Who We Are
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. The UCC is a church of firsts, a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where “…they may all be one” (John 17:21).
The Church of Firsts
Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities. The UCC’s many “firsts” mean that we have inherited a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith. When we read in Galatians: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”—a demand is made upon us. And so we were the first historically white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first Christian church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. Our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.
A Church of Extravagant Welcome
Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners. We labor ceaselessly to fight injustice, in the United States and abroad. We instill our vision into our youth and young adults, forging leaders who will imagine new dreams. And we sustain and develop church leaders, pastors, and our local churches to live their faith in exciting new ways. We believe in a God that is still speaking, a God that is all-loving and inclusive. We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, where your mind is nourished as much as your soul.
We are a church where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary, and where together, we grow a just and peaceful world.
Visit http://www.ucc.org/about for more information.
Leadership
Holly Breidfjord
President
Has lived in Norway
Sue Francisco
Vice President
Has 3 sons and 5 grandsons. The only way a girl has joined the family is through marriage!
Dan Bowers
Parliamentarian
Has held many jobs: farm hand, soccer referee, nurse’s aide, lab assistant, pathology tech, fork lift driver, beer store cashier and hospital receptionist
Pam Reinholz
Secretary
Grew up on Long Island, attended college in Delaware, and has lived in 5 different states since then, including the District of Columbia
Jessica Brandt
Teaches Spanish at Lehigh University
Eddie Bigley
On Sundays you can find him volunteering in our Sunday School classes!
Craig Hill
Hiked the entire Appalachian Trail over 15 years
Charlie Pysher
Goes for a run every day, rain or shine
Steve Fluharty
A native of West Virginia but has lived in the Lehigh Valley since 1984. His passions are gardening and reading. Although he loves the Valley, he’s still a hillbilly!
Bridget Masterson
Lifeguarded at Wild Water Kingdom for 6 summers during high school and college!
Jim Pokrivsak
Enjoys hunting, all types of automobile racing, classic cars and country music
Sally Alercia
Enjoys yard work
Caitlyn Bowers
Youth Rep
Has been out of the country 3 times, most recently going to Japan
The Rev. Cecilia Baxter
Co-Pastor
Cecilia Baxter (she/her/hers) graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with dual concentrations in Justice and Peace Studies and Pastoral Care and Counseling in 2013. She graduated from Catawba College with a BA in Christian Ed in 2009. In 2015, Cecilia was selected to be a part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a program sponsored by the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ, that equips, energizes and empowers younger UCC local church pastors to build vibrant congregations through a decade-long relationship. Cecilia joined New Creation in August 2017 and was officially installed as co-pastor with the Rev. Jameson Baxter in October 2017. She enjoys nutrition, cooking, music, art, camping and above all, being a mom to her 5 children.
The Rev. Jameson Baxter
Co-Pastor
Jameson Baxter (he/him/his) was born in California but shortly thereafter moved to Wisconsin where he experienced most of his upbringing. He was raised in a musical family and has always enjoyed expressing himself through music and art. He graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities with a concentration in Theology and the Arts in 2016. Jameson joined New Creation in August 2017 and was officially installed as co-pastor with the Rev. Cecilia Baxter in October 2017. He considers himself equal parts artist, musician, songwriter, chaplain and pastor and is passionate about creating brave spaces for people to express themselves through the arts. Outside of church you will find him most often playfully chasing after his five children, sketching, making music, playing sports and drinking coffee. Jameson is married to the Rev. Cecilia Baxter. Experiencing life together and raising their five children, is his greatest joy.
Chelsea Grimmett
Administrative Assistant
Rev. Jameson Baxter
Interim Music Minister
Barry Savercool
Custodian
Korynne Haubrich
Nursery Attendant
Andrew Palmer
Tech Assistant
A Brief History of New Creation
New Creation UCC was formed through the unification of 3 Easton Area UCC Churches through 2 separate consolidations. In 2003, St. Mark’s UCC (West Ward, Easton) and St. Peter’s UCC (South Side, Easton) consolidated to form Faith Unity UCC.
In 2008, Faith Unity UCC and Memorial UCC (Wilson Borough, Easton) each voted to consolidate their congregations and form New Creation UCC. Sunday, May 2, 2010, New Creation broke ground on its current location of 3730 Nicholas St. Easton, PA. The first service held there was March 6, 2011.
