About Us

Sue Lasselle, Office Administrator

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Sue joined Emmanuel in July 2023 and has the pleasure of meeting and getting to know many of the parishioners.  Previous to working at Emmanuel she spent many years in various office settings and has extensive knowledge in office management and procedures. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her grandchildren, gardening, hiking, and spending time at the family camp.

Edie Emerson, Pianist

Edie Emerson joined Emmanual as a regular pianist in 2015 and has enjoyed using her talents for service music, special music, accompanying instrumentalists and vocalists, and choral selections.  Although classically trained, she takes great pleasure in multiple genres of music, including, jazz, pop, and soul. Her practical experience in playing at church began at the age of twelve when she played hymns weekly for a local congregation in Connecticut.  Ultimately, her mission and calling at Emmanual has been to use music to connect us to God through the working of the Holy Spirit.

Melinda Kimball, Choir Director

Melinda Kimball graduated from the University of NH with a degree in music education and has worked for twenty-seven years as a music teacher in NH and ME. She has taught both instrumental and choral music to students of all ages and has been teaching 5^th and 6^th grade band in Augusta for the past eight years. She has been a choir director in Kittery and Hallowell, Me and is currently the choir director at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church. Melinda is extremely passionate about music and thoroughly enjoys working with the amazing choir members at Emmanuel. She welcomes anyone interested to come join and give it a try! When she’s not teaching or directing musical ensembles she enjoys spending time at home puttering on projects, out in nature, hanging out with her wife (or partner if you think that’s too bold) Lisa and their wonderful pets.

Betty Balderston, President

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Betty Balderston currently serves as the President of Emmanuel’s Leadership Team.  In that role, she provides leadership and support for a variety of church administration issues.  Betty is a graduate of the Lutheran School of Lay Ministry and serves as a Worship Leader and is involved in many aspects of the life of the church.  In her personal time, Betty and her husband Lloyd enjoy camping, hiking and kayaking.

Connie McDonald, Vice President & Finance

Connie was a life-long Episcopalian, but with the merging of  the two churches, she is so pleased to be fully Episocpal and fully Lutheran.  We, together with the Holy Spirit, have created a friendly, caring and vibrant new church. She serves on the Leadership Team and Finance Committee.

Doug Burdin, Treasurer

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Nancy Finnegan, Secretary

Nancy Finnegan serves as Secretary of the Leadership Team. She and her husband Jim Melcher have been members of our congregation, and our choir, since 1999. She has degrees from Boston University and the University of Minnesota. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting and gardening.  She and Jim live in Augusta's Westwood neighborhood. 

Billy Kobin, Outreach

Bill Kobin joined Emmanuel in 2023 after moving to Maine from Louisville, Kentucky. He grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Northwestern University, and he serves (from afar!) on the board of directors for Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northwestern University. Billy writes for the Bangor Daily News and enjoys running, playing soccer, biking, hiking, skiing and other outdoor pursuits.

Jenn Fraser, Congregational Care

Jenn is originally from Rhode Island and relocated to Maine in December 2019. She began attending church services at Emmanuel viz zoom in 2021 and she discovered that Emmanuel was a perfect fit for her. She currently works for the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and also at Barnes & Noble. In her spare time she enjoys golfing, yoga and reading.

Linda Lowell, Education and Formation

Linda is a retired Literacy Specialist for the Augusta School System and has been a member of Emmanuel (formerly Prince of Peace), for over 30 years. 

Lee Parker, At Large/Worship

Lee is an At Large member of our Leadership Committee and serves as the liaison to the Worship Committee. He and his family relocated to Maine in the summer of 2023 from Austin, Texas. Since joining Emmanuel, Lee has become involved as an acolyte and a volunteer for the Community Suppers. He works as a software engineer and enjoys running, hiking, and woodworking.

Jim Lavoie, At Large

Jim Lavoie’s church memberships include Leadership Team, Call Committee and Acolyte. He is a rather
recent member of Emmanuel having transferred from All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Myers,
FL. Jim has noted that he was called to become a part of the Emmanuel family after
experiencing a very warm welcome and then observing the church members supporting each
other, as well as the various community outreach missions of the church. In addition to church
activities, Jim enjoys family outings, hiking and volunteering at local food banks.

Robert Wing, Acolyte Director

Robert's current duties at Emmanuel are director of acolytes, on the worship committee, on the leadership committee, and recently filling in as a worship assistant. He is also a greeter of new people.