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Who we are
But churches are living creatures, and ours is as young as our current world. We are a community of people, learning in faith, and growing in God’s love. We do many different things in life. Our common thread is the church that supports us in our moments of grief; challenges us in our times of growth; and celebrates with us our milestones and achievements. We are covenantal members of the New Haven Association of the Connecticut Conference, and of the United Church of Christ.
Our Church Staff
The Reverend Doctor Sara Penn-Strah, Senior Pastor Sara’s own words best express her commitment to ministry amongst us. "As pastor and teacher, I have been charged specifically with helping all members identify and develop their gifts for ministry – including gifts of leadership." "Worship delights me – when all of God’s people gather together to give God praise. I especially appreciate how many people share their creative gifts in worship planning and leadership here at First Church, from the people in involved in music and the deacons’ preparations, to the children who come forward for the children’s message." "I feel especially privileged to be invited to share important marker points on people’s faith journeys – their baptisms, confirmation, weddings or civil unions, times of illness, death and mourning or other life crises." "My great joys include working with Boards, Fellowship Groups, and Study Groups to discern God’s purposes for us as individuals and as a church. As we talk together about matters of faith and study our foundational scripture, we nourish each other along on our spiritual journeys." Sara Penn-Strah holds a AB in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a M. Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from University of Pittsburgh where she focused on ritual studies. Before coming to First Church of Christ, Woodbridge (UCC), she taught worship at Harvard Divinity School, served as turn-around minister in a church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and served as co-pastor for an open-and-affirming new church start in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to returning to graduate school, Sara worked as an elementary school teacher and in the children’s room of a public library. Sara loves both vegetable gardening and working in the flowerbeds around the parsonage. She enjoys hikes and walks in the conservation land that adjoins the church campus. She loves music, likes to cook, swims laps regularly, and delights in her blended family. Her husband Mike is the South Central Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. Together they have four children: Mike’s son, David, and his spouse, Barry, live in New York City and have two children, Zev and Summer. Mike’s daughter, Annie, and her spouse, Jonathan, live in Olive Bridge, New York, and have a daughter, Ruby. Sara’s son, Andrew, and his wife, Jessie, live in Montague, Massachusetts, with their son, Llewyn. Her younger son, Philip and his wife Kathryn , are in Washington D.C. Reverend Penn-Strah has been "thrilled to discover how gifted the people of this church are and how open they are to the world around them." "Come and discover for yourself this bold and imaginative part of the church of Jesus Christ."
Barbara Marks,
Director of Christian Education.
Barbara is our Director of Christian Education. She is excited to be involved in the spiritual life and youth fellowship of the church. Barbara works with the Board of Christian Education and teachers in planning curriculum, service projects, and community outreach events. She is eager to listen to ideas and explore “new ways” to have children be enthusiastic about their faith in ways that are meaningful to them. At First Church of Christ, our goal is to nurture our children in their faith, so that they have a positive sense of belonging to our faith community, as they grow to be responsible, giving, caring young adults in the community. Barbara has a strong spiritual faith, and a zest for youth. She brings several years of experience as a children’s, youth, and adult educator at the North Haven Congregational Church. She is a graduate of the Associate of Christian Education program, licensed by the Connecticut Conference of the UCC. She and her husband David, and their daughter Chelsea, reside in North Haven. "No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure."
Dean Beckert, Organist and Choir Director Dean, who has been playing the organ and piano at First Church since 1997, began directing the Senior Choir in 2006. Previously, he was organist and Choir Director of the United Church of Westville and a vocal music instructor in the town of Monroe. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College and continued graduate studies in Music Education at the University of Bridgeport. Dean is a Consumer Information database administrator at AT&T where he has worked for 30 years, but his first love is music. He says, "Music speaks in a way words cannot speak of our thanksgiving and praise to God who has so richly blessed us."
Faye Chen, Director of the Handbell Choir The bells have been ringing ever more beautifully since Faye joined our staff in 2004. Beside choosing repertoires, arranging music and conducting, Faye recruits our ringers, books engagements outside the church, catalogues and files new music, keeps accurate financial records and continually inspires the handbell choir to new heights. Faye received her BA in piano performance from Shih-Chien University in Taiwan. She continued her studies in California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island before arriving in Woodbridge with her husband, Eaton, and three children, all equally talented. Faye has involved herself in church musical services all along her journey and has taught at Yamaha School of Music. She enjoys gardening, tennis, reading, traveling, cooking and playing Mah Jonng. Faye says, "It’s been a privilege to share some of my music background and experiences and to grow right along with our ringers. I can come in from a bad day and leave feeling ten times better. We laugh a lot, too. It is very rewarding."
Carole Prescott, Office Manager Hat’s off to Carole who is approaching her 25th anniversary working for the church, the last ten years as full-time office manager. Carole tends to all administrative matters for the church and keeps the financial records. She is always ready to assist church members and friends when help is needed. She has a B.S. in Business Education, worked as a teacher for 15 years and as a dental office Manager for 6 years prior to joining our church staff. Carole demonstrates her commitment to us each day as she travels all the way from Higganum, CT where she lives with her husband, Richard. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Carole loves to travel and read, but most people do not know that she loves to tap dance! Carole provides an important ministry to our church. She says, "Our welcome mat is always out so feel free to call or stop by the office between 9 AM and 2 PM, Monday through Friday."
 Charles Crews, SextonCharles has been taking good care of our buildings since 1986. Besides the general cleaning and maintenance of the buildings and furnaces, he also assists the pastor at weddings and funerals. Charles has never shied away from work. In fact, for 48 years of his adult life, he worked two jobs, one as a machine operator and the other as an apartment building superintendent. Early in his career, he worked at Pond Lily where our own Elsie Ford worked as a manager for many years. It was a great reunion when they discovered each other at First Church. Charles has been married to his beloved wife, Mary, for 63 years. They have 3 children, 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Charles is admired and revered by all of us at First Church of Christ.
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Feedback about this site may be e-mailed to webmaster@uccw.org Site © 2008 The First Church of Christ, Woodbridge CT Church Office: (203) 389-2119
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The First Church of Christ is very old and very young by its nature.
We have been in 