Pastor Ali was called to serve at West Avon Congregational Church in June 2025 upon completion of a Masters in Divinity from Andover Newton Seminary and Yale Divinity School. She began her theological education at Hartford International University with a certificate in Interfaith Studies. Prior to entering Yale Divinity School in 2022, she worked as a Chaplain in the Spiritual Care Department at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Ali has a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.A. from the University of Rochester. She has been an instructor of restorative yoga, a potter, a teacher of writing to first-year college students, and a teacher of English at an Orthodox Jewish girls’ high-school in Chicago. Pastor Ali’s ministry is guided by the real, vast, and ever-present love of God, who calls us to be the Church, the body of Christ in the world, and to live faithfully in God’s love. She is committed to building community according to the teachings of Jesus, doing the work of peace and justice through love of self and neighbor, and creating joyful spaces where all experience God’s grace freely given. She has been blessed with many gifts, most notably empathic leadership, a heart for pastoral care, bridge-building, and preaching in contextual, relevant, and inspired ways. Pastor Ali and her family – husband Chris and two daughters – relocated to the Hartford area 20 years ago and make their home in nearby Collinsville. She likes to spend as much time as she can outdoors in all seasons, gardening, walking, and wandering through the woods. Having grown up in a musical family, she likes to sing in church, in the car, and in the kitchen. With joy and gratitude, she works to follow Jesus in thought, word, and deed. Pastor Ali can be reached through the church office at 860-673-3996 or by email at pastor@westavonchurch.org.

Mary joined the staff at WACC in late summer 2019, right before COVID took over our world. She loves being a part of the community at WACC and genuinely looks forward to getting to know you. Mary is in charge of Christian Education for ages 0-100, and does her best working with Outreach and Membership and Community boards to keep our church active as a congregation and within the community of Avon. Mary originally hails from Southeastern Pennsylvania. 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 grew up in a UCC congregation, and has always felt at home being involved with the church. Mary lives in West Hartford with her husband, Kevin, and her two sons and their cat, Elmer. Mary can be reached through the church office at 860-673-3996 or by email at wacc.christianed@gmail.com.

Ram Tysoe is a Hartford-based vocalist, pianist, and educator. He graduated from The Hartt School with a Bachelor's degree in Music Composition, and now sings professionally with choral ensembles here in the Northeast, as well as gigs with his folk duo "Ram and Ian." Aside from the music, Ram is a huge video game nerd, has an adorably chunky tuxedo cat named Momo, and LOVES a good cup of tea. ​ ​To find out about how to join the choir or be involved in our music ministry, contact Ram at tysoeram@gmail.com.

Don ("Bub") 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.

Laura is the Office Administrator at West Avon Congregational Church. She holds a BS in Computer Science and an MA in Education, and grew up in the south end of Hartford with close family ties all around her. Laura has worn many hats before joining us. Much of her career has been teaching children of all ages, as well as running her own family childcare business. More recently, Laura has pursued the career path of office coordinator, payroll administrator, and business manager with expertise in spreadsheets,numerous office applications, and equipment. She is the mother of two grown and married children and one amazing grandson -- and loves spending time with all of them! She also enjoys crocheting and crafting in her down time. ​Contact Laura with any bulletin or newsletter announcements at wacc.church.office@gmail.com.

Tom and Ken are brothers that are both retired from their professional careers in the Fire Department and spend a bit of their days spiffing up our church. They both have wonderful wives and raised their families nearby in Farmington. Thank you, gentlemen!