New Harbor United Methodist Church welcomes its new pastor, Alice Mello. Alice has served asa Local Licensed Pastor for the past three years and brings a heart for compassionate, Christ-centered ministry rooted in prayer, Scripture, healing and community care. 

Prior to receiving herlocal license, she also served the wider church through supply preaching and involvement in other areas of congregational life. She has often served alongside her husband, Jim, who is also a pastor. 

Her professional background includes work in the Addiction field as well asexperience as a Certified Nursing Assistant—roles that strengthened her commitment tomeeting people where they are and walking alongside them with dignity and hope. Family is central to her life, and she also values healthy practices of self-care, rest, and renewal. 

Outside of ministry, she enjoys time with loved ones and the open road on her Harley-Davidson. 

As she begins her ministry in New Harbor, her vision is to build a welcoming church family that grows deeper in spirituality and in numbers—inviting new neighbors, extending genuine hospitality, and creating clear pathways for people to connect, belong, and serve as the congregation shares God’s love in practical ways throughout the community.

A Maine native who grew up on a poultry farm in Pemaquid Maine, I decided to earn my degree at University of Maine in Agricultural Economics. My career choice was to become a loan specialist in the US Department of Agriculture, The Farmers Home Administration, now Rural Development was my employer for last a very satisfying 42 year career. 

Community service has always been important to me leading to long terms on town planning board, Bristol Lions, Elder Care Board, Community Housing Improvement Program volunteer carpenter and firewood crew for the many Mainers who burn wood , church trustee and treasurer for plus 20 years.

Margo Hope,Church Leader

I have spent most of my adult life in this small coastal town. Yes, it is very beautiful. Many residents cannot see their neighbors’ homes; this could create feelings of loneliness and

isolation but that is not the usual case.

As a many generation descendant, I have discovered that Mainers are actually a most varied population. Few jobs are sitting here waiting for the right person to find them. One

would need a wide skillset you have been taught or self- taught to earn a living wage. Creating an enterprise can lead to success. Michael Hope and I have raised three children here; they tell us that their classmates have many surprising kinds of high intelligence. Their families are not all the same. That is what they like most about their local education. Fishermen, boat builders, artists, historians, clergy, doctors, CEO’s, poets, scientists and musicians. We hold so many views and are grateful for what each person can teach us.