner and, recently retired from teaching, he’s delving into learning how to repair pipe organs. Among his awards are grants from New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. A longtime resident of Temple, NH, Gene now lives in Keene.

Finally, Gene has worked harmoniously with more than 10 ministers during his 20 years at First Church – a major accomplishment and a tribute to his talent for collaboration!

Judy Lessard
Administrative Assistant

Judy brings her corporate experience. Working with our pastor and music minister, she creates the worship bulletins, sends out e-blasts, and monitors phone calls and church email. Working with our treasurer, she maintains the QuickBooks database and generates financial reports. Working with the communications team, she creates, prints, and distributes the church newsletter.

Officers
In late January 2022, First Church heartily welcomed (bottom row)  Roy Lake, Pam Hill,  David Bliss and Janet Grant as new Trustees.  Nancy Elder-Wilfrid is the new Clerk and in the top row is Ann St. Cyr Gordon (Treasurer) and Sam Greene Moderator.

Officers:

Sam Greene, Moderator
Ann Gordon, Treasurer
Nancy Elder-Wilfrid, Clerk

 
Trustees:

David Bliss
Janet Grant
Pam Hill
Roy Lake
Tom Warren
Dan Wilfrid