Leadership
Pastor Gail Angellis
Pastor Gail Angellis was ordained and called to serve Emmaus in June 2024. She has earned her Master of Divinity degree at United Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania and holds a Certificate in Ecology and Theology from the Washington Theological Consortium. Additionally, Pastor Gail has an associate degree in liberal arts with a Theatre Concentration, as well as a BA in Psychology. From 2022-2023, she served as intern at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chelmsford, MA.
Pastor Gail brings with her a wide range of experience, including most recently serving as a hospice chaplain, hearing instrument specialist, Baptiste yoga instructor, furniture store manager, actor, and mom.
She and her wife Karen have lived in Nashua, NH, for the past twenty years. They are the humble servants of four cats: Lemony, Duncan, Charlie, and Sheik. Pastor Gail has two adult daughters, Dana and Allison. She has a sister, Lisa, who visits often and a brother, Mark, who lives in Paris, France.
Pastor Gail values a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys gardening, yoga, and her Peloton. She also loves the ocean, hiking trails, reading, “thrifting,” fine art, and exploring new places. Her passions for ministry include preaching, pastoral care, leading worship, hospitality, and building a sense of community. She also loves to look for gifts and talents in others, helping them find ways to use those gifts to serve God.
Pastor Gail looks forward to proclaiming the good news of God’s unconditional love and grace for all of God’s children!
Contact Pastor Gail
David Hansen, Musician
David was born in Spokane, Washington, but grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in a devout Mormon family, including serving as a missionary for a few years before coming out and leaving the leaving the Mormon church. However, his love of church music never faded. Even during all the other jobs David had, he remained diligent in work as professional musician. After many years of living in Utah, David and his partner Rob relocated to Maine.
Prior to his arrival in August 2021, David served Faith Lutheran Church for 20 years as their musician. He is absolutely thrilled to be here and cannot wait to get to know the congregation. He is looking forward to expanding our music program, both in the congregation and greater community.
David lives in South Portland with his partner, Rob. Outside of his church responsibilities David enjoys time by the ocean, good food, and being mistaken for a Keebler elf.
Contact David
Kristen Peterson, Office Administrator
Kristen grew up in central Minnesota but moved to the Twin Cities during COVID to see what the metro area had to offer. That move led her to an Office and Media Coordinator position at a UCC church in St. Paul, where she discovered a love for graphic design—a skill that allowed her to serve her community in a whole new way.
Although Kristen loved her work in Minnesota, the desire to explore new opportunities led her to relocate to Maine at the end of 2025. She didn’t make the trek alone; she was accompanied by her parents, her partner Riley, and her daughter Matilda. Between settling into her new home and discovering what the East Coast has to offer, Kristen stays busy painting, singing, sightseeing, and gaming.