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 ecumenical, interfaith nd nonprofit organizations in the Schenectady area, including as a member of Schenectady Community Ministry's Steering Committee, as Young Member 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 ecumenical, interfaith nd nonprofit organizations in the Schenectady area, including as a member of Schenectady Community Ministry's Steering Committee, as Young Member 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 & Congregational Deacon 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/Thursdays from 4-7pm and Wednesdays from 9:00am 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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Jean Guarino
Congregational Deacon Jean is our newest congregational deacon. A native of Long Island but currently lost in the boonies of Berne, Jean came to Messiah for many awesome reasons! Pastor Dustin is serving as Jean’s pastoral advisor during her candidacy process for seminary and we are going to help give her leadership and learning opportunities that will help enhance her skills and knowledge! Some of Jean’s goals are to strengthen her knowledge and understanding of social issues and difficult topics by exploring ELCA Social Statements, Social Messages, and other related social teaching documents to organize and lead two community forums on topics covered by ELCA social teachings. Another goal of Jean's is to Discern God’s calling by learning about vocational discernment opportunities for youth as well as adults and talk with members of the congregation about vocational discernment, which will turn into a project of organizing a well-researched, documented, and congregation-based program to support youth in discerning a future call to rostered ministry. Lastly, Jean will strengthen her preaching skills by occasionally preaching two to four times a year at primary Sunday worship services. Jean will be splitting her time between Messiah and her home congregation. What does Jean do outside of church? Jean is married to her husband Ian, has three almost fully grown children, and is the caregiver of Clyde the golden retriever, four cats, a handful of chickens, and two bunnies! Some random tidbits about Jean: she works for the town of Berne as their Youth Director, is retired from the military (Army), spent most of her life as a professional chef, and absolutely LOVES crocheting! |
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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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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. |
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