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Meet Our People

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Rev. Dan Haugh

Senior Minister

Rev. Dan Haugh is the Senior Minister at Stowe Community Church. He previously served as Associate Minister at Round Hill Community Church in Greenwich, CT, Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at the American Church in Paris, France, and Pastor of Student Ministries at Bedford Community Church in New York. A graduate of Gordon College and Alliance Theological Seminary, Rev. Haugh was ordained in 2006. He lives in Stowe with his wife, Lauretta, twin sons, Jack and Blake, and dog Billy. They love the outdoors and especially enjoy hiking, boating, and skiing. They are also loyal Boston sports fans!

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Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer

President

Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer is President of the Stowe Community Church. Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, she studied Fashion and Design at Ryerson University before founding NJOY Weddings & Events, a luxury wedding planning company in Stowe.

She co-founded the Stowe Theatre Guild in 1995 and helped launch the Cherub and Youth Choirs at SCC in 1990. Her love of music, theatre, and community continues to guide her work. Nancy and her husband, Terry, delight in their blended family of six children and ten grandchildren.

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Nancy Small

Vice President

Nancy Small is Vice President of Stowe Community Church. In this role, she supports new initiatives from the President and Pastor and serves on the Executive, Finance, Stewardship, and Endowment Committees. She also enjoys her involvement with the Women’s Fellowship group.

Before returning to Vermont, Nancy built a successful career in book and magazine publishing with Rodale, Hallmark, and Eating Well. She and her husband, Roger Keller, live in Waterbury Center and enjoy time with their eight grandchildren—especially when she can bring them to SCC to share in the church’s welcoming community.

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Skip Wentz

Treasurer

The Stowe Community Church is thrilled to have Skip Wentz as their Treasurer.
With a sharp eye for detail and a steady hand with numbers, he helps ensure the church’s finances remain accurate, transparent, and well-organized.

Known for his hard work and reliability, Skip brings care and dedication to managing the church’s resources, supporting its mission of faith, fellowship, and service.

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Marylou Durett

Administrative Assistant

Marylou Durett keeps our church running smoothly. She grew up in Stowe, attended Sunday School and youth group at SCC, sang first in the junior choir and, later, in the senior choir too. After a 34-year career with State Farm Insurance, she says she has “come back home” to SCC as our Administrative Assistant. It lets her help, uplift, and stay connected with the community she loves, In her spare time, she enjoys singing with Voices for All Seasons, and spending time with friends and family (she has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren!). Marylou lives on Lake Eden.

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Karen Miller

Organist/ Music Director

Karen Miller has been Organist/Music Director at the Stowe Community Church since 2007. Before this, she was Organist/Choir Director at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church from 1986 to 2007. Karen was a member of the Vermont Chapter of AGO, and its newsletter editor, for over 30 years. She has also accompanied the Northeast Kingdom Chorus and the North Country Chorus in the past. Outside of music, Karen taught biology and microbiology at Lyndon State College (now Northern University - Lyndon) for 15 years. She lives with her husband John in Stannard, VT.

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Molly Mitchell

Director of Youth Ministries

We are beyond thrilled to welcome Molly Michell as our new Director of Youth Ministries!

With Molly’s leadership, our 6th-12th graders will be inspired and excited to learn and live by faith, by communicating and modeling what it means to be a loving follower of Christ. Our youth will have so many wonderful opportunities including community service outreach, mentoring, spiritual formation and fun social events and activities.

Molly is pursuing her Master’s in Theatre Education and is deeply passionate about creating meaningful experiences for young people through the arts. A mother of four, Molly is grateful for the opportunity to bring her creativity and care to the youth programs at Stowe Community Church. She looks forward to helping young people find belonging, grow in confidence, connection, and faith while building a joyful sense of community together.

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Taryn Noelle

Director of Children’s Ministries

Taryn Noelle is deeply honored and filled with gratitude to serve as the Director of Children's Ministries for the Stowe Community Church, a post she has held since July of 2018. When not working in Christian Education, Taryn also works for a wonderful Waldorf Inspired after school Enrichment Program called Wonderkids, as well as working throughout northern and central Vermont as a choreographer, stage director, actor, and vocalist. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Taryn lives in Craftsbury (in the Northeast Kingdom) with her partner Dave and their amazing pup, Wendell. 

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Brenda A. Convery

Wedding Coordinator

Brenda A. Convery is our Wedding Coordinator. Originally from Malden, MA, Brenda moved to Stowe in December 1989 for what she thought would be just the winter. But, she fell in love with Vermont and never left! Prior to joining SCC, Brenda worked in various Stowe restaurants while working full time for National Life Group in Montpelier. She has always had a passion for event planning, especially weddings, as they create life-long memories of having blessed family and friends together.

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Reverend Doctor Barbara Purinton

Pastoral Associate

Rev. Dr. Barbara Purinton serves as our Pastoral Associate, helps lead worship, provides pulpit supply, and officiates various ceremonies and services when needed. She is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School (MDiv), Eastern Baptist Theological School (now Palmer Seminary) DMin, and a 2014 Graduate of Goddard College (MFA in Creative Writing). She has served churches in Jeffersonville and Danville/North Danville with her husband Charlie, and served as pastor in Richmond for 19 years. Since 2011 she has served eight churches as interim pastor. She is also a certified Spiritual Director and a retired, 30-year EMT. Barbara lives in North Hero with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren.