John B. McCall
Senior Minister

John has served as senior minister of our church here on Meetinghouse Hill since 1989 and is the second longest-serving pastor in our history of more than 275 years. He grew up in a parsonage family — both parents were UCC ministers — and lived in seven places  from west coast to Midwest before he finished high school. He graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin and the Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1971. Continuing his eastward drift, he finished his doctoral studies while serving South Congregational UCC in Concord, NH, and received his D. Min. from Andover Newton Theological School in 1985.

He’s the  father of three sons: Seth, who lives in New Hampshire, Jeremiah who lives in Ohio, and Ben who lives in Maine. His wife Andrea, also a UCC minister, is Director of Service Learning & Community Engagement, and Interfaith Chaplain, at the University of Southern Maine.They both love South Portland and are happy to call it home.
Contact John at 799-3361 or by email.

Elsa A. Peters
Associate Minister

Elsa was born not far from the magical city of New York. It was in this small town where she reigned as champion of the Ha Game and poured a Grande Drip for a former United States President. Elsa found employment caring for a golden retriever and two cats in London, toiling in a cubicle in New York City and even moving to Appalachia to host mission groups for week-long service projects. When Elsa finally said “yes” to God’s call, she found a home at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. With some of her favorite scholars, Elsa explored the immense topics of theology and ethics while finding sanctuary in her studies of worship and the arts. Elsa brings all of this passion and creativity to her ministry in our church family.

Elsa also loves to read, write, cook and hike. She loves to travel so much that she has called England and Italy home as well as spending time in Nicaragua and Kenya. She’s trying to remember how to paint again (since it was her major in college). And most importantly, she has a deep passion for coffee (fair trade, of course) and requires multiple cups in one day. She welcomes your call at 799-3361 or your thoughts by email.