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 LeMere was raised in Riverton and attended local schools.
Barb writes, “I graduated from The Hartford Academy of Business and also attended Tunxis Community College.
I was married to Norman LaMere Sr. for 36 years. After selling our home in New Hartford we chose condo living and moved to Lakeridge in Torrington, anticipating a stress-free retirement. God had other plans. While vacationing in Jamaica over Christmas 2017, Norm became ill. He passed away from cancer in July of 2018. Our son, Norman LaMere Jr. of New Hartford, my step-daughters DeAnne Towle of Winchester and Donna Adams of Norfolk, as well as our eight grandchildren, remain a large part of my life.
While God chose Norm to be with him sooner, he thought I needed a little bit more work. By word of mouth (or by divine intervention) I found my way to Church of Christ Congregational in Norfolk. I enjoy the work and people, and believe in the principle of an “Open and Affirming Church.”
My forty-year plus accounting background was primarily in the commercial construction industry, however, most recently I was employed with Infinity Music & Entertainment until their recent sale to Good Works.
I am a current member of the Elks Lodge #844 and past member on the New Hartford Historical Society. During the 30 years I lived in New Hartford I held the position of Justice of the Peace and had the pleasure of marrying over 40 couples. Also, I am a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut, so should anyone be in need of a Notary please do not hesitate to stop in the Church Office during business hours and I will be happy to help.”