What’s a “cluster”?

The Aroostook Episcopal Cluster is a group of three churches which have entered into an arrangement that allows us to share our ordained clergy. Each participating church retains its independence and is governed by its own elected Vestry (or, if you will, board of directors). The Cluster Council is the governing body for the Cluster and is made up of lay-people from all three churches. Our clustering relationship has been in place since roughly 1990.

Meet the Team

  • The Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown

    10th Bishop of Maine

    Rev. Brown serves as the current bishop for Maine’s 57 Episcopal churches, an elected role where he helps with the oversight of the region as a whole. While the bishop isn’t involved in the day-to-day life of our church, he still has a lot of important work to occupy his time, and is always on the move. He tries to make it a point to visit us every year or so and get to know us better (always a treat; he’s so nice!). He lives in Portland, where his husband Tom Mousin serves as a hospice chaplain and pastors St. Peter’s Church.

  • Janet Woods

    Janet is our current senior warden, head of the annually-elected board that governs St. John’s and handles the finances (among other things). A retired educator (we seem to have a lot of those) with long roots in the community, Janet serves in various roles at St. John’s, including as a member of the Altar Guild. She also frequently dog-sits her canine nephew Chewie, whose presence at church is a delight.

  • Don Sutton

    Don is our sexton, which means he’s in charge of maintenance, logistics, and church security, as well as all of our electric and mechanical equipment - a handy man to have around. A veteran of the US Marines, Don currently serves on the staff of the local university as a member of the Facilities Management Department. He’s always ready and willing to lend a hand (or both hands!) to his neighbors.

  • The Rev. Kevin Kinsey

    Priest of the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster

    The Reverend Kevin L. Kinsey is the priest for the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster, which includes St. John’s Church in Presque Isle, St. Paul’s Church in Fort Fairfield, and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Houlton. Fr. Kevin began studying for ordination under the supervision of Bishop Chilton Knudsen and was ordained by Bishop Stephen T. Lane in 2013.

    Ministry is a second career for Kevin. For 25 years he was a public-school band director, teaching for twelve years in Fort Fairfield followed by thirteen years teaching in Presque Isle. Kevin is still an active conductor and trumpet player.

    Kevin is a member of the Board of Directors of Aroostook Medical Health Center.

    He was born and raised in Martin, Michigan, has been married to Pamela since 1985 and is the proud parent of two adult children, Patrick and Kaitlyn.

  • The Rev. Dr. Judith Burleigh

    Deacon of the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster

    After retiring from a career in elementary education (teaching elementary grades and higher education teaching teachers), Judith returned to her home town of Presque Isle, Maine. She became actively involved in the local Episcopal Church and studied to become a Deacon. She was ordained in August of 2007 at St. John’s with Steve. Since her ordination she has been serving in the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster.

  • The Rev. Steve Summerson

    Deacon of the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster

    Rev. Steve serves the church as a deacon, having been ordained to the diaconate in August 2007. He is a “County” boy, growing up in Fort Fairfield, where his dad was a potato farmer. He was active in the church growing up: serving as an acolyte and trainer, youth group member, vestry member, church treasurer, and taking part in various other church and diocesan programs and functions. He attended local schools and graduated from Husson University with a degree in business and finance.