Meet Us

Rev. Dr. Amy Lignitz Harken comes to Bethany Church, United Church of Christ,
from rural Sabattus, Maine.

Originally from Kansas, Amy spent much of her life in the Midwest before moving to New England in 2011. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and enjoyed a 10 year career as a reporter and editor. In 2003, she received her Master of Divinity degree from The Divinity School at the University of Chicago. She was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a denomination prevalent in the Midwest, and very close in theology and practice to the United Church of Christ. She received standing with the UCC in 2010.

In 2020, she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree at Hartford Seminary (now Hartford International University for Religion and Peace), focusing on healthful and restorative communication in congregations, particularly Circles practices. She moved to Maine in 2021 to begin a new chapter in ministry, serving as the interim minister for churches searching for their next settled minister. As either a settled or interim minister, she has served churches in Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, and, as a seminary student, in Illinois.

Besides being a minister, Amy is a certified Spiritual Director and Circles practitioner. She has facilitated discussions through the Maine Humanities Council and volunteers through the Cumberland County court system’s restorative dialogues. Amy and her husband, Bruce, like to hike, explore New England’s many excellent craft breweries, and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs. At their Maine home, they enjoy developing their ever-expanding backyard garden and work on household projects.

The organist of Bethany Church since 1990, Marilyn has studied with Lynnette Combs and Laurence Leonard. She was integral in the renovation of the church’s Hutchings organ after what could have been a disastrous fire in 1992, and in the planning of the organ’s centennial celebration in 1994. A past dean of the Vermont Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, she has served as the northern New England District Convener for the AGO’s Region One. Marilyn also chaired the committee that planned the 2013 Vermont-held convention of the Organ Historical Society, an organization that promotes the appreciation and preservation of historic organs such as Bethany’s instrument.