OUR STAFF
Reverend Dustin Wright
Senior Pastor
Born and raised in Connecticut, Pastor Dustin (he/ him) joined our Spirit filled church in August of 2014 after graduating from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. During his time at seminary he participated in clinical pastoral education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, engaged in a year of local faith-based advocacy with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, interned with the Lutheran Office for World Community and served as Vicar of Saint Peter's Church in New York City. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Religion (with a focus on Islam) from the George Washington University in the spring of 2008.
Pastor Dustin serves his community through a variety of local ecumenical, interfaith and nonprofit organizations in the Schenectady area, including as Chair of Schenectady Community Ministry's Interfaith Task Force, as Chair of the Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and President of the New York State Council of Churches. He is an avid hiker, runner, frisbee player and general outdoor-enthusiast, although he hates mosquitoes. He also adopted a mischievous little puppy named Willy Bear shortly after joining our church.
Pastor Dustin is generally available to meet Sundays through Thursdays! Give him a call at 603.953.8782 or email at pastor@messiahschenectady.org and he'd love to set up a time to meet with you!
Senior Pastor
Born and raised in Connecticut, Pastor Dustin (he/ him) joined our Spirit filled church in August of 2014 after graduating from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. During his time at seminary he participated in clinical pastoral education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, engaged in a year of local faith-based advocacy with Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, interned with the Lutheran Office for World Community and served as Vicar of Saint Peter's Church in New York City. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Religion (with a focus on Islam) from the George Washington University in the spring of 2008.
Pastor Dustin serves his community through a variety of local ecumenical, interfaith and nonprofit organizations in the Schenectady area, including as Chair of Schenectady Community Ministry's Interfaith Task Force, as Chair of the Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and President of the New York State Council of Churches. He is an avid hiker, runner, frisbee player and general outdoor-enthusiast, although he hates mosquitoes. He also adopted a mischievous little puppy named Willy Bear shortly after joining our church.
Pastor Dustin is generally available to meet Sundays through Thursdays! Give him a call at 603.953.8782 or email at pastor@messiahschenectady.org and he'd love to set up a time to meet with you!
Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck
Interim Associate Pastor
The Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck, LMSW (he/they) is serving as our Interim Associate Minister this year, facilitating the transition between Trinity Reformed Church and Messiah Lutheran Church as the two congregations join in ministry together. He will be assisting in worship leadership and chairing our Worship and Music Committee, as well as staffing our reconstituted Reconciling in Christ Taskforce and Accessibility Taskforce. They are also passionate about community outreach and will be working to combine and expand our food pantry programs through increased utilization of the Trinity property. Pastor Jonathan serves in a variety of leadership positions in his denomination (the Reformed Church in America) and is also a licensed psychotherapist.
Interim Associate Pastor
The Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck, LMSW (he/they) is serving as our Interim Associate Minister this year, facilitating the transition between Trinity Reformed Church and Messiah Lutheran Church as the two congregations join in ministry together. He will be assisting in worship leadership and chairing our Worship and Music Committee, as well as staffing our reconstituted Reconciling in Christ Taskforce and Accessibility Taskforce. They are also passionate about community outreach and will be working to combine and expand our food pantry programs through increased utilization of the Trinity property. Pastor Jonathan serves in a variety of leadership positions in his denomination (the Reformed Church in America) and is also a licensed psychotherapist.
|
Rianne Johnson
Parish Administrator Rianne stumbled upon Messiah in January 2016 and joined Messiah in May 2016 as their Parish Administrator through their newly developed Messiah Builds Leaders program, eager to help fulfill the congregation’s mission of being “a Spirit-filled church following Jesus Christ”. Rianne enjoys taking care of her pets, going on light hikes, reading nerdy theology books, tutoring, and of course - spending quality time with and helping her loved ones. Rianne is available Wednesdays from 11am-3pm, Thursdays from 10am-6pm, and Fridays from 11am-3pm with occasional wiggle-room around the holidays, busier times of the year, severe weather, and newsletter week. She can be reached at office@messiahschenectady.org or via phone at 518.355.2311. |
|
|
Nicole Hamilton
Parish Sexton Nicole Hamilton, a longtime resident of Rotterdam, has served as sexton at Messiah since 2009. She also works full time with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. In addition to her busy professional life, she enjoys spending time with her kids, enjoying summers at her cabin at West Chazy Wesleyan Camp, playing drums and being outdoors. |
|
|
Willard Excelsior Bear
Parish Dog Our good friend Willard Excelsior Bear (also Pastor Dustin's roommate) serves in a variety of important capacities at Messiah. Besides cleaning up spills, greeting guests, visiting homebound members, interrupting staff meetings and heading up our outreach efforts over his frequent long walks through the neighborhood, Willy joyfully provides entertainment and child care during our many outdoor (and occasionally our indoor) events. |
|