Rev. Dr. Brian C. Hardee, Senior Pastor
Rev. Hardee joined the staff of West Avon Congregational Church in August of 2006. He was previously the Pastor at Shenkel United Church of Christ in Pottstown, Pennsylvania from 1996 through 2006. While at Shenkel, Brian obtained his Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2005. He obtained his Masters of Divinity from Yale in 1996, receiving the Mersick Preaching Prize. Brian's undergraduate work was done at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he graduated in three years summa cum laude as a Caldwell Scholar.
As the son of a career Army officer, Brian has had the opportunity to live in various areas throughout the country and spent five years in Germany. He has also traveled to Puerto Rico, India and Israel. Brian and his four daughters live in West Simsbury.
Summer Office Hours: Rev. Hardee is on vacation for the month of July. Pastor Chris Solimene of Avon Congregational Church will be providing pastoral care for the month of July. He may be reached at Pastor@Avon-Church.org or by phone at (860)389-1363. For the month of August, Rev. Hardee's office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. or by appointment. He does visitations on Fridays.
Mary Scripko is the new Director of Religious Activities and Education. Mary has a shining enthusiasm, relates to children and teens exceptionally well, and has a good sense of humor. She is so excited to be a part of the community at WACC and genuinely looks forward to getting to know you.
Mary originally hails from Southeastern. She holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance in Viola. Mary has a passion for music and loves to integrate it into any teaching and community involvement she has. She has previously worked as a Christian Educator at St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford. She has always felt at home being involved with the church and looks forward to doing what she can to help others feel the same welcoming atmosphere in the WACC community. Mary lives in West Hartford with her husband, Kevin, and their adorable cat, Mitzy.
Mary’s office hours are Monday 12-5 and Tuesday 10-1. She will be available at other times by appointment. She can be reached through the church office at 860-673-3996 or by email at wacc.christianed@gmail.com.
Mary originally hails from Southeastern. She holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance in Viola. Mary has a passion for music and loves to integrate it into any teaching and community involvement she has. She has previously worked as a Christian Educator at St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford. She has always felt at home being involved with the church and looks forward to doing what she can to help others feel the same welcoming atmosphere in the WACC community. Mary lives in West Hartford with her husband, Kevin, and their adorable cat, Mitzy.
Mary’s office hours are Monday 12-5 and Tuesday 10-1. She will be available at other times by appointment. She can be reached through the church office at 860-673-3996 or by email at wacc.christianed@gmail.com.
Lisa Schadler-Alessio, Church Administrator
Lisa is often the first contact one has when they enter the WACC facility. Her duties include providing secretarial and administrative services to the Senior Pastor, the Christian Education Director, the Church Staff, and lay leadership. She also supervises general office operation and oversees rental of the facility. Lisa graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in Fine Arts and a concentration in design. She adds her art and design background to our church's published materials. Lisa and her family are members of the West Avon Congregational Church. Lisa may be contacted through the WACC office during normal office hours.
Summer Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , Wednesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.,
Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. She may be reached at the church office: 860-673-3996 or lisawacc@gmail.com.
Andrey Stolyarov, Director of Music
Andrey recently completed a Master of Music in Composition at Hartt School of Music. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at Hartt. He is a graduate of Lehigh University, where he majored in Music with concentrations in Composition, Conducting and Vocal Performance. While at Lehigh, he was named a Presidential Scholar, a prestigious award entitling him to an additional year of study. Andrey was also accepted to an esteemed European composition festival (ISAM) and won its composition competition. His most recent position was Composer in Residence at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, where he crafted numerous choral and organ works for incorporation into the worship service. A gifted vocalist, Andrey also plays organ/keyboards, guitar, saxophone and percussion.
Donald Funk, Organist
Don has many years of experience as a church musician. Churches he has served include Bristol Congregational Church, Grace Congregational Church in Framingham, and St. Patrick– St. Anthony Church in Hartford. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School, and has a Master of Sacred Music degree from Boston University.
Donald Funk, Organist
Don has many years of experience as a church musician. Churches he has served include Bristol Congregational Church, Grace Congregational Church in Framingham, and St. Patrick– St. Anthony Church in Hartford. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School, and has a Master of Sacred Music degree from Boston University.
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Ryan Budde, Youth Group Leader
Ryan grew up at WACC. On top of West Avon’s youth activities and mission trips, he also went on three mission trips to Mexico with Simply Smiles and spent multiple summers at Silver Lake from 2009 to 2016 with roles ranging from camp family, lifeguard, waterfront coordinator, and camp family father. Ryan graduated from Avon High School and the University of Georgia. He now works in South Windsor at TicketNetwork. |
