Leadership & Teams
A New Model
In July of 2014 the church moved away from the committee model of governance, instead creating three core teams: Missions, Gifts and Finance, and Fellowship and Worship. All of these, plus the Deacons and Staff make up the church Council. The hope was to encourage all our members and friends to use their particular gifts in volunteering to take on projects or causes dear to them, be they short-term ad-hoc events, or long-term projects. These teams have changed over time to become the teams listed below.
If you have questions, suggestions or concerns for any of the Teams, the Deacons or the Council please feel free to use the contact information below and the appropriate person will be in touch soon.
Our Staff
Erick Olsen
Pastor
Rev. Erick Olsen (with sunglasses) 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.
Elizabeth Allyn
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. Liz lives in Norfolk with her husband Graham.
Barbara LaMere
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.
Our Teams
Here is our Slate of Officers and Teams for the year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. We are deeply grateful and appreciative of these wonderful people who make out faith community all it is, and all it will be.
Council
The Church Council conducts the work of the church, reports to the congregation and brings to the congregation matters for church-wide consideration. In financial areas. It may alert the church to any proposed expenditure, although those over $20,000 must be submitted to a vote of the church. The Council members include the Moderator, Leaders of the four Teams, the Clerk, Pastor, and Minister of Music. There are also two at-large Council members from the congregation.
Deacons
“The Mission of the Deacons, individually and collectively, is to serve – however, whenever and wherever possible to make evident God’s kingdom on earth – understanding that we, along with many others, are called to be the hands, feet, face, voice and heart of Jesus in this church, community and world.”
The Deacons cooperate with the Minister to deepen the spiritual life of the church and community, sharing with the Minister the responsibility for the nature and character of the services of worship. They assist in preparation and administration of the sacraments., and visit and care for the needs of our community. The Deaconate also cares for the needs of the Pastor and the Pastor’s family.
Fellowship and Growth
“Encouraging spiritual growth through building relationships with God, self, church, community and the world”
Responsible for: • Opportunities for community fellowsihp and fun • Emcouraging personal and spititual growth through a variety of group activites • New members and membership growth • Music for worship and other settings • Education • Publicity and Advertising
Gifts and Finance
Responsible for: • Properties, buildings, grounds • Investment advisory • Budget and Bookkeeping • Personnel • Revenue Stream including Pledges and Bequests
Green Team
Responsible for encouraging care of our planet and the beautification of church grounds.
Responsible for: • Properties, buildings, grounds • Investment advisory • Budget and Bookkeeping • Personnel • Revenue Stream including Pledges and Bequests
Missions and Social Justice
• Light of Service • Mission Trips • Social Justice