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Our Team

Pastoral Staff

Pastoral Staff
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Senior Pastor

The Rev. Kate VanDerzee-Glidden

Kate began at First Church as Director of Christian Education in 2003 and has served as a Pastor since 2009. Kate’s passion for creating a welcoming, justice-seeking, hope-filled, love-sharing and compassionate community with dedicated colleagues and faithful church members is at the heart of her ministry.

Get to know Kate —> 

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Pastor Emeritus

The Rev. David T. Taylor

​David Taylor served as one of the pastors at First Church from 2002–2022. At the heart of his ministry has been the question, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”​​

 

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Congregational Care Visitor

Gwen Lawson

Gwen is working with us one day per week doing pastoral care and sharing her kind and authentic spirit with our community. She has her MDiv and is also assisting two other UCC churches with worship and pastoral care. 

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Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation

The Rev. Betsey Polgase

Betsey provides visitation for our elderly, sick, hospitalized, and homebound members and leads worship at local convalescent facilities. She has served First Church since 2019.

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Get to know Betsey —>

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Sabbatical Pastor

The Rev. Allison Glass

Ally Glass is helping us this summer with our pastoral and worship needs while Kate is on sabbatical. Many of you know Ally because she is an active member of First Church, our Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance Team, and the Church, Growth and Membership Committee.​​

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Program Staff

Program Staff
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Director of Music Ministries

Dr. Angela Salcedo

Angela has overseen our worship music and adult and youth choirs since 2000. She is First Church’s organist, organizes concerts and music scholarships for our community, and leads summer choir camp. Get to know Angela—> 

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Director of Children's Ministries

Kelsey Beach

“Ms. Kelsey” joined First Church’s staff in 2023 after spending her early career as a preschool teacher. She is passionate about creating space for children of all ages to learn, grow, and play at church.​

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Interim Junior High Fellowship Leader

Karen Prager

Karen is leading our Junior High Fellowship (JHF) for this program year. She is a familiar face around church – singing in the choir, lay preaching, leading children’s messages in Sunday worship and running our Vacation Bible School program last summer.

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Director of Mission, Justice & Membership

Nicole Struth

Nicole is on the pathway to becoming an ordained pastor. Since 2023, she has worked to support volunteers from our various advocacy and justice ministries, and provided pastoral care.

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Coordinator of Partnerships, Outreach & Fellowship

Merryl Rees

Merryl works with our Micah Children’s Initiative (O’Brien School partnership), Board of Lay Life & Ministry, Micah Moments, Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, Social Justice Team and more.​

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Interim Senior High Fellowship Leader

Sean Donovan

Sean’s experience in SHF was especially meaningful and formative, and he is eager to lead our amazing group of young people and advisors and to bring them the same traditions and experiences from which he benefitted. 

Music Directors

Admin + Support Staff

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Office Manager

Rebecca Fleahman

Rebecca is our dedicated Office Manager who oversees the office staff, tracks our church’s finances and helps manage our bustling campus. She has served as our Office Manager since 2004.​

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Communications Manager

Susan Feller

Susan is responsible for all our publications. She creates our bulletins, worship media, email blasts and newsletter. She also shares First Church’s ministry on our website, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and more.

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Church School Administrator

Karin Carlino

Karin has faithfully served our Church School program since 2010. From registering families & recruiting volunteers to sorting supplies and copying curriculum, she makes everything happen seamlessly.

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Interim Youth Ministries Coordinator

Chris Stone

Recent Board of Youth Ministries member Chris Stone is coordinating the overall youth program and serves as liaison with Pastor Kate. Chris is a familiar face around First Church as one of our Chancel Choir section leaders. 

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Media Specialist

Alex Richter

Alex and our team of volunteers enhance our worship services with video projections in the Meetinghouse and provide livestreamed and recorded services on our YouTube Channel.

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Administrative Assistant

Jenny Giguere

Jenny is the smiling face who greets you when entering our office. From worship to new members to small groups & outside events, Jenny manages the details with care and answers every question.

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Program Administrator and Facilities Manager

Faith Ferrall

Faith supports our program staff to manage various events and activities for our Youth, Mission & Outreach and Small Groups. She is now also keeping our church campus in good repair.

 

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Director of Handbell Program & Cherub Choir

Peggy Hartman

Peggy is a talented musician who leads our youth & adult handbell players. She also directs our choir for Kindergarten and 1st Grade students and accompanies our worship music with piano and oboe.

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Child Care Provider

Cheryl Foley

Cheryl is our beloved and long-serving leader in the Crib and Toddler Rooms. She faithfully cares for our church's youngest members every Sunday morning along with a team of volunteers. 

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Rebecca Fleahman
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