OUR STAFF
Reverend Dustin Wright
Pastor
Born and raised in Connecticut, Pastor Dustin 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 organizations in the Schenectady area, including as Vice President of Schenectady Community Ministry's Steering Committee, as Young Adult 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!
Pastor
Born and raised in Connecticut, Pastor Dustin 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 organizations in the Schenectady area, including as Vice President of Schenectady Community Ministry's Steering Committee, as Young Adult 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!
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Rianne Johnson
Parish Administrator Rianne stumbled upon Messiah in January 2016 and quickly found herself becoming more and more immersed in her new faith community. Rianne 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 is also currently the leader of Messiah's young adult group which consists of a bunch of folks roughly age 18 - 35 who are interested in being together, relating faith to everyday life, and enjoy working to improve our local community. Additionally, Rianne enjoys taking care of her pet dogs and rats, going on light hikes, reading nerdy theology books, PC and console gaming, tutoring students, and of course - spending quality time with her loved ones. Rianne is currently discerning what God's plans for her are during the next couple of years and what steps she may need to take in order to get there. Rianne is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. (Time pending change, always worth an email or call to the office to make sure she will be there!) She can be reached at office@messiahschenectady.org or via phone at 518.355.2311. |
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Dakota Schaffer
Communications Coordinator
Dakota Austin Schaffer was born and raised in the town of Esperance and just graduated from Schoharie High School. He is 18 years old and attends SUNY Cobleskill for Graphic Design in addition to two years of experience from the Albany BOCES program. He has obtained certifications in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Kody is an avid gamer and loves to draw. He joined Messiah when he was baptized here at less than three months old and attended Sunday School every week when it was in session. Kody and his family returned to Messiah three years ago and its been an awesome time ever since!
Communications Coordinator
Dakota Austin Schaffer was born and raised in the town of Esperance and just graduated from Schoharie High School. He is 18 years old and attends SUNY Cobleskill for Graphic Design in addition to two years of experience from the Albany BOCES program. He has obtained certifications in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Kody is an avid gamer and loves to draw. He joined Messiah when he was baptized here at less than three months old and attended Sunday School every week when it was in session. Kody and his family returned to Messiah three years ago and its been an awesome time ever since!
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Douglas J. Chilton
Parish Musician & Cantor Douglas J. Chilton has been the musician (piano, organ and choir director) at Messiah Lutheran Church for over 20 years. He graduated from The Crane School of Music and has a Masters in Education from The College of Saint Rose. He has taught in public and private schools for many years and is currently the music teacher at The Northeast Parent and Child Society, which an alternative school for youth at risk. He directs the very devoted choir at Messiah and has led many special concerts. He also assists with our children's music programs. Doug composes and in his spare time performs as a solo artist and with friends in the area. He is married to Cecile and they have two marvelous (and musical) sons. |
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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. |
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Willy Bear
Parish Dog Our good friend Willy 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 Bear joyfully provides entertainment and child care during our many outdoor (and occasionally our indoor) events. |
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