Clergy and Staff
THE REV. DR. E. C. HEATH
Pastor
Pastor Em became the Pastor of the Congregational Church in Exeter in 2014. A native of Virginia, Em grew up there and in Winter Park, Florida. After graduating from college at Emory University, Em attended Columbia Theological Seminary where they earned a Master of Divinity and later a Master of Theology in Reformed Theology. In 2015 they also earned a Doctor of Ministry from Andover Newton Theological School.
Following ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Em served as a chaplain specializing in trauma. They later transferred their ordination to the United Church of Christ, and served as a parish pastor in Vermont. In addition to pastoring, Em has written three books, the most recent of which is Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians, published by Westminster/John Know Press.
An interesting fact about Pastor Em is that, unbeknownst to them at the time they were called as our pastor, their own ancestors were members of this congregation in the 17th and 18th centuries. Outside of church, Em enjoys fly fishing, LEGOs, reading literature and history, spending time with friends, and rooting for the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Braves. Most of all, though, they love spending time with their wife of over ten years, the Rev. Heidi Carrington Heath. Together with their two highly cranky yet thoroughly loveable orange cats, they live in Exeter.
NICOLE ST. CYR
Office Manager
Nicole comes to us with many years of management and customer service experience, most recently serving as Practice Manager at Core Cardiology and before that Practice Manager at Tufts Medical Center in the Rheumatology Department. As a full time mom she loves to do arts & crafts, take the girls shopping, play with them at the beach or just cuddle up on the coach to watch a cute Disney movie. She also enjoys long distance running. She has completed many marathons, including as a time-qualified runner of the Boston Marathon. She is currently training for an ultra-marathon. Nicole also enjoys spending time outdoors, at the beach, and in her backyard. Nicole was born and raised in Wisconsin, so she loves cheese and during football season, she enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Nicole lives in Kingston with her husband, and three daughters.
TERRIE HARMAN
Director of Music
Terrie was awarded a piano performance degree from Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Realizing that her great love is playing the organ, she studied theory and composition with Harold Stover, and is currently a student of organist Ray Cornils. She studied choral conducting at the Westminster Choir College Summer Institute. Her greatest musical moments (so far): she has concertized on Portland’s Kotzschmar Organ, one of the most celebrated pipe organs in the world; she played a concert for Archbishop Desmond Tutu at his home church in Cape Town, SA; she played an Evensong service at St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral in Bridgetown, Barbados.
She is the founder of the Portsmouth Men’s Chorus, and the Three Sopranos. She has served in many seacoast area churches as director of music and organist. Her husband Tom and she share Oscar, their Samoyed dog who enjoys listening to Terrie’s music. Terrie practices estate planning and probate law at Harman Law Offices on Water Street here in Exeter.
ALLAN MAYO
Director of Christian Education
Pastor Allan, a native of Boston, has resided in Exeter for the past 9 years. In 2004, having been a case manager for adults living with developmental disabilities for 13 years, Allan embarked on a new career as a theatre artist. He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Salem State College and has worked throughout New England as a professional actor, voice-over artist and theatre educator.
Allan enjoys reading historical fiction, jogging, travelling and spending time with his wife Jill and their two girls Kallie and Reilly. Allan feels blessed to have found a spiritual home here at the Congregational Church in Exeter
DEB WHEELER-BEAN
Nursery Director
Deb has lived in Exeter with her husband, Larry, for the past 26 years. They found the community to be an ideal place to raise their daughters, Tori and Hailey. Deb worked as a bartender, water aerobics instructor and photographer before finding her path as an elementary school art teacher. She taught at Lincoln Street School for 16 years before shifting into full-time art making at Art Up Front Street. In 2022, Deb left the gallery to dedicate more time to be with her parents and to begin a new journey as a caregiver for infants.
LUCIA SAVAGE
Financial Services
Lucia is our skilled financial professional who makes sure that the bills are paid, the accounts are up-to-date, and that offerings and donations are processed correctly. She is a longterm resident of Exeter, and has been active in a number of local service groups and community organizations.