Meet our clergy and staff
The REverenD Reed LOY - Rector (Pastor)
Reed joined St. Andrew’s as their 27th Rector in the Summer of 2017. He grew up on his family farm in Epping, NH, and has found a home in the church in numerous communities across the state and the globe. He studied Plant Biology at the University of New Hampshire, and worked in campus, youth, justice and parish ministry, before receiving his Masters of Divinity at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA.
Reed met God in prayers at the dinner table, at camp, on mission trips, and in Sunday worship. And through the joys and challenges of life since, Reed finds himself today in a relationship of “deep trust and a good dose of playfulness with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” He loves meeting God through words, song, writing, drawing, silence, sport, and through the companionship of Neighbors in all these things. He enjoys games intellectual and physical, competitive and recreational, particularly soccer.
Reed lives with his wife, Linden Rayton, and their three children in Contoocook.
The Reverend Celeste Hemingson - Assisting Priest for Pastoral Care
St. Andrew's has been my church home since 1988, but many of you have not seen much of me in the last 20 years. That's because I was ordained here in 2003, and went on to serve nine different New Hampshire parishes as interim priest until I retired late last year. Ministry goes on, however: I preach and celebrate Communion at St. John's in Dunbarton two Sundays a month; and I'm delighted to help Reed with pastoral care right here, back where I started. -Celeste
Bernadette Aubin Allan - associate for music
Bernadette joined St. Andrews in August, 2022. She is the former Organist/Choir Director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shelton, CT and former Co-Dean of the Greater Bridgeport Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Bernadette began her church career as a teenager, regularly leading music for worship in her home parish in Trumbull, CT. While pursuing her Music Education degree, she was hired as soloist and section leader at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, CT. She went on to become a music director, and eventually, an organist for a number of churches in Fairfield County, and has had the privilege of performing with many fine choral ensembles. Teaching has always played an important role in her life and she still maintains a home studio. It has always been a special joy to include students in the musical life of the church. Bernadette and her husband Jim are the proud parents of two grown sons who still reside in southern Connecticut. Nonetheless, they are delighted to have relocated to nearby Washington with their Labradors, Gracie and Rosie, who frequently join them on their kayak excursions!
Kim Wertz - Associate for Administration and Ministry Development
Kim joined St. Andrew’s in March, 2018. A native of Pennsylvania, she has lived in NY, RI, PA, and now in NH. Kim graduated from Lebanon Valley College in Anneville, PA with a degree in Music Education. She has been employed in different denominations as both administrative assistant and as music director, sometimes both at the same time, and finds that working in churches is very fulfilling, both mentally and spiritually. Kim lives in Manchester with her husband Deric and pooch Mickey.
