Phyllis (She/Her) recently joined the staff of Hedding UMC as the new outreach coordinator, filling about ½ of her late husband’s duties over the past 16 years. She is Mom to two adult children, and has two adult grandchildren and one great grandson.  

Most recently she spent 16 years as the Orders/Logistics Specialist at Vermont Creamery in Websterville, Vt. and recently retired from that position. Prior to returning to her native Vermont, she lived with her husband, Rev. Renny, in Northeast Tennessee for approximately 20 years where she worked along side him in various outreach programs such as Interfaith Hospitality, and Feeding the Multitudes. During the 80’s, she worked with a Social Service Program with the State of NH and also served as “Overseer of Public Welfare” for the town of Weare, NH. Over the past 15 years she has assisted with food drives, community weekly meals at Hedding UMC, and outreach events in the community.

Her favorite pastime is working in her small yard and enjoying the beauty of God’s creations and spending time with loved ones in addition to having a passion for helping others.

Email: azoteaphyllis54@gmail.com

Kelly (She/Her) joined Hedding’s staff in June of 2010. She previously worked in the Development Office of Norwich University and as bookkeeper for a restaurant she and her husband owned. She is a long-time member of Hedding UMC and currently serves as Lay Leader and Treasurer. In October of 2016 she was honored with the United Methodist Women’s Special Mission Recognition.

A mother of four grown children, Kelly is active in disability awareness and a member of the Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative.

Email: heddingchurchinbarre@gmail.com

Charlene brings a variety of musical styles and forms to our worship, leading both our traditional choir and our praise band. She cultivates our understanding and experience of music as worship.

She welcomes newcomers to our choir. A good ear is important, but reading music is not essential to being a member of the choir. Choir rehearsals are Thursdays at 7. Contact Charlene to get involved:

Email: grapeville@gmail.com

Lorraine (She/Her) is a Vermont native and was the Vocal Music Teacher at Montpelier High School for 20 years. She currently teaches vocal and instrumental music at Northfield Middle High School. She has a Masters Degree in Education and a BA in Music Education.

Lorraine has also taught private vocal and piano lessons, served as Senior Class Advisor in Northfield and as Vocal Music Advisor for the Winooski Valley, All State and New England Music Festivals. She has directed many musicals including Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, The Wiz, and Cinderella.

Previously, Lorraine has played organ in Roxbury and in Northfield. She began working at Hedding UMC August 2021.

John (He/Him) works hard to make sure that our church building and parsonage are well cared for, helps arrange rental space, and is always ready to pitch in to help in anyway that he can! We’re delighted to have him on our team!

heddingfacilities@gmail.com

Jason Braasch (he/him) Just joined the team this winter at the Hedding Church as the Custodian after spending many years as a painter. He most recently left the construction world to find joy in working with the folks at the Hedding Church.

Jason has been living in Vermont since 1986 and calls Calais home. With one older brother in Burlington and a mother and father who are in the same town as Jason this is the community that is and always will be home despite living for some years in Florida, Boston, and Burlington. Jason graduated from U-32 High School in 1994, and then from Vermont Technical College in 2004.

Jason can be found creating art in his spare time, and in the summer months sailing on Lake Champlain, spending time outdoors hiking, climbing, canoeing, exploring the woods, and appreciating that there is a deep interconnection between all things.

One of his favorite quotes is from the Desiderata: “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

Finding his way to the Hedding Church has been profoundly meaningful and a positive experience.

Hi I’m Gabriel (Gabe) Azotea (He/Him).  I’ve been a member of Hedding since I was 10 years old. I have always been attracted to anything in the gaming/computer world, starting with my 1st gaming system before I could walk.  My 1st 9 years of life were spent in TN before moving to VT with my grandparents. I graduated from U32 and live in Berlin, loving the peace and quiet, spending my free time gaming virtually with friends all over the globe.