Who we are
St. Peter’s is a community of clergy, staff, lay leaders, members, friends, and community partners. Those who one might contact most frequently include:
Lael Sorensen: Priest and Rector
Lael Sorensen is an Episcopal priest and began as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland, Maine, in 2015. Prior to St. Peter’s, Lael served as Assistant Rector at Grace Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, and as chaplain at Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals in Delaware.
A native Californian, Lael was raised in New Jersey and attended schools in Massachusetts and Michigan but underwent her most important spiritual formation in Maine, where she was sponsored for ordination.
She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and Diploma in Anglican Studies from The Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She is especially interested in practical theology for daily living, Ignatian spirituality, liturgy and music, and has a lifelong commitment to social justice.
Her sermons and other reflections can be found on her blog: For the Fullness of Joy.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Telephone: 207-594-8191
Email: rector.stpetersrockland@gmail.com
11 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841
Jef Berg: Senior Warden
Jef Berg grew up in Knox County and returned here from New Jersey when she retired five years ago. She received her BA in English from the University of Maine and her MS in Gerontology Counseling from Iona College. She spent 32 years working in the field of Adult Day Care. Her son and his family live in Oregon.
Barbara Jean O’Brien: Music Director
Barbara Jean O’Brien grew up in the Boston area and moved to Maine in 2001. She has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Music from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of New Hampshire and certifications in Contemplative Musicianship and Music-Thanatology from the Chalice of Repose Project School of Music-Thanatology.
Barbara Jean has served many spiritual congregations over the years, as organist, pianist, choir director, cantor, harpist, choir member and vocal soloist, and is pleased to call St. Peter’s her spiritual home.
Michelle D. Young: Office Administrator
Michelle D. Young has served as the Office Administrator for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Rockland since August 12, 2022.
Our Vestry (governing board)
Senior Warden: Jef Berg
Junior Warden: Sam Cotton
Treasurer: Peter Fontaine
Register: Joe Cox
Other Lay Ministry Leaders at St, Peter’s
Budget & Finance Committee: Jim Bowdich and Joan Welsh
Buildings and Grounds: Paul Rogers
Episcopal Church Women: Gloria Young
Pastoral Care: Marty Roger