Support Ukrainian Refugees — Ilona’s latest visit to Poland

by | Jun 24, 2025 | News, Recent Events, Upcoming Events

Volunteering at the Fair…in Poland

By Ilona Kwiecien

 

During my most recent trip to Poland, I had a special opportunity to be part of a fair organized by Lapigua and their community center, Blonie — organizations that First Church has been supporting since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. On May 31st they held a “Polish-Ukrainian Festival …That Which Unites Us.” Stefanie Bogart, the director of Lapigua, was the driving force behind this effort which is part of project “Working Together Locally “made possible by a grant from Taiwan. Partners included the Zamosc Gmina (similar to a county) and several local communities which still support Ukrainian refugees. Zamosc provided the park and set up tents, all free of charge. The idea was to celebrate Polish-Ukrainian friendship, and because June 1 is Children’s Day in Poland, kids were celebrated, too!

 

It was a long, but so very rewarding day. I told Stefanie to “put me to work” and that she did; we started around 9 AM and got home around 11 PM. I was given one of their volunteer T-shirts and spent most of my time at the food tent…set up, serving, and clean-up. Food was donated by many people and included borshch, bigos (a cabbage/meat dish), lard (yes, yummy!) and other sandwiches, pizza, all manner of baked goods and candies. There were many activities for children, music, dancing, singing, and some speeches. Towards the end of the day Igor from Ukraine played accordion music, and everyone enjoyed grilled kielbasa. There was no charge for anything; all donations were designated for a children’s center, “Arka Pokoju” (Arc of Peace) located in Serednym, Ukraine. Some of First Church’s funding has helped them in the past. Representatives of this group also drove from Lviv and sang.

 

Despite the pouring rain at one point, the day was clearly a success! It was heart-warming to see so many people happy, working and playing together, sharing stories. I worked side by side with women from both Ukraine and Poland, some of whom are regular volunteers at Blonie. There were some poignant moments, too. Members of the children’s choir which had driven in from Lviv came up to the food tent, but they were so very shy, clearly wanting to sample the food, but needing encouragement to take something. Once they did, their smiles were something to remember.

 

What I came away with is this: despite the fact that in Poland overall support for Ukrainian refugees has waned, there remain many generous people who continue with all their hearts to focus on “That which Unites Us!” – Not “that which divides!” A lesson for us all! Lapigua plans on continuing their work for as long as they can; as Stefanie put it at the end of the day, “All the hugs I got will keep me going.”

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