Message from the Moderator

by | Dec 12, 2025 | Upcoming Events

Head and Heart Work

A guy named Steve said to me before his retirement that it was important to remind the congregation regularly about our head and heart church work. Nancy preached this past Sunday about our being “the shiners of light” for God. Both got me thinking that I wanted to bear witness to many wonderful changes that I’ve seen over the past few weeks.

There has been a renewed hands-on leadership and involvement at First Church, both within our “circles” and by those who are “jumping into the boots” on any day of the week. The Worship Circle spearheaded a colorful Advent theme, Trustees and set-up volunteers are making sure the doors are open and candles are lighted, our administrative staff are packing bulletins with inserts and cranking out eblasts, Gene and guest preachers are working together to provide thoughtful sermons and  joyful music through the season. 

The Transition Circle has been working with the Worship and Trustee Circles to develop a worship leader schedule for the first quarter of 2026. We have made great progress in contacting several pulpit supply ministers who will be ministering to First Church over the coming months. This week we also will be working on the formal Request for Pastoral Leadership for our Time of Transition.  I know it is a mouthful, but it will let NH UCC Conference know that we are hunting for an (only the best!) interim minister. Happily, Linda Hirst of the NH UCC Conference will be ministering to us on Epiphany and will afterwards lead the congregation in a workshop to help us identify ourselves and our needs going forward. Whether you are a member or friend of First Church, please, please put January 4, 2026 on your calendars for this important talking and listening session.

Our newest circle has been formed and has met once. The Search Circle is made up of Dan Isaacs, Anne Gordon, Lee Debell, Susan Peterson, Ben Wheeler, Karen Shea-Dufresne, and Cynthia Rouvalis.  I have been gratified at how much interest there was surrounding the formation of this circle over the past two months. Easily 20 individuals approached me or other members of the Transition Circle expressing interest in the search process —pe or suggesting candidates they thought would best represent the congregation. Honestly, I am jealous to not be part of the process this time around, but I thank the circle members on behalf of the congregation for taking on this awesome responsibility. I promise, you will find it rewarding.

Fondest Wishes, Sam Greene- Moderator

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