James P. Merriam, M.Div

    James Merriam is a Northeast Kingdom native, the son of a Congregational Minister, and a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ. He attended Montpelier High School and Haverford College before earning a Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley California where he specializes in scripturally based process theology and the prophecy in church governance but his spiritual interests are wide-ranging.
    While in seminary he met his lovely wife Kendall who is also a native Vermonter and with whom has shared many adventures and plans for many more.
Easily recognisable by his red hair and beard you may see him floating in the lake, skiing, or riding his bike in Newport or the surrounding hills.  
    James is a Member in Discernment with the Vermont Conference UCC, and hopes to be ordained in that denomination sometime in late 2017.
Janet Wiseman, Lay Minister

    Janet grew up in southeastern Ohio. After attending Marietta College she has worked in accounting for over 45 years. Janet has been active in church her entire life serving in various roles. She served in the Emmaus Communities from 1987 to 2004 where she obtained lay speaking training and completed a United Methodist lay speaking course. Janet is enjoying the opportunity to serve as a lay pastor for the United Church of Newport. 
Amy Newton, Choir Director

    Amy grew up in Newport attending the United Church of Newport. Upon graduating from Castleton University (formerly Castleton State College) with a  Bachelors Degree in Music Education she began teaching K-8 music in three local elementary schools. Amy has been directing the choir since the Fall of 2011.
Ruth Marquette, Handbell Choir Director
Vivian Spates, Organist
David Barlow, Organist
​Jenna Letourneau, Secretary

Jenna was born and raised in Derby, VT.  Attended and graduated from the North Country Union High School in 2011. She has one child, a little boy, & her fur babies that all keep her quite busy. When she is not working she likes to spend her free time with her family and doing many activities such as; four-wheeling, going to the beach, camping, kayaking and during the winter months, snowmobiling.