In 1980 Donna and her son, Marc, moved from Rhode Island to Bangor, Maine where she attended Bangor Theological Seminary and received her Master’s of Divinity in 1983. The position of Minister of Visitation of First Congregational Church in South Portland, Maine, enabled Donna to be ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1986. From there she served her first solo church in a small, rural, college town, Castleton, Vermont. During her tenure there, she received her D.Min. degree in 1994.
From there, Donna served as Associate Pastor at the historic Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. Gray skies and long, cold and snowy winters eventually led Donna to Arizona and to Sedona which she now calls home sweet home.
The Rev. Dr. Donna Cavedon has lived in Sedona since March of 2006. While taking a Leave of Absence from active parish ministry, Donna became a Park Ranger at Red Rock State Park. Most recently, she had been hired as the School Coordinator for the Park and enjoyed all of her functions as an Arizona State Park Ranger. Donna turned in her badge on February 12th of 2011 to begin active ministry as Associate Pastor at the Church of the Red Rocks.
Ginger Willetts has been the church Administrative Assistant since August 1998 and joined us with strong office skills experience.
Ginger is also the Wedding Coordinator and Canyon Echo newsletter editor. Ginger lives in West Sedona and is fortunate to have parents who not only live in Sedona but are members of the church. Click here to contact Ginger.
Marlene Auburn is our new Part-time Receptionist/Secretary hired in August of 2011. Marlene is a member of our church and brings 44 years of office skills to her position. Marlene also worked several years as our Sunday School Superintendant. She works mornings from 9:00am - 1:00pm.
Michael Mendoza is our new Part-time Accountant hired in August 2011. Michael is a CPA from Southern California, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and had his own accounting practice. Michael’s background and experience makes him a wonderful addition to the staff. He is in the office on Wednesday afternoons, and all day Thursdays and Fridays.
Michael lives in the Village of Oak Creek with his wife, and has a daughter and 3 grandchildren.
Bill Albanese, our Church Sexton, joined us in 2004 with prior experience as a Church Sexton. Before that he worked 31 years for the phone company, retiring in 1999. He and wife Joy have been married for 30 years, live in Cottonwood and have three daughters.
In 1980 Donna and her son, Marc, moved from Rhode Island to Bangor, Maine where she attended Bangor Theological Seminary and received her Master’s of Divinity in 1983. The position of Minister of Visitation of First Congregational Church in South Portland, Maine, enabled Donna to be ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1986. From there she served her first solo church in a small, rural, college town, Castleton, Vermont. During her tenure there, she received her D.Min. degree in 1994.
