Change is in the air at First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. In addition to tentatively lifting mask mandates, the church has welcomed three new staff members in the past few months.

Interim pastor Rev. Dr. Amy Lignitz Harken started Feb. 1. Originally from Kansas, she and her husband Bruce have lived in New England for over 10 years.

An interim pastor is there for the church when it is “going through a time of transition” between “settled pastors,” said Harken. “Generally speaking, it’s a time for the church to recalibrate if it needs to and think about its identity as a congregation outside of whoever is the minister. In this case, that natural transition that happens between settled pastors is compounded by the fact that everybody is emerging from the pandemic. So there’s a big transition there.”

Originally a journalist, Harken perceived a call to ministry while she was working for the Associated Press in Kansas City. She earned a master’s in divinity before working in churches across the Midwest and New England. More recently, she earned a doctor in ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in Connecticut.

“The people (of Wiscasset) love their church and have been, for all these years, very faithful stewards of this congregation,” she said. “There’s a very strong sense of community.” When asked what she loves about Wiscasset, she laughed. “The truth is, up until recently it’s been so stinking cold that I haven’t really explored it. So I am looking forward to getting to know the town. It’s a beautiful village and I look forward to getting to know it better.”

The Harkens live in Sabattus with their yellow tabby cat Irving. Amy Harken likes gardening and just started planting some tomato and pepper seeds indoors to get a jump on the Maine growing season.

Another new face at the church is Joel Pierce, the music director and organist. Pierce is from Arizona but spent much of his childhood in New England. After getting a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in organ, he moved to Maine right before the pandemic. Pierce began subbing as an organist for the church in late November and was offered the music director job in January.

He appreciates that the people of the church really love music. He said that once he started playing there, he got to know a lot of the congregation because they would come up to him to talk about music afterward. “I like the instruments, I like the people, I like the choir,” he said. And he is excited about the opportunity to regrow the music program.

Pierce lives in Topsham with his best friend and his three dogs – Jazz, Journey and Sir Flufferton. He said everyone is welcome to join the singing or chime choirs. Rehearsals are Thursday nights.

Angela “Angie” Richards, office administrator, rounds out the new additions. Her corgi Rory is at the office with her every day.

Richards said churches are very important parts of people’s lives. She said working for the church in Wiscasset lets her “contribute in a positive way to the religious community here in the area.” Her job includes answering the phone and emails, sending out the weekly bulletin, and updating the website. “I really want to be a farmer,” she said, laughing.

An Edgecomb native, Richards lives on a farm with Rory and chickens, sheep, cat Zander, and rescue donkeys Stanley and Oliver.