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About Us
St. Thomas' Church intends and attempts to be a diverse, inclusive community of Christian faith, hope and love. Anyone is welcome to visit or join us in seeking, encountering and experiencing God's grace in the sacraments and fellowship of the Church. Below is a list of the many ministries at St. Thomas. We welcome new participants! For more information, contact Denisa in the church office. |
Mission Statement
The mission of St. Thomas Episcopal Church is to know and worship God, to build a diverse & inclusive community, and to serve others through ministries that nourish, both spiritually and physically. Who's Who at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church The Rev. Sue Poulin, Rector (603) 986-3042 Kathy Fink, Director of Music Katie Flemin, Parish Administrator (603) 742-3155 stthomas@stdover.org |
Parish Ministries
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The Vestry
Altar Guild Craft Group Harvest Fair Hospitality Pastoral Care |
Outreach Teams
Prayer Shawl Ministry Property Committee Finance Committee Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers Acolytes |
Safe Passage
Children and Youth Ministries Safe Church Music & Choir Ushers |
Meet The Clergy:
The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop
Rob Hirschfeld grew up attending the Episcopal Church in Connecticut but fell away from the church during high school. A study of the English devotional poetry of John Donne, George Herbert, and some more modern English and American poets led Rob to reconsider how to think and talk about faith in Christ and God as Trinity. Eventually, and as the result of some profound experiences of grace and openings of spirit, he began to pursue the priesthood and was ordained at Christ Church, New Haven on the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter (January 18), 1992. Since then he has served parishes located on or near college campuses: Yale, the University of Connecticut, and the Five College region of Western Massachusetts. He has also served on a variety of diocesan committees and a seminary board of trustees. He is married to Polly Merritt Ingraham, and they have three children, William, Cora, and Henry. Rob writes poetry and theological ruminations, paints with mixed media, and sculls on the nearby majestic Connecticut River.
Rob Hirschfeld grew up attending the Episcopal Church in Connecticut but fell away from the church during high school. A study of the English devotional poetry of John Donne, George Herbert, and some more modern English and American poets led Rob to reconsider how to think and talk about faith in Christ and God as Trinity. Eventually, and as the result of some profound experiences of grace and openings of spirit, he began to pursue the priesthood and was ordained at Christ Church, New Haven on the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter (January 18), 1992. Since then he has served parishes located on or near college campuses: Yale, the University of Connecticut, and the Five College region of Western Massachusetts. He has also served on a variety of diocesan committees and a seminary board of trustees. He is married to Polly Merritt Ingraham, and they have three children, William, Cora, and Henry. Rob writes poetry and theological ruminations, paints with mixed media, and sculls on the nearby majestic Connecticut River.
The Reverend Sue Poulin
Rector of St. Thomas’ since 2018, Rev. Sue is passionate about creating a welcoming community that can support, hold, and empower the work of the Spirit. The focus of her ministry is meaningful worship and helping people see where and how God is moving in their lives. She uses technology to reach beyond the physical walls of the church with weekday morning prayer, weekly lectionary study, and online worship services and events.
Before coming to St. Thomas’ Church, Rev. Sue served for eleven years as rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Sanbornville, NH. Raised in the Congregational Church, Rev. Sue is a native of Maine and attended Fryeburg Academy. She received an education degree at Plymouth State College. After serving communities in Maine as a middle school teacher and coach, she became a substance abuse counselor. Called to ministry, she studied for her divinity degree at Andover Theological Seminary, while raising two children. Rev. Sue was ordained at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk, ME, where she’d served as deacon and assistant priest. When not involved in ministry, Rev. Sue can be found playing the piano, gardening, knitting, or painting. She lives in nearby Somersworth.
Rector of St. Thomas’ since 2018, Rev. Sue is passionate about creating a welcoming community that can support, hold, and empower the work of the Spirit. The focus of her ministry is meaningful worship and helping people see where and how God is moving in their lives. She uses technology to reach beyond the physical walls of the church with weekday morning prayer, weekly lectionary study, and online worship services and events.
Before coming to St. Thomas’ Church, Rev. Sue served for eleven years as rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Sanbornville, NH. Raised in the Congregational Church, Rev. Sue is a native of Maine and attended Fryeburg Academy. She received an education degree at Plymouth State College. After serving communities in Maine as a middle school teacher and coach, she became a substance abuse counselor. Called to ministry, she studied for her divinity degree at Andover Theological Seminary, while raising two children. Rev. Sue was ordained at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk, ME, where she’d served as deacon and assistant priest. When not involved in ministry, Rev. Sue can be found playing the piano, gardening, knitting, or painting. She lives in nearby Somersworth.
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Kathy Fink: Director of Music
Kathy came to St Thomas’ in January of 2010 to serve as Director of Music. In addition to playing piano and organ, she leads the Parish Choir and presents several concerts in the church each year by her choral group the “Fourth Street Jazz”. Kathy recently retired as the Parish Administrator and will continue to focus on the music ministry. She has a BA and MA in music from UNH. She began her choral accompanying career at the age of 9 for the school choir in Leeds, England where her family was spending a year. In addition to her work at St Thomas’, Kathy directs music for the theater programs at UNH, Noble High School, Somersworth High School, and the Prescott Park Arts Festival. She lives in Dover with her husband Greg, and her dachshund, Hannah who provides moral support. |
Katie Fleming : Parish Administrator
I was born in Ireland and raised in South Boston, MA, from the age of 8. We spent every summer in Ireland, so my children have seen where I grew up. I graduated from Boston University and worked at the College of Engineering. I was the Executive Assistant to the Dean for over 7 years. While working for Dean Dr. Campbell, I went to the Katherin Gibbs for Business Management School in the evening. I am very excited to begin my journey in Dover, NH, and to have the wonderful opportunity to work at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. I am looking forward to meeting you all.
I was born in Ireland and raised in South Boston, MA, from the age of 8. We spent every summer in Ireland, so my children have seen where I grew up. I graduated from Boston University and worked at the College of Engineering. I was the Executive Assistant to the Dean for over 7 years. While working for Dean Dr. Campbell, I went to the Katherin Gibbs for Business Management School in the evening. I am very excited to begin my journey in Dover, NH, and to have the wonderful opportunity to work at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. I am looking forward to meeting you all.