From “Our Values and Goals”
We are grateful for the ministry of our staff members.
We strive to support their leadership.
Barb LaMere, Liz Allyn,
Kelly Kandra Hughes
Pastor Erick Olsen
(details below)
Staff
Pastor
Rev. Erick Olsen was called as Pastor of Church of Christ Congregational in 2003. He came to Norfolk after serving as Associate Pastor of First Church Congregational in Fairfield CT for five years. Pastor Olsen, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earned his M.Div. at Yale Divinity School. He and his wife Tina and their three children live here in Norfolk. In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Olsen serves as: Chaplain of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Norfolk Senior Housing Corporation (Meadowbrook), a member of Norfolk's Rail Trail committee, and more. He enjoys running, the Red Sox, good coffee, making drip sandcastles, coaching, Thomas Merton and Pat Conroy, rivers, and time with his family.
Minister of Music
Elizabeth 'Liz' Allyn was named Minister of Music in January 2007 after serving as music director since September 2002. She is a graduate of the Hartt College of Music, and has a Master of Arts and Liberal Studies degree from Wesleyan University. She has worked at several church positions, as accompanist for private and Hotchkiss School voice lessons, as Assistant Director of Chorus Angelicus and founder of the Training Choir program, and as public school music teacher. Elizabeth lives in Norfolk with her husband Graham.
Director of Community and Creativity
Kelly Kandra Hughes is responsible for community outreach and continuing Christian education. She leads a Sunday morning Bible study before worship, as well as adult studies.
Administrative Assistant
A lifetime resident of the area, Barbara LaMere was raised in Riverton and attended local schools, eventually graduating from Tunxis Community College. She has decades of experience in accounting and most recently worked for Infinity Hall before finding a home at Church of Christ. She is involved locally with the Elks Lodge #844, is a past member of the New Hartford Historical Society, and she is a Notary Public for CT. Her family, including stepdaughters DeAnne Towle and Donna Adams and son Norman LaMere – plus eight grandchildren – continues to be at the center of her life.