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Boards, Committees, & Ministry Teams

The Congregational Church of New Canaan is entirely self-governed. Church Officers, Deacons, Trustees and members of Standing Committees are elected by the congregation at our Annual Meeting each March.

Church Officers

Clerk: Lauren Baker – 2026
Treasurer: Laura Doscher – 2026
Assistant Treasurer: John Owen – 2026
General Counsel: Tom Hall – 2026

Board of Deacons

A twelve-member Board of Deacons, together with the Senior Minister, leads the spiritual life of the church.

The current Deacons are:
Class of 2024: Sara Bakker, Steve Case, Susanna Nichols, Doug Simpson
Class of 2025: Dionna Carlson (Chair), Kirk Carr, Tammie Garner, Mike Rodgers
Class of 2026: David Beck, Twee Haffner, Teri Reid, Michael Holland Jr.

Board of Trustees

Business affairs are managed by a twelve-member Board of Trustees.

The current Trustees are:
Class of 2024: John Stichter, Steve Busby, Chris Baker (Chair), Polly Morrow
Class of 2025: Stephanie Douglas-Parkin, Colin Smith, Michael Sortirhos, Linda Williams
Class of 2026: Amy Werner, Homer Parkhill, Jen Paterson, Dirk Dunlap

Other Committees and Ministry Teams

Standing Committees include: Nominating and Governance, Leadership, Investment, Personnel, and Missions and Social Action.

Nominating and Governance Committee Members

Class of 2024: Paul Foley, Barb Clayton (Chair)
Class of 2025: Debbie Raymond
Class of 2026: Peter Wilson, Anne Emson

Leadership Committee Members

Senior Minister: Rev. Stephen Chapin Garner
Trustees: Chris Baker
Deacons: Dionna Carlson
Nominating & Governance: Barb Clayton
Personnel: Diane Bailey
Director of Operation: Caroline Leather-Smittle
Director of Spiritual Formation: Marianna Kilbride

Investment Committee

Class of 2024: John Fusek (Chair), Rick Selvala
Class of 2025: Derrek Metz

Personnel Committee Members

Class of 2024: Chris Baker (Trustee), Diane Bailey (Chair)
Class of 2025: Jeff Altman
Class of 2026: Lonnie deMarco

Missions and Social Action Committee Members

Class of 2024: Janis Hennessy, Laura Herman (Chair), Frank Lyon
Class of 2025: Kathleen Abbott, Maria Hemmings
Class of 2026: Brian Werner, Lindsay Tucker, Karen Wilson

Ministry Teams and other Small Groups

Ministry Teams, made up of Church member volunteers, support our ministers and program staff as needed. Members are encouraged to seek out and join the team or teams that are most relevant to them and their own spiritual journey. They may move in and out of teams as their time and interests dictate. Click here to view a list of our ministry teams; choose “serve” under “group type” and click Search.

Ministry Teams and other Small Groups

Buildings & Grounds, Caroline Leather-Smittle
Card Ministry, Stephanie Radman
Children & Family Ministries, Lindsey Daly
Children’s Music and Drama, Jody Davis
Christian Formation Fellowship (Adult – Men’s and Women’s), Laurel Carr
Flower Ministry Team, Juliet Howe
Maasai, Marianna Kilbride
Men’s Small Groups, Steve Case
Middle School Ministries, Emma Garner
Missions & Outreach Steering Team (MOST), Marianna Kilbride
Music, Jody Davis
Pastoral Care Leadership Team, Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner
Pastoral Ministries, Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner
Prayer Chain, BJ Flagg
Prayer Shawl Ministry, Twee Haffner
Stephen Ministries, Beth Baker
Welcoming/New Members, Courtney Flynn
Women’s Fellowship, Lesley Cousley
Women’s Small Groups, Marianna Kilbride
Youth Group, Kelly Antonson

Interested in Joining a Team?

To learn more about our various ministry teams, please contact Laurel Carr  or feel free to call the Church Office at (203) 966-2651.

Stewardship Season is Underway

THE BEST WAY TO KNOW OUR CHURCH IS TO GET INVOLVED