Church Leadership

Rev. Adam E. Eckhart
Senior Pastor - Rev. Adam Eckhart has served First Church Milford for over twenty years but still embodies a youthful spirit that engages the church in its faith and ministry.

Adam preaches with one foot in the biblical story and the other in today's world with all its complications, brokenness, and humor.

First U.C.C. Milford called Adam to be its settled Senior Pastor after he served for 13 years as the church's Associate Pastor... [ more ]

Rev. M. Ashley Grant
Associate Pastor - Pastor Ashley was called as First Church Milford's Associate Pastor in December 2016 after first joining the staff as Faith Formation Minister in 2007.

She studied at the University of Georgia and received her M.Div. degree from Yale Divinity School.

Ordained by the New Haven Association of the UCC in 2004, Ashley served as Associate Pastor of First Congregational Church of Greenwich and then in pulpit supply ministries for the Fairfield Association ... [ more ]

Kelsey DeCarlo
Minister of Faith Formation - Originally from Maine, Kelsey is delighted to have found a new home in Connecticut and with the community at First Church!

Kelsey attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania for her undergraduate program and received her graduate degree from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Having worked in Higher Education for the past few years, Kelsey is thrilled to be at First Church in Faith Formation ... [ more ]

Yeheun "Yennie" Kwon
Music Minister - Yeheun "Yennie" Kwon is a versatile and accomplished musician, excelling as a conductor, accompanist, organist, jazz vocalist, and professional singer. Her extensive academic and performance background reflects her exceptional talent, with expertise in orchestra conducting, piano, organ, harpsichord, and jazz voice.

Kwon's musical journey began in her childhood in South Korea. Taught by her mother, a composer, she first learned piano and singing, laying the foundation for her classical music path... [ more ]

Nicole Moore
Office Administrator - Since October 2019, Nicole Moore has served as our church's Office Administrator.

Her warm personality, hard work, and orgainzational skills have been a blessing since day one here and we're glad that she can help our congregation and community with questions and help our leaders get their work done efficiently.

We hope you get to meet Nicole when you come by the church or receive her help over the phone or by email ... [ more ]

Sal Ochoa
Sexton (a.k.a. Caretaker) - Sal began working at First UCC Milford in Spring 2023.

Sal brings previous experience in maintaining the facilities of other places of worship and as a journeyman. He enjoys taking on projects to enhance and improve the church's properties.

Sal moved to Connecticut from California many years ago and we're glad he is here! ... [ more ]

Church Board

The Church Board consists of First Church's Officers, Committee Chairpersons, two Members-at-Large, and a Pastor. We are grateful for the leadership and representation these members faithfully provide.

Moderator: April Preiss
Vice Moderator: Tom Salzano
Clerk: Allison Britting
Treasurer: vacant
Members-At-Large: Alison Gottsegen & Jamie Rude
Pastors: Rev. Adam Eckhart, Rev. M. Ashley Grant

Ministry Chairpeople
Diaconate: Karen Testone & Dick Furanna
Trustees: vacant
Faith Formation: John Haas
Music: Chuck Roy & Steve Perrett
Christian Outreach: Angela Arpino and Peggy Furanna
Stewardship: Michele Olsson
Personnel: Marilyn Cormack & Robin Lewis

In addition to board members and members of ministries and committees, we have other leaders who support the work of the officers and the church in general:

Assistant Treasurers: Laurie Folsom, Lynne Rotan
Financial Secretary: Judy Haley
Assistant Financial Secretary: Gary Becker
Assistant Clerk: Debra Rich
Historian: Joe Jeffery
Communications: TBD
Open and Affirming: Jamie Rude & Tammy Theis-Satterlee

These leaders welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the ministries of the church.

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