We Believe
We at East, believe in the triune God, the Resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe as Christians that we should continually seek after God – creating an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening our faith, dissolving our guilt, and giving our life purpose and direction. We welcome all to join us on this journey, and be a part of our growing faith family.
United Church of Christ
East Church is a congregation of the United Church of Christ, a denomination that came into being in 1957 by the historic union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. This brought together historic roots of the Pilgrims and the Puritans, Christians seeking freedom of conscience, and German evangelicals. The United Church of Christ still seeks to find shared beliefs that unite us in covenant and celebrates a wide variety of faith traditions.
As a congregation of the United Church of Christ, East Church joins in covenant with other member congregations to minister in this world. We claim autonomy in the local churches, finding authority in the congregation that honors our historic roots. We value independence in expression of faith and commitment to the prayer of Jesus (John 17:21) that calls us to a spirit of unity.
Meet Our Staff
Jameson Thompson
Director of Music &
Arts & Rental Coordinator
jameson.thompson91@gmail.com At the age of 11, with his toes barely able to touch the pedals of the organ, Jameson Thompson played his first service, launching him into his career as an organist. During his middle and high school years, he played concerts at over 15 churches and venues in Northern Michigan. After high school, he moved to Grand Rapids where he studied Organ Performance at Calvin University.
Best known for his flair for bridging the divide between music styles, Jameson enjoys arranging music that combines traditional hymn melodies with contemporary harmonization and textures, as well as performing 19th Century French Organ Music. Jameson is a treasure to us here at East, his talents far exceed what you will experience as you hear his playing the organ and/or piano on any given Sunday. He leads our Chancel Choir with grace and distinction, he plans and organizes many creative musical events throughout the year for us at East.
(photo credit - Schumaker Photography - robsschumaker@gmail.com)
Curtis Prussner
Custodian
cprussner.eastchurchgr@gmail.comCurtis is the longest-serving employee at East Church. He has assisted members and guests ensuring that their needs are met in a professional and timely manner, no matter what kind of event. He works hard maintaining and looking after all of the building needs with the help of the church’s Maintenance Group. He enjoys his ability to serve the church in a multitude of ways, if we ever need a building question answered, Curtis probably has the answer! In his off time, Curtis enjoys working out at the gym and golfing.
(photo credit - Schumaker Photography - robsschumaker@gmail.com)
Sally Scutt
Administrative Assistant &
Social Media Manager
social.eastchurchgr@gmail.com As an Administrative Assistant she works to help keep all aspects of the church organized and communicating. The majority of Sally's office experience was gained while working at Spectrum Health Hospital in Greenville Mi., where she worked as a Diagnostic Imaging Assistant and Respiratory Scheduler for over a dozen years. Sally has developed marketing skills through advertising for her eBay Store and a short venture into her own retail website. Her goal through the East Church website and social media accounts is to communicate the exciting events that take place here at East Church!
(photo credit - Schumaker Photography - robsschumaker@gmail.com)
Jane Farnsworth
Treasurer
treasurer.eastchurchgr@gmail.comJane has been the Treasurer here at East Church since 2012. Her and her husband Dick joined the church in 1979. When the opening for a Treasurer came up, Jane realized she could use her accounting skills to serve the East Church community. This position keeps her engaged with the day-to-day work of the church, even though their farm and cottage keep her from Sunday worship most of the year. Her dedication and attention to detail with the finances of the church are an invaluable resource and her talent with communicating to the rest of us how the numbers all fit together are a gift beyond description!
(photo credit - Schumaker Photography - robsschumaker@gmail.com)
Dez Begay
A/V Technician
Dez has a B.A in Theatre with a passion for theatrical make-up design, video production, and backstage crew. When she’s not at the theatre she loves to face paint at events and parties. Dez is a dependable and invaluable asset to our AV team!
(photo credit - Schumaker Photography - robsschumaker@gmail.com)
Selene Rezmer
A/V Technician
Selene has been involved in the audio world since she first fell in love with it during college in 2010. Since then, she has done too many shows to count at many of the theatres around Grand Rapids. She is excited to share her knowledge of audio and to expand her interest to include video here with her church!
Michael Sali
A/V Technician
Michael Sali is a graduate of Aquinas College, holding a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and a graduate of the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts, holding a degree in Animation. Michael has worked in theatre around the nation as a lighting designer and technical theatre artist. We are blessed to have Michael on our AV team here at East!