Pastors and Staff

Kenneth Brookes, D. Min.

Pastor

kbrookes@newingtonucc.org

Ken, a native New Englander, was educated at Colby College, University of Maine, Bangor Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological School. He is an avid sailboat racer, runner, cyclist, skier, gardener, hiker and singer. His wife, Ellen, plays an active role in the Church community and teaches French and Spanish at Silas Deane Middle School in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Ken and Ellen have two sons, Stephen and Geoffrey, both of whom are high school band directors. Pastor Brookes was called to this Church in 1989 and throughout his tenure, has continuously ministered to the needs of the congregation and has actively served the community.

Melanie Enfield

Associate Pastor

menfield@newingtonucc.org

Melanie comes from Oregon and is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. Melanie is married to Newington native Jonathan Tinkham, with whom she has three children: Sam, Kelly and Zachary. Melanie loves the outdoors, reading and scrapbooking. She directs our youth programs and focuses her efforts on Christian Education and Mission. She is also the Director of Pastoral Care at the Institute of Living in Hartford. Melanie served as the moderator of the Central Association of the United Church of Christ and is a delegate to General Synod.

Peter Niedmann

Director of Music

pniedmann@newingtonucc.org

Peter brings a wide range of experience to the Church: he is an accomplished organist, choir director, composer and keyboard player; he is comfortable with a range of musical genres from jazz to gospel to rock. His choral compositions are widely performed throughout the United States and have garnered unanimous critical acclaim. Peter was a prize-winner at a national organ competition, and served on the faculty of The Hartt School, University of Hartford, Harford, Connecticut. Peter’s published compositions are numerous and are included in two hymnals. He studied at The Hartt School and the University of Connecticut.  Peter received two prestigious conducting fellowships with Sir David Willcocks. He served as dean of the Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and holds the AGO Associate Certificate.

Robin M. Nichols

Church School Director

rnichols@newingtonucc.org

Robin is a retired grade school teacher who taught for many years in Newington. She has served for over 10 years as our school director. She is also an active with the Cub Scouts program sponsored by our Church. She loves our children.

Administrative Staff

Deborah Tagle, Office Manager, dtagle@newingtonucc.org
June Michals Kolzak, Financial Secretary, jkolzak@newingtonucc.org
Jean Weidlich, Church Secretary and Receptionist, jweidlich@newingtonucc.org

Maintenance Staff

Richard Vancedarfield, Sexton
Robert Pinard, Assistant Sexton

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Summer hours (July 4 to August 31): Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Church office telephone: (860) 666-4689
Fax: (860) 666-5871)
E-mail: churchofchrist@newingtonucc.org